FEMA Formaldehyde Fiasco: 'RV Industry Got Greedy'

While rumblings are still heard about "toxic RVs" sent to Hurricane Katrina victims by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), a poll of RV industry insiders indicates most feel the RV industry dodged a bullet. Nevertheless, some interesting comments surfaced, not all of which paint a pretty picture.

While the majority of respondents to a poll taken by trade magazine RV Business said the adverse publicity generated by reports of health problems created by formaldehyde in FEMA supplied trailers might have created "perception problems," they resoundingly feel the issue had not affected sales of "off the lot" trailers.

As might be expected, a lot of emotion was tied up in the responses of those whose livelihoods might have been adversely affected. The media took plenty of fire: “I do not appreciate the light that the RV Industry has been placed,” said a manufacturer. “I think there are other factors and not just the RV industry to blame (for reports of respiratory problems in trailer residents).”

Politics too, came into play, according to at least one respondent: “Our industry answered a call from the government to the best of our ability. Many manufacturers stopped producing anything else,” stated a member of the manufacturing sector. “I see the main thrust of this as ambulance chasing and greed as well as another opportunity for the Democrats to embarrass the Bush Administration. There is not another industry that would be able to react as quickly with so many units and as cost effective.”

Interestingly, one consultant pointed the finger back inside: “Because the [RV] industry was in a downturn, it got greedy when making trailers for the government. Now it is going to pay for this greed in the future as more lawsuits are filed on other RVs in addition to the FEMA RVs.”

Photo: FEMA

RVing Sports Fan a Real Fanatic

If the Seattle Seahawks football team hand out awards for the greatest fan, RVer Jerry Martinez must be the first recipient.

Martinez takes the thought of RV tailgating to a whole new level: He takes his motorhome to nearly every Seahawks game--no matter where it is. In the last five years of game chasing Martinez has run up 30 to 40 thousand miles per year pursuing his passion for the game. That's a lot of miles on a motorhome. But it's not an ordinary motorhome--the Martinez mobile is practically a shrine to the Hawks--and the outside shows it.

Martinez has sunk $6,000 into a special vinyl "wrap" that idolizes his favorite football team--and fans recognize his rig anywhere. Needless to say, not everyone appreciates this fan's fancy: Martinez mentions receiving "one finger salutes" from opposers through his travels. But for some there's a benefit: The team appreciates Jerry's efforts so much that at times they have him trundle team cheerleaders--Seagals--to area events. Just how Jerry's wife feels about that aspect of fandom isn't clear.

A full length feature on this unusual RVer can be found on the Everett, Washington HeraldNet.

Photo: HeraldNet

Free Scenic Drive Blog Site Great Planning Aid

Looking to do a little trip planning and want to see some of America's most scenic roads? There's a new free trip planner on-line, sponsored by Firestone. For more information on this great resource, check out our sister blog, RV Freebies.

Tornado Ravaged RV Plant Rises With Volunteer Help

Earlier this week we wrote about the Indiana RV maker, Franklin Coach, flattened by a recent tornado. We're happy to report the company is making strides toward a comeback--this with the help of their own out-of-work employees.

Speaking of fellow Franklin Coach employees, long-time worker Cecil Fitzgerald told reporters from WSBT TV news, “They just all come in, all just pitch in to do whatever they can and they pretty well know what needs to be done, so that's what they are doing."

"I think this little community, everybody just pitched in, and no questions, they just all jumped right in and went to work for whatever needed to be done,” Fitzgerald told interviewers. “There's just help all over." For the full story visit WSBT's website.

Photo: WSBT.COM

Kidney Dialysis Doesn't End RVing

Sometimes major health problems spell disaster for the RV lifestyle. But one woman's story may give hope to those who feel trapped by regular visits to the dialysis center. Read up on the story of the RVing dialysis patient on our sister blog, Fulltime RVer.

Wind Blows RV Over As Couple Attempts Escape from California Fires

There's not much that we can say on the California fire situation--the major media have us flanked on coverage. One photo emerged that did catch our eye, and the horrific feelings that have embedded themselves in the people effected by this devastation.

From the National Public Radio website, this photo is of a Fontana, California couple who tried to get away from the flames by hitching up their fifth wheel and hitting the I-210. While the fire itself didn't catch them, Rick and Kelly DeGraw are no less victims of this disaster. What's left of their fiver lies in the background. Our hearts go out to Southern Californians hit by the fires.

RVer Knocks Out New Mexico Bridge

Seems like US bridges can't stay out of the news--this time it involves an RVer.

