Winter 2011 betterRVing

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011

BetterRVing.com | 888.626.7800


IMAGINE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN

HEARING THE WORDS GOLDEN ARCHES’and not automatically thinking hamburgers.

There are wonders in this nation that every child should see with his or her own eyes. And they are not made of plastic or packaged with a kid’s meal. It’s time to give your family the gift of America.

Our Allegro Bus® is the most comfortable, spacious way to experience those wide-open spaces. Four slides and floor plans up to 43 feet give everyone room to roam. And with our exclusive Powerglide chassis, you’ll have the

confi dence to travel from coast to coast.Custom-built

and designed at the Tiffi n

plant in Red Bay, Alabama, this chassis is American ingenuity at its fi nest, delivering superior performance and reliability. The exterior is clad by the very same body paint which graces the world’s top luxury supercars. Grand touring, indeed. And because it’s a Tiffin, you can be confident in our warranty, our company, and our service. And when you buy from Lazydays, you can count on a dealer who is just as dedicated as we are.

tiffinmotorhomes.com

▲ It’s your country. Come see it, in the roomy Allegro Bus.

’

LAB 250-10, Lewis Communications, 7.875 x 10.5, Better RVing

Congratulations to Lazydays; 4th consecutive Dealer of the Year award.

46

8

8 Made in America Follow us as we take a trip through

middle America to find America striving to make things work

12 Made in America: Fleetwood

The meaning of lean manufacturing

16 Made in America: Entegra

A visit to the Entegra factory reveals integrity

21 Made in America: Keystone

Inside the top rated fifth wheel manufacturing plant

24 Made in America: Tiffin

Southern hospitality delivered RV style

28 Two For The Road: 2011 Winnebago Tour

Take a fun tour with our RV Experts

31 The Monaco Vesta RV innovation revealed in 2011

34 RV Hall of Fame Honoring the storied past of the

RV lifestyle

36 RV Gear & Gadgets Toys, trinkets and tools to spruce

up your RV

40 Troubleshootin’ with Ernie

Winterizing Your RV with Antifreeze

42 Laws Of The Land Travel smart and avoid tickets

44 Food on the Road: RV Recipes

RV tested for the road and approved by the travelers

46 Music of the Night Red Bay, Alabama and Coon Dogs

49 Dogumentary Traveling with animals, guidelines

from the AKC

50 RV Events The latest happenings in the

RV community

51 RV Details Find your dream coach

59 Partner Spotlight

60 Technically Speaking with Steve

RVers toughest questions answered

34

p. 8-26

p. 42, 40, 46, 51


Log On and Fill Up This magazine is chock-full of travel destinations, repair tips and stories about RVers experiencing the dream of travel. And the fun only keeps coming. Visit BetterRVing.com online to fi nd more good stuff for passionate RVers.

Weekly RV TipsCheck in weekly to fi nd new tips and tricks to simplify your RV life.

Click RV Tips

Land of AwesTravel with Ed and Rachel Barnhart as they discover

North America in an RV.

Click RV Living

Living the Full-Time DreamThis monthly column discusses issues from how to get on

the road to organizing your closet to fi nding a work-camp position.

Click RV Living

Sam “Internet Guru” MatzenKeep your information safe and learn about email security.

Click RV Toolbox

Weekly RV TipsCheck in weekly to fi nd new tips and tricks to simplify your RV life.

Click RV Tips

Sam “Internet Guru” MatzenKeep your information safe and learn about email security.

Click RV Toolbox

This magazine is chock-full of travel destinations, repair tips and stories


©2010 Winnebago Industries, Inc.

Introducing the roomier, more powerful, double slideout, walk-around queen bed Via 25Q.

Learn more at GoWinnebago.com or call 1.800.643.4892

2011 View Profi le 2011 View

Nobody does more with the Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter chassis than we do. Case in point: the revolutionary Class A Via®, now better than ever for 2011. The all-new 25Q fl oorplan features the industry’s fi rst Sprinter-based double-slideout (complete with walkaround queen bed!), while all three Via fl oorplans now offer standard overhead cabinets up front for added storage.

See where the RV revolution is headed: See your nearest Winnebago dealer, or visit GoWinnebago.com.

The Via, View® and View Profi leare all built on the Sprinter chassis, which now delivers 30% more power with improved fuel economy.

2011 View

fuel economy.

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ADVERTISING Director, Liz Lema 866.317.4012 • For advertising inquires: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION Coordinator, Ronda Baer 866.531.6827 • For customer service inquires: [email protected]

Managing Editor and Art Director: Ann Cosentino, [email protected] • All rights reserved © 2010 Lazydays® • 6130 Lazy Days Boulevard, Seffner, FL 33584-2968

BetterRVing.com is published four times per year by Lazydays. No responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs, which must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with return postage. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

One of my favorite pastimes is listening to our customers share memories of their RV adventures. Seeing joy on the

faces of those who live the RV lifestyle to the fullest as they enthusiastically tell stories from their journeys is one of the

great rewards of working at a place where so many RVers from around the world call home.

Oftentimes, our customers will share with me that their dreams may never have become a reality had it not been for the

wisdom and guidance of the sales consultant who helped them find the perfect RV or how they could never have created such

lasting memories with their families without the expertise of the service technicians who worked into the night to ensure their coach

returned safely to the road.

Moments like these demonstrate the cohesive nature of the RV lifestyle and proudly remind me that the RVer’s dream is a

delicate entity whose journey to becoming a reality is reliant on the passion of many dedicated hands.

At Lazydays we believe that an RVer never dreams alone. Each day we tirelessly work as a team to help our customers realize

their dreams. The RV manufacturers who create the RVs that house our customers and their dreams also share in this spirit of

dedication. We explore this indomitable spirit in this Winter 2011 issue and bring you stories from

some of the people whose goal it is to design and build the perfect coach.

A new year is upon us and with it comes a revitalized sense of excitement and optimism in the

world of RVing. It brings a renewed commitment by all those in the industry to making RV dreams

come true by bringing to fruition the kind of inspirational and innovative ideas upon which our industry

was founded. Many of these innovations await your discovery in this issue and your discussion

online at BetterRVing.com. So let us cherish the memories of our past journeys and celebrate the

future with the understanding that we are all in this together, and an RVer never dreams alone.

Enjoy the moments that make the memories (and the issue),

John HortonLazydays, Chief Executive Officer

FROM JOHN

sharing memories


Log on to BetterRVing.com and subscribe.BetterRVing.com provides RVers with expert tips, travel

destinations, industry how-tos, and also offers a virtual gathering

place to connect with other adventure seeking RVers. On top of all

that, we will deliver it to you just the way you would like - to your

mailbox or your inbox. Or, both. And the best part, it is all free to

you. Just go to BetterRVing.com and click subscribe.

Free subscriptions, delivered to your

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mailbox or your inbox.

Connect with us.

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011 8 BetterrVing.com Winter 2011rV liVing


A trip to four RV factories reveals the unfl appable character of an industry driven by the spirit of its customers.

tHE RV INDUSTRY IS AMERICA:humble, tireless and inventive with an

indomitable spirit fueled by an honest

day’s work. This I thought about from

the curbside recliner of an Itasca Latitude as I gazed

out the window at the passing waves of grain and

recalled the events of the previous eight days. We

were southbound and heading home on Interstate 22

after a 2,500-mile odyssey into America’s heartland,

which included tours through four of the RV industry’s

leading manufacturers’ production facilities. We had

witnessed the lean manufacturing as practiced at

Fleetwood RV’s #44 plant in Decatur, Ind. We had

experienced the passionate craftsmanship at Entegra

Coach in Elkhart, Ind. We were swept up by the

frenzied, team-centric pace at Keystone RV’s Montana

plant in Goshen, Ind. And, we were welcomed with

open arms and southern hospitality to the Tiffin

Motorhomes’ factory in Red Bay, Ala.

WRITTEn & PhOTOgRAPhEd BY FREd SMITh

Made in America


With the details of this adventure dancing in my

mind, I watched the setting sun as the glow

of the horizon became a backlit screen onto which

my mind projected images from the trip. I saw the

assembly line workers, national sales directors

and CEOs who shared their thoughts and insights

with me on the past, present and future of RVing.

I began to hear local business owners voice heartfelt

solidarity with the RV industry whose factories

breathed life into their small towns.

As the faces of those whom I met came into

sharper focus, I was overcome with a feeling I

welcomed like the familiar grasp of an old baseball

mitt clutching my hand for the first time in a decade.

It was a sense of pride, not for what I had done, but

for what I had seen and experienced while in the

company of the RV industry’s heart and soul. It was a

feeling that, even now, I can’t fully explain except to

say it was somehow … American.

I turned my thoughts to the tough stretch of

road that both our country and the RV industry had

endured in recent years. As I replayed the images and

words of those I’d spoken to during our voyage, I felt

certain that times were looking up for an industry

that, like America, was fighting to find its way after

suffering a damaging blow.

For the RV industry, the last few years were more

than damaging. Factories closed. Dealerships crumbled.

Manufacturers went out of business. Workers became

jobless. An industry built on the spirit of American

wanderlust and ingenuity was staring at the brink.

In covering the RV industry during the recession, as

I had done from 2007 to 2009, the possibility had, at

one time, occurred to me that nothing stared back. The

experience of the last eight days, however, made me

think otherwise. I discovered first-hand how the men

and women of the RV industry survived tough times

by putting their faith in the principles that had guided

them for more than a century and emerged with an

even deeper dedication to their customers’ dreams. BRV

Made in America

Clockwise left to right: Log cabin in Tuscumbia, Ala.

Susie Yoder of Entegra, Arnold’s Diner in Decatur, Ind.

