Back in the Saddle Again!

What a difference a year makes! This year – our industry’s Centennial year – is off to a strong start with much promising news indicating that the RV market is indeed on the road to recovery. This has sparked a contagious sense of optimism about our future that lies in stark contrast to the doubt and fear of early 2009. Driving this optimism is the fact that RV wholesale shipments have been trending upward. RV shipments totaled 15,800 units for the month of January – a 116 percent rise over the January 2009 total of 7,300 units. This marked the sixth consecutive monthly improvement for RV shipments to dealers. With the RV market strengthening, Dr. Richard Curtin of the University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers is now predicting that wholesale shipments will total 215,900 units for 2010, a 30 percent rise over 2009’s year-end total of 165,700 units. Importantly, stories about the RV industry’s turnaround are appearing in the national media, with The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Chicago Tribune, Detroit News, Fox Business Network and the Associated Press all reporting on the upturn in RV sales. This coverage echoes themes and storylines promoted by RVIA in our outreach to the media – that the industry is a leading economic indicator with rising shipments boding well for the general economy, that RVing has remained popular with Americans throughout the economic downturn, and that RVing offers great value. These are all very powerful messages for potential buyers to hear as we approach the important spring and summer selling season. Also boosting exposure for RVing in this pivotal time in the industry’s recovery is Go RVing’s “Go Affordably. Go RVing” national advertising campaign for 2010, launched to huge television audiences watching Daytona 500-related programming and the Winter Olympics over the President’s Day weekend. The Vancouver Olympics went on to become the second-most watched Winter Games ever, with a total of 190 million Americans tuning in to all coverage on the networks of NBC Universal. Go RVing ran 105 ad spots during NBCU Olympics programming Feb. 13-28. Highlighting this year’s efforts are the new "Ambassadors of Affordability" television commercials that feature colorful animal spokespeople (including a bison, fox, bear and jackrabbit) to capture viewer attention, boost awareness and recall. The “Ambassadors” also are featured on the re-launched GoRVing.com that provides a fresh look, updated information and much more interactivity to enhance visitors’ experiences. The new ads and website are backed by an expansive $8.25 million media plan for 2010 that will reach prospects with a wide variety of interests and media habits through television, print and online advertising. The total media budget is more than double what we were able to spend in 2009, thanks to the improving economy and increases in RV sales. Though still only about half of what we invested in media in 2006 before the recession, this year’s additional media spending will help us do more to help the industry recover from this down period in our history. The new Go RVing ads and website have been a hit with the industry since they were unveiled at the Outlook 2010 program in Louisville. RVDA Chairman Debbie Brunoforte said, "The Ambassadors of Affordability" campaign is the perfect way to communicate the affordability of RVing. The message is entertaining and memorable. RVing is fun, and so are these ads and the clever new interactive website." Initial consumer response to the campaign is also very favorable. Preliminary measures (with only a small fraction of 2010 media running) indicate that the new ads and website are boosting response. Over the launch weekend of February 12-15, GoRVing.com logged over 7,000 visits, up more than a third from the previous weekend when the old TV spots were running. Page views on the new site almost tripled. Perhaps most significantly, the average time spent on the site by a visitor rose to approximately four-and-a-half minutes – 79 percent more than previously. This encouraging early data points to the fact that this year’s Go RVing ads, website and media investment will re-energize customers, all the while working in tandem with RVIA’s aggressive public relations efforts to shine the light on the RV industry in this critical time of economic recovery. And there is even more on tap to boost our exposure. The RV Centennial Celebration, being spearheaded by RVIA, is shaping up to be not only an important media opportunity, but also a way to lift the spirits of our entire industry and kick off our second century on a high note. There are many exciting events and promotions scheduled for this industry-wide, year-long celebration, including: The RV Centennial Media Tour – RVIA spokesperson and RV historian David Woodworth will hit the road for two weeks this spring, traveling to media markets in the Northeast and Midwest to show how RVs have evolved and changed through the years while emphasizing that the reasons for RVing are the same today as they were in 1910. "Centennial Charlie’s Cross-Country Caravan” – A 100-day tour to RV retail shows and factories by the official Centennial mascot – Charlie, an American stuffed black bear – that will generate enthusiasm among the industry and consumers. RV Centennial Celebration Month – We are designating June as RV Centennial Celebration Month as a focal point for the industry to rally around as the summer vacation season kicks off. We are working to have President Obama and Congress issue proclamations to mark the occasion. The RV Centennial Celebration – RVIA will host an all-industry, 100th anniversary party during our Committee Week & Annual Meeting on June 7 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart. This is going to be an energetic festival, reception and barbecue with a special one-hour program featuring entertaining videos and presentations saluting the RV industry, a cake-cutting ceremony and fireworks display to cap the evening. “A Salute to RV Workers” – A very important theme of the Centennial party will be a “Salute to RV Workers” to honor the industry’s hard-working men and women who are the heart and soul of our industry. This will include special recognition of those workers and a video salute from industry leaders. In fact, this important message will be a big part of our year-long celebration so that all our audiences understand that the RV workers have kept the RV industry rolling along for the last 100 years. The RV Centennial Celebration is going to be a tremendous event for all of us throughout 2010. I urge you to visit RVCentennial.org to learn more about the event. It is a clearinghouse of information and treasure trove of free resources to help you incorporate the RV Centennial into your own efforts. We hope you will join us in celebrating the RV Centennial. It is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to demonstrate our strength and to draw positive attention to the industry in the coming year. Certainly, one of the hallmarks of our industry over the last 100 years is the remarkable resiliency of the RV market. We’ve faced some very hard times before and have always come back stronger than ever. This most recent economic downturn is no different. Our new Go RVing television ads are set to the classic Western tune of “Back in the Saddle Again.” It is a song of friendship, community and enjoying the great outdoors….perfect for promoting RVing. It is also a very fitting theme song for our industry because as 2010 begins we are saddling up once again, ready to ride toward better days and a brighter future.    Gary LaBella Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Recreation Vehicle Industry Association 1896 Preston White Drive Reston, VA 20191 Phone: (703) 620-6003 Ext. 308 Fax: (703) 620-5071 Email: [ e-mail ]

