Saturday, June 07, 2008

 

FORMER ASSETS OF WESTERN RV GOING TO AUCTION

WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Formerly the Assets of Western Recreational Vehicles Inc

Auction Type:On-Site and Webcast
Auction Dates:Thursday June 26 2008 9:00 AM
Friday June 27 2008 9:00 AM
Location:2900 Sutherland Rd
Union Gap, Washington 98903
Preview:
Wednesday, June 25 9am-4pm

Fifth Wheel Floor Plans:
Alpenlite Defender Floor Plan
Alpenlite Limited & Voyager Floor Plans
Alpenlite Ridgeline Floor Plan
Motorhomes Floor Plans
2009 Limited Floorplan unit 75813
2009 Limited SE Floorplan units 75810 75811

Alpine Coach Specs:
Alpine Coach Specs SN 75810
Alpine Coach Specs SN 75811
Alpine Coach Specs SN 75813
Complete State of the Art Class A Motorcoach and 5th Wheel Trailer Mfg Facility including Over 40 completed Motorcoaches and 5th Wheel Trailers, Including 4 additional Fifth Wheel units located offsite.

Chandler AZ:
2009 AFT 34’ RLSB Ridgeline Serial #36165

Dover, FL:
2007 3810 Defender Serial # 35978
2007 AFT 31’ RL Voyager Serial # 35961
2007 3812 DL Defender Serial #35932

Thursday, June 05, 2008

 

FLEETWOOD AND COLEMAN HAVE BURIED THE HATCHET

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. has settled all ongoing litigation with The Coleman Company, Inc., and all pending proceedings have been dismissed. Fleetwood paid Coleman $10 million in cash and agreed to release Coleman from the restriction on licensing its name to an RV company. In 2005, Fleetwood posted an appeal bond, supported by a letter of credit, in the amount of $18 million, and to date has recorded cumulative accounting charges of $19.2 million. The reversal of $9.2 million of the prior charges, as a result of the settlement, will flow through discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The cancellation of the letter of credit will release borrowing capacity of $18 million under the Company's credit facility and will enhance liquidity by a net $8 million.

 

A SUMMARY OF NHTSA RV RECALLS FOR MAY 2008

RV Business
Thursday, June 5, 2008

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued recall notices for the following products related to the recreational vehicle industry:

• 51 (2005-2006) Airstream Model 390 Skydeck and (2006-2007) Models 360XL, 390XL, 396XL, A37 and A39 motorhomes; 38 (2006-2007) Forest River Charleston 400TS, 400QS, 410DST, 410DST-4, 410QS, and 410QS-4 motorhomes; 738 (2005-2007) Damon Astoria, Tuscany, (2005) Astoria Waldorf, and (2006-2007) Astoria Pacific motorhomes; and 1,699 (2005-2009) Winnebago Winnebago Journey, Tour and Itasca Meridian and Ellipse motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis. The chassis contain steering filters that can plug due to failure of the screen adhesion to the filter housing.

• 22 (2008) Jayco Jay Feather Ex-Port '17C' travel trailers equipped with optional hydraulic brakes. Some optional hydraulic brake hoses were routed under the axle. If this condition is not addressed, the hydraulic hoses could chafe and create loss of braking.

• 3 (2008) Triple E RV A391Q and A393T motorhomes; 93 (2007-2008) Forest River Charleston and Berkshire motorhomes; and 306 (2007-2008) Winnebago Journey, Destination, Tour and Itasca Meridian, Latitude, and Ellipse motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under-tightened.

• built on Freightliner chassis. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under-tightened.

• 6 (2008) R-Vision Trail-Lite B-Plus and Town & Country Sport motorhomes built on Ford chassis. The drive shaft may have been manufactured with a slip yoke that has cracks.

• 1,265 (2005-2008) Jayco Seneca '35GS,' (2007-2008) Greyhawk '33DS' and '32SS' motorhomes. The conduit clamp on the copper liquid propane tube feeding the slideout is incorrectly placed.

