Passport Ultra Light Travel Trailer By Keystone RV Reaches 5,000

Keystone RV Company recently announced that the 5,000th Passport Ultra Lite travel trailer was produced by Keystone RV Company’s Howe, Indiana facility.

According to Keystone this 5,000th trailer comes less than 18 months after the brand was introduced and is the fastest start ever for a brand made by Keystone.

The price of gas has broadened the appeal of lightweight trailers, but Keystone RV suggests that the Passport's wealth of features makes it stand apart from other trailers in its class.

Source: Keystone RV and RV Trade Digest

Looking For Opportunity In the RV Industry

The Small Business Blog on the CNN Money site offers advice to a reader who wants to start an RV-related business.

According to the article, the RV industry is more than just building and selling RVs. Businesses in the RV industry range from companies making RV parts to outdoor accessories.

For those looking to open an RV dealership, the Recreational Vehicles Dealership Association is the best place to start. The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association offers help with other RV-related businesses.

While these are the tough times for the RV business, the industry has endured high gas-prices before. Manufacturers are offering new models and styles that appeal to younger RV buyers.

Source: CNN Money - Small Business

RVers Fight High Fuel Costs By Staying At Local Campgrounds

RVers are determined to go camping and not let fuel costs dampen their vacation plans. Campgrounds and RV parks are finding that RVers are keeping gas expenses low by staying at local parks rather that traveling out of state.

MLive.com reports that Michigan-area campground owners are still expecting business to be up this year from 2007. The Frankenmuth Jellystone Park Camp-Resort booked the majority of their sites, but mostly to local customers.

To make camping cheaper for RVers, some parks offer storage for campers, allowing RV owners to return for more vacation time without spending gas money hauling their RV back and forth from home.

Source: MLive.com

Itasca Sunova Recognized as a Consumers Digest Best Buy

Winnebago Industries, Inc.'s 2008 Itasca Sunova was recently recognized as a Consumers Digest Best Buy. Featured in the June 2008 issue, a Consumers Digest Best Buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money.

According to Winnebago...

"We are extremely pleased to receive a Consumers Digest Best Buy designation for the Itasca Sunova for a second time," said Winnebago Industries' Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. "Respected for the quality construction found on all Winnebago Industries motor homes, the Sunova also provides outstanding value, comfort and maximum storage in an attractively priced Class A gas motor home."

Consumers Digest lists the 2008 Itasca Sunova 29R floorplan as a Premium Selection in their Best Buy ratings of motor homes. A Premium Selection designation means the product is full-featured and priced accordingly.

In order to achieve a "Best Buy" rating, Consumers Digest identified products that offer outstanding value for the price, and merit special attention from buyers. According to Consumers Digest, "Best Buys" in RVs were based on comfort, craftsmanship and drivability. This special rating is awarded to fewer than three percent of the competing models in any given product category.

Source: Winnebago

RESOURCES:

• Winnebago Industries Homepage
• Winnebago RVs on RV Trader Online
• Itasca RVs on RV Trader Online
• 2008 Itasca Sunovas on RV Trader Online

RV Owners Say RVing Is Still The Best Value For Travel

The RVIA recently reported that despite high fuel prices, 82 percent of RV owners say RV vacations cost less than other types of vacations.

According to the RVIA...

This is one of the reasons why so many RVers plan to travel this spring and summer. Most RVers are simply adjusting to fuel costs rather than not traveling in their RVs, according to a new study.

The latest biannual Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners, conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), reveals that 76 percent of RV owners intend to use their RVs at least as much this spring and summer as last year.

Of those who said their plans would be affected, 58 percent said they’d travel to destinations closer to home, 35 percent said they’d travel fewer miles and 34 percent said they’d stay longer at one destination.

“Because there are more than 16,000 campgrounds throughout the country, RVers have the flexibility to cut costs by staying closer to home,” says Richard Coon, president of RVIA. “Whether they travel five or 500 miles, they can still have a great outdoor experience.”

Surprisingly, one-third of RV owners say fuel costs won’t affect their travel plans, according to the study. Their travel intentions reflect research by international travel and tourism experts PKF Consulting. They found that even as fuel prices increase, RV trips remain the most affordable way for a family to go because of the significant savings on hotels and restaurant costs.