Opposite page: Farm horses in Red Bay, Ala.,

Open road enjoyed in an RV

RV LIVINGRV LIVING


Liechty introduces himself and sets the tone for the day with a story of how he came to find his calling at Fleetwood more than two decades ago. To retell his tale here would be to rob those who will someday make the trip to Decatur of a splendid oratory experience, so instead I’ll hold onto the memory and let one of the great storytellers of the RV industry tell it to you when you visit. It’s worth it.

Act II of the tour — Liechty’s introductory court being Act I — finds us on the production line. The size and scope of the facility takes over. But like an RVer who knows the path through unchartered territory, Liechty leads the way with a smile that makes you feel like you’ve known him for years. He doesn’t know all of the 700 workers in Decatur, but he knows most of them to the point of being able to carry on running jokes that shift with and conform to each new station we visit.

“Lot of these folks have been here a long time,” says Liechty, to which I ask, “How long is a long time?” He’s quick to answer with “some have been here five years,” while catching friendly glances and nods from his family of workers as we move down the production line. “A lot have been here 15, 20 years, even 30.” A look overcomes Liechty

as he trails off: part grateful, part nostalgic, all pride. I would later learn that more than 600 of Fleetwood’s workers have been with the company for more than 20 years.

Industrialization and heavy-duty manufacturing take on a new persona when you can see the eyes of the men

and women who commit themselves to creating the vessels their customers will choose to achieve their RVing dream. There’s a sense of purpose on display as though each worker is marching to the same rhythm. There isn’t the slightest hint of apprehension as the workers move with the kind of efficient grace Henry Ford dreamed about. Even to my novice eye, it all makes sense. Yet it wasn’t until I learned that the former parent company, Fleetwood Enterprises, was forced to lay off more than 40 percent of the Decatur facility’s labor force at the height of the recession that I understood the meaning of the look in Liechty’s eye.

During the economic downturn, which saw public demand for RVs sink to all-time lows, Fleetwood Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2009. In July of that same year, American Industrial Partners (AIP), a private equity firm in New York, purchased the motorhome assets, including the

Made in America

Folks of FleetwoodFactory tours are a daily ritual at the Fleetwood’s RV/American Coach plant in Decatur, Ind. They begin in a modest waiting room when the baritone rasp of an unseen voice shakes the walls with a mighty “Good morning, campers!” The voice’s owner pokes his head through a doorway that can hardly fit his enthusiasm. This is Tom Liechty, tour guide, sales representative and treasured attraction at Fleetwood RV and American Coach.

Fleetwood

RV LIVINGRV LIVING


Made in America Fleetwood

Decatur manufacturing and service facilities, and formed Fleetwood RV, Inc. Lead by CEO, John Draheim, Fleetwood RV adopted a lean culture, which resulted in a process of continuous improvement aimed to eliminate waste and increase efficient productivity while resulting in a product of superior quality and desirability. The workers on the production line embraced the new practice, implementing almost 1,000 minor changes since May. But they also understood it would take more than efficiency to survive the largest economic recession since the Great Depression

We realized that we’re not invincible,” says salesperson for American Coach Janeen Gerke. “We realized that

everybody has to work harder so that we are that number one manufacturer that customers want to come back to.” Loyalty to their customers is a tenet upon which Fleetwood has stood since its brand was founded in 1950. Almost 60 years later, the fundamental desire to exceed customers’ expectations served as a rallying cry among workers during the company’s most desperate hour. Yet as times worsened and the light at the end of the recession’s tunnel dimmed, Fleetwood looked deeper within itself and found the inspiration that would carry it through the worst of times.

“We stayed together through everything that’s gone on over the last two years just by leaning on each other,” explains National Sales Manager Lenny Razo. “We treat this company as a family. Sometimes you may not get along. Sometimes you have to work hand in hand.” The family at Fleetwood worked hand in hand. They survived tough times and not only saved the company, but revived a small American town.

“Fleetwood and Decatur, Ind., have been connected for quite some time,” explains Razo, “and I think what really makes this town special is the workforce. These people wake up early every morning and have dedicated their lives to this company. Decatur has been energized by what Fleetwood does. Our people are passionate and that’s what has drawn the company to lay its roots and foundation here in Decatur.”

Back on the production line, I notice the look in Liechty’s eye as he waves to a small crew putting the finishing touches on a 2011 American Revolution. This time I understand what he’s feeling. The worst was over and better roads lay ahead for Fleetwood RV. His company, his family and his home have come a long way. BRV

2011 AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This 43-foot luxury diesel pusher is built on a Liberty

chassis and features an 8.9 Cummins ISL 450 HP

engine. Three available floor plans blend comfort and

livability with an array of standard features including solid

wood cabinetry, Sony® electronics and Villa® furniture.

� Each Fleetwood American Coach is assembled using

more than 15,000 individual parts.

� The company’s main production facility in Decatur, Ind.,

is 95 acres.

� More than 600 workers at Fleetwood American

Coach factory in Decatur have been with the

company for over 20 years.

� Floor, sidewall and roof is subject to a Vacu-Bond

process, or a manufacturing process designed to

create strong yet lightweight components.

� A gallon of paint is used for every 2 feet of length for

a full-body paint job.

The Making of a Fleetwood American Coach

“


Family. Freedom. Fun.

lazydaysRVcampground.com


Made in America

Integrity At EntegraIt’s 6:18 a.m. on a morning whose biting chill welcomes us to Elkhart, Ind., with a sting that makes you glad you’re not staying for winter. The day’s first light creeps over the horizon and sparkles on the asphalt of the parking lot at the Entegra Coach’s factory with just enough illumination for us to realize that we’re far from the first to arrive for work on this particularly frigid morning.A lone figure stands at the top of the lot by the main building. Backlit by the rising sun, the slender silhouette walks toward us as our motorhome comes to a stop. His face comes into light and he greets us with a smile that instantly warms with comfort as we descend the steps of our coach. “Welcome to Entegra,” he says as his breath floats through the air like steam against an unseen spotlight, “I’m Tadd Jenkins.”

Jenkins is the national sales director for Entegra Coach and, though he might humbly deny it, is somewhat of a legend among RV industry insiders. The story goes that he once drove more than 1,500 miles on a weekend to bring a distressed customer a crucial RV part so they could continue on their way. Asked if the event was true, Jenkins smiles and says, “The customer needed help and was out of options,” then unassumingly adds, “It was the right thing to do.”

Integrity is a value held with utmost regard at Entegra Coach. As we make our way through a

winding maze of offices and smiling faces, we pass a piece of evidence suggesting that integrity is indeed a state of being at Entegra: “Treat every situation with the highest integrity in a timely manner.” These words come from the company’s mission statement as painted on the wall just before the entrance to the manufacturing facility.

The ceiling of the Entegra assembly plant stretches to a distant altitude like an industrial

cathedral giving the space beneath it an air of massive proportions. The sights and sounds are distinctively that of heavy-duty manufacturing. “These coaches are made by hand,” explains Jenkins as if he could sense my focus was becoming overwhelmed by mechanized process. “They’ll never be made by robots.” Jenkins is quick to point out that at Entegra people make the true difference. “They care,” says Jenkins of Entegra’s labor force as we weave our way through the assembly line. “They recognize that part of our success is largely due to the product they build. When I come back from a

Entegra

RV LIVING


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Contest winners Barb and Dan Higgins are enjoying the campfire and BetterRVing.com. While camping in Pennslyvania, they got to see the first snowflakes of the season.

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Barb & Dan Higgins Black Moshannon State Park, Pa.

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and you.

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011 rV liVing


Made in America Entegra

show, they want to know how we did. They’re excited. And when we experience a failure, or as I like to say, an opportunity for change, they’re equally sad that a customer had to spend a weekend somewhere waiting for their coach to be fixed.”

When asked what he’s most proud of about his company, Entegra CEO Wilbur Bontrager asserts with calming humility, “We’re quite proud of the craftsmanship and quality that goes into our products.” Wilbur points to the Amish workers within Entegra’s ranks whose woodworking skills and tireless work ethic lend each RV that comes off the Entegra line a unique and loving touch. “Our manufacturing process involves a lot of craftsmen who have been building this kind of product for a number of years,” explains Wilbur. “Many of them are Amish and have a great work ethic as do all of our workers.”

The economic downturn exacted a harsh toll on Entegra, forcing the leaders within to make the kind of wrenching decisions that often lead to sleepless nights. While the company emerged from the recession debt-free and with money in the bank, it was the ability to bring back those who had been laid-off from the Entegra workforce that made their CEO feel complete. “We survived the downturn quite well,” says Bontrager trailing with the look of a proud father in his steady eyes. “We’re very happy to have that quality of craftsmanship and skill-set back in our fold.” BRV

2011 ENTEGRA INSIGNIA

Elegance and durability are the themes of this luxury

diesel motorhome. Engineered with an Aluma-Tru

the superstructure and reinforced with a V-Flex rear

chassis support, the Insignia is built to last. A custom-

laid porcelain travertine floor, distressed ultra-leather

furniture and Entegra’s signature hand-crafted cabinetry

ensures that your journey will be a luxurious one.

� Sixty percent of Entegra’s workers, many of whom

are responsible for the cabinetry and woodworking,

are Amish.

� Entegra stocks more than 200 styles of fabric; each

coach contains about 35 yards of fabric.

� Each coach takes about one month to undergo

Entegra’s painting process.

� Every coach that Entegra produces endures a

rigorous pre-delivery inspection before being shipped

to a dealer.

The Making of an Entegra Coach


“Don’t get run over.” The day’s second piece of advice comes from the last offi ce on the left before we enter the assembly line. Its author picks his head up from his computer long enough to send a knowing grin in our direction as the doors to the factory open and welcome us into chaos.

