Friday, November 11, 2005
DRY ROT
The term "dry rot" is actually a misnomer because the decay is caused by certain fungi capable of carrying water into the wood they infest. The water can be transported far away from the source and the wood will often feel dry to the touch thus the term dry rot. Gradually, the wood decomposes and its strength is lost. Such damage is often inconspicuous until it's final stages, working behind the paneling on the structural framing of the RV.
Dry rot in an RV can be caused by an undiscovered plumbing leak but is usually caused by a leak in the outer skin which lets rain water in.
Almost everyone is good about recaulking the roof seams but that's only part of prevention. Cracks can develop in the base of plastic roof vents well above the seam.
Marker lights are often the source of a leak. Make sure you at least check them each time your reseal the roof. And be sure you replace any broken or missing lenses.
Windows are a major source of water leaks. Especially the front overhang window on class C's. Partly because they get the full force of rain while driving but mostly because they are too hard for most people to inspect.
On the outside, look for irregularities around window and door frames. If you have screws that won't stay tight you may have a problem. If the screws are rusted or corroded you do have a problem and it's a good indication of dry rot.
A day or two after you've washed your RV or after a rain storm check along the bottom edges. If it is still wet you probably have a leak.
On the inside, look for water marks on the ceiling especially around roof vents. Remove the vent flanges and air conditioner shrouds and look for discoloration in the wood. That's a sign of a leak and possible dry rot.
And check around the windows. Look for discoloration, softness of the paneling and loose screws.
Repairing the leak is only part of the repair. You must make sure the wood is dry. If there is any sign of dry rot treat the wood with an antfungal solution. Regular household bleach works but there are commercial formulas of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate or sodium borate with brand names of Bora-Care, Guardian, Jecta, Shell-Guard or Tim-bor.
If the wood has decomposed enough that the screws won't hold, don't just put in longer screws! Git Rot, an epoxy like product, can rebuild dry rotted wood, but if you wait until the long screws won't hold there may not be enough wood left to rebuild.
Dry rot in an RV can be caused by an undiscovered plumbing leak but is usually caused by a leak in the outer skin which lets rain water in.
Almost everyone is good about recaulking the roof seams but that's only part of prevention. Cracks can develop in the base of plastic roof vents well above the seam.
Marker lights are often the source of a leak. Make sure you at least check them each time your reseal the roof. And be sure you replace any broken or missing lenses.
Windows are a major source of water leaks. Especially the front overhang window on class C's. Partly because they get the full force of rain while driving but mostly because they are too hard for most people to inspect.
On the outside, look for irregularities around window and door frames. If you have screws that won't stay tight you may have a problem. If the screws are rusted or corroded you do have a problem and it's a good indication of dry rot.
A day or two after you've washed your RV or after a rain storm check along the bottom edges. If it is still wet you probably have a leak.
On the inside, look for water marks on the ceiling especially around roof vents. Remove the vent flanges and air conditioner shrouds and look for discoloration in the wood. That's a sign of a leak and possible dry rot.
And check around the windows. Look for discoloration, softness of the paneling and loose screws.
Repairing the leak is only part of the repair. You must make sure the wood is dry. If there is any sign of dry rot treat the wood with an antfungal solution. Regular household bleach works but there are commercial formulas of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate or sodium borate with brand names of Bora-Care, Guardian, Jecta, Shell-Guard or Tim-bor.
If the wood has decomposed enough that the screws won't hold, don't just put in longer screws! Git Rot, an epoxy like product, can rebuild dry rotted wood, but if you wait until the long screws won't hold there may not be enough wood left to rebuild.
RECALL
Make / Models :
Model/Build Years:
PREVOST / H3-41
2004-2006
PREVOST / H3-45
2004-2006
Manufacturer : PREVOST CARS, INC.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V516000
Mfg's Report Date : NOV 03, 2005
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 169
Summary: ON CERTAIN MULTIPLEX COACHES, THE WIPER MOTOR THERMAL PROTECTION IS STOPPING THE MOTOR WHEN THE WIPERS ARE FUNCTIONING FOR A LONG TIME IN SECOND SPEED.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER HARNESS AND A NEW MULTIPLEX PROGRAM WILL BE DOWNLOADED IN ALL COACHES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PREVOST AT 1-418-831-2046.
Notes: PREVOST RECALL NO. SR05-14. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Model/Build Years:
PREVOST / H3-41
2004-2006
PREVOST / H3-45
2004-2006
Manufacturer : PREVOST CARS, INC.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V516000
Mfg's Report Date : NOV 03, 2005
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 169
Summary: ON CERTAIN MULTIPLEX COACHES, THE WIPER MOTOR THERMAL PROTECTION IS STOPPING THE MOTOR WHEN THE WIPERS ARE FUNCTIONING FOR A LONG TIME IN SECOND SPEED.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER HARNESS AND A NEW MULTIPLEX PROGRAM WILL BE DOWNLOADED IN ALL COACHES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PREVOST AT 1-418-831-2046.
