Month: August 2024

BILLINGS, Mont. – Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the world’s largest system of privately owned, open-to-the-public campgrounds, continues its ongoing expansion, solidifying the organization’s position as a leader in the camping and outdoor hospitality industry. Ten new KOA’s opened this year; including five new construction campgrounds and five conversions. KOA has also awarded seven new franchise agreements to-date, with six conversions of independent parks and one new construction contract, fueling the company’s growth across North America.

Newly opened KOA locations for 2024 include:

• Panama City Beach KOA Holiday
• Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday
• Cave Junction KOA Journey
• Grande Prairie KOA Journey
• Crystal River KOA Journey
• Calcutta/West Point KOA Journey
• Drumheller/Dinosaur Trail KOA Holiday
• McKinney North/Celina KOA Holiday
• Franklin Furnace/Ohio River KOA Journey
• Lincoln West KOA Holiday

Additionally, there have been ten resales of KOA campgrounds throughout 2024, indicating the power of the KOA brand as new owners entering the camping space seek a strong and experienced franchise partner.

“Investment in the camping and outdoor hospitality industry continues to grow,” said Chris Fairlee, chief acquisitions officer. “The recent new builds and conversions demonstrate the value the KOA brand holds in the marketplace. KOA is constantly striving to be the go-to partner for franchisees throughout every stage of their business journey. We are proud of the work our team has done so far in 2024. We anticipate even more growth through the remainder of the year in both conversion and new construction campgrounds.”

KOA offers a comprehensive range of services designed to set franchisees up for success and create operational efficiencies. To keep up with changing consumer preferences, KOA is continually innovating to ensure it is first to market with the latest products and services campers are expecting. By providing tools like KOA.com—campers preferred online booking option for campsites– to robust marketing programs, campground design, a proprietary property management system, K2, and yearly camper research and insights, KOA prepares campground owners and operators with the tools they need to attract campers and help them grow their businesses.

To learn more about joining the KOA Family of Campgrounds, visit ownakoa.com.

About KOA

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) is a pioneer in outdoor hospitality and an emerging trailblazer in the travel industry with a mission to “connect people to the outdoors and each other.” The company comprises two unique brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts. KOA offers unrivaled brand visibility, providing campground owners and operators unparalleled support in campground education, design, recruitment, marketing and technology. With more than 60 years of expertise, KOA is the world’s largest system of privately owned, open-to-the-public campgrounds, consisting of more than 500 franchised and owned campgrounds. Terramor Outdoor Resorts, a glamping venture, delivers a refined and upscale outdoor experience.

As a steward of outdoor recreation access, KOA uses 1% of pre-tax profits to fund the Kampgrounds of America Foundation, which strives to increase opportunities for all to access and engage with the outdoors, make positive impacts in the communities where we live and work to help preserve outdoor spaces for years to come.

For more information, visit KOA.com and TerramorOutdoorResort.com.

The post 2024 Franchise Partnerships Fuel Continued KOA Growth first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following column, published in the July issue of RV Executive Today magazine, was written by RV Dealers Association (RVDA) Chairman Ryan Horsey of Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, Del. It is reprinted here with permission.

One of the greatest gifts we can provide to another is a path to discovering their voice. Within our industry, we have the ability to provide a means of recycling one of life’s greatest outlets for refreshment by discovering and reacquainting ourselves with the outdoors. With the majority of outdoor enthusiasts flocking to the outdoors to manufacture memories our industry remains in prime contention to serve as their go-to resource. While many are incurring headwinds, the RV industry is still a fast-growing and extremely fun industry to cultivate the outdoor lifestyle.

Every department within an RV dealership contributes to a crucial factor: salesmanship. Formulas and software are helpful tools, but the real power lies in our people. While growing up within an RV dealership, most dealers could agree, we have witnessed many sales enablers through formulas, theories, consultants, CRM’s, software programs, and the list goes on and on. Regardless of the enabler, the biggest contributor continues to be people.

Yes, we’re in the RV industry, but ultimately, we’re in the people business. Consumers’ buying styles may vary, swinging from the “right now” to the “take my time” approach, but the core three-step purchasing journey remains the same: like you, listen to you, and purchase from you. People are more likely to engage with a salesperson and product they feel comfortable with. When people go to purchase a good, regardless of it being a want or a need, and prior to entering a contractual obligation or purchasing the good, we tend to go through these phases and ask ourselves these questions: First, do I like the approach of the salesperson/business? Then, if so, I am most likely willing to listen to that person/organization more; finally, after understanding the salesperson or business and building trust, then the next natural step is the purchase.