We cross the threshold from offi ce to factory and within seconds are swept up in a typhoon of laborious activity whose frenetic pace is unlike any we’ve seen to this point in our tour of manufacturing facilities. A cacophonous symphony of industrious metal bombards my auditory senses, instantly transforming the world into a moving picture of momentary silence. I pan my head from left to right to take in the scene and orient

myself. To the left are the chassis. Somewhere down the line on the right must be the fi nished product. An order of method slowly becomes apparent as sound returns to the moment at hand.

“Coming through!” The day’s third piece of advice arrives with a shout. I turn around just in time to side step two passing factory workers handling an over-sized sheet of aluminum. Chaos, I think to myself. Then it occurs to me that this may be what it looks like when supply attempts to keep up with demand.

Mark Krol is Keystone’s direct sales director and our guide for the day. He hails from Chicago and looks like he would be perfectly at home in the nose-bleed section at Soldier Field on a wind-chilled, playoff Sunday with a beer in one hand and a bratwurst in the other. I ask him if this hyperspeed pace is the status-quo. “It’s a go-go pace,” he says as he shepherds us to a place we can talk out of intensity’s way. “Our products don’t have

Made in America

Keystone Teamwork“Thou Shalt Not Park Here,” reads a sign posted in the parking lot of Keystone’s Montana plant in Goshen, Ind. It’s our fi rst cautionary warning of the day as we begin a tour of the factory that gives birth to the RV industry’s best selling fi fth wheel. We’ve entered Keystone’s national headquarters. What the modest offi ces within the main building lack in posh decor are more than made up for in energy and spirit in a telling sign of what lies ahead on the assembly fl oor.

Keystone

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011 22 BetterrVing.com Winter 2011rV liVing


Made in America Keystone

engines, which allows for the line to move faster than you might have seen at motorhome factories.” Krol points out that the plant we’re in is focused solely on making Montanas, Keystone’s flagship product and top selling fifth wheel in the RV industry. “On a good day we can make 18 Montana trailers.” Krol can see the awe in my face and offers me what he feels is no secret to the success of Keystone’s productivity. “Teamwork,” he says like a young Vince Lombardi, though he might hate on principle, as any true Chicago Bears fan would, being compared to anyone from Green Bay.

“Watch the line and notice how they all work together.” Krol’s suggestion (the day’s fourth piece of advice) is the primer that unlocks the kinetic mayhem of the Montana assembly line. It becomes obvious. Each individual’s laborious effort is committed in tandem with another. No one is on an island. No one works alone. The assembly line moves and breathes as a unit with each worker in perpetual motion while never wasting a step. “The Montana factory,” explains Krol, “is structured so that each team, whether it be plumbing or roofing, framing, shelling or electrical, works together to get the units out the door correctly on a daily basis.”

Once an outsider acclimates to the speed of the assembly line, the faces of the workers come into

focus revealing not only a sense of pride in craftsmanship, but also a certain morale that spreads its way throughout the plant, engulfing it in a blanket of positive energy.

Teamwork, Krol explains from inside the living room of a freshly completed and ready-to-be-shipped to a dealership 2011 Montana, is the driving force of Keystone’s manufacturing philosophy and a fundamental principle that sustained the company during the recession. “The downturn of the last few years was tough,” says Krol, “At Keystone we learned how to increase our efficiency by doing more with less. We became stronger by getting back to our core values.”

A close relationship with its customers has endured as one of the most sacred of values for Keystone and one on which much of its success and rise to prominence in the RV industry was built. “We never lost faith in each other and we never lost touch with the customer,” says Krol, “Their ideas help shape our innovation as a company. Many of the features of the Montana came about due to suggestions made by our customers. Now that we’ve weathered the storm and are here on the other side of the recession, we look forward to exceeding our customers’ expectations. We look forward to a great 2011.” BRV

2011 KEYSTONE MONTANA

The industry’s top selling fifth wheel is back with

even more great features for 2011. Plush residential

furniture, high-line electronics and solid hardwood

hickory cabinets highlight the “fiver,” which has

defended its championship title for the last six straight

years by listening to its customers and exceeding

their wildest dreams.

� The Keystone Montana has been the industry’s best

selling fifth wheel for the past six years.

� Keystone’s Montana plant in Goshen, Ind., can build

as many as 18 units in a single day.

� The Montana features more than 30 cabinet doors

and drawers that are hand-crafted by Keystone’s

skilled woodworkers, many of whom are Amish.

� The Montana is favored among the film and television

industry to house cast and crew on location and has

been featured in the HBO series “Entourage.”

The Making of a Keystone Montana


Visitors to Tiffin’s factory know a lot about the company that has raised the bar and set the pace among manu-facturers of luxury diesel motorhomes. What visitors to Tiffin’s factory may not know is how crucial a role the RVer played in the company’s survival of the darkest economic storm the RV industry has ever known.

It’s a Friday morning, which means that about two-thirds of the 1,200 workers at Tiffin’s plant

are wearing Crimson Tide apparel in allegiance to University of Alabama which, in less than 36 hours, will take on the University of South Carolina in a gridiron showdown of conference foes. On this Friday, Bob Tiffin is away, but his son Tim welcomes us to his office and opens up about hard times endured. “We went through some tough times in ’73 and another downturn in ’80 and ’81. Daddy had a lot of experience [surviving recessions] and kept us ready for when the next one hit.”

Like much of the RV industry, Tiffin was unaware of just how crippling the economic downturn of 2007

and 2008 was until they were in the middle of the worst. “We really didn’t see it coming,” says Tim Tiffin of the recession, “but we were positioned well and were fortunate to have resources to withstand it. We had a great dealer base with strong dealers who could withstand the tough times with us.”

South East Sales Manager Danny Inman has been part of the Tiffin family for 37 years. His gracious and booming presence has endeared both he and his company to the hearts of RVing customers for equally as long. Maybe longer. When asked how Tiffin survived the gauntlet that forced so much of the RV industry to early retirement, Inman spoke from the heart. “Being a family- owned company with as good a group of employees as we have who have been here as long as they have made a big difference,” says Inman in a husky Southern voice that should be made an official Alabama state treasure. “Knowing that we’ve got a company that will stand behind the product and do what’s right for the customer … it makes you want to come to work every day.”

Made in America

Roughing It, SmoothlyMany of those who have made the journey to Tiffin Motorhomes’ factory in Red Bay, Ala., know that Bob Tiffin has an open door policy and will gladly sit down and chat with an RVer about anything from slide outs to Bear Bryant. They may also know that the invitation to talk with any member of the Tiffin family is an open one that extends from the founding father to the last person on the assembly line and everyone in between.

Tiffin

RV LIVING

BetterRVing.com | 888.626.7800 888.626.7800 BetterrVing.com 25


Made in America Tiffin

Tiffin Motorhomes was certainly not immune to hard times. Yet the company stayed true to the

principles that have guided their steady rise since Tiffin’s founding in 1972. Production has doubled since October 2009, a sign that perhaps the most treacherous of times are in its rear view mirror. “Our employees held together,” says Tim Tiffin with the kind of compassion in his eyes that those who have never lost can never understand. “We kept our quality up, even when production slowed way down. I’m real proud of our guys for hanging in like they’ve done.”

As I listened to Tim Tiffin and recalled the images of Tiffin’s diverse menagerie of workers pouring their hearts and souls into the artful task of creating dreams for their customers, I’m reminded of a conviction spoken to me by Bob Tiffin, whom I interviewed some 18 months earlier at the absolute zenith of the recession. Sitting in a 2010 Zephyr with one of the most iconic of the RV industry’s living legends, I quietly asked, “Mr. Tiffin, what motivates you?” He spoke to me as I’m sure he’d speak to anyone who sat down in his office at Red Bay. Calmly, humbly, to the point, what he said resonated with a truth I knew echoed beyond the walls of Red Bay and was the reason Tiffin, and indeed the rest of the RV industry, has emerged from the storm of the great recession with an even stronger commitment to making their customers’ dreams come true for decades to come.

“The spirit of the RVer … is what drives our company.” BRV

2011 TIFFIN ALLEGRO BREEZE

Affordable and efficient, this 28-foot motorhome

has created a buzz in the RV industry by combining

superior design, engineering and craftsmanship in

a compact unit that is poised for a luxurious future.

The rear Navistar® diesel engine provides a powerful

yet smooth ride all the while engulfing its owner in a

comfort level RVers familiar with Tiffin quality have

come to expect.

� As many as 1,000 worker hours are devoted to each

Tiffin coach.

� Tiffin builds nearly everything on its coaches in-

house, including some of the chassis.

� Tiffin imports the wood used in its coaches from

New England.

� Many Tiffin owners enjoy watching their coach come

to life as their home on wheels progresses down the

assembly line.

The Making of a Tiffin Motorhome

RV LIVING


BELLA TERRA OF GULF SHORES 101 Via Bella Terra, Foley, AL 36535

www.BellaTerraRVresort.com

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www.FloridaGrande.org

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One Brand. Two Luxury Class A RV Resorts.One Brand. Two Luxury Class A RV Resorts.

Come see us at the Florida RV Super Show or S.E.A. FMCA Brooksville Rally to learn more about this exciting partnership!

Contact us NOW to learn more about our “Stay and Play” vacation weekends! Call (866) 475-7746

or email [email protected]

Bella Terra features Florida Grande features


EXTERIOR

Jason and Evan gaze at Winnebago’s flagship luxury diesel pusher.

Jason: The 2011 Winnebago Tour 42 has a full wall slide and a bath and a half.

Evan: It also has a 450 HP Cummins EPA emissions equipped, turbo-charged ISL 8.9 liter diesel engine which gets improved gas mileage and is better for the environment.

Jason: I’m impressed.

Evan: You haven’t even been inside yet.

Jason: I’m impressed you know all that without looking at the brochure.

Evan: I’ve got notes written on the palm of my hand. Let’s take a look at the inside.

INTERIOR

As Jason and Evan step aboard the Tour, they are greeted by a wood-glazed decor that feels like home.

