Winnebago CEO Touts Fuel Efficient Motorhome in New York Times Interview

In a published interview with the New York Times, Winnebago Industries CEO, Bruce Hertzke, says while the big motorhome manufacturer has been bit hard by fuel prices and shaken consumer confidence, happy days will be here again. He just can't say exactly when.

Asked by the Times just how he expected his company to kick-start a return to positive profits, Hertzke replied, "We believe that we have a growing market. In the United States, our estimates suggest that we have people turning 50 at a rate of 350,000 per month. That is more than four million per year, and this is our target market. With these favorable demographics — it’s baby boomers who buy our products — we expect our sales and profits to return to a growth cycle." Hertzke then had to admit he wasn't sure when that "growth cycle" would come back.

With the high cost of fuel and rising environmental concerns, Hertzke pointed to a Winnebago motorhome the company markets which gets 17 miles per gallon. "That motor home gets better gas mileage than my Ford pickup," the CEO crowed. We checked in with Winnebago's publicity folks, they tell us that the chief was speaking of both the Itasca Navion and the Winnebago View, both are mid-20' Class C units equipped with diesel engines. While we couldn't find any actual fuel econo specs on the web site, it's probably a safe bet that the rest of the fleet doesn't beat the Ford truck.

Nevertheless, Winnebago's two little diesels have caught the attention of Green Car Journal. GCJ takes the position that motor vehicles and the environment should not be mutually exclusive. The journal did a quick review on the Winnebago offering in a recent edition which you can view here.

Check out the full story in the New York Times.

Photo courtesy Green Car Journal

Problems reported with Goodyear RV tires

If you have Goodyear G159, 275/70 22.5 tires on your RV and they are showing premature signs of wearing, you may have a problem. According to the website lawyersandsettlements.com, some RVers are reporting that the tires are showing signs of premature failure.

A number of RV manufacturers including Fleetwood and Monaco used this tire on several of their Class A RV models manufactured between the mid 1990s and approximately 2004.

"My motor home only has 19,000 miles on it and the Goodyear tires are already showing signs of wearing," a Scottsdale, Arizona RVer told the website. To me, something that costs $2,500 to replace, along the magnitude of these tires, should be able to last another 50,000 to 75,000 miles."

Currently, the tire is still on the market, although the website reports that Goodyear and some RV manufacturers have begun limited, "silent" recalls and tire replacement programs. It is estimated that thousands of RVs have G159 tires.

The website reported that although Goodyear recommended the G159 for larger RVs, it was actually designed for regional delivery trucks and was not specifically tested for use on RVs. The website reports that neither Goodyear nor the RV manufacturers ever tested the tire to ensure that it could manage the speeds and loads that RVs frequently handle.

If you suspect your Goodyear tires are wearing out far too soon, please contact a Goodyear dealer or the manufacturer of your RV.

Early registration deadline extended for huge RV rally

The deadline for early registration for the Good Sam Club's huge RV event, "The Rally" has been extended to May 9. The annual event will be held this year July 19 through 22 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon. More than 4,500 RVs are expected, which translates to a daily attendance of about 10,000 RVers. The Rally features big name entertainment (headlined this year by actress and singer Suzanne Somers), RV information seminars by leading experts including Joe and Vicki Kieva, hundreds of commercial exhibits, food booths, a dog show, and more than 1,000 new-model RVs to view.

Camping is available with or without hookups. The fairgrounds is south of Redmond and north of Bend along U.S. 97, an area with plentiful recreational opportunities. To register for The Rally or learn more, call 1-877-749-7122 or visit the event’s website.

Photo: Suzanne Somers, headliner for The Rally 2007.

Monaco profits nosedive

Monaco Coach Corp. reported Thursday that its first-quarter profits had plunged due to slower sales across all its business segments. Net income dropped from $8.3 million a year ago to $1.5 million. Revenue fell 16 percent to $322.2 million from $385.1 million last year. The Coburn, Ore., company employs 5,300 people in Oregon and Indiana and is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles.

Why Do We Put Up With Lousy Restaurants?

It's not often that I (the male of the team) turn the blog into a rant session. But sometimes it just seems I've got to get it off my chest. As RVers, we all "get out" a lot more than most folks. Sure, we eat in our rigs, but we like to patronize restaurants of all sorts. With that exposure, why is it that so many of us seem to put up with lousy food and service?

Witness a recent visit to a "fast food restaurant," an oxymoron if e'r there were one. After standing in line for about 20 minutes just attempting to reach the order person ("Well," says a fellow customer, "at the speed they're working, you know you don't have to worry about sweat in your food.") I finally managed to place my request. The actual wait for the food was blessedly shorter--only about five minutes.

Still, when I got our food to the table, low and behold, half of it was cold--apparently it had been sitting under a "warming light" (another oxymoron) for too long. I took it back. The counter guy tells me, "Well, you'll have to wait a while for us to fix you more." Under pressure, he agreed to bring the "fresh" food out to us. Back at the table, I had the joy of eating half my lunch, and tapped my foot waiting for the rest. 25 minutes later, I'd finished my food, consumed my desert, and was still waiting.

