Winnebago Shows New 2016 Lineups

Forest City, Iowa-based Winnebago Industries Inc. launched the company’s new 2016 motorhome and towable lines today (April 9) at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas as part of its annual Dealer Days event.

“Winnebago is the ‘real deal,’ and we’re proud to display the best and most comprehensive lineup in the company’s history,” said Winnebago Vice President of Sales and Product Management Scott Degnan in a press release. “With nearly 500 in attendance, we are seeing great response to new and redesigned products from what we consider the best dealer network in the industry.”

The Adventurer and Suncruiser, Winnebago’s flagship Class A gas models, have been totally redesigned inside and out. The exterior includes new front and rear molded fiberglass styling, as well as new lights, LED accent lights, aluminum finned grill and molded “blade-type” wheel trims with chrome accents. 

Inside, interior upgrades include a new contemporary dash, “pull-over” passenger work station with USB and 12-volt ports, new Xite G3 Infotainment system, tile flooring extending into the cab area, interior décor and  curb view window. The Adventurer and Suncruiser are a “fantastic alternative to a consumer who wants the look and functionality of a higher-end diesel, but on a gas platform,” the company said.

The iconic Winnebago design just became even more “cool” with the addition of the new “Daytona” full-body paint option to the retro-style Brave and Tribute motorhomes. This motorhome line is a great mix of the past and present with three distinctive Winnebago floorplans. 

Winnebago also introduced an all-new Journey and Meridian 38P four-slide floorplan. The 38P features an island wrap-around galley, large pop-up TV with Rest Easy sofa, large picture window on the patio side and spacious bedroom and bathroom with Winnebago’s largest shower.

A new Scorpion premium fifth-wheel toy hauler is joining the Winnebago lineup and offers a large 14-foot garage space for hauling toys. The garage portion of the Scorpion features a private half bath, sliding glass door, as well as facing sofas with an optional queen bed. The ramp provides a 15-degree clearance for easy entry. 

When not in use as a ramp, the door becomes a patio with an optional sliding patio railing with retractable steps. Inside the living area of the unit, the wide body design and radius ceiling provide a spacious interior with features such as a 55-inch TV, a large island with raised breakfast bar and much more. 

Winnebago’s brand licensing partners also have products on display, including two new Winnebago park model RVs, Winnebago RV covers, and Winnebago headwear and apparel.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com.

NuVision Offers RV Homes in ‘Great Outdoors’

NuVision Builders is now offering luxury homes for RV owners within The Great Outdoors Nature & RV in Titusville, Fla.

According to a company announcement, The Great Outdoors Nature & RV community offers RV owners an “unspoiled tropical neighborhood and world-class RV resort.”

The RV lifestyle options available at The Great Outdoors include purchasing a luxury, custom-built RV home designed specifically for RV owners with a secure garage offering direct access into the residence.

The Great Outdoors Nature & RV resort is 2,800 acres filled with natural vegetation and wildlife. RV owners enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in close proximity to egret, deer, and quail harmoniously co-existing in the RV resort community.

The Great Outdoors also houses an onsite 18-hole, Ron Garl championship golf course design traversing through woodland and wildlife habitat. Local residents can enjoy sport fishing for large-mouth bass, and other species stocked in the resort’s lakes and ponds in the RV resort community. The Great Outdoors Nature & RV Resort also offers nature walking trails, heated pools and a health club.

To learn more about NuVision Builders custom built RV homes visit the NuVision Builders’ website.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com.

Outlaw Toy Haulers from Thor Motor Coach Continue to Impact RV Market

According to Statistical Surveys, a revitalization in retail sales for Toy Haulers has created many new options for those searching for an RV with garage capabilities.  Thor Motor Coach (TMC) continues to drive sales with its motorized toy hauler, the Outlaw.  Expanding its claim as the ultimate residential motorhome, TMC has recently released new floor plans and valuable camper conveniences aimed to fit today’s busy lifestyles.

A new 37RB extends the Outlaw Toy Hauler’s desirability by adding a second slideout with a permanent Denver Mattress® queen size bed. This dedicated bedroom provides a good night’s sleep and privacy from other guests towards the front of the coach and even from those up in the loft bedroom.  Now the kids can have their space, while mom and dad get a bed that no longer has to be converted to sleep.  This 37RB Toy Haulers keeps all the amenities of a traditional Class A motorhome, with the highly sought after garage in the rear.