LaVanture Products Company has announced a new marketing relationship with a world leader in the production of high quality Gas Springs from Turkey.

As part of this marketing relationship LaVanture has released a new 12 page catalog containing product information and specifications for the complete line of Gas Springs. All of these products meet ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO/TS16949 safety and quality standards and have passed a rigid testing program.

The gas springs are available in both Black Nitride and Stainless Steel all at factory direct pricing and carry a two year limited warranty.

The black nitride gas spring incorporates a strong annealed steel rod with a nitride coating for added corrosion resistance, especially when used with the composite end fitting.

The stainless steel gas spring is made of corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel material. All the stainless parts have a specially prepared surface to provide additional hardness and corrosion resistance. Add our composite end fitting for a gas spring that will not rust or corrode even in the harshest environments.

LaVanture also provides engineering services for custom gas springs to meet special application specifications.

“At LaVanture Products we pride ourselves on marketing only the highest quality products to our customers in the industry” states Richard Lavanture, company president, “and these gas springs meet and exceed those quality standards.

We stock over 165 gas spring sku’s ready for immediate shipment at factory direct prices from the LaVanture warehouse facility at 22825 Gallatin Road in Elkhart IN.

Since 1969 LaVanture has been distributing and manufacturing a wide range of products to O.E.M manufacturers, in the United States, Canada and world wide.

Protective enhanced its XtraRide RV service agreement program to provide mechanical breakdown coverage for an RV dealer’s rental fleet.

“We’ve always had the capability to cover rental vehicles on an individual basis with a business use surcharge,” said Bill Koster, VP Protective, “however; we are now able to cover an entire new vehicle fleet with specific rates and no surcharge.” The business use surcharge and used vehicle coverage are still available, but XtraRide’s rental program is a convenient and less expense way for a dealer to protect the entire new vehicle fleet. XtraRide is exclusively endorsed by RVDA – the National RV Dealers Association.

“The real value here for the rental dealer is the ancillary benefits provided by Protective’s XtraRide service agreement,” Koster said. Customers can call for roadside assistance, concierge benefits, technical support, and dealer locator services after the rental dealer’s business hours.

