Services for a joint Celebration of Life are pending at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home for Pauline P. and Richard E. Klingler, of Naples, Fla., both formerly of Elkhart, Ind. Pauline P. Klingler, 94, died July 24, 2022, in Naples and Richard E. Klingler, 97, died Aug. 16, 2024, in Naples.
According to the Tin Can Tourists website, the Holiday Rambler Company was founded by Richard Klingler in his hometown of Wakarusa, Ind., 10 miles south of Elkhart, Ind., where he started building trailer parts in a chicken coop and assembling the trailers outdoors in the 1950s. The first Holiday Rambler recreational vehicle was a travel trailer introduced to the public in 1953 by the Klingler Corporation. A fully restored example is in the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum in Elkhart, Ind.
Always an industry pioneer, Holiday Rambler was responsible for many firsts: built-in refrigerators, holding tanks, aerodynamic radius-ed corners and originated the 48-inch-wide dinette/bed concept.
In 1961, Holiday Rambler’s introduction of aluminum body framing ushered in a new era of lighter, stronger and more durable recreational vehicles. This aluminum frame (Alumaframe) became the standard for lighter and stronger RVs for 40 years. As Holiday Rambler moved into motorhomes, they were the first with tag axles and the kitchen slideout revolutionized “interior engineering” in the field.
Holiday Rambler was sold to Harley-Davidson in 1986 and later in 1996 to the Monaco Coach Corporation. In May 2013, Holiday Rambler was sold by Navistar International Corp. to Allied Specialty Vehicles. Allied Specialty Vehicles became REV Grou, Inc. in 2010.
Klingler was a 1978 inductee into the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
Upon hearing the news, the RV Industry Association released the following statement:
“The RV Industry Association mourns the passing of Dick Klingler. He was an innovator and pioneer founding one of the industry’s iconic brands in Holiday Rambler. He was also a passionate advocate for the association and through his service on the executive committee, board of directors, and committees in the early years of the association, he helped build a foundation for the organization to grow and flourish. On behalf of our members, the RV Industry Association extends heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
ELKHART, Ind. – Speaking to an audience of about 150 people Monday night at Ranger Distribution Inc.’s (RDI) impressive facilities in Elkhart, Ind., Dave Anderson challenged everyone to make their beds every morning. To get plenty of sleep the night before. To stay hydrated. To not leave dirty dishes in the sink.
Anderson is a leading international speaker and prolific author on personal and professional performance improvement and the message behind his challenge was this: How you do anything is how you do everything.
In other words, if you make it a habit to do the little things right, then you’re well prepared when it comes time to do the big things right.
“What you’re doing is you’re conditioning your mind to have a higher standard, to follow a process, to not cut a corner, to not do less than your best, to not make an excuse for doing less than your best,” he said. “Then you bring that well-trained mind into the workplace with you, and it’s already at a high point. You’re already expecting more from you. It’s already disciplined. You already feel good about yourself. So, when we can start to get those little things right, we condition ourselves to where, when we’re in a big arena where the stakes are higher, that we’re already all about excellence.”
This was the second year in a row Anderson spoke at Ranger Distribution (RDI) for the company’s third annual “Giving Without Expectation” speaker series, and his pull-no-punches message of personal accountability seemed to resonate with RDI employees and invited colleagues and partners from the RV industry.
“Well, I think the biggest thing that he likes to talk about as the ‘red belt mentality,’ so those who are hungry will work hard and do the extra things that aren’t necessarily expected of them, but are necessary to get the job done,” said RDI Chief Revenue Officer Brent Diver. “And if you can create a culture that is full of red belts, then as a group or an entity, you’ll excel.
Ranger Distribution Chief Revenue Officer Brent Diver, left, with COO Rod Humphreys. (Photos by J. Tyler Klassen for RVBusiness)
“Our mission is to create a bunch of red belts within our organization,” Diver continued. “Culture is the most important thing to us – and has been since Day One – and we feel like we’ve been very successful in bringing forward the culture of positivity, the culture of accountability, and the red belt culture where we just continue to grind and achieve and outperform the market and enjoy the success that the others around us also enjoy.”