Evan: What I really like about this floor plan is the distinct separation between the living area, the kitchen and the bedroom area.

Jason: Winnebago gave this coach a great, homey feel. You can seat seven or eight people in here, and there isn’t a bad spot in the house to watch the TV.

Evan: The TV is no less than a 40 inch LCD HDTV with a

home theater sound system that comes with an amplified digital TV antenna. You can even see it from the half bath.

Jason: Just how many notes can you fit on your hand?

Evan: I’ve got big hands.

Jason: OK … so, moving on to another great feature of the Tour’s living room is the L-shaped extendable sectional sofa.

Evan: This is an exclusive Winnebago feature. Winnebago designs and builds these couches in-house, which means that they’re able to create the floor plan around the coach and not the other way around.

Jason: It’s just one more nuance that makes the Tour feel like home. A lot of people have sectional couches in their homes, and now Winnebago has put one in your RV.

Evan: One thing I don’t like to do at home is clean.

Jason: Yes, I know. I’ve been to your home.

Evan: But the Tour is easy to clean because of the full tile floor in the living area and the central vacuum system throughout the coach.

Jason: Another great feature that Winnebago added in the 2011 Tour is the Aqua-Hot Heating System that instantly heats your hot water.

Evan: If you’re hooked up to a water supply, you’ll never run out of hot water when you’re camping.

Jason: It will also preheat your engine.

Evan: So, if you’re in Bum-diddly, North Dakota, and it’s

touring the tour The 2011 Winnebago Tour 42QD blends engaging

style with creative functionality in a luxury diesel motorhome

steeped in eye-catching design and forward thinking ingenuity.

The dynamic sales duo of Jason Cohen and Evan Crayder

took the Tour for a test drive and discovered that great looks

are only part of the story for this high-line coach.

Jason Cohen: 13 Years RV Sales Experience, Proud Father

of Three Children, Former Chef

Evan Crayder: Two Years RV Sales Experience, Loving

Father of Three Children (Including Twins), Maniacal Sports Fan

two for the road

SEE AN RV


13 degrees outside, you don’t have to let your coach idle for 35-plus minutes while your engine heats up. You just kick-on your engine preheat. When you’re ready to go, your engine is ready to run.

Jason: It uses a diesel-fired boiling unit to create the heat for your hot water.

Evan: That unit also creates an even, comfortable radiant heat throughout the coach. You won’t have hot and cold spots and you don’t need a furnace.

Jason: It also heats your bays and runs off diesel fuel as opposed to LP gas.

BEDROOM

The duo steps into the spacious bedroom. There’s room to dance, though thankfully, no one does.

Evan: The king size bed in the bedroom with an Ideal Rest digital comfort control mattress that folds up like an adjustable bed, making it more comfortable for reading or watching TV.

Jason: And it has dual firmness controls similar to a Sleep Number® bed.

Evan: Throughout the interior, you’re surrounded by coffee-glazed wood cabinetry with tons of storage.

Jason: Plenty of space for all your Hawaiian shirts.

Evan: You mean your Hawaiian shirts. The bedroom also has a 32-inch LCD TV that retracts into the woodwork with the push of a button.

Jason: They call that “baby maker” mode. The TV retracts and Barry White comes on the speakers.

Evan: Well played, sir. Let’s take it for a spin.

COCKPIT

The Tour merges effortlessly into highway traffic and cruises at 65 mph.

Jason: The 2011 Tour 42QD has a tag axle that gives you better stability and makes you feel like you have a better grip on the road.

Evan: With the tag axle, those 18-wheel trucks pass you and you hardly feel a thing. They don’t blow you around,

which makes you feel more confident on the road too.

Jason: I love the full-piece windshield, which many high-line coaches at this price point have. Because there is no TV in the cockpit, you get a better view of the scenery as you drive.

Evan: The ergonomics of the coach are great. Everything on the dash area is organized, visible and well within reach. It’s a very quiet ride with great door seals.

Jason: Winnebago makes their doors from the same piece of material they use to build their side walls. That, along with the way they do their hinging, makes for a better fit and a better seal, resulting in less wind noise.

Evan: It’s a comfortable ride for the passenger. We’re cruising on the highway right now, and it hardly feels like we’re moving.

Jason: Since I’m doing all the work, you think you can make me a sandwich?

Evan: I’m afraid not. That’s the bad news.

Jason: What’s the good news?

Evan: I’ve got a heated seat, and if I turn my head I can still see the TV and catch the score to the game.

email Jason at [email protected] or Evan [email protected]

An interview with Winnebago continued on next page.


What role did Winnebago’s customers play in the design of the Tour? We talk to all our customers after they buy from us and ask them to rank four or five things that influenced them to purchase a Winnebago. The thing that consistently ranks number one is floor plan. When we began to design the Tour for 2011, floor plan was at the front of our mind. We felt that if our customers were telling us that the floor plan was so important, we wanted to ensure that we were making the appropriate investment of time and money in developing plans that were both unique and functional. Because the floor plans are so unique, this style floor plan is only available by Winnebago. All four floor plans are unique from anything else available in the RV industry.

Which of the Tour’s features makes Winnebago especially proud? We’re extremely proud of the exterior styling of the coach. When a customer looks at the Tour, they’re going to be immediately impacted by the look of the coach, particularly the front-end. What they may not realize is the amount of thought and care that goes into designing that space ergonomically. Not only does the front-end have a stylish appearance, but when you sit in the driver’s seat and experience the comfort of the driver’s compartment, you immediately recognize the ability to see the road, utilize the gauges and operate the vehicle. All of that functionality is a result of the thoughtful work done by Winnebago’s exterior styling people. We’re very proud of that and have received a lot of positive feedback from our dealers and retail customers.

What challenges did Winnebago overcome in creating the Tour? We have a unique floor plan and wanted an L-shaped sectional that could function in a slide-out motorhome. We built that

creative piece of furniture ourselves. We didn’t have to depend on an outside furniture manufacturer. We used our own ingenuity and designed a piece of furniture that is specific to RV use. It was a challenge, but it allowed us to design the floor plan collectively as opposed to buying someone else’s piece of furniture and slapping it down on the floor.

How did Winnebago emerge from the recent economic recession as a stronger company? This industry has been in turmoil for the last two or three years. Several manufacturers have either closed their doors or fought their way through difficult financial times or even bankruptcy. One of the things that Winnebago brings to the table is a 52-year history of solid financial performance. We’re an organization that has lived through some tough times, whether it was back in the late 1970s or the last two to three years. We’re a manufacturer with a proven track record not only with our financial performance, but also with our service, parts and warranty fulfillment.

The Tour was created during the downturn yet is a very forward thinking coach. How did Winnebago maintain a vision for the Tour with an eye on the future? During the downturn, we made sure that we did not put our products’ research and development on the back burner. We pressed on full steam ahead with the projects we had planned, the Tour being just one of them. We couldn’t take our foot off the developmental throttle and allow our 2010 and 2011 products to look like our 2009 products with different paint. We realized we had an opportunity to invest heavily in our research and development and accelerate ahead of the competition. The Tour is the flagship project we had on our drawing boards and a sign of what’s to come for Winnebago. BRV

Winnebago Industries’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin discusses the newly designed 2011 Winnebago TourINTERVIEWED BY FRED SMITH

SEE AN RV

“When a customer

looks at the Tour,

they’re going to be

immediately impacted

by the look of

the coach, particularly

the front-end.”


The 2011 Monaco Vesta is the fi rst motorhome produced by

Monaco RV in collaboration with its parent company, Navistar

Corporation. BetterRVing.com caught up with two of the Vesta’s

chief architects to discuss what this revolutionary coach

means for Monaco RV, its customers and the entire RV industry.


TIM SMITH

General Manager of Business Strategy and Planning, North America Truck Group, Navistar, Inc.

DAVID ALLENDORPH

Chief Designer, Navistar Industrial Design,Truck Development and Technology Center, Navistar, Inc.

The Vesta is the first Monaco RV created in collaboration with Navistar Corporation. What was the experience like for everyone involved?

SMITH: It was a great process and experience from beginning to end. We really jelled as a team. The Vesta is our first example of what we can accomplish by leveraging the strengths of Monaco and Navistar together.ALLENDORPH: The Monaco team was great to work with and really open to what we wanted to do. Our goal with the Vesta was to create an appealing RV that established the kind of brand image that would make an impact in the industry. Our team worked full-time for about six months in designing the Vesta. We put in a fair amount of hours, but it was well worth the time spent.

In what ways is the Vesta revolutionary?

SMITH: The Vesta represents the first fully integrated coach in the RV industry — meaning all of the components that go into that coach: the chassis, the house and the engine are manufactured by one company. Through vertical integration, we have many opportunities to get things right in terms of driveline tuning, noise vibration and harshness. At Navistar, we design commercial trucks that travel more than 100,000 miles each year moving freight. We leveraged that aspect of Navistar’s experience to design the Vesta’s power train and chassis and driver environment to be the best on the road.

What about the Vesta are you personally excited about?

SMITH: Being a commercial truck guy, the thing I like about the Vesta is driving it. It is a great ride and the ergonomics are spectacular. As soon as you sit behind the wheel, you recognize that there is something different about the Vesta. All the controls and switches are

within reach. The pedal package is positioned appropriately for any size driver. It’s easy to get yourself in a comfortable spot to drive long or short distances in this coach.ALLENDORPH: I think it’s a great looking coach. From the outset, the design team asked, “What can we do to make RVs look better?” The Vesta is very contemporary in its look. It has great proportions, which is something designers are always interested in. By proportions I mean the coach’s height from the ground and relationship between the wheels and fenders. Having great proportions gives the coach a more solid foundation and a better feel and look.

In what ways was the design process of the Vesta a break from what we usually see in the RV industry?

