RVBusiness, March-April 2015

TOPof theNews Camping World Good Sam Rally Makes Successful Return Nearly 2600 RVs Register for Phoenix Event Following a years hiatus Camping World Inc and Good Sam Enterprises LLC reintroduced their consumer rally Feb 26 March 1 at the Phoenix International 16 RVBusiness M A R C H A P R I L 2 0 1 5 Raceway and by all accounts drew a big crowd to a venue in which consumers received an enhanced view of the RV lifestyle while manufacturers and dealers reportedly sold an impressive number of RVs In other words Camping World which currently has close to 100 retail stores and Good Sam which operates the worlds largest RV club pretty much picked up right where they left off with the Good Sam Phoenix Rally one of North Americas largest and most impactful RV consumer rallies and rivaled only by events sponsored by the Family Motor Coach Association FMCA Organizers reported 2579 registered RVs and a gate admission of 8000 people over the four day event bringing the estimated attendance to about 14000 people It was a lot of fun and it was successful said Terry Thompson vice president of advertising sales for Good Sam Enterprises LLC We measure it by how the attendees felt about it and how the exhibitors did On both fronts people were very happy The exhibit hall housed 325 vendors while outdoor displays consisted of 400 towable and motorized RVs from about 25 manufacturers and several local dealers For the most part the manufacturers did great Thompson said adding that Tiffin Motorhomes Inc National Sales Manager Andy Baer Jayco Inc Motorhome Group Vice President of Sales Chuck Lasley and Newmar Vice President of Sales and Marketing John Sammut all had favorable things to say about how their companies did at the Rally And I know the guys at Thor Motor Coach did well as did Winnebago and Fleetwood and those are just motorhome manufacturers said Thompson Some of the towables like Heartland and CrossRoads told me they had a great show as well Leisure Travel Vans sold their whole display more than once Thompson added that indoor vendors such as Blue Ox Roadmaster Inc and Thetford Corp also issued positive reports RVB Jayco Introduces Alante Gas Class A Coach Middlebury Ind based Jayco Inc has introduced a new gas Alante Class A offering Nationally advertised at 79995 base price for the 31L and 31V models the Alante Class A motorhome will initially be available in four floorplans and sold through authorized Jayco motorhome dealers The Alante offers cab forward thinking with the industrys narrowest A pillars and largest windshield for better sight lines along with a six way powered driver seat Other key features include a seamless front cap with LED lighting accents fiberglass roof frameless windows pass through storage with slam latch baggage doors power awning and an exterior TV The interior is set off with Amish crafted honey glazed cherry wood cabinetry a glass shower door LED ceiling lights a fully equipped kitchen and two décor options Built on the Ford F 53 18000 or 16000 pound GVWR chassis depending on floorplan the Alante boasts a 68L Triton V 10 engine with five speed TorqShift automatic overdrive and tow haul transmission The Alante is backed by Jaycos two year limited warranty RVB