RV-Dreams & RVSEF

Okay, so we can end the suspense.  :)

In an interesting twist of fate and sort of an unexpected leap of faith, Linda & I are partnering with the RV Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF).  We're still separate entities, but we have entered into a mutually beneficial relationship that we feel will be great for us, for them, for our readers and rally attendees, and for RV consumers in general.

From the RVSEF website:

"Mission Statement"
RVSEF is dedicated to providing
professional and objective
RV education with a
focus on consumer safety
and lifestyle enhancement.

"The RV Safety & Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization with its principle place of business in Merritt Island, Florida. It is dedicated to the improvement of recreational vehicle safety, with a focus on consumer education. The organization is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Section 501(c)(3)."

With similar goals, we feel we are a good fit.  So, how did this all come about?

While we were teaching at the RVSEF Lifestyle, Safety, & Education Conference in Bowling Green, KY earlier this month, Linda & I got into an unexpected conversation with Walter Cannon, the Executive Director of RVSEF, and his wife, Amy.

Unbeknownst to us, they had plans to approach us in the future with an opportunity to possibly partner up and expand the reach of both RV-Dreams and RVSEF to provide RV education to a wider audience.  Well, one thing led to another, we jumped the gun a little bit, and we expressed a serious interest in moving forward. 

They weren't really ready, but the four of us decided there was no time like the present, and we would slowly work through this new partnership .... IF the Board of Directors of the Foundation gave their blessing. 

In the best of times in the industry, they had three teams weighing RVs wheel-by-wheel across the country and giving seminars at rallies.  But with the economic downturn, less funding, and other events, Walter & Amy were down to just themselves doing weighing and seminars this year.

So, it took a little time, but with the Board's approval, we have agreed to expand our role with RVSEF beyond the conference seminars.  We will be weighing RVs from this point forward as we travel, and we will be able to provide additional educational seminars like "Weight Safety", "Tire Safety", and more.  We'll be doing things a bit differently than past RVSEF weighing teams, so this will be a learning experience for all of us.

In addition to being able to provide additional seminars and rig weighing at our rallies, we'll pick up additional knowledge that we can pass on.  We'll make a little supplemental income, and we'll also be able to increase the exposure of RVSEF.

So, we waited in Louisville until we got the word that we could move forward, and then we changed plans to come to Goshen/Elkhart where Walter & Amy are parked for about a month doing seminars and RV weighing at a few rallies.  It would be perfect timing for us to get training before moving on toward the northeast and before they headed back to Florida.

That's why we are here.  We're training, learning, and meeting some industry folks.  We've been feeling out this arrangement and making sure both parties want to go through with it.  Therefore, we didn't want to be premature about making any announcements.  But everything is a go, and there will soon be a press release from RVSEF.

We'll be here through at least the middle of June, and then we'll move on doing weighing and seminars in campgrounds where we can and at rallies if they are near our intended route.  We're excited and we've already learned so much.

Since 1993, RVSEF has been gathering information on how RVers are loading their rigs, and then with personal information deleted, sharing summaries with the RV Industry Association and their member manufacturers.  However, "RVSEF does not rate, endorse, or criticize products or services. It does not get involved in disputes between RV owners and their dealers or manufacturers. It does not teach or publish opinions that cannot be validated, but sticks to the facts."

Though the Foundation is a bridge between consumers and the industry, Walter says "We are not consumer advocates nor industry advocates.  We are education advocates."  That's one thing we love about this new partnership.

Another thing we love is that we can now offer wheel-by-wheel RV weighing.  We've been big proponents of that for a long time now, but it's not easy to find a place to get it done.  And it's even better that we are doing it for RVSEF because we can add to its massive database.  The weighing and data gathering not only benefits the consumer directly, but they also help manufacturers build better coaches via Walter's dissemination of information through his positions on various committees.

So, over the next several days, we'll be posting more information about weighing, and we'll have a new page to let folks know where we will be and how to contact us to set up appointments.  We're not going to go back and forth cross-country to rallies, but we may be available for seminars and weighing for rallies that aren't too far out of the way.  Part of this deal is that Walter & Amy want us to be RVers and not lose sight of why we're out here - another reason this is such a great fit.  :)

Thank you for your patience as this has come together, and as always, thank you so much for your support.  :)

---

 

 

Comments

[Nancy and Bill]

Sounds like a winner for everyone...you, RSVEF and RV-Dreamers!!

It does sound like a perfect fit and we can't wait to get our rig and have you two weigh it!!

Best of luck with this new partnership!!

[karen lueck]

Good Deal! We've been wanting to get the four corner weight done, but haven't been able to work it out yet. Maybe now we will! Congrats!

[Camille]

Congratulations, guys! RV consumers need guidance from knowledgable sources as there is so much mis-information out there. It seems that RVSEF and RV Dreams can only enhance one another's credibility. I'm excited for you and the additional exposure for RV Dreams!

[Laurie & George]

Good for you! Good luck with that venture, it's going to be beneficial for everyone.

[Ron Westcott]

Sounds like a great opportunity for you guys! We'll look forward to getting our RV weighed properly when you get back around Jacksonville again.

[arlene sullivan]

Very excited for you both on your new venture..Best of luck.

[Syl]

This sounds like a great fit for both parties. You still get a chance to roam at will instead of being tied to the circuit. We want you to weigh us next time we're at your rally...the rig that is...we already know that we need to loose weight. ;)
Syl

[emery Nash]

Wahoo! Great News! One of the first things I look for when RV shows and rallys are announced is whether weighing is going to be on the menu.

Personally, I do not think that there is any other single topic that is more important than proper weight awareness and management.

It is certainly a lot less about the alligators on the road than those circling our butts.

[Nicholas Wells]

Excellent you guys. Maybe we can be one of your first guinea pigs when we come through Indiana in early July, assuming your still in that area. I've always wanted to know what our weights are, and knowing it by wheel would be even better.

Hurray for you!

[Bruce]

Glad to hear it. We purchased a used motorhome at the end of last season and haven't used it yet. I have read about weight issues so last week when our rig was at an RV dealer I asked the service manager if they had a scale because of what I've read. He said "no and that they are hard to overload so it's generally not an issue to worry about". His answer surprised me so I think more education is important!

[Sherry]

Sounds like you have nothing to lose and we all have a lot to gain. Now if it had all just happened in time for the Tennessee Rally....oh well. Guess we'll have to find you guys to let us know how the wheel by wheel stacks up. We had front to back done and of course the back was just squeeking under the limit and the front had a fair margin.

Good luck on your new venture.
Sherry
www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com

[Sherry]

Forgot to say how glad I am that the suspense is over. I was the kid who hunted all over the house for the Christmas presents so I could peek. I couldn't stand the suspense. :-))

Sherry

[Lynda Soady]

Congratulations on the good news! Bob is at Jojoba and I'm still here in OKC with my sister. She is going home today.

[Dee Walter]

I'm finally glad to know what you two are up to. Jim was so sure you were trading in the 5th wheel, except you drove in the rain before the holiday to get to Goshen. That just wasn't like you. What a great deal and it will be good for both parties. Congrats.

[2P's]

Cool beans guys. Sounds like a good fit Best of luck on this venture. Bet your gonna have some great stories!

Paul

[Alice]

Howard, do you weight truck campers too?