ALLENDORPH: We approached designing the Vesta as an opportunity to consult and work with the best engineering minds from the automotive and trucking industry. We shared ideas on paper and worked out many designs on the computer before we began

the Monaco Vesta interview

SEE AN RV


building anything. With the Vesta, we wanted to make an impact in the RV industry. Working with such an experienced and creative team helped us achieve what we set out to do.

How did the customer play a role in the design of the Vesta?

SMITH: The customer influences everything we do as a company, including the development of future strategies product cycle planning. The voice of the customer and their input encompasses our whole business. We’re continually engaged in both traditional and creative ways to gain our customers’ insight to meet those needs. When we talk about customers, we’re not just talking about retail customers, we’re also talking about dealers as well. The Vesta is a result of dealer input. It’s a fully functional, integrated product that’s outstanding in the

industry and differentiated from our competitors. It has the features and the benefits that both the retail customer look for and the dealer is looking to sell.

The Vesta is a fuel efficient and “green” RV. Is this a sign of things to come from Monaco RV?

SMITH: You can see in the Vesta some of the features that were developed through our wind-tunnel testing. These aerodynamic features coupled with the MaxxForce™ 7 engine are the things that enhance that fuel economy improvement. On the exterior, the Vesta has nicely rounded edges, an optimized angle on the windshield and we’ve chamfered down the back side to release the air stream as it flows over the coach. These exterior features along with the efficient engine greatly help the fuel economy. Going forward, this is the kind of design implementation

that you’re going to be seeing in the products that we develop.ALLENDORPH: With Navistar’s infrastructure, we have the tools that can be leveraged to enhance everything we’ve done to create even better RV products. We believe we can create a powerful synergy by combining Navistar’s bus and truck technologies with Monaco RV’s capabilities in a way that will truly change the industry. The 2011 Vesta sets the tone and is a great sign of what lies ahead for Monaco RV; opportunities to get things right in terms of driveline tuning, noise vibration and harshness. At Navistar, we design commercial trucks that travel more than 100,000 miles each year moving freight. We leveraged that aspect of Navistar’s experience to design the Vesta’s power train and chassis for durability that was less like an RV and more like a commercial truck. BRV


RV historian and head storyteller at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, Al Hasselbart, offers both a glimpse of RVing heritage and a preview of the adventure that awaits at an attraction no die-hard RVer can resist.

Al HasselbartAuthor of “The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That: A History of the RV industry in America”

How would you describe the spirit of the RVer? From the beginning, we Americans have been vagabonds. We are travelers. Going back to Davy Crocket and Daniel Boone, who I am sure would have been RVers had there been RVs for them to use, Americans longed to see and enjoy this wonderful country of ours. Being able to take your home with you on your journey just makes it that much easier.

RV Hall of Fame

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRED SMITH

In the heart of RV manufacturing country in Elkhart, Ind., the hallowed halls of the RV industry’s history awaits curious travelers from across the globe. The RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame honors the storied past of the RV lifestyle with an educational experience sure to instill a nostalgic sense of wonderment in every RVer.

RV LIVING


How have RVs evolved during the 20th century?

More than 100 years before the first automobile,

people were inventing ways to hang a bed off the back

of a horseless carriage to go camping. Before WWI,

we had rustic and basically hard-shelled tents. After

WWII, as servicemen returned home and were looking

for inexpensive ways to travel recreationally with their

families, we entered the “camper age” and RVs were

identified as campers. In the 1970s and 1980s, we

began what we refer to today as “RVing” with larger,

self-contained motorhomes. Today, RVs have become

modernized, luxurious homes on wheels. The evolution

has never stopped, and I can’t imagine, given the inven-

tive and innovative nature of the RVer, that it ever will.

How do you think RVs may evolve in the future?

An attempt to produce flying RVs surfaced in the 1970s.

Helicopters were converted for camping and living.

Ultimately, the attempt was abandoned, but we may

come to something like that in the future. Who knows?

What do visitors experience at the RV/MH Hall

of Fame? At the RV/MH Hall of Fame, the history and

evolution of this wonderful industry is explained from

its very beginnings through the years of the Great

Depression, WWII, the heydays of the 1950s and ’60s,

right up to the present.

In addition to the more than 50 vintage RVs on

display at the museum, the Hall of Fame honors the

pioneering individuals who built this industry and

made it what it is today. The RV/MH Hall of Fame

contains the biggest collection of RV-related literature

in the world. Visitors from all over enjoy its library of

books, magazines and photographs — some of which

go back to before the 20th century — to discover how

this industry has grown.

The RV/MH Heritage Foundation is proud of the

museum. We’re proud of our archives. And we’re proud

to honor the people who have made it possible. BRV

To learn more about the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind., please visit www.rvmhhalloffame.org.


Make 2011 Fresh, Fun & Effi cient With These Great ProductsBetterRVing.com is always looking for ways to improve the quality of the RV lifestyle, and these innovative and time-saving products will help you do just that. From increasing shelf space in the kitchen and improving the environment to new games and a cool way to travel short distances, these items can make your life easier and add more fun!

Fold-Tuk BowlThis collapsible bowl, available in four- and six-cup sizes, is kitchen genius. The size of a large saucer when fl at, it expands to be used as a casserole or baking dish, and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees. It has a naturally non-stick surface and easily transfers from the oven to the fridge or freezer with an air-tight lid. A non-skid bottom makes sure it stays in one place, even when you’re moving. The four-cup is $15.99 and the six-cup is $21.99. It’s available at Amazon, the West Marine, Fold-Tuk online stores (www.foldtuk.com) and specialty retail stores across the country. Buy a few and stack them!

BioBagsThese compostable, tall kitchen and pet waste bags are polyethylene free and decompose in 10 to 40 days in a municipal composting environment. Made from corn, these bags have been recommended by both Oprah.com and MarthaStewart.com, and demonstrate the company’s philosophy that together, we can begin “changing the world without changing the earth.” The pet waste bags are available at Petco and retail for about $6. The kitchen bags are available at Whole Foods and retail for around $6.

Fresh Wave®

An all natural air freshener, Fresh Wave® eliminates odors without any chemicals, perfumes or fragrances. Instead, it uses simple ingredients like lime, clove, pine, and cedar wood. Because it’s available in so many forms – as a spray, laundry additive, candle, pearl pack and more – it can be used in a variety of ways. From burning a candle to eliminate cooking odors to placing a pearl pack in the garbage can, your RV home will always be free from odor. Fresh Wave products range from $8.95 for the crystal gel in a jar to $29.99 for a 3-product home kit, and are available at Bed, Bath & Beyond or at www.freshwaveworks.com.

hot, new & useful

GEAR & SWAG


The Gas Can™ by Campfi re In A Can® Perfect for evenings with friends, this portable fi re pit is easy to put together and an environmentally safe way to enjoy a campfi re. The unit weighs around 15 pounds and connects to an external propane tank; an adjustable shutoff valve allows you to easily control the size of the fi re. Super glow chips and a ceramic log set create the look of a real fi re and are safe for making s’mores and other campfi re treats. It’s even been approved for use during fi re bans. Storage is a breeze since everything fi ts into one container. It retails for $239.99 and is available at www.campfi reinacan.com.

The America PillowThis handmade pillow highlights many of the icons Americans love and includes embroidered images associated with specifi c areas of the country. From alligators and apple pie to the Statue of Liberty and the Sierra Mountains, this colorful pillow is sure to be a conversation starter. Each pillow is entirely hand embroidered on a light tea-color cotton cover and unbuttons for cleaning. It’s $196 at www.uncommongoods.com

Buck Stacking GameThis clever game is a test of manual dexterity and observation. Each set comes with a lifelike deer head made of resin and 30 antlers in different sizes. The objective is for each player to take turns mounting the antlers atop the deer head without tumbling the stack. Great for kids over 12 – even big kids who drive RVs. The game retails for $34 at www.uncommongoods.comwww.uncommongoods.com


Genesis Electric BicycleThe Genesis is the beginning of an unprecedented electric bike. This ebike’s Power on Demand feature gives you the option to power around with no pedaling to arrive at your destination fresh and ready. Later, get your exercise by pedaling home to stay in shape. The Genesis is lightweight, with a folding frame so you can fi t a couple of them in the RV basement storage area. You can travel 15 - 25 miles at 17 mph on one charge. The bike is $950 and is available at Lazydays and www.prodecotech.com.

hot, new & useful

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M A K E A N I M P R E S S I O N

E X C I T E M E N T A N D R O M A N C E

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2 0 1 1

A Pioneering Spirit.

2 0 1 1

The 2011 American Coach Luxury Line is Here.

The 2011 American Coach line of luxury motor homes are arriving at Lazydays – the nation’s top-selling American Coach dealer. Built on the impressive Liberty Chassis foundation, the entire American Coach line features 30” deep slide boxes creating the largest interior living space available today. 2011 also marks the debut of American Revolution – the newest member of the American Coach family. Come on down and experience the luxury for yourself today.

For more information, visit us at www.americancoach.com or call us at 800-854-1344.

RV OnesieThis adorable onesie is great for babies who already enjoy the RV lifestyle. Inspired by her niece to make clothes beyond the typical children’s fare, the artist created this shirt after a cross-country trip from Michigan to California. The shirt itself is 100 percent organic cotton made in the U.S.A. The appliqué uses repurposed fabrics and is attached both via heat press and stitching for extra durability. It’s machine washable and available for $14 plus shipping at www.etsy.com/listing/51907543/camper-on-organic-cotton-dijon-onesie.

Remote LanternWhether you’re coming home late at night or enjoying the outdoors after dark, this remote controlled lantern allows you to have as much light as you need. It features a dimmer, fl ash function, handle suitable for hanging and remote control that attaches to your key chain. Plus, it’s great for adding light to any area of your RV. Choose from four bright colors. Three AAA batteries provide 100 hours of continuous light and the remote requires two AAA batteries, all included when you purchase it at www.eddiebauer.com for $19.50 plus shipping.

