The LUV SHAK is becoming a landmark on wheels

Heartland Recreation Vehicles

(Dec. 22, 2006) — Kathleen and Vance Hamilton of Crowley, La., commissioned artist Robert Baxter to transform their Landmark fifth wheel into one of the most eye-catching vehicles to ever hit the road.

ELKHART — There’s a unique RV traveling the roads of North America these days, and everywhere it goes, it causes heads to turn, mouths to drop open, people scrambling for their cameras, and most of all – smiles.

What is it about this fifth wheel trailer that is causing so much commotion? It’s the incredibly unique murals that cover every square inch of the coach. The fifth wheel is a Landmark model built by Heartland Recreational Vehicles, Elkhart, Ind., but the “LUV SHAK” is quickly becoming its own “Landmark.”

Kathleen and Vance Hamilton of Crowley, La., commissioned artist Robert Baxter to transform their Landmark fifth wheel into one of the most eye-catching vehicles to ever hit the road. Baxter’s work shines in the hand-painted flowers, dragonflies, stunning sunsets, lush flower gardens and even a scene reminiscent of the rice and crawfish fields near in their hometown.

What on earth were the Hamiltons thinking when they had large colorful murals full of tree frogs, a lizard and even a castle wall painted on their home? “We just love RVing and we’ve never been ones to stick with the status quo,” states Kathleen.

Retired from over 30 years of teaching at Crowley Middle School, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, Kathleen had dreamed of retiring to the RV lifestyle since she was in college. “It all started when a friend asked me to travel to Gatlinburg, Tenn., with her family in a pop-up camper. I enjoyed the trip immensely and was hooked for life,” shares Kathleen.

“Even marriage and kids couldn’t slow me down. I remember once I packed up four young children, a dog, and a tent. We traveled to all 64 parishes in Louisiana!” she reports.

“My husband, Vance, and I discussed going full time for some years. But, we wondered if we could live together in a small space for an extended period, and live to tell about it. We decided we needed to find out before we took the plunge. So the summer before last, we bought a pop-up camper and headed out to Montreal to visit one of our daughters. We were gone for 45 days…… and we survived!

“The lifestyle of the RVer gives you the opportunity to go where you want, see what you want, and the biggy is, WHEN you want. You only have the open road ahead and the memories behind as you pursue this lifestyle.

“As we approached retirement, we started to do research on the different types of RVs. After reading articles from RV magazines, online information, forums and books, and attending RV shows and visiting RV lots, we decided on a fifth wheel over a motorhome because of the maintenance of two vehicles. The fifth wheel also had better stability and more room than other RVs. We chose a Heartland Landmark Grand Canyon for its luxurious features and full-time friendliness. Soon afterwards, we renamed the coach our ‘Luv Shak,’” she added.

The artist, Robert Baxter, first sketched the colorful design on the outside shell. Amazingly, rather than use an air brush he chose to paint the entire work with a bristle brush. He used a metal base automotive paint, protected with a matted clear coat finish. The entire process took about two weeks. One of the neatest things about this coach is every part of the mural has a story behind it which not only makes it special to the Hamiltons, but also provides for great campfire and roadside conversations.

“We have traveled many miles since the middle of June,” shares Kathleen, “and as we travel down the highways, people slow down, stare, and without fail, begin to SMILE. Whenever we stop, the cameras immediately come out. Sometimes people will be shy, not knowing if we want pictures. But, we expect it and enjoy providing a photo op to the photographers. One lady was trying to hide behind a tree and take a picture. (We can see the flash, babe!) We chuckled and invited her over for the tour.”

“When we came through Jackson, Miss., we were making a left turn at an intersection, and the rest of the traffic just stopped moving. Everyone stopped right there in the middle of the road, smiling and giving us the thumbs up as we passed by.”

When we pull into a campground, people come out of the woodwork to ask questions and take pictures. Often someone will ask why we did this, and the answer always seems to be “Because it makes people happy.” And it reaches people in different ways. A child can look at it and enjoy it, and someone who might be familiar with art can look at it and see just how much talent Robert has as an artist.”

