On To North Carolina

We left I-75 around Knoxville and headed east on I-40. It was almost one year from when we had travelled this same highway after taking delivery of our new coach. This bright sunny morning we marvelled once again at the beauty of the “Smokies” as wisps of clouds provided cover for some of the steep mountain slopes and tree lined hills. The undivided windshield provided many ‘pictures’ as we drove. As we proceeded east toward Marion, we saw how effortlessly our coach cruised up and safely down the increasingly longer slopes of the interstate. For the first time in our RVing travels we have a coach with a chassis and powertrain combination that can truly handle all that it faces effortlessly and most importantly – safely! We are looking forward to many more journeys throughout North America. I am also surprised at the fuel economy, both on more mountainous terrain and at interstate speeds and off the interstate at slower highway speeds. For the first time, we can travel back-country, secondary highways at 55mph (90 kmh) and achieve the same fuel economy as at 62-65 mph (100-105 kmh). The wide torque band and power range combined with efficient transmission control greatly enhances the overall fuel economy of our coach.

The trip to Marion, NC was back to our selling dealer, Tom Johnson Camping Centre, for a customer appreciation BBQ, a four day event focused on thanking their customers for their business over the years. This year marked the 31^st consecutive year, probably a record for any RV dealer. With about 500 sites available, I would guess that over 400 were filled with RV’s ranging from small pop-up trailers to all classes and sizes of motorhomes and trailers. The event is so well regarded that many come in early to enjoy the area, scenery, walk the RV lot, and have service performed on their RV or pick up some parts in the well-stocked large parts department. We had the opportunity to lead a few seminars over the course of the event. During the day there were various seminars, casual craft sales and of course fine breakfast and lunch food offered at TJ’s, the onsite café.   Each evening featured excellent entertainment for both young and old. Saturday was the biggest day of activities which begun with a scrumptious breakfast free to all. We dutifully lined up and waited the better part of an hour, not because the service was slow but because so many people were present. Everyone was greeted and thanked for coming by the sales staff, and owners. The menu was varied and plates were full as people left the serving lines. 

There were great numbers of children with their parents and grandparents. The day carried on with more seminars, some about RVing, and other topics from food to birds. The children had a packed day of crawling over and sliding down a multitude of large multi-story fan powered activity centers, craft areas with face painting, clowns playing tricks, and lots of entertainment. 

For the older crowd, Barney, the Mayberry deputy cop of the 60’s raced around giving out tickets in his flashing light and siren equipped golf cart. Many of us received a “ticket” at breakfast. A large classic car show was held at the service center complete with music of the 60’s and 70’s playing all day during the show. There were even Race Cars since Tom Johnson Camping center sponsors cars that race locally at Lowes international Speedway at the Concord location. For the adventurous there were agility races for those towing a trailer through a coned course among other events. The pavilion featured various presentations and music while the activities were taking place. 

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Time with Fleetwood in Decatur

In Decatur, we were once again spoiled by the superb customer service provided by Fleetwood at their American Coach Service facility. While no one wants to have warranty work completed on their new coach (like most, we are spoiled by the quality of new cars) if you are going to have service, it is great to have it done by very qualified and knowledgeable RV technicians, with strong parts support. The repairs get done in a timely fashion and we usually leave totally satisfied and nothing left on the list. It makes us wonder how those that bought orphaned RV’s handle these repairs, since even if they have third party extended warranties making arrangements to get repairs properly completed in a short span of time must be quite a challenge.

We are becoming familiar with “Camp Decatur” and the gravel covered parking lot which has about 50 individual sites with electricity, and a communal dump and water station. We have even been able to get used to being up at 5:30am and being taken into the shop at 6:00am. Service hours finish at 2:30pm. One nice feature we appreciate with a small dog is that we can remain in the RV except when the coach is in the paint shop. I highly recommend the service facilities in Decatur, which is open to all Fleetwood motorized RV owners. Make an appointment well in advance, since drop in time can extend out up to a week after arrival without an appointment. Take the RV plant tour and see the latest RV’s being constructed. It is well worth the time.

