Category: Uncategorized

No matter how much experience you have as an RVer, there is always that first trip and the nervous first moments behind the wheel as a beginner driver.

A writer for TampaBay.com has documented his journey driving a rented RV from Las Vegas to Utah and learning the rules of RVing.

During the trip, he learns how to maneuver a giant RV while changing lanes in traffic, describes the variety of people and RV models he meets at an RV park, and offers tips for planning your own RV adventure.

Source: TampaBay.com

Heartland Recreational Vehicles has announced that it has acquired the remaining active trademarks of the towable brands from Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.  As one of the leading former manufacturers of towable RVs in North America, Fleetwood has some of the most recognized and iconic brands in the industry.

“This is an exciting transaction for Heartland.  Fleetwood’s towable brands have long been among the most widely recognized names in the towable RV segment, with loyal customers and an extensive dealer network.  By acquiring the trademarks of Fleetwood’s towable products, we will enhance Heartland’s brand portfolio with industry leading names such as Prowler, Pioneer and Wilderness,” said Brian Brady, CEO of Heartland.

Mr. Brady continued, “In the last five years, Heartland has become one of the leading manufacturers of towable RVs and is the third largest manufacturer of fifth wheel RVs in the U.S.  Our phenomenal growth and success has given us the financial strength to pursue the acquisition of Fleetwood’s legendary trademarks.  We would like to thank our dealers and customers for their continued support of Heartland and we look forward to enhancing our industry leadership by continuing to create great products that our customers love.”

Source: Heartland RVs

Fleetwood RV, Inc., was recently awarded best motorized outdoor display during the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, Fla., which ran Wednesday, January 13 – Sunday, January 17, 2010.

Fleetwood’s display was co-managed by one of its top dealers, Lazydays, and featured a variety of 2010 products including American Eagle, Discovery, Tioga as well as the brand new Encounter, Fleetwood’s first crossover motor home. “We’re honored to have been recognized as the best motorized display,” said John Draheim, president and COO of Fleetwood RV, Inc. “We had a great location, traffic was better than expected and our products were well received.

Source: Fleetwood RV

RV Trader is now on Facebook! Stop by our page and become a fan of RV Trader. Our address on Facebook is Facebook.com/rvtrader.

Can’t find the RV you are looking for on RV Trader? Try the RV Trader Locator feature.

Complete the fields and we will send your request to dealers in our network. Dealers who may have what you are looking for will contact you. As always, you can be confident that your information will NOT be shared with any third parties.

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