Like many industry initiatives, sales are a behavior of action and desire. Salesmanship isn’t rocket science to figure out or put into action. Effective sales, regardless of the specific process, boil down to three core mindsets: skill, knowledge, and desire. This win-win philosophy applies to dealers, managers, and associates alike. The question becomes: how good do we want to be?

Skill is often rooted in an individual’s character, aligned with the dealership’s mission and principles. Knowledge comes from ongoing training, both internal and external, that equips associates with the best practices. Desire is the embodiment of how well the associate wants to perform when bringing all three of these mindsets together. When assessing the performance of ourselves or an associate I use these three variables. In itself, it allows us to be transparent with how we are performing and the direction we wish are goals to climb to.

We can have as many talents within our skill level or knowledge base; however, if we do not have the desire to put them to use, it leaves a lot of questions regarding efficiency and performance unanswered. I love the quote by Robert Trent Jones: “In golf, the greatest distance on each hole is the five inches between our ears.” We all face mental barriers. In sales, service, parts, rentals – in life itself – the question remains: how good do you want to be? Are you willing to break through the barriers of skill, knowledge, and desire?

We still see headwinds within our industry, but the season is still early and there is no better opportunity than right now to do an assessment on how we would like to see 2024 shape up. On the upcoming horizon, RVDA’s Convention Chairman Chris Andro has a lot of big things in store for us during the RV Dealers Convention/Expo coming in November in Las Vegas. Chris has spent a lot of time with RVDA’s staff assessing how to improve this year’s Convention. The Convention/Expo promises to deliver exceptional training opportunities across fixed operations, sales, and owner/GM tracks. Stay tuned to www.rvda.org/convention and RVDA’s social media for updates, and don’t forget to register!

The post RVDA Chair Horsey: The Power of People in the RV Industry first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Fox40News: Camping World RV Sales in San Joaquin County, just outside San Jose, Calif., is at odds with the local government about its ability to fly the American flag.

The post Video: Camping World’s U.S. Flag Draws Government Scrutiny first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

LOS ANGELES – Polydrops today officially opened for pre-orders of the P21: the world’s most energy-efficient travel trailer. 

Starting at $38,900, the P21 reimagines the concept of a travel trailer as a fully-functional dwelling designed for extended off-grid stays in nature.

Key technical specifications of the P21 (click here for full specifications): 

• – Massive 1300W solar array developed in partnership with Aptera
• – Industry-leading thermal insulation for optimal energy conservation 
• – Aerodynamic design enabling efficient towing, even with electric vehicles
• – 12,000 BTU heat pump for year-round comfort

“The P21 represents a paradigm shift in mobile living,” said Polydrops founder Kyunghyun Lew. “By focusing on energy production, conservation, and efficient utilization, we’ve created a travel trailer that can serve as a true home away from home, even in remote locations.

“We’ve taken a fundamentally different approach to making travel trailers EV-friendly,” said Polydrops founder Kyunghyun Lew. “Rather than adding expensive, heavy and complex propulsion systems to our trailers, we’ve focused relentlessly on aerodynamic efficiency. This allows electric vehicles to tow a Polydrops trailer without significant range loss, at a much lower total cost of ownership. 

“Our design philosophy prioritizes ease of use, eliminating the need for separate charging systems or additional maintenance. We’re confident that as the EV market evolves, our streamlined approach will prove to be the most practical and cost-effective solution for eco-conscious travelers.”

The P21’s zero thermal bridge cabin and rigid insulation provide up to five times better thermal performance than comparable trailers. This efficiency extends to the road, where its aerodynamic profile has been shown to have minimal impact on fuel economy. In testing, a Tesla Model Y Long Range towing the P21 achieved 240 miles on a single charge.

Optional add-ons include a full cooking station, sanitation unit with shower, and compact refrigerator, allowing owners to customize their P21 to their specific needs.

The P21 is available for order starting today. For more information, visit https://www.polydrops.com/product-page/p21

Polydrops is a pioneering manufacturer of next-generation travel trailers, dedicated to revolutionizing sustainable adventure and mobile living. Founded on the principle that outdoor exploration should not come at the cost of environmental responsibility, Polydrops designs and produces ultra-efficient, all-electric travel trailers that seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with functional living spaces. Our flagship P21 model represents a new paradigm in mobile dwellings, focusing on energy production, conservation, and efficient utilization to enable extended off-grid stays. By partnering with industry leaders in solar technology and employing advanced aerodynamics, Polydrops is setting new standards for eco-friendly travel and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the RV industry. For more information, visit www.polydrops.com.