Diver, CEO John Curran and COO Rod Humphreys founded RDI in 2019. It was the three of them, two other employees, one truck and a 22,000-square-foot building. Fast forward to now, and RDI has 30 employees, five trucks and about 100,000 square feet under roof.
Humphreys recalled an early meeting when the group was working on the company’s formation. They were asked what they wanted RDI to be known for, and Humpreys said it took him a “millionth of a second” to come up with an answer.
“I want to walk into the bar to get a beer, have my employee sitting in there and have them look at us and be like, ‘I work at that company. It’s the best company in Elkhart to work at.’ That’s what I want. That’s what I want this company to be,” Humphreys explained.
While they didn’t want this article to appear as if RDI was perfect, they said it is their steadfast intention to continue to cultivate a workplace that will reflect Humphrey’s sentiment – which is why they brought in Anderson to deliver his motivational message.
“The theme of the night is ‘Giving Without Expectation’ and that’s what it is,” said Curran. “This is our thank you to our employees and everybody we do business with, whether it’s on the vendor side, whether it’s on the customer side. Thank you. Thank you for what you do. If we can make our employees successful, if we can make our vendors successful, if we can make our customers successful, then of course RDI is going to be successful.”
Ranger Distribution CEO John Curran, center.
Motivational Message
The author of 16 books, most recently “Elevate Your Excellence: The Power of Dong Ordinary Things Extraordinarily Well” and host of the wildly popular podcast, “The Game Changer Life,” Anderson’s hour-long presentation was both a challenge and a reminder that the power to improve lies within ourselves.
Everyone belongs to one of four categories, he explained.
There are Undertakers, who are either have a negative attitude – “They’ve quit but they haven’t left.” – or are prima donnas who think the rules don’t apply to them. Either way, Anderson said, they are a toxin to others. The second group are the Caretakers, who only do just enough to get by. These people are capable of so much more, but they choose not to put forth the effort.
Playmakers are the third group, and they have above-average drive and show flashes of brilliance, but they lack the consistency – and the inner drive to fuel that consistency – of the fourth group, which are the Game-Changers.
“Game-changers go all in every day,” Anderson said. “That doesn’t mean every day’s a great day or, if I’m an athlete, it doesn’t mean every game’s a great game, but it’s not due to the lack of me more consistently bringing eight key traits to the table. I bring more effort, more energy, more enthusiasm, more excellence, more passion, better attitude, more focus and more integrity consistently day in and day out.”
About 150 people, including many RV industry colleagues and partners, attended the event.
“I’m more consistently bringing those things to the table,” he continued. “That doesn’t mean it always converts to results right away, but I trust the process. I keep bringing it, I keep bringing it, and I start to see results – not always overnight, but certainly over time. Listen, I may not be as talented as the next guy. I may not know the right people, but I’ll outwork them. I’m hungrier than they are.”
Everyone belongs to one of these groups, and people typically will move from one group to another quite often depending on the day, the topic at hand or the stimulus affecting the mindset.
The key to moving into the Game-0changer category, he added, is to discover your “why”.
“The ‘why’ is what motivates you,” Anderson said. “Your ‘why’ is different than mine. There’s not a right ‘why’. There’s not a wrong ‘why’. And your ‘why’ will change throughout your life. Your ‘why’ answers these two questions: Why do I get up in the morning and why should anybody else even care?
“And if those reasons aren’t clear, if they’re not compelling, if they don’t make you do something today you wouldn’t do without it, you’re probably complacent and you might be successful, but you’re never going to be all you could possibly be,” he said.