Bill Lange, a fifth-wheel owner from Wisconsin was motoring along with his fifth wheel in tow, minding his own business, when WHAM! his rig happened upon a bridge expansion joint sticking up at least 8" above the pavement. Lange recalls, "I had no time to react. The truck was slightly hit, but my trailer took the brunt of the blow. I’m just grateful nobody else was on the bridge when it happened.”

Lange was a bit away from home: The bridge crosses New Mexico's Canadian River, and is the main route to a popular camping at Ute Lake. The impact of Lange's rig with the joint caused a six foot section of the bridge to open up, forcing the closure of the bridge to traffic for several hours. The bridge on US Highway 54 had recently be inspected and graded as "fair," indicating that it was structurally sound. The accident took place last week. For the complete story, click here.

Photo: cnjonline.com

Molded Fiberglass RV Owner? Gathering for You

If you own a molded fiberglass RV, like the little "Bolers" or "Casitas," you might be interested ina planned gathering in Quartzsite this winter. Check out our sister blog, RVing Quartzsite for more details.

Tornado Wipes Out RV Plant

A tornado that mowed through an Indiana town left hundreds of new RVs destroyed in its wake. Of even greater concern is the yet-determined fate of hundreds of jobs put on the line when that tornado flattened one RV manufacturing plant and damaged another in Nappanee, Indiana last week.

Gulf Stream Coach says that while over 100 of its units that were in production were damaged or destroyed, the actual facilities could be up and running as early as tomorrow. However, another RV builder across the street from the Gulf Stream plant was not so fortunate. Speaking of the family owned RV maker, Franklin Coach, a Gulf Stream representative said, "There's nothing even there anymore, that's not an exaggeration."

The latest reports indicate that Franklin is working toward getting back on its feet. Company officials are said to be looking for a temporary manufacturing location while rebuilding on their existing property.

Photo: fox28.com

RV Winner "Just Lucky"

New RV owner Carl Eddy will probably never forget the number 1,278. That's the number that helped him win a new travel trailer.

Eddy was just one of 30,000 people who stopped by a TV station promotion booth at the Tulsa State Fair in Oklahoma earlier this month. The station had a huge, clear cylinder loaded with footballs. Just guess the number of footballs, win the trailer. Carl's entry: 1,278. But that's not where the number ended: Seven other people put down the same answer. To establish the winner, the station held a drawing and Carl's name came up.

Eddy says he kept being asked how he came up with the winning number. "I'd like to think I was smart," he confesses, "It turns out I was just lucky." Carl's wife already has plans for the new RV and the month of vacation they have coming: A trip to Oklahoma City for its Centennial celebration.

Photo courtesy: KOTV.COM

Flying RV fridge injures mushroom picker

Last week we reported on an accident involved a "fly-away" RV awning that killed a passing motorist. Now comes word of another bizarre incident, and again it comes from a website by personal injury lawyers seeking creative ways about how to drum up business.

This time, the report is about a flying refrigerator -- sent airborne from a motorhome after it veered off a Washington state freeway, down an embankment and into a tree. Upon impact, the portable refrigerator was ejected from the RV and hit a 58-year old bicyclist who was picking mushrooms.

A woman who was walking inside the RV at the time of the crash was critically injured. She, the driver and the mushroom-picking bicyclist were all rushed to the hospital.

The lawyer writing about incident advises his peers that "both the man who was hit by the refrigerator and the passenger in the RV likely have claims against the driver. Just like failing to wear a seatbelt doesn't preclude a person from making a personal injury claim, the fact that the passenger was reportedly walking around inside the RV while it was in motion does not prevent her from bringing a claim."

Police Say Woman Turns Motorhome Into Murder Weapon

Portland, Oregon police have arrested and charged an Oregon woman with murder in an incident where a man was mowed over with a motorhome. The owner of the 25' Itasca was the victim.

Darlene Harding told police she was fearful for her life when she jumped behind the wheel of her estranged boyfriend's motorhome. She claims she thought the victim, Kenneth Rowley, had jumped out of the way of the big rig, but evidently he hadn't--Rowley tumbled underneath the rig and was dragged about 30 feet.

Police say the incident is just the tail end of a long line of domestic violence problems between the two. More details are available in the Oregonian.