Pathfi nder LED CapJust for men. L.L. Bean has the Pathfi nder LED cap that does double duty. During the day, it keeps the sun out of your eyes and off your face and at night, the embedded LED lights help illuminate your path. The hat is $19.95 at www.llbean.com.

The Next ExitHow many times have you wondered whether you’d fi nd what you needed at the next exit? Or looked behind you to fi nd the hotel or restaurant you wanted was at the exit you just passed? This comprehensive highway exit directory eliminates exit anxiety forever, covering every highway in the U.S. and listing fuel, lodging and food options for each exit. Known as the “Exit Bible,” this 560-page book is updated yearly after the publisher puts 40,000 in its company cars to make sure it’s accurate. The book is $14.95 and can be purchased at bookstores or online at www.thenextexit.com.

GEAR & SWAG

BetterRVing.com | 888.626.7800BetterRVing.com | 888.626.7800

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M A K E A N I M P R E S S I O N

E X C I T E M E N T A N D R O M A N C E

2 0 1 1

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Reconnect with yourI N N E R C H I L D .

A Pioneering Spirit.

2 0 1 1

The 2011 American Coach Luxury Line is Here.

The 2011 American Coach line of luxury motor homes are arriving at Lazydays – the nation’s top-selling American Coach dealer. Built on the impressive Liberty Chassis foundation, the entire American Coach line features 30” deep slide boxes creating the largest interior living space available today. 2011 also marks the debut of American Revolution – the newest member of the American Coach family. Come on down and experience the luxury for yourself today.

For more information, visit us at www.americancoach.com or call us at 800-854-1344.

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011 RV TOOLBOX

Winter is here and with it often comes a windchill factor that can wreak havoc on your RV’s plumbing system. Ernie will show you how to winterize your

RV with antifreeze to prevent your pipes from freezing and potentially cracking from the cold.

Before winterizing your RV, be sure to empty your black and gray water tanks, then turn off your RV’s water supply and the pressure to your water pump.

Next, drain the water from your water heater. To do this you need to access your water heater’s panel on the exterior of your coach (Fig. 1). Looking at Fig. 3, we see both the water heater’s drain plug and the safety release valve. Using a socket wrench, remove the drain plug (Fig. 4) by turning it counter-clockwise (lefty-loosey). Water should begin to fl ow from the now open drain.

Pull out the safety release valve (Fig. 5). The open value creates a vent that allows for water to freely drain from the coach’s water heater. Once the water has completely drained, replace the plug and disengage the safety release valve.

Next we’re going to access the water system and engage the water-heater bypass valve (Fig. 8). This will ensure that no water will go into the water heater tank until we are ready to fi ll the tank with antifreeze.

Unscrew the water fi lter (Fig. 9) and remove the fi lter

element. If the fi lter is old, discard it. If the fi lter is still usable, you may store it until you are ready to use the coach again. Re-install the fi lter canister.

Now, access the water pump and disconnect the hose that feeds into the fresh-water tank. At this point, we’re going to attach one end of our “cheater” hose to the water pump (Fig. 12) and feed the other end into our container of antifreeze (Fig. 13).

The next step is to turn on your coach’s water pump. You will quickly see the antifreeze fi ll the cheater hose on its way to your RV. Go into your coach and run antifreeze through every place that water normally runs. One by one, you’re going to turn on every faucet and fl ush every toilet until you see the pink antifreeze (Fig. 16). If you have a residential refrigerator, be sure to run both your ice maker and water dispenser until you see antifreeze fl ow where water would be dispensed. Make sure you see antifreeze anywhere that water would normally fl ow.

The fi nal step is to disengage the water heater bypass to allow antifreeze to fl ow into your water heater. Allow the antifreeze to fl ow for about 40 seconds to a minute. Once this step is accomplished, your RV is winterized, and you can join Ernie on the pond for a frigid season of ice fi shing.

Always consult your owner’s manual or a certifi ed RV technician before attempting to work on your RV. BRV

troubleshootin’ with ernie

Your RV with AntifreezeExperience level: novice Time needed for job: 1 to 2 hours Tools needed: screwdriver, antifreeze (4 to 5 gallons depending on size of RV) “cheater” hose (available at most RV dealerships and RV supply stores)

Ernie Herring

35 Years Experience

RVIA/RVDA Master

Certifi ed Technician

WINTERIZING


5

STEP 1 Access your water-heater panel from the coach’s exterior.

STEP 2 Open the panel.

STEP 3 Locate your water heater’s drain plug and safety valve.

STEP 4 Open the drain plug with a socket wrench.

STEP 5 Engage the safety release valve. Water will begin to drain freely from the drain plug.

STEP 6 Your water system can also be accessed from the coach’s exterior.

STEP 7 The water system

STEP 8 Engage your water heater by-pass valve.

STEP 9 Unscrew the water fi lter and remove the fi lter element.

STEP 10 Disconnect the hose that runs from your water pump to your fresh-water tank.

STEP 11 Make sure the connection hardware on your cheater hose is secure.

STEP 12 Attach one end of your cheater hose to the pump...

STEP 13 ...and put the other end into your antifreeze container.

STEP 14 Turn on your water pump. Antifreeze will now run through your RV’s pipes.

STEP 15 Turn on every faucet, fl ush every toilet and check every place water fl ows.

STEP 16 When you see pink antifreeze where water normally would be, your RV is winterized.

1

9 11

4

12 13

7

8

16

Step-By-Step

Alabama

Maximum Towing Speed: 70 mph

Trailer Brakes: 3,000 lbs.

Allowed to Triple Tow: No

Required Safety Devices: Chains, Breakaway, Fire Extinguisher

Combined Length: 65 Feet

Rest Area Overnight Rules: Overnight Parking Not Permitted

Cell Phone Laws: Cell phone and texting ban on drivers with an intermediate license for fewer than six months; enforcement is primary*

Arizona



Allowed to Triple Tow: Yes

Required Safety Devices: Breakaway


Rest Area Overnight Rules: Overnight Parking Is Permitted

Cell Phone Laws: None*

Florida




Required Safety Devices: Chains, Breakaway, Fire Extinguisher, Flares


Rest Area Overnight Rules: Three Hour Maximum in Rest Areas


Georgia




Required Safety Devices: Chains, Fire Extinguisher, Flares



Cell Phone Laws: Texting ban on all drivers; enforcement is primary*

Michigan




Required Safety Devices: Chains, Breakaway

Combined Length: TT - 59 Feet / MH - 65 Feet

Rest Area Overnight Rules: Four Hour Maximum Stay in Rest Areas


North Carolina




Required Safety Devices: Chains


Rest Area Overnight Rules: Four Hour Maximum Stay in Rest Areas

Cell Phone Laws: Cell phone ban on all drivers younger than 18; texting ban on all drivers; enforcement is primary*

Laws of the Land

traveling through state lines is thrilling as an RVer, searching for the next site

while making continuous memories. With the proper planning those memories

should not include flashing lights and a costly ticket. Here is a list of state laws to

help you navigate your next travels and keep you safe on the road.

RV TIPS

South Carolina





Combined Length: None

Rest Area Overnight Rules: Overnight Prohibited


Tennessee






Rest Area Overnight Rules: Two Hour Maximum Stay in Rest Areas, Overnight Prohibited

Cell Phone Laws: Cell phone ban on young drivers; texting ban on all drivers; enforcement is primary*

Washington






Rest Area Overnight Rules: Eight Hour Maximum Stay in Rest Areas

Cell Phone Laws: Hand held and texting ban on all drivers; learners permit; cell phone ban; enforcement is primary*

Wyoming


Trailer Brakes: No Laws Regarding


Required Safety Devices: Chains




*For more information on cell phone laws visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety online.

Log on to BetterRVing.com every week for new state law information.


1 pound meat (cubed meat, browned sausage, sliced smokie links)

2 tablespoons minced onion

8 scrambled eggs

4 cups hash browns

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons parsley

White Sauce

¼ cup melted butter

¼ cup flour

1 ¾ cup milk

1 cup sour cream

¼ teaspoon salt

DirectionsLayer meat, onion, eggs, hash

browns and cheese in a 9" x 13"

pan. For the white sauce, melt the

butter, add flour and mix well.

Add milk and cook until thickened.

Turn off heat and stir in sour cream.

Pour over layered mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit

for 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe provided by Susie Yoder of Entegra.

ENJOY!

Gold Rush Brunch

Our trip through Entegra was full of excitement and discovery, but we never thought we would come across this. Susie Yoder, page 10, not only works on finishing valances for high-end coaches, she occasionally provides her co-workers with an amazing brunch

treat. Her recipe was on the ready right next to her well-handled hammer. Even Tadd Jenkins said we had to try this, and now we are passing the magic on to you. (Serves 15)

RV LIVING


Mississippi Mushrooms1 package white button mushrooms

1 pound thin bacon

toothpicks

16 ounces Dale’s Seasoning sauce for steaks

DirectionsWrap one piece of bacon around each mushroom.

Use a toothpick to fasten bacon around mushroom.

Place mushrooms wrapped in bacon in a large bowl

and add Dale’s Seasoning sauce. Flip mushrooms

a few times and let marinate for 10 minutes.

Grill until the bacon is crisp, or broil on low for

10 minutes until bacon is crisp.

winnerLast issue we hosted an

RV Recipe contest and here is

our winner. Pamela Anderson

from Petal, Miss. not only has

a great name but a winning

RV Recipe. This dish is simple,

easy and quick to prepare for

your next event. Enjoy!

Recipe Contest

Visit BetterRVing.com for more RV recipes to enjoy while traveling.


COONHOUNDS ENJOY AN

average lifespan of 10 years, but unfortunately for many, their short lives come to an abrupt end much sooner.

