Analyst wonders who is buying all the RVs

(Jan. 1, 2012) -- "There's this puzzling gap between strong wholesale shipments and tepid retail sales," said Roberts, who noted his researchers heard about manufacturers offering significant discounts to dealers who increased their orders at various industry trade shows last Fall. "Unless things are picking up amazingly," surmises Roberts, "they are stealing from next year's orders."

Extension cord sparks RV fire

(Jan. 1, 2012) -- Fire Chief Cary Williamson said the origin of the fire appeared to be from an extension cord from the house into the camper, which was used as an office and closet. The same cord was used to run a computer and other electrical devices, the Daily Ardmoreite noted.

iRV2 chief administrator passes away

(Jan. 1, 2013) -- Richard Wayne Hale, age 67, passed away Dec. 29 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. He was very involved in the Internet RV forum iRV2.com, where he was a website administrator using the name "Hitchhiker." He was also instrumental to the website development, and served as the wagon master for the National iRV2 Rally in 2003.

Thor recalls 727 to inspect diode jumpers

(Dec. 31, 2012) -- Thor Motor Coach is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Tuscany, Astoria, Ultrasport, Montecito, and Palazzo recreational vehicles manufactured from May 17, 2010, through Oct. 30, 2012, built on Freightliner brand XB and XC custom chassis, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles are equipped with diode jumpers that may come loose in their connectors resulting in an open circuit.