Fuel Prices Not Expected To Deter RVers From Traveling This Summer

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Preliminary results from RVIA’s Spring/Summer 2004 Campfire Canvass performed in mid-March indicate that a majority of RV owners will take more RV trips this year than they did last year. 

A rising trend toward RV mini-vacations seems to be emerging in response to the added cost of fuel. About a third of respondents indicated their trips would be shorter, and about a quarter said they’ll stay closer to home. 

Roughly a third of owners cited the affordability of RV travel as a factor in their plans. As one survey respondent from Florida remarked: "Hotels are expensive for a family of four, and food costs too much at restaurants. Staying and cooking in an RV saves us money." 

Even in California, where gas prices recently averaged $2.15 a gallon, indications are positive that fuel concerns are secondary. "I haven’t had one person comment on gas being a consideration," Stan Holway, sales manager at Brawley’s RV in Modesto, CA. told the Modesto Bee. "Buyers seem to have concluded that the recreation vehicle is a good value for the entertainment dollar." 

Some dealers noted that younger consumers in particular are taking advantage of low interest rates and a stronger economy. "I never used to see 25-to-35-year-old people," said Jack Anderson, owner of Escalon RV in Escalon, Calif. "Now you see kids turn around and buy a four-by-four, jack it up, and buy a toy hauler. They’ve just got more money for toys." 

"Even with higher fuel prices, RV travel is a great value and the most convenient, least stressful way to travel today," said RVIA President Dave Humphreys. "It is important that we as an industry share the positive attitudes of our owners with potential buyers and the media." 

RVIA offers a fact sheet on how fuel prices affect RV travel, posted at www.RVIA.org. Key points include: 

• Historically, hikes in gas prices haven’t kept RV owners from traveling. Past experience has demonstrated that even when gasoline prices escalate, RV owners continue to travel, sometimes adjusting their plans to include shorter, closer-to-home trips. 
• When fuel prices do go up, costs for all travel options rise proportionately, according to PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, giving RV trips a continued edge on savings. 
• Most RVers don’t feel the financial pressure to significantly cut back on their travel, because they aren’t out in their vehicles every day like car owners are. They are taking discretionary pleasure trips with their entire family and saving in many other ways. Even when fuel prices increase, the difference isn’t enough to cancel a trip.
•  RVers know that RV vacations deliver excellent overall value. For example, RV travelers spend only about $24 per night for a site at a full-service campground. They tend to buy groceries and cook many of their meals in the RV instead of paying high restaurant prices. 

RVIA’s Trouble Shooter Clinics Draw 374 Technicians 

RVIA wrapped up its 2003-04 season of Trouble Shooter Clinics in South Bend, IN, in March, drawing a total of 374 attendees for four separate clinics held in Bethlehem, Penn., Columbia, MS., and South Bend, IN. "This averaged out to approximately 94 attendees per site, a slight gain over last year," said RVIA’s Director of Education Jerry Balda. 

Through 40 hours of intensive classroom training and hands-on experience, RVIA’s Trouble Shooter Clinics help RV technicians sharpen their skills to diagnose and repair most major RV component parts - - and fix them correctly on the first attempt. 

Several industry experts provided technicians with a comprehensive review of the most important RV systems. Subjects covered during the 2003-04 clinics included basic electricity, LP gas systems, appliances, furnaces, air conditioning systems, generators, water heaters, toilets, RV weight safety, electronic brake controls, automatic detectors, steps and levelers. 

According to Balda, The Industry Education Committee is currently looking into the possibility of rearranging classes in the 2004-05 season in order to be able to add new subjects such as slideouts and plumbing to the curriculum. 

The following companies providing instructors and consultants throughout the four sessions: Atwood Mobile Products, Cequent Towing Products, Coachmen Industries, Cummins Engine/Onan, Dometic Corporation, Dexter Axle Company, D&R Agency, Generac Power, Kwikee Products Co., Manchester Tank, Marshall Gas, Norcold/Thetford, Parallax Power, RVP/Airxcell, RVP Suburban, RV Safety Education Foundation, Shurflo and Xantrex/Trace Engineering. 

For more, call Jerry Balda at (800) 336-0154, ext. 320 

RVIA Textbook Review Process Begins New Cycle 

The RVIA textbook review process recently began a new cycle, reviewing five textbooks per year, announced RVIA’s VP of Standards and Education Bruce Hopkins. 

Volunteer members of the textbook review committees are currently in the process of reviewing five textbooks scheduled for 2004, and will present their proposals for revisions during the annual Textbook Review meeting in May. Upon completion of the preliminary reviews, the proposed changes will be balloted to each textbook’s review committee for approval. 

The textbooks under review for 2004 are Water Heaters, Air Conditioning, Heating Systems, Propane Systems, and Ranges & Cooktops. RVIA textbooks, recognized as the industry standard for RV service technician training in the RV industry, focus on the fundamentals of RV systems. A new textbook on Expandable Rooms will also be available at that time. The textbooks scheduled for review in 2005 include AC Electrical Systems, DC Electrical Systems, Refrigerators, Plumbing Systems and Generators.

The textbooks scheduled for review in 2006 include Pre-Delivery Inspection, Preventative Maintenance, Brakes, Suspension & Towing, Hydraulics and Introduction to RV Service. RVIA plans to print all books as a new set at the end of this 3-year period.

Any RVIA member who would like to become a member of the textbook review committee should contact Nancy Jo Bell-London at (800) 336-0154, ext. 355.

Tire Guard Supports RV Learning Center with Additional Contribution 

Tire Guard announced that they are pledging an additional $73,000 to support the RVDA Education Foundation's RV Learning Center. This new pledge brings the company's total contribution to $135,000.

Tire Guard President Scott Butler stated, "Knowledge is king. Trained people are going to do a better job of representing the products and keeping the dealer out of trouble on F& I disclosure issues. Through support of the RV Learning Center, we are making an investment in our business partners. We also hope that our support will spark other companies that depend on RV dealers to sell their products to contribute to the RV Learning Center as well."

RVDA Education Foundation Chairman Rick Horsey said; "Scott Butler and Tire Guard have supported dealer education efforts since the Foundation's beginning, both financially and by sharing their understanding of the industry and customer service principles. We are so pleased to count them among the Foundation's supporters and greatly appreciate their commitment."

For more information on the Foundation's RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 591-0734.