REDMOND, Ore. – Expion360 Inc. (Nasdaq: XPON), an industry leader in lithium-ion battery power storage solutions, announced a new partnership with Alaskan Camper. Through this collaboration, Expion360’s state-of-the-art 12.8V GC2 162Ah VHC internally heated battery will come standard in all of Alaskan Campers’ truck camper product lines, according to a release.
Alaskan Campers, renowned for its unique hard-sided, pop-up truck campers, will now feature Expion360’s advanced lithium battery technology. This integration ensures that outdoor enthusiasts have reliable and efficient power for their adventures. Additionally, the power system will be expandable to include two additional GC2 batteries.
Brian Schaffner, chief executive officer of Expion360, commented, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Alaskan Campers, a brand that embodies the spirit of adventure and innovation. By integrating our 12.8V GC2 162Ah VHC internally heated battery as a standard feature, we are providing Alaskan Campers’ customers with one of our most reliable and efficient power solutions. This partnership highlights our commitment to enhancing the outdoor experience for all adventurers.”
Alaskan Campers offers the only hard-sided, pop-up truck campers on the market, providing a unique telescopic solution that raises and lowers the camper at the push of a button. These campers combine the nimbleness of a truck camper with the protection of a hard-sided RV, making them ideal for diverse terrains and climates. With extensive personalization options, customers can build their unique Alaskan Camper to reflect their style and meet their specific needs.
Rob Scheele, principal and chief executive officer at Alaskan Campers, added, “Alaskan Campers is delighted to partner with Expion360, a company renowned for designing best-in-class lithium battery solutions across industries. This partnership enables us to integrate state-of-the-art power systems into our campers, ensuring unmatched quality and reliability for those seeking the next great destination. Together, we are powering the pursuit of adventure with technology that’s safer, more efficient, and built for the long run.”
About Alaskan Campers
In 1953, inspired by a challenging adventure in the Alaskan wilderness, World War II veteran Don Hall and his wife Irene designed the first camper that could raise and lower, combining the comfort of home with the mobility needed for the outdoors. By 1958, the Halls launched the unparalleled “telescopic camper”, and Alaskan Campers was born. Over the years, Alaskan Campers has evolved, introducing innovative designs and expanding living spaces, all while maintaining a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company prides itself on its long-term, highly-skilled craftsman employees, ensuring each custom-built camper meets high standards of durability, convenience, and functionality. With significant upgrades to their production facility and new leadership, Alaskan Campers continues to honor its adventurous roots while evolving to provide more customization options for customers. For more information, please visit Alaskan Campers.
About Expion360
Expion360 is an industry leader in premium lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries and accessories for recreational vehicles and marine applications, with residential and industrial applications under development. On December 19, 2023, the Company announced its entrance into the home energy storage market with the introduction of two premium LiFePO4 battery storage systems that enable residential and small business customers to create their own stable micro-energy grid and lessen the impact of increasing power fluctuations and outages. Please find the press release here.
The Company’s lithium-ion batteries feature half the weight of standard lead-acid batteries while delivering three times the power and ten times the number of charging cycles. Expion360 batteries also feature better construction and reliability compared to other lithium-ion batteries on the market due to their superior design and quality materials. Specially reinforced, fiberglass-infused, premium ABS and solid mechanical connections help provide top performance and safety. With Expion360 batteries, adventurers can enjoy the most beautiful and remote places on Earth even longer.
The Company is headquartered in Redmond, Oregon. Expion360 lithium-ion batteries are available today through more than 300 dealers, wholesalers, private-label customers, and OEMs across the country. To learn more about the Company, visit expion360.com.
PITTSBURGH, Pa.– The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), in collaboration with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation, announced its upcoming National Leadership Forum on Rural Development through Outdoor Recreation with the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation. This invite-only event will take place on October 1 and 2 in Pittsburgh, PA, gathering over 50 national presidents, CEOs and other leaders in economic development, outdoor recreation, and conservation.