When a good dog dies, the question of where to bury the dog becomes of paramount importance. For Key Underwood, a coonhound enthusiast from Freedom Hills, Ala., and owner of his beloved Troop, said to be the best coonhound around, the decision was a natural choice. Underwood chose a favorite hunting ground where he and Troop had enjoyed the music of the night many times together. He laid Troop to rest on Labor Day 1937, and hand-chiseled a memorial to the great hound into a stone taken from the chimney of a nearby abandoned homestead.

Through the following years other hunters followed Underwood’s example, laying their favorite hounds to rest near Troop and erecting memorials to their dog’s reputations as hounds worthy of the title, coon dog. Since Troop’s internment, 187 coonhounds have been buried in Key Underwood’s Coon Dog Cemetery, now a nationally famous attraction. Many of the dogs buried there are recognized world champions, but all are champions in the hearts of the men and women who hunted with them and loved them.

I hunted raccoons for many years in Michigan. Two of my favorite hounds were Roper and Wrangler. Brothers at birth and ardent competitors in sport, they challenged each other throughout

their lives to be fi rst on trail and tree. When each died, Roper at age seven and Wrangler two years later, I chose to bury them high atop neighboring hills on a farm where they often ran and treed raccoons together. On crisp autumn nights when breezes rustle the cornstalks and the harvest moon bathes the landscape in a warm glow, I now imagine them challenging each other across the valley with their melodious bawls and chops — precious sounds once loved in life, now cherished for time immemorial in the memory of their master.

When hunters are faced with the question of where to bury a beloved coonhound, as was Underwood, we turn to the words of Ben Hur Lampman, editor of the Portland Oregonian in 1925: “The one best

Music of the NightWRITTEN BY STEVE FIELDER

RV LIVING


place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.”

History of Coon DogsFox hunting with scent hounds traces its roots back to the sixth century B.C. when the Ancient Greeks brought fi erce mastiff-type dogs to the British Isles. The Celtic people recognized the scent-trailing abilities of these dogs and used them for hunting. Perhaps they were crossed with fl eet-of-foot sight hounds to ultimately produce the dogs capable of hunting the fl eet-footed fox and stag. When Robert Brooke brought his foxhound pack from England to the New World in 1659, he unwittingly ushered in what would become the most popular of all hunting dog sports in America, raccoon hunting with hounds.

Raccoons and other North American furbearing species were nonexistent in Europe. Hunting with hounds had been the sport of royalty there for centuries, but necessity became the mother of invention as the settlers encountered animals in their new home that would not only be used for food and trade but would also provide recreation for long nights on the frontier. The result was the development of a sport enjoyed by gentry and the common man alike.

Once in America, as the colonial foxhounds began to age and running with the pack became a chore, the foxhound began to pursue the trail of the slower-

moving, more numerous raccoon. But the wily raccoon’s nightly forays into woodlots, clearings and streams produced more puzzling, technical scent trails than did his contemporary, the fox. In addition to being a meticulous worker of trails, the converted foxhound had to possess, as part of its new skill set, the ability to accurately locate a raccoon in a tree the racoon had climbed to seek rest and security and to stay at the tree, barking incessantly until the master arrived to dispatch the game. This ability to “tree” game was paramount to the successful establishment of a hound to be used in hunting raccoons and has become the benchmark for breeding in each of the established coonhound breeds. This skill, called treeing, was developed by breeding the dogs with that trait to others of the same ilk until the now-inherited trait became the coonhound’s benchmark. While bird dogs point birds and sheep dogs herd sheep, coonhounds tree raccoons. It’s what they do and to one who lusts for the excitement of the chase and the sight of the raccoon’s eyes burning like two coals of fi re from the branches above at trail’s end, there’s no sport on earth quite like it.

Catch and ReleaseRaccoons are nocturnal so raccoon hunters must pursue their sport while most Americans are comfortably at home asleep. Most “hunters” who enjoy raccoon hunting with hounds will tell you theirs is the ultimate catch and release sport. While thousands of fi eld trials for coonhounds are held annually in virtually every state in the Union, no guns are permitted at the trials and no raccoons are killed. The once-fl ourishing market for the heavily-furred pelts has gone the way of the raccoon coat. Hunters today pursue the sport simply for the love of the

great outdoors, the excitement of the chase and tree, and the camaraderie of their fellows. Coon hunting clubs exist across the nation where birds of a feather fl ock to discuss their hunts, the exploits of their favorite hounds and to enjoy the ever-present mixture of food, fun and fellowship.

Coon BreedsSix individual breeds of coonhounds are recognized by the American Kennel Club, each, with the exception of the Plott, descended from the colonial foxhounds from England, Ireland and France. The Plott came from Germany in 1750 when two brothers with that name brought fi ve dogs onto American shores.

Each breed, the Black and Tan, the Bluetick, the American English, the Plott, the Redbone and the Treeing Walker are similar in size and stature but are most easily recognized by their differences in color. Coonhound males average 60 pounds with females 10 to 15 pounds lighter. But breeders of each are quick to point out what to them are the distinct differences in their favorite breed’s looks, ability and temperament.

Coonhounds, like their fox hunting ancestors, are primarily pack-oriented although fi eld trials have produced hounds that are more independent. Many coonhounds are housed outdoors in well-designed, elaborate kennels designed to provide shelter, exercise and ease of care. However, more and more hunters are bringing their hounds inside to become members of the family in addition to companions in the fi eld. Hunters are trading the convenience of kenneling their dogs for the joys of companionship the dogs provide.


“Coonhound

enthusiasts

readily agree

that the music

of the pack

on trail and

tree is their

favorite part

of the sport.”

Coonhounds typically bond with the person who spends the most time with them. They are known to have great temperaments in getting along with other dogs and their human counterparts. Coonhounds need a great deal of exercise and shouldn’t be confined to a house or apartment without lots of trips outdoors to a local dog park or, ideally, without nightly jaunts in pursuit of raccoons.

Once considered the tools of the backwoodsmen, coon-hounds are taking center stage at major dog shows, especially since the American Kennel Club’s coonhound initiative began in early 2005. Currently, five of the six coonhound breeds have been officially recognized by the AKC with only the Treeing Walker coonhound — ironically the sports most popular breed — yet to achieve full recognition, something the breed is expected to achieve next year.

The Coon Dog SongThe voice of the coonhound is one of the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of raccoon hunting. Fanciers of coonhounds generally describe the barks given by the coonhound as bawls and chops. A bawl-mouthed houndsings a long, melodious note on trail, changing to the short, staccato chop when the quarry is treed. Coonhound enthusiasts readily agree that the music of the pack on trail and tree is their favorite part of the sport. For one that has enjoyed this music of the night for nearly 60 years and in virtually every state where the sport may be enjoyed, I wholeheartedly agree. If this night music is your genre of choice, you can enjoy it nearly every night of the year. There’s a concert in the making at sundown, somewhere in a wood lot near you. BRV


HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health Checks. Bring your dog

to the veterinarian for a check-up

before going on an extended trip.

Make sure all his vaccinations are up

to date; keep shot records with you.

To keep your dog healthy as you

travel, bring along a supply of his

regular food and some local or

bottled water. Be sure to bring any

medications he needs.

IDENTIFICATION

In the event that your dog gets

away from you on your trip, you can

increase the chances of recovery

by making sure he can be properly

identified.

Make sure your dog has a sturdy

leash and collar. The collar should

have identification tags with the

dog’s name, your name, and your

home phone number, as well as

proof of rabies shots.

Bring a recent picture of your dog

along with you.

CRATES

A crate is an excellent way to keep

your dog safe in the RV. Look for

these features when purchasing:

� Large enough to allow the dog to

stand, turn and lie down

� Strong, with handles and grips,

and free of interior protrusions

� Leak-proof bottom covered with

absorbent material

� Ventilation on opposing sides

with exterior rims or knobs to

prevent blocked airflow

� “Live Animal” label, arrows

upright, with owner’s name,

address and phone number

� Stock the crate with a comfortable

mat, your dog’s favorite toy and

a water bottle

TRAVELING BY RV

Get your dog used to the RV by

letting him sit in it with you without

leaving the driveway, and then going

for short rides.

Avoid car sickness by letting your

dog travel on an empty stomach;

however, make sure he has plenty of

water at all times.

Keep the RV well-ventilated. If the

dog is in a crate, make sure that

fresh air can flow into the crate.

Do not let your dog ride with

his head sticking out of an open

window. This can lead to eye

injuries.

Never let your dog ride in the back

of an open truck. This is extremely

dangerous and can lead to severe

injuries or death.

Stop frequently for exercise and

potty breaks. Be sure to clean up

after your dog.

Never leave your dog unattended

in a closed vehicle, particularly in

the summer. BRV

Dogumentary Travel With Your Dog Taking your dog along can make the family vacation more fun for everyone, if you plan carefully. Here are some trip tips to make traveling with your dog enjoyable.

Courtesy of AKC.org


FRVTA Ft. Myers RV Show

January 20 - 23Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, Ft. Myers, Fla.

For information on hours and admission prices visit frvta.org.

Sun ’N Fun Fly-In & Expo

March 29 - April 3Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland, Fla.

Fly over to the Lazydays display at the Sun ’N Fun and see some of our new and used luxury RVs. For more information visit sun-n-fun.org.

FMCA SE Area Rally

February 2 - 6Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Fla.

Be sure to say hello to Lazydays at the FMCA SE Area rally. We will be there with 30 of our new and used luxury RVs.

Register online at fmca.com.

FRVTA SuperShow

January 12 - 16Florida State Fairgrounds, Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 301, Tampa, Fla.

Don’t miss the RV SuperShow, with around 1,100 RVs on display the SuperShow is the largest RV show in the country. Lazydays will have over 200 coaches on display, visit Lazydays at the SuperShow for a chance to win an Apple iPad.