For further information, images and interviews, please contact: 

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NOVI, Mich. – The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF), parent company of Spartan RV Chassis and its Red Diamond aftermarket division and a North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, announced that its management team will be meeting with investors at the Raymond James Industrial and Energy Showcase today (Aug. 8, 2024).

About The Shyft Group

The Shyft Group is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. Our customers include first-to-last mile delivery companies across vocations, federal, state, and local government entities; the trades; and utility and infrastructure segments. The Shyft Group is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services and Shyft Specialty Vehicles. Today, its family of brands include Utilimaster^®, Blue Arc EV Solutions, Royal^® Truck Body, DuraMag^® and Magnum^®, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan^® RV Chassis, Red Diamond Aftermarket Solutions, Builtmore Contract Manufacturing, and Independent Truck Upfitters. The Shyft Group and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation. The Company employs approximately 3,000 employees and contractors across campuses, and operates facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. The Company reported sales of $872 million in 2023. Learn more at TheShyftGroup.com. 

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Northpoint Commercial Finance Sr. VPs Russell Baqir and John Durnien jointly announced the promo@on of Brian Marfiz to the newly established role of Manager of Business Development. In this capacity, Marfiz is responsible for driving new and organic sales growth nationally, performance management, budgeting, and coordination with the company‘s designated group of business development directors.

A marine industry veteran with a dozen years of commercial finance and floorplan experience – five years of which have been with Northpoint – Marfiz brings both a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to his new role. In his previous position as a director of business development with Northpoint, Marfiz managed dealer development throughout six states in the Great Lakes Region.

“Brian’s leadership and proven performance in the field over the past several years led to his promotion in this new position,” said Durnien. “As an organization, Northpoint is focused on continually improving our internal team structure so we can deliver the best customer support and service possible for our valued clients. Brian’s role on a national level in this new capacity will certainly help us achieve this goal.”

About Northpoint Commercial Finance

Northpoint Commercial Finance, with offices in AlphareVa, GA, and Burlington, ON, is owned by LBC Capital, a subsidiary of Laurentian Bank of Canada. Northpoint combines experience with advanced technologies, fresh ideas, streamlined processes, and a customer focus formed specifically for the varied needs and goals of each business. Northpoint’s inventory finance offerings drive sales, enhance cash flow, and improve profitability for both manufacturer and dealers.

More information about Northpoint and their offerings is available at www.northpointcf.com.

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Jaeger-UniTek Sealing Solutions Inc., headquartered in La Porte, Ind., announces that RVLI LLC will represent the company’s Flip ‘N Seal Slide-Out Sealing System to the RV aftermarket. Territory responsibility will include United States and Canada, the release added.  

“We are extremely excited to represent Jaeger-UniTek Sealing Solutions and expand RV aftermarket exposure on their Flip ‘N Seal Slide-Out System. This patented one-piece sealing system is quickly becoming the RV OEM standard for slide-out installations. Utilizing high performance automotive grade UV stable polymers, their one component design is a far superior system compared to traditional 2-piece seal designs,” said Reese Bischoff, RVLI, LLC, owner and national sales manager. “All Jaeger-UniTek Sealing Solutions products are proudly manufactured in the USA and will make a strong addition to our vendor portfolio.”  

Manufactured in an automotive IATF Certified manufacturing facility, Jaeger-UniTek Sealing Systems, Inc. utilizes both German and Japanese production technology to deliver high performance engineered solutions for its customers.  

“We are very excited to partner with RVLI, LLC. Their firsthand knowledge of the RV Aftermarket and industry relationships will be an important part of our growth strategy moving forward. Our Flip ‘N Seal Slide-Out Sealing System has been a game changer for the RV OEM market and we look forward to continued success in the RV aftermarket,” said Colton Phelan, Jaeger-UniTek’s vice president of sales.         

Based in Peachtree City, Ga., RVLI LLC has been a leading aftermarket sales representative agency for over 20 years, representing the finest brands in the United States and Canada within the RV and marine industries. 

The post Jaeger-UniTek Appoints RVLI as Aftermarket Rep Agency first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – As the new school year begins, KZ Recreational Vehicles is giving back to the community by donating backpacks filled with essential classroom items and gift cards to 73 K-4 teachers within the Westview School Corporation. This generous gesture aims to help offset the personal expenses teachers often incur for classroom necessities and to show appreciation for their dedication, according to a release.