Emmy-nominated, renowned storyteller, and New York Times bestselling author Baratunde Thurston will keynote the event. He is the host of the PBS television series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurstonthat explores the diverse array of regions across the U.S. and how those landscapes shape the way Americans work, play and interact with the outdoors.
Chris Perkins, ORR’s Vice President of Programs, emphasized the significance of the event and rural economic development to the industry: “Outdoor recreation has proven time and again to be a catalyst for economic growth and community resilience, particularly in rural areas. This forum is not just about sharing insights but about forging partnerships that will lead to lasting, positive change in rural communities across the country. Our ongoing work, including the rural implementation grants funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, is a testament to the transformative power of outdoor recreation in every corner of the country.”
At the forum, leaders will discuss the critical role of outdoor recreation in rural economic development and resiliency, community identity, jobs, and resilience. Key topics to be covered include the economic impacts of outdoor recreation, connecting recreation and public health, generating community buy-in, maintaining local wealth and affordability, building housing for all, and funding recreation infrastructure.
The event will include two days of comprehensive programming, including a field visit to Johnstown, PA, where participants will observe economic development efforts firsthand and meet with local leaders.
This event is a continuation of ORR’s long-standing commitment to rural outdoor recreation economic development, exemplified by the ORR Rural Economic Development Toolkit and the third cycle of its rural implementation grant opportunity as well as ORR’s ability to convene key stakeholders for national thought-leadership conversations coming out of May’s National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum. These grants, funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, provide essential support for rural communities looking to enhance their local economies and build resilience through outdoor recreation.
About ORR
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations representing the more than 110,000 outdoor businesses in the recreation economy and the full spectrum of outdoor-related activities. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that outdoor recreation generated $1.1 trillion and 5 million American jobs in 2022, comprising 2.2% of the nation’s economy and 3.2% of all employees in the country.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following excerpt is from an an article written by Kraig Becker and published by Wildsam.com. It is reprinted here with permission.
While towables make up the bulk of RVs sold, there is no denying the aspirational appeal of a Class A model. These motorhomes offer spacious interiors and plenty of amenities, with the added benefit of being able to travel under their own power. But because they are motorized, they also come with a higher price tag that can often put them out of reach for many buyers.
That said, when you factor in the cost of buying a travel trailer or fifth-wheel with the equivalent build quality, interior space, and features—plus a tow vehicle big enough to haul it—a Class A model isn’t as far out of reach as it first seems. Especially when you consider some of the more affordable options currently on the market.
Yes, you can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a high-end motorcoach, but there are also some surprisingly great options that can be had for less than $250,000. Don’t believe us? Here are our favorite models that fall into that category.
According to Statistical Surveys, Inc., U.S. retail year-over-year RV registrations declined 6% in April, 10% in May and 21% in June. While the data could suggest that the trends are deteriorating sequentially, Lazydays Holdings, Inc. cited the information to provide a snapshot more indicative that the seasonal sales increase, typically witnessed in the summer months, has yet to occur this year.
“Our best view is that the second quarter sales trajectory continued in July and most industry experts are pointing to 2025 as the likely inflection for a meaningful industry recovery,” offered Lazydays Holdings, Inc. CEO John North on a conference call with analysts to discuss Q2 results. “So, facing that backdrop, we have continued to focus on the things we can control, maintaining healthy vehicle inventory, improving F&I per unit and achieving substantial total gross margin improvement sequentially from the first quarter.”
Given the quarter’s unit sales volume and financial results, North said that Lazydays Holdings subsequently implemented further cost reductions in August that should be complete by the end of next month. He said these moves should save approximately $25 million annually. He also said the company closed one underperforming location and consolidated two into one close to its Arizona market.
“While portfolio optimization decisions are difficult, they are necessary. Despite these two-store actions, we remain enthusiastic about the rest of our best-in-class locations and will continue to adjust our expense structure as necessary to match the revenue opportunities available,” North said.
