A raft of late-breaking recalls will affect a large number of RV owners. The following is information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. is recalling 293 model year 2013 Breeze and Allegro motorhomes. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged. If motor damage has occurred, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Tiffin will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. Tiffin has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Tiffin at (256) 356-8661 or Dometic at (888) 447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Heartland Recreational Vehicles is recalling 890 model year 2013-2014 Big Country, Bighorn, Elk Ridge, Elk Ridge Express, Landmark, Prowler, Sundance, Sundance XLT, and Silverado fifth wheels and travel trailers manufactured Feb. 13, 2013, through April 16, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged. If motor damage has occurred, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the trailer is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Heartland will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. A notification schedule has not yet been provided. Owners may contact Heartland Recreational Trailers at (888) 262-5992 or Dometic at (888) 447-0003  for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed. Heartland’s recall campaign number is 99-01-11.

Spartan Motors Chassis is recalling 2,694 model year 2006-2011 K2, and K3 and 2006-2010 MM motorhome chassis manufactured July 20, 2005, through Dec. 17, 2010. The steering gear mounting brackets may crack and detach resulting in a loss of steering. A loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash. Spartan will notify owners. Starting in mid-June 2013, dealers will install a replacement bracket or a reinforcement to the existing bracket. Until the remedy is available, owners may have their vehicle inspected at any Spartan service center. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or before, May 17, 2013.

Fleetwood RV, Inc. is recalling 196 model year 2013 Jamboree Sport Diesel, Providence, Tioga DSL and Tioga Ranger DSL; 2014 Excursion, Expedition, Jamboree Sport, Montara Commercial, Searcher Commercial, Southwind, Storm, Terra, and Tioga Ranger; and 2013-2014 Bounder, Bounder Classic, and Discovery recreational vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with Weatherpro and 9100 series power awnings. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear. If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Fleetwood RV will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. Fleetwood RV has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Fleetwood RV Owner Relations at (800) 509-3418 or Dometic at (888) 447-0003  for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Heartland Recreational Vehicles is recalling 55 model year 2013-2014 Sundance travel trailers, model 322RES, manufactured Sept. 13, 2012, through April 30, 2013. The axles are mounted too far forward on the frame which may cause improper trailer balance while towing.  Improper trailer balance may lead to uncontrollable trailer sway, increasing the risk of a crash, property damage, and/or personal injury. Heartland will notify owners and the trailers will be returned to the factory where axles will be moved rearward, free of charge. Owners may contact Heartland Recreational Trailers’ Warranty/Service Department by email at parts@heartlandrvs.com, or by phone at (877) 262-8032. Heartland’s recall campaign number is 99-01-12.

Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. is recalling 126 model year 2001 Ultra, Conquest, Independence, Ultra Supreme, Yellowstone, and Cavalier motorhomes with floorplans 6316 or 8325. The motorhomes were manufactured May 17, 2000, through Dec. 31, 2000. A portion of the electrical wiring may not be properly secured. This condition may cause wear and possible heat development between the refrigerator coils and the wire. A failure of the wiring could result in property damage, fire, or injury. Gulf Stream will notify owners, and dealers will repair the motorhomes free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Gulf Stream at (800) 289-8787. Gulf Stream’s recall campaign number is 13WG-2000.

Forest River, Inc. is recalling 9,526 model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from Feb. 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear. If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. A notification schedule has not yet been provided. Owners may contact Forest River at (574) 389-4600 or Dometic at (888) 447-0003  for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Camp Hill, Pa. , May 21, 2013 – America’s Largest RV Show, held annually in Hershey, Pa., is preparing for another record year. Forty-five manufacturers and 149 booth vendors have purchased 769,011 square feet and 35,155 square feet of space, respectively, which is 19.8 percent more than last year. “There is a very limited amount of manufacturer space available, and all of the booths for public days are sold out inside the Giant Center,” said Rebecca Lenington, PA RV & Camping Association Executive Vice President. “This year we extended manufacturer exhibit space into the parking lot and added additional booth space outside to accommodate the show’s growth.”

America’s Largest RV Show incorporates both Industry and Public Days to create a hybrid show. Industry Days provides dealers and manufacturers the opportunity to connect with each other and concentrate on building relationships while Public Days allows dealers to sell new products to consumers.

The show is the first each year to debut most 2014 products. “Industry Days allows all of my staff to see the new product,” states Dan Saltzgiver, Show Chairman and General Manager of Camping World of Hanover. “

Affordable education programs provide an in-depth look at various aspects of the RV industry including a full day RV technician training by Lipper Components and Gary Motley. The Red Carpet Breakfast is returning to Chocolate World with a motivational message by NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson who will also be available for a meet and greet and autographs.

America’s Largest RV Show, which is sponsored by the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association, will take place at the Giant CenterSM in Hershey, PA from September 9– 15, 2013. For more information visit LargestRVshow.com.

SOURCE: America’s Largest RV Show news release and RVtravel.com.

Orlando, Florida – (May 16, 2013) – Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV), a $1 billion sales producer of specialty vehicles to the fire and emergency, commercial  and industrial and recreational vehicles markets worldwide, today announced the purchase of the Monaco, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision recreational vehicle businesses and a collection of iconic brands, including Beaver and Safari (among others) from Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV).

“ASV is honored to welcome all of the existing Monaco, Holiday Rambler, R-Vision, Beaver and Safari customers and an exceptional network of dealer partners to the ASV family,” said Peter Guile, CEO of ASV. “The ASV team is committed to providing our customers and dealers with exceptional product, service and support, and we are fully committed to re-establish the product leadership and extraordinary reputation for innovation, quality and service for which the Monaco family of brands has been known.”

Guile said that Mike Snell will serve as president of Monaco and Holiday Rambler. “We join the ASV family fully energized with worthy goals and high hopes as we jointly work to rebuild our iconic and proud RV industry brands,” said Snell.  “With the commitment and support of ASV we’ll focus on developing innovative, distinct and aspirational products in keeping with the long and rich tradition of our brands.  I look forward to working with our team, our dealers and our customers to make this vision a reality.”

SOURCE: ASV news release and RVtravel.com.