The donation, which includes a total of 73 backpacks and gift cards, was delivered to Meadowview Elementary School for distribution among three schools: Meadowview Elementary School, Topeka Elementary School, and Shipshewana-Scott Elementary School. This initiative is part of KZ Recreational Vehicles’ commitment to supporting local educators and enhancing the learning environment for students.

Ryan Juday, President of KZ Recreational Vehicles, commented, “As the school year starts, we are proud to assist 73 teachers with backpacks filled with essential items and a gift card to help offset the costs they often cover personally for classroom supplies. Teachers enrich the lives of our children, and this small gesture is our way of showing appreciation. This is our fourth year doing this, and we look forward to continuing this tradition.”

By providing these essential supplies and financial support, KZ Recreational Vehicles hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden on teachers and support their invaluable work in shaping the future of our children.

The post KZ RV Supports Local Teachers, Provides School Supplies first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

LONSDALE, South Australia – REDARC announces the availability of the Manager Alpha, an advanced battery management system and smart charger tailored for the massive power demands of Van Life, campers, RVs, and power-hungry overlanders. Currently available in 75A, and 100A models, the Manager Alpha100 can charge three times faster than the current Manager30, according to a company release. With the Manager Alpha on board, there will always be enough power for living on the road, capable of powering anything from industrial cooktops to fridges and air conditioners.

The Manager Alpha is REDARC’s response to the call for more power, faster charging, and greater efficiency, the release continued. It is the only system of its kind designed to charge large battery banks rapidly and safely through shore power (AC), vehicle (DC), or solar inputs. Capable of charging a 600Ah (lithium) battery bank from flat to full in less than 8 hours, the Manager Alpha can also set input current limits if necessary. When paired with the RedVision display, the Manager Alpha provides market-leading accuracy in real-time charge and battery level information, delivering precision up to five times greater than that of its leading competitors. With the accompanying RedVison app, users can enjoy uninterrupted exploration, secure in the knowledge that their energy needs are in control and available at the tip of their fingers. The latest Bluetooth 5.1 technology delivers reliability over distances up to 140ft, nearly 1.5x further than the competition.

“We’re thrilled to be able to meet the needs of vans, campers, RV’s, and anyone with massive power demands,” said REDARC Global President Peter Favilla. “This market segment has unique and demanding power requirements, and the Manager Alpha is designed to meet those challenges head-on. With its unmatched charging speed and efficiency, the Manager Alpha ensures that adventurers can focus on their journey without worrying about their power supply.”

Adding even more peace of mind, the Manager Alpha ensures the vehicle’s start battery remains charged by automatically utilizing excess solar power. Additionally, with just the press of a button, the Manager Alpha can revive a start battery in the event it dies. Balancing power with a compact design, it’s up to 55% smaller and 28% lighter than competing systems that require multiple parts to deliver the same features, leaving more room for adventures when space is at a premium. Designed, built, and tested in Australia, the Manager Alpha adheres to the most rigorous global vibration standards and can continue charging in the most extreme temperatures, from -4 degrees °F to 140 degrees °F. It stands as a testament to REDARC’s commitment to building the toughest products on the market.

The Manager Alpha 100A and 75A versions are available now. Learn more at https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/manager-alpha.

About REDARC

Over 45 years ago, REDARC began to revolutionize the way people enjoy the outdoors by giving customers the ability to power electronics from any vehicle anywhere and feel confident towing off-road. REDARC products enable having a fridge full of cold drinks, keeping the lights on at camp, powering tools and Wi-Fi to get the job done anywhere, and towing your RV or trailer safely. With the ability to monitor and control the power usage with REDARC, customers can enjoy the convenience of modern technology in the great outdoors for longer. Engineered, tested and produced in Australia, REDARC products allow you to power your lifestyle safely and confidently wherever your adventure takes you.

The post REDARC Launches ‘Manager Alpha’ Battery Mgmt. System first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SEATTLE – Peace Vans, the largest Volkswagen campervan repair and restoration shop in the United States, today announced its launch of a full line of campervan conversions developed exclusively for the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. The conversions, designed for any camping scenario and available for pre-order beginning today, can quickly transform the interior of any ID.Buzz into a sleek, fully-equipped mobile home with the Buzz.Camper conversion, a chef’s kitchen with the Buzz.Box, or a comfortable sleeping platform and kitchen combination with the Buzz.Box.Sleeper.

Peace Vans will begin delivering their conversions via select dealers, direct shipping, or onsite installation in November of 2024.