FAIRFAX, Va. – Charles Dougherty of RVDA Convention platinum sponsor Wells Fargo Inventory Finance will lead dealers through an in-depth look at the state of the U.S. economy and examine how the economy is expected to perform in a session at the RV Dealers Convention/Expo.
Topics will cover key elements of the national economy, including prospects for growth, inflation, interest rates, fiscal policy, and demographic trends. The economic drivers of the RV industry will also be covered. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.
Beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13, Dougherty will deliver “Economic Outlook” as part of the dealer/GM education track.
Learning objectives for this session:
Key elements of the economy
Insights into how the economy will perform in 2025
Current economic drivers
This session should be of particular interest for dealers who have been dealing with conditions such as inflation, high interest rates, and high gas prices as they attempt to do business.
About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo
The convention allows North America’s top dealership personnel to forge valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners in the Expo. Dealership professionals can expand their network and gain insights from the best in the RV industry.
The dealer-organized RVDA Convention will provide an in-depth look into the current sales landscape. Attendees will have access to valuable resources to optimize all departments within a dealership, including fixed operations.
To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
The event is sponsored by RVDA of the U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.
Companies interested in partnership, sponsorship, exhibiting, and Vendor Training +Plus opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].
WICHITA, Kan. – RV Products, a division of Airxcel that includes Coleman-Mach and Maxxair, announced that it has completed the second and final phase of the expansion of its Wichita, Kan., facility. The company hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of its expanded facilities on Friday, August 16, 2024.
In 2022, Airxcel announced a two-phase expansion of its facility in Wichita, adding a total of 125,000 sq. ft. Phase one added 113,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, new employee parking, a secured employee entrance, and the improvement of trucking logistics of increased volume. The second and final phase of the project included a 12,000 sq. ft. expansion of office space completed in July 2024.
The expansion of the facility significantly enhances the operational capacity for Airxcel’s two Wichita- based brands, Coleman-Mach and Maxxair. This strategic enhancement centralizes the current product lines of air conditioners and accessories, along with the warehouse operations for all raw and finished goods, into a single, streamlined location.
Rob Leach, division president, stated, “Our dedication to our customers and employees is steadfast, and this expansion is a testament to that commitment. Since introducing the first-ever RV roof-top AC in 1967 with Coleman-Mach, and continuing with Maxxair from 1989, we have been steadfast supporters of the industry. We are enthusiastic about this expansion and the future of the RV market, underscoring our long-term commitment.”
About Maxxair: Maxxair-branded vents are produced by RV Products, a division of Airxcel and are recognized as a leader in ventilation products worldwide. Maxxair.com
About Coleman-Mach: Since 1967, Coleman-Mach has been the preeminent manufacturer of air conditioners, heat pumps, thermostats and climate control accessories for the RV lifestyle. Located in Wichita, Kansas, Coleman-Mach is part of the Airxcel family of brands. Coleman-Mach.com
About Airxcel, Inc.: Airxcel is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of the most critically functional products for the RV industry. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the Airxcel family of brands includes 16 companies with 14 facilities across the U.S. and Europe. Airxcel.com
Emerging RV manufacturer Brinkley RV on Saturday (Aug. 17) drew an impressive crowd of 2,000 people – including employees and their families — to the towable RV builder’s third company picnic held on the grounds of northern Indiana’s Shipshewana Flea Market near the Michigan State Line.
And as these pictures indicate, things went well for Brinkley, according to President and co-founder Ron Fenech regarding a company that was actually established on paper only a couple of years ago that currently employs just over 800 people at a 4-building, 250-acre campus on the southeast side of Goshen, Ind., in addition to two leased production facilities.
Brinkley, company spokesmen indicate, is expecting to add a fifth Goshen plant at its Goshen headquarters in the near future.
“This is actually our third picnic,” said Fenech. “Our first picnic we were just scratching the surface of trying to put a team together and we had a small picnic in the back yard of partner and co-founder Micah Staley. It was small and intimate, but we knew it was the beginning of something that was going to evolve.