Funny Stories

Wherever we park, not only do we get curious people, but even the animals and insects seem enthralled. While in Louisiana, the cicadas used the Luv Shak as there shedding room. They attached themselves to the unit and left their old shell behind.

Butterflies often surround us and try to land on the flowers.

Once, as we were sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze from the north, a hummingbird came by and tried to extract nectar from the magnolias. The hummingbird backed off and hovered for a moment, looking puzzled, and then tried the pink flowers, again to no avail. Disappointed, it flew away, but not before leaving us with another lasting memory from the Luv Shak.

The Hamiltons are available to make appearance at dealer shows and rallies. They can be reached by e-mail at thehamiltons2000@yahoo.com.

Big Horn\Big Country Luxury RV’s

Why are RV enthusiasts choosing Heartland over any other brand, you ask?
The answer is simple. Heartland simply offers more innovative features and
built-in value than our competition!

The BIGHORN Fifth Wheel – KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!

A New Level of Luxury

The stunning new BIGHORN by Heartland Recreational Vehicles is nothing short of spectacular – in both its luxurious interior appointments and outstanding design concepts.

The BIGHORN fifth wheel is designed with Heartland’s patent-pending front cap design, which features a 30 percent increased turning radius, perfect for short-bed trucks.

You’ll appreciate the hand-crafted touch found in each BIGHORN, like the stately slide-out fascia moldings that surround every slide room as shown below.

Affordable luxury

Featuring real hardwood cabinets, including stiles, oil-rubbed bronze harware and lighting, elegant furnishings, flush-floor slideouts, and an abundance of interior and exterior storage space, the BIGHORN is truly a fifth wheel that is taking affordable luxury to the next level

The All-New Big Country Fifth Wheel!

The all-new BIG COUNTRY is the latest in a line of incredibly successful product launches by Heartland Recreational Vehicles that has propelled the company to a 331% Market Share Increase over 2005!! Why are Heartland fifth wheels SELLING while others are not, you ask? The answer is simple. Heartland fifth wheels simply offer more innovative features and built-in value than our competition! What kind of innovation? How about our patent-pending front cap design with improved turning radius that offers ups to 30% more turning capacity in short-bed, extended cab pickups? How about the largest, cleanest exterior pass-through storage on the market – over 140 cubic feet? And our Universal Docking Center concept has changed the way fifth wheels are made today! Heartland leads the industry in creative, well-thought out fifth wheel design and the all-new BIG COUNTRY takes that innovation to the next level.

Featuring:

• Heated and Enclosed Holding Tanks
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• King Size Bed
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• 75 Gallon Fresh Water Tank (90 Gray/45 Black)
• 60 Amp Power Convertor
• Real Wood Edged Countertops
• 12 Gallon Water Heater
• Marbleized Look Shower
• Real Porcelain Sink
• Electric Front Jacks
• 27” Color TV
• Black Tank Flush System

Heartland Bighorn 3400RL

3400RL Floorplan

Weight	11,640 Lbs.
Carrying Capacity	3360 Lbs.
Hitch	1910 Lbs.
Exterior Length	36′ 9″
Ext Height (Top of A/C)	12′ 11″
Fresh Water (gals)	75
Waste Water (gals)	45
Gray Water (gals)	90
LPG Capacity	60
Tire Size	ST235/80R16-E

Roll over floorplan for more detail!

Heartland Bighorn 3055RL

3055RL Floorplan

Weight	11,075 Lbs.
Carrying Capacity	2925 Lbs.
Hitch	1995 Lbs.
Exterior Length	34′ 4″
Ext Height (Top of A/C)	12′ 11″
Fresh Water (gals)	75
Waste Water (gals)	45
Gray Water (gals)	90
LPG Capacity	60
Tire Size	ST235/80R16-E

Roll over floorplan for more detail!

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