For more information on hours and admission prices visit frvta.org.

FRVTA Tampa Spring RV Show

April 7 - 10Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, 2202 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Fla.

Visit the Lazydays display where we will have 20 new and used luxury RVs on display.

For more information, visit frvta.org.

rv events

RV LIVING

new and used luxury RVs. For more information visit sun-n-fun.org.

FRVTA Tampa Spring RV Show

April 7 - 10Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, 2202 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Fla.

Visit the Lazydays display where we will have 20 new and used luxury RVs on display.

For more information, visit frvta.org.

BetterRVing.com | 888.626.7800 888.626.7800 BetterrVing.com 51

2011 AmericanRevolution

pg. 52-53

2011 TiffinAllegro Breeze

pg. 54-55

2011 EntegraInsignia

pg. 56-57

RV Details


THE JOY OF THE GREAT INDOORS This 43-foot luxury diesel pusher is built on a Spartan chassis and features an 8.9 Cummins ISL 450 HP engine. Three available floor plans blend comfort and livability with an array of standard features including solid wood cabinetry, Sony® electronics and Villa® furniture.

RV DETAILS

2011 American Revolution


THIS COCKPIT is built to give you an enjoyable trip down the road; it comes complete with side-view cameras, adjustable pedals, a remote start and six-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats.


THE 28-FOOT TIFFIN BREEZE is a revolutionary motorhome packed with more luxury than you’d ever expect. Affordable and fuel-efficient, it’s perfectly sized for the whole family to ride and sleep in comfortably. Plus, the Breeze is built on a custom Powerglide® chassis making it easy to maneuver with responsive handling; you’ll command the road without feeling cumbersome. Its smooth-riding air brakes, air ride, and rear Navistar® diesel engine make the Breeze a small but powerful package.

2011 Tiffin Allegro Breeze

RV DETAILS


THE SPACIOUS BEDROOM AREA The compact Tiffin Breeze was designed with spacious and comfortable sleeping quarters. The bedroom highlights a queen-sized memory foam mattress, wall-to-wall Scotchgard® treated carpeting, his and her nightstands and under-the-bed storage. If you have extra guests, the dinette converts to as bed as well.


THE POWER UNDERNEATH: The 2011 Insignia is the newest addition to the Entegra family of coaches. Built on a Freightliner chassis and powered by a 360 HP Cummins turbocharged engine, the Insignia is an extraordinary motorhome. It has been meticulously crafted with Amish-built cabinetry, travertine porcelain tiles and custom built leather furniture.

RV DETAILS

2011 Entegra Insignia


THE SPACIOUS INTERIOR The Insignia’s bedroom offers a pillowtop mattress, plenty of storage and lots of closet space. The bathroom, with its vessel sinks and porcelain tile, will become your personal spa retreat. The ultra-modern kitchen comes complete with a Norcold refrigerator, a stainless steel sink and solid-surface countertops.

BetterRVing.com | Winter 2011 58 BETTERRVING.COM WINTER 2011

Passion. Freedom. Comfort. Excellence. This is where dreams come true.

What is the measure of the perfect RV?(How hard your heart beats when you �nally �nd it.)

Whether you’re looking for a small towable pop-up or a lavish

Class A motorhome, we have the one that will make your heart

stop in its tracks.

If you’re not in our neighborhood just go to lazydays.com and

use the navigation on the left hand side of the page to shop

our inventory - both new and pre-owned. If you see something

that interests you or you fall in love with a particular RV just give

us a call or send an email and we’ll help ful�ll your RV dream.

lazydays.com

Strong As An Ox™

®

One Mill Road • POB 430 Pender, NE 68047

800-228-9289 www.blueox.com

Only with Blue Ox®

...

You can stop sway before it starts. SwayProTM is the new standard in weight distributing hitches!

SwayProTM sports our revolutionary rotating brackets (shown top right with latch tightener tool) that safely and securely tighten the spring bar chains, controlling sway at the source.

All brackets are self-contained and require no pins or clips.

The spring bars snap into place quickly and securely and capture grease inside the head socket for no mess!

“It provides all the sway control we could hope for and we are very happy with its performance. Very easy to connect and disconnect with less parts than many other hitches!”

—Scott Kimmer

Patent #6629701

NEW!


How long have you worked at Lazydays? Ten years ago I answered an ad for a receptionist at Lazydays and here I am today.

What experience in your life prepared you most for your job? I’ve always worked with people in previous careers and I learned how smiling and treating people kindly goes a long way towards making them feel welcome.

How many times do you think you have said the magic words “Welcome to Lazydays” in your career? I have no idea. So many people ask me that question and have suggested that I get a button to push so every time I say “Welcome to Lazydays” a computer tracks it so we can fi nally know.

What do you personally do to enhance the customer’s experience at Lazydays? When people come to Lazydays, we want them to have fun. I always try to make it fun for

the customers. I try to listen to our customers’ needs and reassure them if they have a problem. I’m always upbeat and keep a positive attitude. I love what I do and I think our customers can see that.

What are you particularly proud of regarding Lazydays? I’m proud of our employees for how much they give of themselves to help people in need. That’s the culture of Lazydays. Since day one, I’ve noticed how quick we are to help a fellow employee. I’m also very proud of the Lazydays Employee Foundation and what we’ve been able to do to help at-risk children in our community.

What one thing about you outside of work might surprise both customers and co-workers? I crochet. I’ve made many blankets for babies that have been born to co-workers here at Lazydays. I’m a great grandmother and have made a lot of blankets for my grandchildren and now my great grandchildren.

HELEN McCARLEYSales Receptionist

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Strong As An Ox™

®

One Mill Road • POB 430 Pender, NE 68047

800-228-9289 www.blueox.com

Only with Blue Ox®

...


SwayProTM sports our revolutionary rotating brackets (shown top right with latch tightener tool) that safely and securely tighten the spring bar chains, controlling sway at the source.

All brackets are self-contained and require no pins or clips.

The spring bars snap into place quickly and securely and capture grease inside the head socket for no mess!

“It provides all the sway control we could hope for and we are very happy with its performance. Very easy to connect and disconnect with less parts than many other hitches!”

—Scott Kimmer

Only with Blue Ox®

...


“It provides all the sway control we could hope for and we are very happy with its performance. Very

Patent #6629701

NEW!


QCan I use 12-volt LED lights with a dimmer switch? If so, what has to be done to the

dimmer switch?

A Yes, you can use a dimmer with 12-volt LED

lights in your RV. Be sure to turn off the dimmer

when it is not in use to avoid causing the LED to flash.

If you experience problems, you can purchase an LED

dimmer as well as dimmable LED bulbs, which are new

to the RV marketplace.

QWhich type of brake control system do you recommend for pulling a trailer with an SUV?

A There are two different types of brake controls: a

timer system and a pendulum or inertia system.

The pendulum is the better brake control to use in

my opinion. It gives you a more accurate response to

your everyday braking needs. A timer control increases

trailer braking the longer you have your foot on the

brake. This is not always practical in stop and go

traffic. The pendulum type controller increases trailer

braking as you increase the tow vehicle’s braking.

QHow do you know if you need a separate braking system for your car? I have a 37-foot

coach with air brakes and wonder if I need separate brakes for my car. The dealer says I do, but I know people who have the same coach I have who don’t have separate brakes.

A Weight requirements for braking systems

are regulated by state law. This website

will help you determine your state’s requirement:

www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws. Just remember,

you may be legal in your home state, but not in the

state you are driving in. Always be aware of the laws

of any states you travel through.

QHow do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look in the NFL playoffs?

A The Bucs are a lot like RVers. Determined.

Inventive. And, as long as they don’t end up in

snow-covered Chicago or Philly, they’ll be fine.

Q How can I get the quickest response to my questions?

AWe have technical experts who will respond

to your questions around the clock at Forums.

BetterRVing.com, an online forum designed to get the

most out of your RV life. Or, send your tech questions

to [email protected].

He’s an RVIA/RVDA Master Certified technician with over 38 years of RV experience.

Some call him a living legend in the RV industry. He just likes to be called Steve.

ask steve

Technically Speaking with Steve Roddy

Lazydays is an authorized Bosch brake recall facility and is ready to assist you with the recall recently announced by Workhorse.

The pallets of repair parts have arrived and our service experts are standing by to fi x the problem. We have 273 service bays and over 100 RVIA/RVDA certifi ed/master certifi ed technicians. Our mission is to provide peace of mind to every RVer who has their service done here. Please call us now to schedule your Bosch brake recall service appointment.

Get a free night’s stay at our campground when you have your Bosch brake recall service done at Lazydays.

All our campground sites are paved and equipped with full hookups, WiFi, cable TV and morningnewspaper delivery. We have a beautiful swimming pool, tennis courts and even ping pong tables.Plus we invite you to enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch in our Café during your stay.

You relax while we do the work.

Call 877.406.9021

RV SERVICE

If you love RVing . . . this is home.

PRESORTSTANDARD

U.S. PostagePAID

LAZY DAYS

6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD.SEFFNER, FL 33584-2968

EMERGENCY EXPENSE. You choose to spend your free time enjoying the open road. So Progressive makes

sure you’re taken care of by covering lodging and transportation if your RV becomes disabled due to an

accident. Protect your trips with Progressive.

love the freedom of goingwherever they please.love the freedom of goingwherever they please.

is pleased to cover them wherever they go. is pleased to cover them wherever they go.

LAZYDAYS INSURANCE AGENCY 1-866-317-4014

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. Coverage available for separate premium, may not be available for all RVs and coverage selections, and is subject to policy terms. 10A00146 (03/10)

WWW.LAZYDAYS.COM/PROGRESSIVE

10A00146_LazyDays_BackCover.indd 1 3/19/10 11:18:49 AM

5000-0111

Winter 2011 betterRVing

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