• 1,673 (2005-2008) Jayco Seneca motorhomes. An electrical short can occur if the battery cables were not tucked into the compartment in a manner that does not allow the cables to be pinched between the battery slide tray and the compartment door.

• 26 (2008-2009) Country Coach Inspire and (2008) Tribute motor coaches equipped with Saf-Holland ADL Series rear suspensions. In some instances the transverse beam was not properly welded.

• 114 (2008) Winnebago View, (2009) Era and (2008) Itasca Navion Class C motorhomes built on Sprinter chassis and equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft sensor in certain diesel engines could fail due to separation of bond wires from the lead frame in the sensor.

• 179 (2009) Keystone RV Springdale fifth-wheel and travel trailers and (2009) Summerland travel trailers. There is incorrect information on the federal identification tag and the tire and loading information label which fails to conform to the requirements of Part 567, “Certification.” The tag lists the tire size as 205/75R14C and it should be 205/75R15C.

• 259 (2008-2009) Keystone RV Passport travel trailers, Model 290BH. There is incorrect information on the federal identification label, which fails to conform to the requirements of Part 567, "Certification." The label lists the axle capacity at 4,400 lbs and it should be 3,500 lbs.

• 35 (2006-2008) Winnebago Aspect, Access, Chalet, Outlook, Minnie Winnie, and (2007-2008) Itasca Cambria motorhomes. A poor ground may develop on the daytime running light module that would allow the module to overheat.

• 135 (2004-2006) Fleetwood Jamboree GT and Tioga SL 29S model motorhomes. The black iron propane plumbing, located under the motorhome, may come into contact with chassis components and, under certain conditions, become pinched or crushed.

• 186 (2008) Fleetwood Jamboree Sport and Tioga Ranger 25G Class C motorhomes for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

 

FOUR INDIANA TRAVEL TRAILER MANUFACTURERS TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS

RV Business
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A House investigatory panel has asked four Indiana travel trailer makers to testify next month about the formaldehyde levels in units purchased by the federal government as temporary homes for hurricane victims in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Gannett News Service reported that builders include Gulf Stream Coach Inc., Nappanee, Pilgrim International Inc., Middlebury, Keystone RV Inc., Goshen, and Elkhart-based Forest River Inc.

Trailers built by the companies were among those found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have statistically higher levels of formaldehyde than other travel trailers, according to Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.

Waxman, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent letters to the companies today (June 4) asking them to testify at a July 10 hearing. Waxman had previously asked Gulf Stream, Pilgrim and Middlebury-based Coachmen Industries Inc. to provide various documents to the committee.

The inquiries stemmed from testing conducted by CDC on 519 trailers used for emergency relief following hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Preliminary results, published in February, indicated that the majority showed relatively low levels of formaldehyde outgassing, one-third had levels that may affect those more susceptible such as infants, the elderly or people with asthma, and around 5% had “higher levels.”

Following the report, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) during its annual meeting in March voted to adopt formaldehyde requirements set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which were authorized by the state April 18. In September 2007, RVIA had adopted formaldehyde standards for building products established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Also in March, Gulf Stream announced that the company was using products that met CARB standards.

RVB Web Editor Dave Barbulesco contributed to this posting based on the Gannett article.

 

RECALL: 2008 VIKING/SPORT: CABLE SHAFT ON POWER WINCH

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
VIKING / SPORT 2008
Manufacturer : VIKING RV, LLC. Mfr's Report Date : OCT 15, 2007
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 07V484000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WINCH
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 27
Summary:
ON CERTAIN FOLDING CAMPING TRAILERS (FCT) EQUIPPED WITH A POWERWINCH UNIT, MODEL P55000, BUILT BY CAREFREE OF COLORADO AND ADDITIONAL AFTERMARKET OR DEALER INSTALLED POWERWINCH UNITS, AN INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CABLE SHAFTS ON SOME OF THESE POWERWINCH UNITS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE THE FOLDING CAMPING TRAILER TOP IS BEING LIFTED, IF THE WINCH IS PLACED INTO A STALL CONDITION, THE CABLE SHAFT MAY BREAK PRIOR TO THE FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPING.
Consequence:
SHOULD THE CABLE SHAFT BREAK, THE FCT TOP COULD THEN FREE-FALL INTO THE LOWER POSITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Remedy:
VIKING DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE WINCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VIKING AT 1-269-467-6321.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