On returning yet again to the counter, this time I was greeted by a "manager," who in a belligerent tone demanded to know, "What's your problem?" Folks, that's not a good way to respond to a customer who does have a problem. Holding my heated up emotions (warmer than the food by a long shot) in check, I explained the problem. No offers of apology. I finally suggested I wanted a refund--thinking for the cold food I never did consume, but had presented back to them. Shaking his head, yet another manager opened a til and refunded the amount for the entire meal. I did actually thank him, and he simply stared at me, perhaps as one might a bug whose extinction was in the planning stages.

OK, it was a fast food place. But one week to the day before, we joined a group at a popular steak house. While we were fed in "shifts," part of us receiving our food early-on, others waiting until long after the first had finished, once again, the last orders arrived cold. Of course, the waitress did a vanishing act, and I was left to cart a cold plate of steak and spuds back up to the register to once again, ask somebody to do their job.

Why do we get such lousy service, with such regularity? The distaff side of this blog says it's simply a sign of the days we live in: People are more "me" oriented than in looking after the needs of others. And that's probably true. But part of it, I think, is because we've simply grown accustomed to lousy service. We don't want to make a fuss. I'm not one who endorses shouting, swearing, or threatening those who do give us sub-grade service, but if you pay for something and you don't get it, by not asking for a correction, I think we're all asking for more of what we get already--with interest.

Maintain Those Expensive RV Batteries

The expression, "Get the lead out!" must be from somebody who's recently priced RV batteries. Hey, just a single 12-volt deep cycle battery runs nearly $70 at a discount buying club. Taking good care of these precious "black boxes with wires," can go a long way toward keeping your wallet intact. For a discussion on some simple ways to maintain your RV batteries, visit our sister blog, Low Tech RVing.

Ethanol Jacks Food Prices--Alternatives Sought

The high demand for corn to produce ethanol fuel is having a major effect on food prices. With corn as the staple food of many groups, as more corn goes "into the tank" prices for daily food are rising. Recently Mexicans took to the streets to protest the skyrocketing prices of tortillas. Even "Norte Americanos" are seeing the impacts--'and it ain't just Orville Rendenbacher' that's going up: Hen fruit is up, and price hikes in beef and chicken are likewise attributed to the sudden popularity of corn in the car.

More research money and effort are now being poured into enzyme research, the Holy Grail of converting cellulose--the thick fiber in plants--into ethanol. Corn to ethanol is easy, but changing cellulose into liquid fuel requires enzymes to break down the thick stuff. Where to get the enzymes? From bug guts to urinary tracts, researchers are looking everywhere. Once the right key is found, some scientists claim making the swap from dino-fuels to plant fuel will be as easy as falling off a log. Provided they haven't already turned the log in ethanol.

For a fuller discussion of ethanol research, check out this Associated Press story.

New Federal Law May Foul Fulltimers Freedoms

A little-known federal law may soon create headaches for fulltime RVers and others who have no 'fixed address.' Read the details in our sister blog, Fulltime RVer.

Crashes Can Ruin Your Whole Day

An RVer pulling his travel trailer on Washington's I-5 found out that rolling your rig can ruin your whole day. While trying to pass an 18-wheeler, Rudolf Miksche lost control of his rig, and rolled the whole works over. Another driver plowed on into the mess, compounding the misery. Miksche's passenger wound up in the hospital with head injuries. You can read the story on KGW.com

This kind of thing can happen even to experienced RVers. A few safety points for those new to the game always bear repeating:

Keep the speed moderate--braking distances are dramatically increased with a trailer. Control issues are compounded by higher speeds.

Steer gradually--not with sudden swings which can raise Caine with control.

If your trailer sways, stay off the brake! Instead, reduce the trailer speed by using the brake control switch to apply ONLY the trailer brakes.

If side winds or buffeting from a larger passing vehicle starts a sway, back off the gas and keep a firm hand on the wheel.

Use caution on narrow roads--don't get off on a soft-shoulder or you may lose control.

Check out more safety tips from Uncle Sam in a free downloadable booklet.


Washington State Patrol photo from KGW.COM

High fuel prices not stopping Florida RV snowbirds

High fuel prices have not stopped Florida snowbirds from traveling with their recreational vehicles, according to an article in Florida Today. Snowbirds have been buying and storing their RVs in Florida and using other transportation -- either cars or airlines -- to travel from up North, said David Kelly, director of marketing for Florida RV Trade Association. It's a trend the industry has seen since about 2005.

Florida's gasoline prices averaged about $2.19 per gallon on Feb. 4, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge report. Sunday (April 15), they were at $2.89 for regular unleaded and $2.99 for diesel.

"If gas goes up to $6 per gallon, we may question (traveling)," said Ken Dykstra, 67, whose Newmar RV runs on diesel and averages about eight or nine miles per gallon. "We're not happy about it, but there's nothing we can do about it."

Blacked out RVer survives wild crash!

An RVer is lucky to be alive after a harrowing experience. The Bremerton, Wash., man sustained major head injuries when he lost consciousness while driving a motorhome on California Route 99 and crashed into a vehicle, utility pole, chain-link fence then a house on Pecos Avenue in Manteca, California. The accident happened Saturday evening, April 14.

