News & Notes: November 2023
Airstream And REI Expand Their Partnership
Airstream and REI Co-op have introduced the REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X, a rugged travel trailer that continues the collaboration between the two iconic outdoor brands. The new 20-foot model complements the 16-foot floor plan introduced last year, offering two designs to cater to a growing demographic of adventure travelers.
According to a press release, this special-edition Basecamp 20X model uses Airstream’s most popular travel trailer floor plan, providing owners more space and enhanced attributes, including sustainably sourced and recycled materials, robust off-grid features, and clever design details that prioritize storage and comfort.
The REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X shares many key features with the Basecamp 16. Notable upgrades include the larger 20-foot chassis and a convertible front dinette, creating more comfortable living space for shared meals, sleeping, and entertaining. The 20-foot model also has larger holding tanks. The Basecamp 20X preserves one of the most versa-tile and popular features in the Basecamp line — the rear hatch door, creating ease of access to cargo and the opportunity for epic views.
Both special-edition Basecamp models can be purchased through authorized Airstream dealerships, with pricing for the new 20-foot model starting at $62,400. For more information, visit www.airstream.com/travel-trailers.
Thor Industries Continues Support Of National Forests
As outdoor recreation in public lands continues to grow at unprecedented levels, Thor Industries has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving national forests and grasslands. The company pledged three more years of support to the National Forest Foundation (NFF), the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service.
As one of the NFF’s largest corporate funders, Thor has helped NFF more than double its conservation impact since 2019, according to a news release. This includes funding the planting of 500,000 trees in national forests by 2025.
National forests and grasslands cover more than 8 percent of the nation’s land and contain over 33,000 RV-accessible campsites and numerous outdoor recreational activities; these include 148,000 miles of dog-friendly trails, 4,400 miles of rivers, RV boondocking locations, and ski areas. Each year the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat; plants trees in areas affected by fires, insects, and disease; and improves recreational opportunities.
Thor’s six-year partnership continues to provide unrestricted funds to ensure the long-term vitality of national forest lands for RVers and other outdoor enthusiasts. This includes improving and modernizing recreation sites, campgrounds, and RV-accessible campsites, among other initiatives.
Learn more at nationalforests.org.
Seeking RV Techs Of Tomorrow
The RV Technical Institute and several industry partners shared information about the RV service technician career path during the American School Counselor Association’s conference in Atlanta this past July. According to the RV Industry Association, RVTI was joined by Campers Inn RV, a national family-owned dealer network; RV rental company Cruise America; and travel trailer and fifth-wheel manufacturer Grand Design RV.
During the annual conference, more than 3,500 school counselors, college professors, graduate students, and school counseling supervisors gather to network and engage in professional development.
“We’re attending the event to educate school counselors about the industry, its work opportunities, and the service technician position,” said Curt Hemmeler, executive director of the RV Technical Institute. “The idea is that they’ll take this information to their high school students and inform them about the RV industry and the need for technicians.”
Campers Inn brought a Grand Design unit to display at the conference. In addition, Cruise America offered rental discounts to those in attendance.
Hemmeler noted that attending such events is a significant part of the institute’s strategic plan of driving more interested individuals into the industry and building a pipeline of future RV techs.
All-Electric Travel Trailer Features Truma A/C
Designed for noise reduction, Truma’s Aventa A/C balances cooling and humidity.
Truma is hitting the road this month with Coast, an all-electric travel trailer that features the Truma Aventa air-conditioning system.
“This all-electric RV aligns with our commitment to sustainable travel and showcases our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation,” said Gerhard Hundsberger, president and CEO of Truma North America. He added that during the upcoming road trip, consumers will have chances to see the Coast Model 1 travel trailer and feel the “quiet comfort” of the Truma Aventa.
Coast travel trailers are produced in Nashville, Tennessee, by Aero Build, which specializes in innovative business trailers for mobile offices, coffee shops, bars, and boutiques. Brian Fuente founded Aero Build after he saw a vintage travel trailer that had been converted to serve as a mobile bar and realized an opportunity to build new ones that would incorporate modern technology and functionality. This ultimately led to the company’s Coast 1 all-electric travel trailer.
“When we started forming the blueprint for Coast, we were immediately drawn to Truma systems, and the Truma Aventa made perfect sense,” said Fuente. “Its sleek, low-profile design and smooth lines both inside and outside of the trailer were aesthetically pleasing, while the specs met our desire to stay all-electric.” Fuente added that the quietness of the Truma Aventa is also a huge advantage.
Together, Truma and Coast reps will travel from Nashville, Tennessee, to Wilmington, North Carolina, and back, with stops along the way in Asheville and Raleigh, North Carolina. Throughout the road trip, Truma and Coast will host consumer meetups to demonstrate how their offerings “redefine the concept of comfort on the road.”
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Source: https://familyrvingmag.com/2023/11/01/news-notes-november-2023/