Notes: PREVOST RECALL NO. SR05-14. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
MONACO ACQUIRING INDIANA BASED R-VISION
Monaco Coach Corp. announced today (Nov. 9) that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Warsaw, Ind.-based R-Vision companies and affiliates in an all-cash transaction of approximately $60 million. The Coburg, Ore.-based company said the acquisition is expected to add $200 million to $220 million in sales and increase earnings 13 to 16 cents per share in fiscal 2006. Closing is expected to occur later this month and is subject to customary closing conditions. R-Vision affords Monaco a stronger presence in the mainstream towable arena, including the growing light-weight travel trailer market. "There is virtually no overlap in the products offered by our two companies," said Kay Toolson, Monaco chairman and CEO. "R-Vision is the industry leader in the light-weight towable segment, with valuable brands based on the successful Trail-Lite trade name." R-Vision is the industry's sixth largest towables manufacturer, including travel trailer, hybrid and fifth-wheel lines, and also produces Class A and Class C motorhomes. Its Bison and Roadmaster affiliates make utility trailers and specialty trailers for transporting automobiles, race cars, motorcycles and horses. Monaco said the acquisition will position the company as the fifth largest manufacturer of both travel trailers and fifth-wheels. "There are multiple opportunities for purchasing and other synergies between the two companies," said John Nepute, Monaco president. "The combined companies will now have an annual production rate of over 20,000 recreational vehicles." Monaco said R-Vision would operate "as a separate entity," and current management would remain in place. R-Vision was founded by industry veteran Bill Warrick in 1995, and in 1997, the current management team of Denny Bailey and Bill DeVos joined the company. Monaco said Bailey will continue as president of R-Vision and Craig Swisher will remain as president of the Specialty Products Group. In addition, Bailey and Swisher will retain their entire management teams.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
NATIONAL RV'S ANSWER TO THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
On November 2, 2005, the Company received notification from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") that the Company was not in compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards. The Company is considered "below criteria" by the NYSE because the Company's total market capitalization was less than $75 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period and its shareholders' equity was less than $75 million as of June 30, 2005. While the Company was in compliance with previous continued listing standards set forth by the NYSE, the NYSE adopted new continued listing standards, effective June 2005, which increased the former standards significantly.
In accordance with the continued listing criteria set forth by the NYSE, the Company intends to present a plan to the NYSE within 45 days of its receipt of the notice, demonstrating how it intends to comply with the continued listing standards within 18 months of its receipt of the notice. The NYSE may take up to 45 days to review and evaluate the plan after it is submitted. If the plan is accepted, the Company will be subject to quarterly monitoring for compliance by the NYSE. If the NYSE does not accept the plan or if the Company is unable to achieve compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria through its implementation of the plan, the Company will be subject to NYSE trading suspension and delisting, at which time the Company would intend to apply to have its shares listed on another stock exchange or quotation system
In accordance with the continued listing criteria set forth by the NYSE, the Company intends to present a plan to the NYSE within 45 days of its receipt of the notice, demonstrating how it intends to comply with the continued listing standards within 18 months of its receipt of the notice. The NYSE may take up to 45 days to review and evaluate the plan after it is submitted. If the plan is accepted, the Company will be subject to quarterly monitoring for compliance by the NYSE. If the NYSE does not accept the plan or if the Company is unable to achieve compliance with the NYSE's continued listing criteria through its implementation of the plan, the Company will be subject to NYSE trading suspension and delisting, at which time the Company would intend to apply to have its shares listed on another stock exchange or quotation system
NATIONAL RV AND THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
National RV not in compliance with NYSE listing
Tue Nov 8, 2005 08:52 AM ET NEW YORK, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Recreational vehicle maker National R.V. Holdings Inc. (NVH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it was told by the New York Stock Exchange that it is not in compliance with the exchange's listing standards.
The company is considered "below criteria" because its market capitalization fell below $75 million, the company said.
National RV shares closed Monday at $4.63. They have lost more than half their value since the start of the year.
Tue Nov 8, 2005 08:52 AM ET NEW YORK, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Recreational vehicle maker National R.V. Holdings Inc. (NVH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it was told by the New York Stock Exchange that it is not in compliance with the exchange's listing standards.
The company is considered "below criteria" because its market capitalization fell below $75 million, the company said.
National RV shares closed Monday at $4.63. They have lost more than half their value since the start of the year.
