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The American Recreation Coalition began life in 1979 as touts for the petroleum industry and shills for motorhome manufacturers . The world was in the depths of a major gasoline shortage / energy crisis and someone had to speak out in support of recreational gasoline consumption. In the years that followed, ARC transformed itself into a force that drove the expansion of motorized recreation into every nook and cranny of America's public lands and waters.
Today the world is in the midst of a new crisis -- one that involves a shortage of energy and the threat of catastrophic climatic change. As in 1979, society is calling for improvements in automotive fuel efficiency and reduction in our consumption of fossil fuels and once again, the ARC has gone out in front touting for the petroleum industry and shilling for a wide range of energy inefficient vehicles.
Pasted below is a news release from Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America in which SUVOA Director / ARC President Derrick Crandall is quoted. For those unfamiliar with SUVOA, they are a particularly virulent wise-use organization composed, almost entirely, of members of the ARC.
You'd think that with the fate of the Earth in the Balance, driving for pleasure might take a back seat. ARC's raison d'être is to ensure that never happens. Learn more.
Scott
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Press Release Source: Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America
99% of Car Towing Capacity Lost Since 1970s
Monday January 22, 11:24 am ET
SUV Owners Group Releases New Consumer Towing Guide
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The shift in consumer preference to
SUVs and light trucks for family transportation was driven not just by
the desire for better comfort and safety -- since 1970 fuel economy
mandates that resulted in downsized vehicles caused 99 percent of cars
to lose their ability to tow basic recreational equipment, Sport
Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) announced today.
"The gutting of car towing capacity should be a wake up call that major
lifestyle consequences could loom large as the nation contemplates the
next wave of energy policy changes," SUVOA President Barry W. McCahill
said. "The threat is on several fronts -- California's carbon dioxide
law and the 10 states that have chosen to follow suit; the Supreme
Court's upcoming decision on the regulation of carbon dioxide; and
proposed federal legislation to increase federal fuel economy
standards."
"Achieving better fuel economy and energy independence are critical
national imperatives. But let's do it in a thoughtful, balanced way
that ensures millions of Americans won't lose their outdoor lifestyle,"
he added. It is estimated that there are more than 20 million
recreation and utility towables in the United States.
In the 1970s, before the federal program to regulate automotive fuel
economy was enacted, some 70 percent of domestic passenger car models
could tow a small fishing boat or camping trailer weighing 2,100
pounds. Today, just one percent of cars can handle that load, and many
popular recreational tows weigh considerably more.
"If towing a boat or camp trailer is part of your lifestyle, or may be
in the future, you need to consider carefully what vehicle you
purchase. Cars and even many of the popular new crossover SUVs can't do
the job," he said.
SUVOA posted a new towing guide on its web site (http://www.suvoa.com)
complete with illustrations to help consumers match 2007 tow vehicles
to popular RVs, boats and other recreational equipment that need to be
towed. The guide is the first of its kind in that it also includes all
2007 passenger vehicles, safety tips and illustrations, links to other
towing-related sites, and is available free to the public at
http://www.suvoa.com.
"Regrettably, federal auto policy doesn't always consider the tradeoffs
that exist among national goals. One day the focus is on new safety
requirements. The next, it's on tougher emissions controls. Today, it's
on both those and improving fuel economy and they are often at odds
with each other," McCahill said.
"All are important. But meeting them creates performance and design
conflicts and tradeoffs," he continued. "The loss of car towing
capacity and reductions in safety because of vehicle downsizing are
unfortunate historical evidence of what can happen."
Derrick Crandall, President and CEO of the American Recreation
Coalition agreed that while fuel prices and the desire to decrease
dependence on imported oil are now center stage, decisions being made
today, if too extreme, could have serious consequences for outdoor
recreation.
"If the poll question is, 'Do you want better fuel economy?' who
doesn't?" But if you ask if they are willing to give up vehicles that
can transport the whole family comfortably and safely, and pull a boat
or other RV on weekends, you likely will get a very different answer,"
Crandall said.
"Ironically, the only vehicles left that enable people to enjoy the
great outdoors -- SUVs and pickups -- are under attack and could also
lose towing capacity. Nobody intended to kill off the station wagon
that was the mainstay for family transportation and recreation. But it
happened," Crandall said.
"Federal policies should encourage outdoor recreation, and a big part
of it is making sure that we preserve the kinds of vehicles that can
carry people, gear and the various RVs, boats and other towables that
people enjoy to their favorite outdoor destinations," Crandall said.
He pointed to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) data
showing dramatic increases over the past 20 years in obesity and
diabetes, attributed mainly to eating habits and lack of exercise. The
Transportation Research Board states: " ... physical inactivity is a
major, largely preventable threat to health."
According to Richard Coon, President of the Recreational Vehicle
Industry Association (RVIA), towing ability is part of the outdoor
lifestyle and must be preserved. "Even with higher fuel prices,
American families are buying RVs in record numbers. Why? Because they
want to stay closer to home and avoid commercial travel hassles, and
have discovered the value. For about the price of one or two
traditional family vacations, they can have fun adventures in their RV
whenever and wherever they choose, and for many years to come. And,
towed RVs are the most popular choice."
Coon said there are more than 11 million trailer boats and 5 million
trailer RVs in use in the U.S. There are millions more horse,
snowmobile, ATV and personal watercraft trailers. Safe towing demands
attention to the vehicle manufacturer's stated towing capacity; number
of occupants in the tow vehicle; total weight of what is being towed
(including fuel, water, and gear); and proper hitch configuration.
The SUVOA Towing Guide points out that more consumer education on
towing is needed because many towing situations dangerously exceed
motor vehicle manufacturer and RV dealer recommendations. For example,
according to the RV Safety & Education Foundation, 49 percent of
travel trailers are towed in excess of the tow vehicle's recommended
maximum capacity, also known as gross combined weight rating.
In addition to the towing guide on http://www.suvoa.com, there are a
number of web sites to help consumers make informed purchase decisions
to meet their towing needs.
Contact: Ron DeFore, 1-877-44-SUVOA
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