“And, you know, the funny thing about it is it’s not like there’s all that much to do at an event like this,” added Fenech, who’s well known for his previous involvement with key RV builders Keystone RV and Grand Design RV. “It’s more about our team being together, which is what they seem to respond to the most.”
BRISTOL, Ind. – Ember Recreational Vehicles will publicly launch the new 2025 Overland Series 221MSL, a top-selling floorplan in its Overland Series, at Overland Expo Mountain West this weekend in Loveland, Colo.
The 221MSL uses Ember’s industry-leading Trailblazer chassis featuring the award-winning CURT independent trailing-arm suspension with heavy-duty coil springs and dual shock absorbers on each side paired with Goodyear off-road tires and standard TPMS.
New for model year 2025 is an expanded and upgraded Max Solar Package featuring six 200W rooftop solar panels for a total of 1.2 kilowatts of solar, a 3000W Victron inverter with Cerbo GX communication center, 270Ah 12V Battle Born Gamechanger lithium (LiFePO4) battery, three Victron Bluetooth MPPT controllers, a cold-weather battery disconnect, and a REDARC DC to DC trailer battery charger. Ember also upgraded the Truma brand specialty combination furnace and water heater system to the Combi Comfort Plus, ensuring every Overland Series floor plan passes climate testing at the Gold Level.
“We’re excited to debut our best-selling 2025 221MSL to the public at Overland Expo Mountain West. This floor plan exemplifies the fantastic flexibility and resourcefulness the overland community is known for. We’ve incorporated specific customer-driven upgrades to the enhanced solar power system that we know will help our owners stay off grid longer,“ Chris Barth, Founder and COO of Ember said. “With 1,200 watts of rooftop solar plus the ability to have 540Ah of lithium batteries on board, we’ve created a factory build that mirrors what customers might install in the aftermarket.”
The floor plan also includes Ember’s patent-pending EmberTrack system, a repositionable bunk/storage/office space, providing versatility for a wide variety of active lifestyle uses. The adaptable “locker” space in the rear of the unit comes standard with two bunk platforms, rated at 600 pounds each, which can be moved up and out of the way, turned into a desk for a mobile office space, used as storage shelves or completely removed, allowing customers to customize the space even further. The built-in E-track allows for creative use of aftermarket accessories available through third-party suppliers like hammocks, cargo straps, or other equipment. The locker area also features a large cargo door, complete with a pull-down screen for ample airflow when in camp-mode and a rear kayak/bike door for easy loading of gear.
Other key features of the 221MSL include dual-pane acrylic caravan windows featuring a built in shade with radiant barrier foil and bug screen, Ember’s exclusive Stargazer window over the bed, a walk-around residential queen Murphy bed (60-inch X 80-inch) in the front of the unit with wardrobes on either side of the bed, a jackknife sofa with built in table and storage behind it in the slide out, 12V 10 cu. ft. refrigerator, and the new Furrion Chill Cube 18,000 BTU variable speed compressor air conditioning system.
Ember will be on display through partnership with WILDSAM travel guides and magazine in booth C72. Overland Expo Mountain West runs from August 23 through August 25 at The Ranch in Loveland, Co. Tickets can be purchased ahead of the event by visiting overlandexpo.com.
To learn more about Ember and its products, visit www.EmberRV.com.
About Ember Recreational Vehicles
Ember Recreational Vehicles, founded in 2021 on the principle of building better RVs by building a better RV company, is a female-owned and led, privately held RV manufacturer of the Overland Series lightweight travel trailers designed to go off-road and off-grid. Ember also manufactures the Touring Edition luxury travel trailer and the E-Series, a lightweight travel trailer focused on the essentials. Ember is focused on becoming the most respected and sought-after independent RV brand in the marketplace through a commitment to quality, team member fulfillment, customer satisfaction, and a better ownership experience. Visit EmberRV.com to learn more.