RV maker Newmar extends test drive campaign

Newmar Corporation has extended its National Comfort Drive Steering test drive campaign through December 31, 2007 allowing customers who test drive a Newmar diesel motorhome with Comfort Drive steering to receive a complimentary gift and purchase incentive coupon. All Newmar diesel motorhomes are built on a Spartan chassis and are equipped with Comfort Drive steering. This standard feature was developed by TRW Automotive, Spartan Chassis and Newmar. Newmar says that Comfort Drive Steering decreases driver fatigue often associated with operating a typical diesel motorhome over long distances and aids a driver to maintain a straight path by compensating for cross-winds and crowns in the road. Comfort Drive, the company claims, creates a positive on-center feel which reduces parking efforts and improves reversibility when backing up a motorhome.

Backpacker "Doesn't Get It"

As RVers, we know and understand the RV lifestyle. It's interesting to see how other "camps" write about us though. A magazine editor for a backpacking journal recently wrote about her views of the odd lifestyle that those of us who RV have undertaken. For the story, visit our sister blog, Fulltime RVer.

Thinking SUV for Toad? Think Safety

RV owners looking for a new SUV for a toad car, or for other use, might want to reflect on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests. While recently tested SUVs have improved in "frontal" crash tests, things did not go so well for SUVs evaluated for side-impact crashes.

Says the institute, "Among the worst performers in the side test are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet TrailBlazer, even though both are equipped with standard side airbags. The front and side tests recently were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to evaluate how well midsize SUVs protect people in the two most common kinds of serious crashes. Rear crash protection ratings for these models were released earlier this year."

“The performance of some of these models in the side test was surprising,” says Institute senior vice president David Zuby. “SUVs should have an advantage in side crashes because the driver and passengers ride higher up than in cars. People often think they’re safer in one of these vehicles, but many cars hold up better than some of these midsize SUVs in this test.”

SUVs are safer now than they were even just a few years ago, especially with the addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on all the models in this group. Still none of the six SUVs earned the Institute’s TOP SAFETY PICK designation because of low ratings for protection in side and/or rear impacts.

“If you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, there’s no reason to buy one with mediocre crash test ratings,” Zuby says. “Vehicles like the Ford Edge and Taurus X, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Subaru Tribeca would be safer choices. They afford good protection in front and side crashes. Plus they have good seat/head restraint designs to protect you in rear-end crashes. These five models, tested earlier this year, are our highest rated midsize SUVs, earning the TOP SAFETY PICK award. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Acura MDX and RDX, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes M class, and Volvo XC90 also are TOP SAFETY PICK choices.”

For more information, check out a story in the New York Times.

Photo courtesy DR Ranch on FLICKR

Unusual traffic accidents coming soon to RV snowbird areas

As the first dusting of snow hits parts of North America, many RVers thoughts turn to sunshine, warmth, and heading south for the winter in their trailers and motorhomes. In Arizona, it means trailer and RV parks that have been mostly empty during the not summer months will start to fill, traffic congestion will increase and sheriff's deputies in Maricopa County, which includes the greater Phoenix area, will soon be investigating three accidents a week -- involving golf carts! "People will drive them five miles to get to the store," sheriff's Lt. Chad Brackman told Salt Lake City’s Deseret News. "They can be licensed so they're legal on the road, but cars don't see them."

Need a BIG Tow Unit?

Looking at pulling a 24,000 pound fifth wheel? Ford thinks it has your number with the 2008 F450 Superduty. See a few details on our sister blog, Fifth Wheeling.

RVers Can Win Camera in Connecticut

In the area of Connecticut? Want a chance to win a new Canon digital camera? Check out our story, Connecticut Leaf Peepers Can Win Prizes, on our sister blog, RV Shortstops. But hurry, the leaves--and the contest--won't last long!

GM Tow Vehicle Sales Drop With Gas Price Rise

GM says that sales of its big pickup trucks will probably never return to the high level set earlier this decade. The automotive manufacturer says gasoline prices have quelled the big demand.

In an interview with Blomberg News Report, a General Motors spokesman said, "We always thought this was where sales would be," referring to current truck and SUV sales levels. Blomberg reports that gas prices in GM's heyday were around $1.56 a gallon, while present averages show that precious petrol fuel up to $2.74.

With thoughts of requiring CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards to become higher being bandied about in Congress, many worry that big pickups will become a thing of the past, making big trailers and fifth wheels far less attractive to RV buyers. It remains to be seen how things will shake out.

Photo courtesy jm3 on Flickr

Campsite at popular county park hits $35

Remember the good ol’ days of camping at a county park for a few dollars a day? Say goodbye to those rates -- at least in the more popular parts of the country.

In Pinellas County, Florida, the overnight camping fee at Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde just increased from $25 to $30 for a tent or small RV to $35 for a site suitable for a big RV.