Source: RVIA

Winnebago's New CEO Optimistic About The Future Of RVing

GlobeGazette.com features an interview with Bob Olson, the new chairman of the board and CEO of Winnebago Industries.

In the article, Olson discusses the challenges that Winnebago faces with softening RV sales and rising fuel prices.

Olson is optimistic about the future and the value that RVs offer. He notes that the price of RVing is still competitive compared to other forms of entertainment or travel.

Source: GlobeGazette.com

RV Manufacturers Go Green By Using Recycled Materials

RV manufacturers are going green and doing more to cut down on waste and recycle.

According to WSBT.com, RV companies in Elkhart County, Indiana have turned more than 2,000,000 pounds of waste into useful products.

Scraps of material cut away from RV bodies, which used to be discarded, are now saved and recycled into doors for RVs. The recycling of scrap material also lowers the cost of the finished RV.

Source: WSBT.com

Pilgrim International website offers new interactive features

RV manufacturers are always trying to update their websites so customers can get a better idea of the features and design of the newest models. Pilgrim International recently updated their website to let RVers pick their decor as well as their model.

According to Pilgrim International...

Pilgrim International, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its completely redesigned interactive website at www.pilgrimintl.com. The site now includes a fresh new look and format, as well as a unique interactive interior décor selection feature that allows consumers and dealers to view fabric, décor and wood options with a click of the mouse. The new site features the full line of Pilgrim International travel trailers and fifth wheels with “model overviews” and printable PDF brochures for Pilgrim 1500 Series, Pilgrim 2500 Series, Open Road, Legends MP, Legends HP, Cirrus Ultra Lite and Cirrus Hybrid product lines.

One of the most exciting new features on Pilgrim’s new www.pilgrimintl.com website is the interactive Décor section. A view of the inside of the trailer is displayed with clickable buttons that transform the view of the trailer with different fabric, décor and wood options. Each trailer or fifth wheel comes with different décor patterns--a variety of colors for the sofa, chair, dinette and bedspread along with wood tones to compliment any taste.

Detailed lists of standard equipment included are also available, organized into sections for Exterior, Interior, Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom, Utilities and Construction. Optional equipment is also listed. A gallery of photos of each model is available in order to see each trailer or fifth wheel from every angle.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pilgrim, Jerry Sell stated, “As far was we know, our new website is the only one of its kind that has the ability to change the interior décor of the RV with a simple click of a button. It’s a great feature for our customers to see what is available to them before making a purchase. It’s also great for our dealers to showcase décor choices to our customers.”

Source: Pilgrim International

Winnebago receives Quality Circle Award from RVDA

For the 12th consecutive year, Winnebago Industries, Inc. received the prestigious Quality Circle Award for its Winnebago and Itasca brands from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers' Association (RVDA) at a ceremony conducted at the 45th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, KY. Winnebago Industries is the only recreation vehicle (RV) manufacturer to receive the Quality Circle Award for 12 consecutive years.

"Winnebago Industries is again honored to receive this award from our dealers and RVDA," said Winnebago Industries Chairman of the Board and CEO Bruce Hertzke. "This award means a lot to our Company. Not only is it from our dealer organization, but the award is also a direct reflection on our products and our employees that build them. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, honors like the Quality Circle Award encourage us to continue to build exceptional, innovative motor homes for consumers and of course, to continue to strive to earn this prestigious award for years to come."

Both the Winnebago and Itasca brands were recognized for scoring 80 percent or above in overall dealer satisfaction as measured in the Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) survey, as administered by RVDA. The DSI survey, which determines Quality Circle Award winners, was enhanced to rate manufacturers' performance in eight core areas: sales support, sales territory, vehicle design, vehicle reliability/quality, competitive price/value, parts support, dealership warranty support and overall dealer communications.

"The DSI survey was significantly revised in 2007 to reflect the industry's work to improve customer satisfaction, which makes this award even more impressive," said RVDA President Michael A. Molino. "Dealers believe the DSI is a tool to help improve communication and the overall relationships with their manufacturers. The survey measures dealer attitudes in key policy, product and procedure areas that dealers say are the most important elements in their business partnerships with manufacturers."

Source: Winnebago