Author: praveen.pothuganti@traderinteractive.com

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Source: RV Trader

RV Trader recently visited the 2010 RV Supershow held January 12 to 17 at the Tampa Florida State Fairgrounds. This was RVTraders’ 8th year exhibiting at the show and this was one of the best ever.

Attendees visited the RV Trader booth and downloaded the RV Trader iPhone App registered to win an Apple iTouch. Over 7000 National RV Trader Magazines were given away According to the show’s organizers, attendance at the Florida RV SuperShow increased 12% over last year, despite questionable weather on the last day of the show’s five-day run.

”The show was very, very upbeat,” said Lance Wilson, executive director of the sponsoring Florida Recreation Vehicle Trade Association (FRVTA). ”The weather was iffy on Sunday, but the dealers we talked to all said the same thing — that they didn’t hear any negative talk at all. People weren’t complaining about the economy or gas prices. They were just happy to be there.” Some 50,753 people passed through the gates of the Florida State Fairgrounds Wednesday (Jan. 13) through Sunday.

”We had a nice increase (in sales) from last year,” said Ken Stumpe, Florida Show sales manager for Lazydays RV SuperCenter in nearby Seffner, Fla., ”There was a lot more traffic than last year. It was a totally different atmosphere. A lot of people said they were tired of waiting.” Camping World RV Sales, which had a dozen displays at the show, sold 179 units, 37 of them Damon and Four Winds motorized RVs, according to President Marcus Lemonis.

Increased attendance at the Florida Show generally mirrored that of other early 2010 shows in Denver, Cleveland, the Washington, D.C., area and Greensboro, N.C. “Seeing all the aisles full and the dealers not being able to handle all the customers is great,” said Tom Gaither, senior vice president of Affinity Group Inc.’s Affinity Events division.

Source: RV Trader and the 2010 RV Supershow

The RVIA reports a spike in attendance at RV shows around the country could be yet another indicator that the RV industry is on its way to recovery in 2010.

According to the RIVA, more than 50,000 consumers attended the Florida RV Super Show in Tampa this month, up 12 percent over last year’s strong attendance. Attendance at the Grand Rapids (MI) RV Show doubled over last year’s number with more than 20,000 consumers attending. And at the Ohio RV Super Show, 33 percent more consumers showed up this year than last year.

The large crowds at these shows have pleasantly surprised organizers and dealers, who say that, in addition to stronger attendance, sales are also much improved over last year. “Sales were awesome — just like the old days,” said Bob Sanders, sales manager for Dusty’s RV, about the highly successful Florida show. “We wrote 170 deals at the show, compared with 58 last year.” Sanders added that sales were across the board and included 40 motorhomes.

“We are seeing a two year pent up demand for RVs finally opening up,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “Americans will only wait so long for things that they really want, and it appears they want RVs right now.”

Source: RVIA

For boaters, RVers, home owners and outdoor enthusiasts who need a convenient, portable supply of plastic bags, Knot-A-Bag from Davis Instruments is the perfect solution. This handy bag dispenser enables users to make plastic bags in any length for different needs.

Photo Credit: Davis Instruments

Knot-a-Bag is ideal to stash wet swimsuits, trash, diapers, recyclables and food while camping, traveling, boating or on the go. Holding 32.5′ of tightly wound polyethylene film, the versatile Knot-A-Bag is simple to use. Just pull the plastic bag material from the center of the dispenser, cut the length required with the built-in safety cutter and tie a knot in the end.

Completely waterproof when tied, the bags have a circumference of 24″. Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, compact Knot-A-Bag easily clips to belts, backpacks, dog leashes or wherever it’s needed. Measuring just 4″ H and weighing only 3 oz., it comes with an extra roll of plastic film. With a thickness of 0.36 mil., the blend of high- and low-density polyethylene provides unmatched strength.

Source: Davis Instruments

2010 will mark the 100th anniversary of the RV.

The RV has evolved over 100 years from early wood campers to luxurious class A models equipped with GPS and high-definition TV. In the early days of RVs there were few gas stations and roads were often not paved, a long way from smooth-driving and air conditioned models of today.

The Detroit News reports on the 100 year RV anniversary and the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum & Library, located in Elkhart Indiana.

Photo Credit: RV/MH Hall of Fame & Library

The RV/MH Hall of Fame & Library is 56,000 square foot facility honoring industry leaders and featuring a museum of vintage RVs ranging from a 1928 Wiedman Camp Body on Stewart Truck Chassis (above) to the first motorhome built by Winnebago (below).

Photo Credit: RV/MH Hall of Fame & Library

This video celebrates 100 years of the American Tradition of RVing.

Source: The Detroit News and RV/MH Hall of Fame & Library

MaxxAir Vent Corporation’s improved Fan/Mate models 850 and 950 rain covers completely enclose a roof fan or roof vent. They provide fresh air while also offering excellent rain protection for the rig’s interior.

Photo Credit: Maxx Air

With a vent area 20% larger than the previous version, the new Fan/Mate models 850 and 950 ensure even better fan performance by allowing high-volume air-flow.

Their redesigned louvers and protective, galvanized screens serve as a superior safeguard against rain and keep wind-blown leaves and debris out of the fan’s blades.

Due to the covers’ hinged mounting brackets, opening the Fan/Mate cover doesn’t require any tools and allows easy access for servicing the fan.

Source: Maxx Air

Aqua-Hot Heating Systems has announced after extensive testing, Fleetwood RV will offer innovative Aqua-Hot Hydronic Heating Systems on its American Coach and Revolution LE models.

Aqua-Hot sales and marketing manager Harold Ogden made the announcement. “This relationship gives us the chance to partner with a premier RV manufacturer,” said Ogden. “By working with an industry-leading company that produces superior motor homes, such as the luxury American Coach line, we can continue making the road a more comfortable place.” “

Aqua-Hot’s quality and brand name recognition with our owners is a tremendous asset and complements our product offering,” said John Draheim, president and COO of Fleetwood RV.

Source: Aqua-Hot Heating Systems

RV Business reports that the Allegro Breeze by Tiffin Motor Home has been chosen as ”Best of Show”. at the 47th Annual National RV Trade Show.

According to RV Business, the Allegro Breeze was chosen because its features and design may indicate the future direction of motorized RVs.

The story also reports the Allegro Breeze is expected to be available around March 2010.

Source: RV Business

Winnebago recently reported improved financial results for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2010 and increased demand for RVs. Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 ended November 28, 2009 were $81.0 million, an increase of 16.7 percent, versus $69.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

Photo Credit: Winnebago

According to Winnebago, “We are extremely pleased to see an increase in revenues, as well as posting a small gross profit in our first quarter,” said Winnebago Industries’ Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson. “As difficult as this recession has been for Winnebago Industries and the entire RV industry, we believe the worst may be over.”

Winnebago Industries’ sales order backlog was 1,521 motor homes at November 28, 2009, an increase of 350 percent compared to the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. This also represents an increase of 62 percent from August 29, 2009, the end of our fourth quarter. “The increased demand for our products is particularly noteworthy since it is seasonally very unusual to have a significant increase at this time of year,” said Olson.

“We have seen particular strength in the backlog for our Class A gas and diesel products. Due to the escalation of our sales order backlog, we have increased our production levels and during the first quarter of fiscal 2010, our employment grew by approximately 350 employees.”

Source: Winnebago