"The new rigs now come complete with satellites and computer hookups and all that, so the campground had to be updated," county park operations manager Leah Hoffman told the St. Petersburg Times.

The park recently spent $50,000 to upgrade electrical facilities and will spend another $95,000. The campground has more than 200 sites that generated about $1.6 million for the county last year. In February, when the snowbird crowd invades Florida in huge numbers, the campground will typically be booked solid.

RV Dealer Tapped for "Extreme Makeover" Motorhomes

How do you know when the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is coming to a town near you? When the local RV dealer supplies eight motorhomes for use by the show's "design team." So where's the new episode going to film? Here's the hint: RV dealer, Campers Inn, in Merrimack, New Hampshire says it has been tapped to come up with the motorhomes sometime in the next month.

Carl Muise, the dealer's rental manager says he has no idea when the show will pitch camp, nor exactly where. He can only guess it'll be somewhere in the southern or central part of the state. Incidentally, the dealership provides the motorhomes for free. Learn more in the Union Leader.

Diesel Owner? New Fuel Problems Pointed Out

If you've been concerned about leaking fuel system parts related to the "new" ultra-low-sulfur-diesel, this winter could show up a few more issues. Check out the story, "Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel Could Lead to Problems" on our companion website, Low Tech RVing.

RVer Mistaken for Robber

"I've never been so terrified in all my life, I'm sitting in my trailer minding my own business, and, the next thing I know, a gun is being pointed at my head." Such was the story of Mike Honn.


Honn was staying at a Michigan RV park, as he says, minding his own business. Little did Honn know, in the same RV park an ex-con was busily changing his hair color after having robbed a pizza restaurant. Police, tipped off that the suspect had been seen working on a tractor in the park, descended with weapons drawn. They found the tractor--but no suspect--near Honn's RV, and they noticed the door on the RV was slightly ajar.


Two officers made their way into the RV, startling Honn in the rear of the rig. They soon recognized Honn wasn't there man, and took their leave. The suspect, a man who'd been convicted several times of armed robbery on previous occasions was found in another RV. For the full story, visit the Monroe County, Michigan, Monroe News web site.

Killer RV awnings? Don't laugh!

A personal injury lawyer writing on the website Injuryboard.com, tells of the potential dangers involving awnings attached to the side of RVs and horse trailers. Attorney Brent Adams writes that awnings rolled up and fastened to the side of the vehicle may become dislodged and hang out towards oncoming traffic.

The hazard, he explains, is so common that one RV manufacturer stated on its website: "There are two types of RVers -- those that have had their awnings blown off and those that will!"

He cites the death of a Alabama city councilman who was killed when passing a horse trailer in tow. “When the two vehicles met, the awning assembly from the trailer struck Mr. Bassett's windshield, killing him instantly.” The situation was caused by a defective lock on the awning, said Adams.

In a subsequent lawsuit, it was discovered that the retractable arms of the awning were equipped with metal folding locks that were insufficient to withstand the wind which occurs while a vehicle is driving down the highway.

RVer's Rig Impounded Over Canada Gun Law Violation

An American RVer--who by his profession should have known better--tried to pull the wool over Canadian customs officials. His RV wound up in the jug over the matter. Valuable link to information if you plan on taking weapons yourself. Visit our RVing Canada blog for the story.

Freedom Roads acquires San Diego's Beaudry RV

FreedomRoads/Camping World, the nation’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, announced Oct. 1 that it has acquired Beaudry RV San Diego. FreedomRoads already operates several dealerships in the area including Stier’s RV Centers in Bakersfield, Stier’s RV Center of Ventura, Camping World RV Sales of Valencia, Camperland, as well the newly acquired Venture Out/Camping World RV Sales. The San Diego dealership is co-located with a Camping World retail store and will be renamed Camping World of San Diego. The new dealership will anchor the San Diego location with the entire Fleetwood motorized lineup as well as Dutchmen and Keystone towables. Additionally, it will launch a luxury RV category powered by American Coach, Monaco and Featherlite Luxury Motorcoach Bus Conversions.

Fleetwood on the way to building two million RVs

President and CEO Elden Smith of Fleetwood Enterprises, the huge RV maker, was interviewed the other day by Southern California’s Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspaper. He was asked what he thought would surprise people most about this company.

"I think the size and scope of the company would surprise most people," he said. "In the 57 years that Fleetwood has been around, we have produced more than 1.7 million RVs and 1.3 million homes." He also thought people would be surprised to learn the company employs approximately 9,000 people, 1,600 of which, he noted, are in Southern California.