 

WINNEBAGO SHUTS DOWN CLASS C MOTOR HOME PLANT IN CHARLES CITY

CHICAGO, June 2 (Reuters) - Winnebago Industries Inc (WGO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday that it was shutting one of two key plants and laying off nearly 300 workers as it continued to face with the "extremely challenging" market for recreational vehicles.

The company, the No. 1 maker of recreational vehicles (RV), said it was closing its manufacturing facility in Charles City, Iowa, a plant the company opened in 2005, back when demand for motorhomes was strong.

Winnebago estimated that 270 salaried and hourly workers would lose their jobs. Production of the smaller so-called Class C vehicles currently made in Charles City will be moved to the company's factory in Forest City, Iowa, where Winnebago is headquartered.

It was the second time this year that Winnebago has slashed its workforce to deal with the slump in sales brought on by rising gasoline prices, falling home values and tightening consumer credit.

In January, Winnebago said it was laying off 300 workers to deal with the downturn, which drove at least one RV manufacturer -- Perris, California-based National RV -- into bankruptcy late last year.

Those who remain in business are scrambling to adjust by laying off workers, idling plants and -- in the case of Winnebago -- bringing back cheaper, more fuel-efficient van-like vehicles whose popularity peaked during the 1970s oil crisis.

In April, Fleetwood Enterprises Inc (FLE.N: Quote, Profile, Research), which makes bus-sized motorhomes and towable camping trailers and saw its fiscal fourth-quarter sales tumble 24 percent, said it had sold its Riverside, California headquarters and was deferring dividend payments on some convertible debt to boost finances.
Since peaking in 2004, total Class A and Class C motor home industry wholesale shipments have fallen 42 percent as the U.S. economic downturn has eroded consumer confidence and kept buyers out of showrooms.

Analysts like Bob Simonson at William Blair & Co are skeptical the industry's turnaround will be quick. He said it is going to take time for consumer confidence to rebound and predict 2008 will wind up being another down year for retail sales -- the fourth in a row.

Winnebago shares lost nearly 4 percent, or 59 cents, to close at $14.33 on the New York Stock Exchange, or at less than half of their 12-month high of $32.35 set on Oct. 11.

 

RECALL: 2007-2008 STARCRAFT CAMPING TRAILERS (CABLE SHAFT ON WINCHES)

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
STARCRAFT / FOLDING CAMPING TRAILER 2007-2008
Manufacturer : STARCRAFT RV, INC. Mfr's Report Date : OCT 10, 2007
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 07V485000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WINCH
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1014
Summary:
ON CERTAIN FOLDING CAMPING TRAILERS (FCT) EQUIPPED WITH A POWER WINCH UNIT, MODEL P55000, BUILT BY CAREFREE OF COLORADO, AN INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CABLE SHAFTS ON SOME OF THESE POWER WINCH UNITS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE THE FOLDING CAMPING TRAILER TOP IS BEING LIFTED, IF THE WINCH IS PLACED INTO A STALL CONDITION, THE CABLE SHAFT MAY BREAK PRIOR TO THE FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPING.
Consequence:
SHOULD THE CABLE SHAFT BREAK, THE FCT TOP COULD THEN FREE-FALL INTO THE LOWER POSITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CABLE SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARCRAFT AT 260-593-2550.
Notes:
STARCRAFT RECALL NO. 4582. CUSTOMERS MAY 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.

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