Dealers will not have to worry about problems rental customers may encounter and customers have the peace of mind that road hazards or technical issues can be addressed 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Tire and wheel coverage is also available in many states.

Although the program is new, Protective has already received a number of inquiries. “I was very pleased at the reception we received at MBA’s rental school held in Las Vegas. This program is a great way for the dealer to transfer the risk while at the same time enhancing their customers’ rental experience,” Koster indicated.

XtraRide is fully insured and exclusively endorsed by RVDA. Protective has been underwriting RV service agreements since 1995 and the program is available in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about XtraRide’s new rental program, please contact your XtraRide agent or Customer Relations at (800) 670-6732.

RVIA's Education Department has scheduled its next Trouble Shooter Clinic for March 8-12 at Ivy Tech Community College in Elkhart, IN. Trouble Shooter Clinics (TSCs) offer RV service technicians the opportunity to enhance performance and profitability by improving their hands-on technical knowledge. RVIA is encouraging its members to promote these important training events to their dealer networks.

At these popular clinics, participants will learn to quickly diagnose and correct malfunctions in all major systems found in today’s recreation vehicles. Attendance at the clinic fulfills the continuing education requirement for those technicians seeking recertification.

RVIA Vice President of Standards and Education Bruce Hopkins said, “The TSCs offer service technicians truly valuable training that will help them repair RVs and component parts quickly and keep customer satisfaction high. We extend our thanks to RVIA members and their dealer networks for helping us train quality RV service technicians.”

The Trouble Shooter Clinics registration fee is $599 per registrant, or $499 for early-bird registration confirmed 30 days prior to event.

Each registered technician receives a detailed Troubleshooter’s Manual including an electronic copy of the Electrical Systems and Propane Systems textbooks to keep for future reference, coffee breaks and a daily luncheon (excluding Friday).

Call RVIA’s Education Department for more information at 703-620-6003 ext. 355.

RV technicians who complete the online RV Technician Certification Prep Course available through the RV Learning Center are significantly more likely to earn RVDA-RVIA Technician Certification than those who do not take the course.

Seventy-nine percent of RV technicians who completed the online prep course passed the RVDA-RVIA Technician Certification test, compared to 61 percent of technicians who did not use the course to prepare for the test. The percentages are based on technicians who took the certification test between July 1, 2008 and January 1, 2010.

“My opinion of the course is that it’s excellent,” said Don Crawford of Full Service RV, Inc., in San Antonio, TX. “It did a good job of preparing me for the certification test and the course is well-designed and thought out.”

The RV Technician Certification Prep Course, developed by RVIA, and available at www.rvlearningcenter.com, is an interactive online course. It combines text, audio, graphics, video, and a mentor led technician community forum. The sections within the certification preparation course correspond to the certification test sections. These sections include propane, electrical, plumbing, brakes, suspension and towing, appliances, generators, hydraulics, exterior, interior, expandable rooms, and miscellaneous tasks. There are also practice tests after each chapter and section that will provide immediate review and feedback.

“When all instructional content is complete, the student takes a certification practice test. The questions on the certification test are representative of the actual test,” said RVIA Vice President, Standards and Education, Bruce Hopkins. “The practice test is timed so a technician can determine how he will perform under the three-hour time restraint of the certification test.”

The course is self-paced and based on the individual’s time and motivation. The course automatically tracks the individual technician’s progress. Completion of the course also applies to recertification requirements for existing certified RV technicians.

“This is a great course for the service technician that wants to advance himself through the certification process. It is extremely easy to use and easily accessible,” said RV Learning Center Service Consultant Tony Yerman.

The new RV Technician Certification Preparation Course is available anytime, anywhere with high-speed internet access. The price for the course starts at $249 for each technician with discounts available for registering four or more technicians. For more information or to register, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com.

The RV Learning Center is dedicated to providing dealers and their employees with innovative ways to operate RV dealerships through an array of education resources including publications, distance learning, live workshops, online products, training, and certification programs for RV dealership personnel. For more information on the RVDA Education Foundation’s RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, send an e-mail to [ e-mail ], or send a fax to (703) 359-0152. The RVDA Education Foundation is a tax exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.