Known as the “Ultimate Tailgating Partner”, the “residential edition” 38RE definitely fits into a very unique category with an ultramodern bedroom featuring 9-foot coffered ceilings where the garage is customarily located. The 38RE was awarded the 2015 Top RV Debut by RVBusiness© and after taking a closer look, you can understand why. It has an immense living area, perfect for traveling and relaxing. The inventive rear “Patio Deck” folds down to reveal the best entertaining option in the market with an exterior kitchenette, 50-inch big screen TV, and Bluetooth radio.

Whether you are interested in the Class C 29H Toy Haulers or any of the Class A Outlaw RVs, you will find Thor Motor Coach’s Rapid Camp® on all units. Rapid Camp is a wireless control system allowing owners to set up camp quickly at a distance of up to fifty feet away from the motorhome. Features that can be operated include the leveling jacks, slideouts, generator, patio awning and patio light.

All Outlaw toy haulers and motorhomes include an overhead bunk in the cockpit area with Class A units featuring an electric drop-down version of the bunk. When lowered, the bunk provides a comfortable sleeping space for two. When in the raised position, it is camouflaged into the ceiling and a great place to secure personal items while you’re away because it’s operated by a separate key.

The Outlaw is attracting buyers from many diverse backgrounds.  “We’ve found people are using this type of coach as more than just a toy hauler for hauling ATVs and motorcycles,” said Joel Grimm, Gas Division National Sales Manager for Thor Motor Coach.  “Owners are using the garage as a space for their animals, their antiques and anything else that needs significant hauler capacity. We have even found a number of full-timers using the garage as their mobile office.”

To find the Outlaw Motorhome that was made to fit you, visit http://OutlawRV.com  or http://ThorMotorCoach.com

Top 4 Things to Look for in an RV Warranty Provider

The argument surrounding whether or not to purchase an RV Extended Service Contract, commonly referred to as an RV Extended Warranty, has been around as long as the product itself.  There are firm believers on either side of the debate. Some RVers wouldn’t travel without coverage, while others wouldn’t pay a dime out of pocket to have it. Why is there such a difference in opinion? As you might expect, not all extended warranties are created equal.  So how does a consumer decipher between the many plans available to ensure they get the best coverage for their vehicle?  Industry experts recommend looking for the answers to the following questions:

1)      Who is the Insurance Carrier backing the policy?

The insurance provider backing the RV Warranty is the company that ultimately guarantees the solvency of the program.  In most expert opinions, making sure that the warranty policy is backed by an insurer is an absolute must.  If you purchase a policy without insurance carrier backing and the policy provider goes out of business, you could be stuck with a warranty that is absolutely useless! Ensure that the policy you are looking to purchase is not only backed by an insurance carrier, but that the carrier is in good financial standing. A great way to determine this is to ask the seller for the AM Best Rating of the underwriter.  AM Best is a company that verifies the validity and financial status of insurance carriers on an A to F rating scale.  Companies with an A or even B+ rating should provide sufficient standing.

2)      Who is the Policy Administrator?

The RV Warranty Administrator is the company that processes the claims, and acts as the point of contact for you or your repair facility when seeking payment for a breakdown.  The company that handles the claims can have a huge impact on your policy’s ease of use.  You will want to take a look at the size and reputation of the RV Warranty administrator.  Resources such as the BBB and other online reports can be a helpful indication of the kind of claims service you can expect. Keep in mind that large administrators will inevitably have at least a handful of unavoidable complaints, but if problems seem to be the norm, it could certainly be a red flag towards avoiding that particular policy.

3)  What type of RV Warranty Coverage is being offered?

The most important portion of your program research should be an understanding of what is and is not covered by the Extended Warranty policy you are looking to purchase. RV Extended Warranty Policies are an investment in the protection of an RV’s value and performance. So what do you look for in coverage? Be sure that you are provided with a full copy of the actual policy you are purchasing, and determine what level of coverage is being offered. Look for key terms such as Comprehensive, Exclusionary, Powertrain or Coach Only, and determine the best type of coverage for your desired risk.