One highlight of our visit to the Service Center this time was a Customer Appreciation dinner. We were invited to a dinner given by the Parts and Service staff and many of the Fleetwood executives that were in town dropped by to share dinner with the service customers. This event served two important functions: It demonstrated Fleetwood’s appreciation for our business and secondly it provided an opportunity to meet and chat with the personnel in charge of service, parts, dealer relations and future design. I always find these casual meetings lead to discussions that do not occur in more structured settings. This helps the customer appreciate the company’s perspective on things and gives the customer time to compliment the excellent sales and aftermarket service at dealers they have dealt with, thank Fleetwood for their care and concern over our repair issues and opportunity to pass along improvements and additions that might make their way into new models. With the changes in the 2011 American Coach lineup we were able to pass along some recommendations for future product. Dialogue is always good. In this day of tightening budgets and expenditure slashing it is great to see the re-introduction of a dinner that historically has proven to serve all concerned.

Travelling around in Decatur we drove by the local plants and it was very obvious that the Class C and value priced Class A RVs are in high demand. Those coaches were continually being parked after coming off the assembly line and driven away to dealers near and far. The RV business has gone through a transition and RV manufacturers are making the changes required to move forward. 

This part of our trip was a prelude to our next travel destination in North Carolina.    

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A look at the RV Business today

We recently travelled to Indiana and North Carolina. In Elkhart, we felt the sense that the worst was behind us in the RV business. More of the plants were opened, and there was inventory ready to be delivered in the once empty yards.  Certainly there were many plants and retail businesses that were closed, and offered for sale or rent, a definite sign of the times in the Central USA. We noticed that some craftsmen who once worked for large firms were now gainfully self-employed producing the myriad of small changes and woodworking alterations RV owners continually want made. TV replacement seemed to be high on the list with small work stations and functional improvements such as the removal of single combination washer-dryer units and replacement with stacked washer dryers being popular.

Talking to one of our campground owner acquaintances gave insight into us ongoing changes in campground business. He said occupancy was down this year however 2010 was his best year ever. His recent focus on improving his facility for RV Rallies provided the boost in 2010 however many Rally organizers choose not to return to the same location year after year. This in turn requires more marketing efforts by the campground to continually prospect for new Rally events. Changing conditions require changes in business plans to keep current.

As we travelled to Decatur, IN, we noticed a significant number of solar panel installations for both residential and business use. Many farm buildings had large arrays on the southern exposure showing the influence on self-sufficiency and energy subsidies are driving a lot of the changes. 

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Time for a good book?

It's that time of year again!  While still technically summer, the kids and grandkids are back in school, all of the familiar faces are back at work, and some of you are thinking a little bit more about RVing, instead of actually going RVing.  Many are preparing to winterize their RV, while others are considering heading south soon.  In many ways, it's the RVing calm before the storm.  The best of the summer weather is behind us, and we haven't quite left for our winter trip.

It's the time of year where the average RVer might have some time to read a book.

We just came back from a great time at the Tom Johnson Camping centre where we spoke on a variety of topics (don't worry, blog posts will be up soon about that) but one of the things that we're proud of is that Tom Johnson's gives one of our books with each new RV purchased.  Whether you're new to RVing, or a veteran of the lifestyle, we have found that people really enjoy our book.  This book is full of the information that new RVer's need to know, but we've also managed to put great information in there for long time RVer's.  Tom Johnson's gives our books out with a new RV because they know that the book will last the RVer as long as their RV lasts.  During the first few years of use, the new RVer will find all kinds of practical information, with lots of pictures to help them enjoy their RV.  Because that's what it's all about! RVing shouldn't be work, it should be fun!  The information in our book helps make new RVers, life long RVers.

As the RVer get's more experience, they will find that this book is one that you can go back to for all kinds of information.  A new RV doesn't require the same maintenance as an RV that has been around for a little longer.  Our book recognizes this, and it's the type of book that you can go back to again and again to keep your RV in perfect working order.  This book will not only make your RVing enjoyable for years and years, but following the information in this book will give you great return on your RV investment.  A properly maintained RV commands much more attention, and significantly more money in resale value than an RV which has just been used, and stored.

This book gives you maintenance and usability tips that a dealer can't possibly share with you during the sales process.  We have spent extensive amounts of time working with manufacturers, and are able to give you inside the industry information that the average RVer, and even the average RV author, usually doesn't have access to.

So have a look at our book!  It's an RV bestseller for a reason.  Now is a great time to flip through a few pages to get ready for your winter trip, or your winterization.  And speaking of winter, I know you don't want to hear this, but Christmas IS coming!  Now is a great time to pick up the perfect gift for that hard to buy for RVer in your life.

Click here for a link to our main website, where you can buy our book.

Happy RV reading!

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