According to the Manteca Bulletin, the California Highway Patrol reported that Stephen Quance, 56, was northbound on Highway 99 in a 2006 Alfa motorhome when he blacked out. Apparently as the RV was drifting from the fast lane toward the Hatch Road onramp, Quance's foot became jammed against the accelerator. The vehicle was moving fast as it went through the island that separates the freeway from the onramp, where it struck the rear of a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by Charles Malik, 55, of Ceres. The RV continued out of control on the right shoulder for about three-tenths of a mile, down an embankment and then into a metal light pole and then through a chain-link fence. The Alfa then shot across Bystrum Road and then hit another pole before crashing into an unoccupied house at 803 Pecos Avenue. Malik, the driver of the Ford Ranger, was not injured, said the CHP.

Oregon considering privatizing rest areas

The state of Oregon is considering turning to the private sector to run its highway rest areas. Upkeep of its 46 current ones costs about $3.5 million a year for cleaning and maintenance, plus another million for upgrades.

Other states are tossing around the same idea.

If the state were to turn to a private company to run its rest areas, they could more closely resemble those found in the East, or througout Europe, where many conveniences are available including tourist information, restaurants, convenience stores and gas stations.

The state’s present day rest areas are commercial free except for a few vending machines, and offer only restrooms, picnic facilities and a break from the road.

South Dakota Takes Heat for Campground Upgrades

South Dakota State Park officials are busily building upgrades into the popular Custer State Park. Included in the remodel--pumping electricity to 300 RV campsites, and construction of new "camping cabins" for the non-RV set. But the state is taking plenty of flack for their trouble: Local RV park owners are squealing that their businesses will be hurt by what they perceive as a horning in on their turf.

In an article published in the Rapid City Journal, local KOA manager Josh Daiss complained, "The value of our campgrounds will essentially go down if we're losing business to the state." Daiss and other area park owners are lobbying to get a reduction in their property taxes to compensate for what they project will be losses in customer revenues.

But members of the public are skeptical. In a reader’s response section, a majority of those writing in say the private park owners are calamity howlers. One wrote, "For these private campground owners that claim to be hurt by this, have they looked at their own campgrounds? Who wants to camp there where every slot is right on top of each other and you can't have a campfire in most...plus you pay an outrageous fee to camp in that!"

Another writes, "To the private-owner whiners-get over it! I'm truly sick of your whining and complaining and your always standing in the way of any improvements at all to publicly-owned facilities. You are the ones always banging the drums for and championing the free market, well, let it work in this case! If people like what you have to offer,they'll stay at your facilities and if they don't, whose fault is that? No one forces people to stay at Custer State Park facilities, they make that choice themselves."

Whether you view this as progress or regression, either way, its an ongoing story. Check out the whole story in the Rapid City Journal.

New Mid-Price 5th Wheel Promises High-Point Features

Heartland RV is gearing up for the 2008 model year rollout of its revamped "Bighorn" fifth wheel line. From 33 to 38 feet, these big boys claim an interesting feature line-up--but let the buyer beware. Check out the story on our sister blog, Fifth Wheeling.

State Cracks Down on Phony RV Registrations

Oregon, the land of cheap motor vehicle registrations, is getting in a dither about folks who falsely claim residency in order to get off cheap on their RV license tabs. Check out the details on our sister blog, Fulltime RVer.

Fifth Wheel Puller Flys on French Fry Oil

When New York resident Walter Little takes his family out fifth-wheeling, he sticks a little extra fuel in the cab of his truck: A couple of 35 gallon drums of vegatable oil. Little fires his Ford F250 with bio-diesel--and a fillup doesn’t mean a stop at the nearest fuel station, it means running a hose from barrel to tank.

Walt doesn’t just let bio-diesel affect his vacations--he builds, sells, and installs bio-diesel retrofit kits so other folks can run their rigs on this environmentally friendly fuel. How much does he pay for his fillups? So far he’s never had to pay a nickle for the Ford’s fillups--friendly restaurateurs are happy to have him haul off their old fryer oil for free.

What’ll it cost to convert your RV to run on french fry oil? Well, you can’t do it on a shoestring--Little charges between three and five thousand dollars. But if you can get your fuel for free, it may pay off in the long haul. Visit Little’s website for more information, or check out a story from The Journal News.

Disneyland RV park to reopen -- for awhile

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Orange County Register reports that a Disneyland-area RV park closed months ago to make way for a new development, will reopen, at least temporarily. The landowner is expecting long delays in approval of the project because of a Disney-led, anti-housing campaign in the Anaheim Resort. So, he plans to reopen the former Travelers World RV Park by May to make money in the meantime. "Operating as an RV park, we can fund our defensive strategy if we need to take one," Urban West president David DiRienzo told the Register. Disney and resort business officials launched a ballot initiative that would require voter approval of new homes in the 2.2-square-mile resort district. The initiative, which would be retroactive to March 19, could interfere with Urban West's plans to build 449 homes and shops.