4)     What is the reputation of the Contract Provider?

The RV Warranty Contract Provider refers to the individual, company or dealership that is offering the Extended Warranty Policy for your RV. It is the ultimate responsibility of the RV Warranty provider to perform their due diligence in offering the most accurate coverage information for programs that have excellent performance standards and reputation. Always look for the reviews of current clients as a way to gauge the service you can expect to receive from a given provider, as well as a quick search on quality control sites such as the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google+.

As with any purchase, ample research is the best way to make sure you are purchasing a policy that is worth the paper it’s written on. Trust in the company providing you with coverage can be just as important as the policy they issue. The questions above are a great way to garner a given provider’s knowledge of the industry and the plan they are recommending, so you can purchase a policy with confidence.

This article was provided by Wholesale Warranties.

‘Today Home’ Showcases Motorhome Facelift

Editor’s Note: The following is an article appearing on “Today Home” offering a recap of a major renovation on a 1994 Safari motorhome by a Texas couple.

Living in a van down by the river may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but one Texas couple is making it look pretty incredible.

After donating and selling most of their belongings last spring, Lacy and Cliff Young, along with their 15-year-old cat Ned, moved out of a rented home and into an RV to travel around the country. But before putting the pedal to the medal, the couple put in some serious renovations to the dated space.

After purchasing a 1994 Safari Continental in May 2014, Lacy and Cliff began renovating it “at warp speed,” she said. And just like any renovation, they hit some snags along the way.

Most notably, they found mold while peeling the old wallpaper, which led to gutting the interior and starting anew.

“It ended up being a really good thing,” Lacy said. They ended up putting in new walls, a new ceiling and new cork floors. They also refinished the old cabinetry, replacing moldy parts and installing new hardware.

Also included in the makeover was a kitchen overhaul that included a new under-counter sink, butcher block countertops and white subway tile for the kitchen backsplash.

“We crafted this space to suit our needs,” she said. “We removed a giant and dated microwave and replaced it with a toaster oven. We brought our juicer and our blender which are my favorite two kitchen appliances of all time.”

To read the entire article and view accompanying photos click here.

This article originally appeared on RVBusiness.com

Hit the Road for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day RV Destinations

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to plan your trip and load up your RV. We’ve rounded up a list of places where you can party like a true-blue Irish, and we’ve also thrown in an unlikely suspect as well, in case you just want a relaxing vacation away from the crowd.

1. Chicago, Illinois

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises to cover the whole nine yards. Grab a good view on the East side of Michigan Avenue Bridge for a modern day miracle, the Dyeing of the River. Watch the Chicago River turn orange, before transforming into a perfect shade of emerald green, as Chicago attempts to be the “GREENest City in the World on St. Patrick’s Day.”

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Nobody celebrates St Patrick’s Day like the Bostonians, where their famous parade draws close to a million spectators. Be sure to arrive dressed in green and bring a ginormous appetite, because you’ll need it as you eat and drink your way through the city’s beloved Irish pubs, like Hennessy’s and The Harp. Afterwards, take a break from the pub crawl for a walk down the Irish Heritage Trail.

3. Savannah, Georgia

If you prefer RVing somewhere warm, then say hello to this southern belle, where a few
campgrounds are located conveniently near the popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Greening of the Fountain at Forsyth Park in the Historic District. Bring your family to the Tara Irish Festival for music, food, crafts and a magic show. Later you can stop by one of the many eateries for green grits or green beer.

4. Newport Beach, California

Bike or stroll down miles of pristine coastline that’s bustling with restaurants and cafes. Hit the waves, go kayaking, and maybe even learn how to jetpack–just be sure to save a couple of hours for whale and dolphin watching on Newport Bay.

5. Dublin, Ohio

Before the grand parade begins, fuel up at Sells Middle School for a St. Patrick’s All-You-Can-Eat Pancake (plus sausage) Breakfast, organized by the Dublin Lions Club. Then swing by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and get free admission just for wearing green.

For more St. Patrick’s Day ideas, just visit RV Trader’s Pinterest page. 

Don’t forget to share your experience and photos from your RV trips with us at www.Facebook.com/rvtrader. Happy trails!