Laughlin Resolves RV Camping Issue
A health ordinance that banned RVers from dry camping in casino parking lots in Laughlin, Nevada, has been changed, and RVers will be welcomed back.

The Southern Nevada Health District issued a cease and desist order last January that effectively banned dry camping in Laughlin. But in July, the district changed course, approving a new regulation that allows casinos and hotels to obtain permits for dry camping by self-contained RVs. Several casino-resorts immediately began the permitting process.

To obtain permits, hotels and casinos must make arrangements to give RVers access to water supply stations and sewage disposal facilities either on-site or elsewhere, and must register guests who plan to dry camp longer than overnight.

Laughlin tourism officials said the ban on dry camping had threatened some $50 million in annual business from visiting RVers.

“We are breathing a sigh of relief that this problem is resolved,” said Lisa McCabe, president of the Laughlin Tourism Committee and vice president of marketing at the Flamingo Laughlin. “We are looking forward to having our visitors back.”

To help entice RVers to return, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has started an RV Concierge program in Laughlin to advise RVers about where they can park overnight and to direct them to other services. The concierge is available at the Laughlin Visitor Information Center, 1555 Casino Drive. RV Concierge programs also have been established at visitor centers in Boulder City, Primm and Mesquite.

McCabe said, “This is the first time we have implemented such a program for the RV enthusiast. We truly value our RV visitors and want to make sure we provide them with the best customer service and information possible to maximize their vacation in Laughlin.”

Fleetwood Introduces New Models
Fleetwood RV introduced new models for 2007, including a new low-cost toy hauler trailer, at a national dealer meeting recently at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

The RedLine becomes the third toy hauler in Fleetwood’s lineup, joining the GearBox fifth wheels and travel trailers and the Nitrous HyperLite half-ton towables. The RedLine is offered in two floor plans as a fifth wheel and four plans as a travel trailer. It has sleeping accommodations for as many as 10. Features include an aluminum-framed ramp door with integrated locks and anti-skid surface, flush cargo floor tie-downs, and the Rock the Box entertainment system.

Also new for 2007 are the Fiesta LX and Terra LX Class A gas motorhomes, which include high-end features such as full-body paint and pass-through storage but are priced at about $100,000. Fleetwood said the models are a response to consumer demand for RVs with lower price tags. The models come in three floor plans.

Fleetwood RV also launched the 2007 Regal, Quantum and Advantage fifth wheels, designed for the middle to higher-end market. They are available in lengths of 30 to 39 feet in 10 floor plans, six of them new for 2007. They feature wood laminate flooring and Flexsteel furniture throughout and carry many standard upgrades, such as a fireplace, entertainment center and molded countertops.

The popular Discovery diesel motorhome has been redesigned for 2007. Features include a home theater system with a 26-inch LCD TV and satellite dish, a 12-cubic-foot refrigerator with water dispenser and icemaker, and increased counter space. It has a 333-horsepower diesel engine.

Washington Raises Camping Fees
Fees for camping and launching boats at facilities operated by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will be increased at the beginning of 2007. The new fees, the first increase since 2003, will remain in place through 2009. Confirmed reservations already in the system will not be charged the new rates.

The new fees will be $17 for a standard campsite and $24 for a full-utility site. The watercraft launch fee will be $7. Some parks have a popular destination fee of $1, which will be doubled to $2. Some premium sites charge an additional $5.

The increases are in line with a commission policy of using fees to cover about one-third of the revenue needed for operating costs. The commission manages a system of 120 parks.

Wireless Internet Expands
The State of Washington is now offering wireless Internet connections at 28 of the 42 rest areas along state highways. At no cost, travelers can use the Wi-Fi connection to access the state Department of Transportation’s Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic to find out about road conditions and gather other travel information. To visit other Web sites through the wireless connection, travelers must subscribe to Road Connect.

Road Connect is also providing wireless Internet connections in Oregon at nine rest areas and state parks. In Oregon, travelers can access four travel-related Web sites for free, but must pay a fee to access other Web sites. The rates are $1.99 for 20 minutes, $3.99 for 24 hours, $7.99 for seven days and $32.99 for one month.

The Oregon Wi-Fi connections are at South Beach State Park, Harris Beach and Valley of the Rogue state parks and rest areas, D River Wayside in Lincoln City and the Midland, Multnomah Falls and Ontario rest areas. For a list of Washington rest areas with Wi-Fi service, see www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/restareas.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of RV parks and campgrounds are also adding Wi-Fi service. TengoInternet, the largest provider of Internet service in the camping industry, recently signed an exclusive agreement with the Good Sam Club to market Wi-Fi service to the 1,700 parks in the Good Sam network.

Coachmen Changes Management
Claire C. Skinner has resigned as chairman of the board and chief executive officer at Coachmen Industries to be replaced by William P. Johnson as chairman and Richard Lavers as chief executive officer. Johnson had been lead director and Lavers was chief financial officer.

The company announced that Skinner elected to take early retirement. She is a past president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association and is the daughter of Coachmen founder Tom Corson.

Honda Executive Joins Monaco Board
Richard E. Collier, who heads the Honda and Acura divisions as executive vice president of American Honda Motor Company, has joined the Board of Directors of Monaco Coach Corporation. Monaco, headquartered in Coburg, Oregon, has 6,000 employees with RV plants in Indiana and Oregon.

Doctors Just a Phone Call Away
A service that allows traveling RVers to consult a doctor by telephone is now available from Tela-Doc, a national network of licensed physicians. The company, which is based in Dallas, Texas, charges $18 for registration plus a small monthly fee. Each consultation is $35. The doctor is usually available within an hour; if the doctor is not available within three hours, the consultation is free. The doctor will attempt to diagnose the problem by phone and will prescribe medications if appropriate.

The service is intended for non-emergency medical problems. Patients are advised to follow up with their own doctor. Michael Gorton, TelaDoc founder, said the service is available 24 hours a day and should appeal to RVers. “The reasonable cost of this valuable medical benefit puts it within easy reach of most individuals, particularly those RV enthusiasts who do not have health care insurance,” he said. For information, call (800) 835-2362 or visit www.teladoc.com.

Good Sam Offers Upgraded Road Service Plan
The Good Sam Club, which has been helping stranded RVers since 1984, has upgraded its travel assistance offerings with the introduction of the Good Sam Platinum Emergency Road Service.

The new plan offers extra protection by including coverage for any vehicle driven by the member, including leased, rented or borrowed vehicles. It also includes telephone access to a hotline staffed by certified RV technicians. Information about the service is available at www.GoodSamERS.com or by calling (800) 865-6899.