“Since the first days of Peace Vans, the single biggest question we’ve been asked is, ‘Where’s the new VW version of the beloved old VW camper?’” said Harley Sitner, Owner of Peace Vans. “We’ve been waiting for the ID.Buzz for some time. We were fortunate enough to experience some early pre-production units, loved what we saw, and decided to build out entirely new solutions crafted exclusively for the ID.Buzz. We couldn’t be more excited to be part of this project.”

Meet Peace Vans’ new camping conversions for the Volkswagen ID.Buzz:

Buzz.Camper. The Buzz.Camper converts your ID.Buzz into a fully-functioning mobile home with a complete retrofit of the interior to include a lounge/seating area that quickly converts to a bed, interior storage cabinets that include a cooktop, sink, water storage and everything else you need in a small-footprint campervan. This conversion requires the removal of both rows of seats and there are no current provisions for passengers in the rear. A Department of Transportation-approved solution for rear seats is under development.

Buzz.Box. The Buzz.Box is a custom-built rear chef’s kitchen designed specifically for the ID.Buzz. Constructed of high quality lightweight materials, and securely installed in the rear of the ID.Buzz (requires the removal of the third row of seats), the Buzz.Box has everything you need for the ultimate camping experience. From a 35L refrigerator to an integrated cooktop, water storage, sink, and multiple cutting/prep surfaces, you’ll be able to extend the Buzz.Box out from the van and cook meals comfortably under the rear lift gate. Peace Vans has also creatively engineered several surprises in the Buzz.Box including a wireless charging station, integrated lighting and sound, and a modular design that is attractive and complementary to the wonderful color schemes of the ID.Buzz

Buzz.Box.Sleeper. The Buzz.Box.Sleeper offers all the features of the Buzz.Box, but with a bed. It extends the functionality of the Buzz.Box into an almost queen size sleeping platform inside the van. Simply fold down the second row of seats and extend the sleeping platform and mattress into the van. The high quality mattress nearly guarantees a peaceful night’s rest. And, if your ID.Buzz has the glass roof, enjoy sleeping with a perfect view of the stars.

“I’ve been a lifetime VW enthusiast – Rabbits, GTI, Buses, etc. – and have been waiting for the ID.Buzz for years,” said Peace Vans customer Ed Valazero. “When I learned Peace Vans was going to build camper conversions for the ID.Buzz, I literally jumped on the phone and got in the queue. The ability to buy an ID.Buzz directly from Peace Vans with camper features is a dream come true for me and my family.”

Pricing

• Buzz.Camper: Pricing for the Buzz.Camper will be released in Q3 of 2024.
• Buzz.Box: $7,995 plus shipping, applicable taxes and installation.
• Buzz.Box.Sleeper: $10,995 plus shipping, applicable taxes and installation.

Buy an ID.Buzz directly from Peace Vans’ Exclusive ID.Buzz Units

In addition to the announcement of these three products, Peace Vans will also provide a limited number of pre-built ID.Buzz campervans for sale directly to customers. Customers may order an ID.Buzz with any of the camper conversions pre-installed. The exclusive units available through Peace Vans will be limited in both quantity and configuration. Customers will benefit from the simplicity of one stop ordering for their ID.Buzz camper.

For customers interested in the iconic “pop top” feature, Peace Vans will be developing a pop top throughout 2025 with availability sometime in late 2025. Customers who purchase any of the above products will be placed in a preferential queue for that feature when it becomes available and is approved for the U.S. market.

To reserve a product, installation slot, or a complete vehicle with a conversion, customers may place a refundable deposit at www.peacevans.com/idbuzz

Test Drive an ID.Buzz Camper from Peace Vans

Starting in late 2024, Peace Vans Rentals will begin featuring ID.Buzz campers in their rental fleet. This will be the first opportunity in the U.S. for customers to rent and try an ID.Buzz. Those who rent and then choose to purchase an ID.Buzz camper from Peace Vans will receive a partial credit towards their purchase. Additional information will be released in late 2024. Interested individuals can sign up for early access at Peace Vans Rentals.

About Peace Vans

Founded in 2013 with a focus on connection, community and the great outdoors, Peace Vans is the brainchild of Seattle entrepreneur and former Microsoft manager Harley Sitner. Whether seeking repair and restoration of a vintage VW Vanagon, wanting to convert an old VW to electric, interested in renting from a fleet of modern and vintage vans for a Pacific Northwest (or Baja!) vacation, or looking to purchase a new modern camper built on the Mercedes-Benz Metris platform, Peace Vans has road trip magic covered. Find Peace Vans’ family of four businesses in the heart of Seattle, WA.

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