RV Corral Expands
RV Corral has added a new owner and expanded its location in Coburg, Oregon, by opening a new Motorhome and Travel Trailer Center a block south of its previous location.
Rick Neet, who founded RV Corral in 1988 with childhood friends Jerry McCall and Steve Christofferson, has retired to spend his time traveling and RVing. He sold his share of the business to Dave McAndrews, who has 10 years of RV business experience. The company has also added to its management team with Lenny Mellin appointed as sales manager of the Highway 99 location in Eugene, Oregon, and Steve Laurlon becoming sales manager in Coburg.

RV Corral’s new Motorhome and Travel Trailer Center at 90915 Roberts Road in Coburg occupies five and a half acres and is more than three times the size of its previous location. New product lines include Keystone’s Montana fifth wheels and Cougar travel trailers. RV Corral acquired these lines after the recent closing of Ingram RV. RV Corral also sells Winnebago, Newmar and Allegro gas and diesel motorhomes.

RV Corral is adding five to seven new employees with the expansion, bringing its total number of employees to 55.

RV Resorts Feature Headliners
Three Arizona RV resorts operated by Equity Lifestyle Properties have scheduled name entertainers for appearances in February and March.

Pam Tillis will appear at the Viewpoint RV, Golf and Tennis Resort Feb. 10. The Frankie Avalon Show will be presented at the Paradise RV Resort in Sun City Feb. 4 and Monte Vista Village Resort in Mesa Feb. 5. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will appear March 15 at Monte Vista Village and March 17 at Paradise RV. For information about the resorts, visit www.rvonthego.com.

Nevada Offers Travel Guide
The Nevada Arts Council has released a new 72-page pocket guide to the culture and heritage of the Lake Tahoe area. A map directs visitors to sites involving the Washoe Indians and to locations reflecting the Austrian, Filipino and Hispanic influences on the area. The book, entitled, Enduring Traditions: The Culture and Heritage of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Driving & Walking Tour, is available for $12 by calling the Nevada Arts Council at (775) 687-7103.

Drew Adds Companies
Drew Industries through its subsidiary Lippert Components has acquired two companies, Trailair and Equa-Flex, that make innovative suspension systems for towable RVs. The purchase price was $5.5 million with stipulations that could increase the price to $8.1 million if certain sales targets are reached over the next five years. Drew is adding management personnel from the companies and will manufacture their products at Lippert’s existing factories. Drew Industries is based in White Plains, New York.

GE Extends Protection
GE Money has initiated a new program to offer extended service contracts on the sale of new and used motorhomes, trailers and campers. The contracts will be available through RV retailers who offer consumer financing from GE Money

GE’s 5-Star Program includes emergency roadside assistance, including towing, tire changes and jump starting; vehicle replacement during repair periods; meal and lodging reimbursements for interrupted trips, and reimbursement for deductible fees when mechanical breakdowns are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.

Newmar Adds Manager
Jeff Lakeas, who spent four years as national sales manager for an RV manufacturer, has been named motorhome sales manager for Newmar. He will represent Newmar in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, northern Nevada and Utah.

Whistler to Host Ski Industry
Mountain Travel Symposium will bring 1,000 delegates involved in ski tourism to Whistler, British Columbia, April 15-21, for trade shows and educational forums.

Speakers will include Greg Stielstra, author of Pyro-Marketing: the Four-Set Strategy to Ignite Customer Evangelists and Keep Them for Life, and Guy Kawasaki, who was one of the leading innovators at Apple during its formative years and is author of several books, including The Macintosh Way.