Check Out These HOT RV Internet Specials

Check Out These HOT RV Internet Specials

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BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — To hear the dealers tell it, the nationwide crisis in the housing market has largely missed the home-on-wheels crowd, at least for those people willing and able to spend big bucks on luxury recreation vehicles.

"People are buying now rather than putting their money in the stock market," T.R. Fulks of Dream RV in Bradenton said Wednesday at the 28th annual Family Motor Coach Association rally at the Hernando County Airport.

"We have been as busy as last year," added Dan Wylie of the same dealership. The $5,000 to $100,000 market is the most active for his customers, he said.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lafayette County Commission on Monday approved a special exception for 136 RV sites for the Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort and Campground. Owners Frank and Susie Page will proceed with the purchase of 19 acres adjacent to the Rendezvous for the new sites.

Discussion followed regarding the impact on the dirt road of existing traffic during special events and the increased traffic due to the additional 136 sites. Questions were raised regarding nearby agricultural land use and other public safety concerns. According to County Inspector Bobby Johnson, the current regulations only address allowable space per unit, which is 1,200 square feet. Staff was directed to study the possibility of increased regulations and make a recommendation to the board.

DONNA, Texas — Tucked alongside the Rio Grande Valley's dusty freeway is the Victoria Palms Resort RV Park, an oasis from the nation's economic downturn. It's packed with retirees from the Midwest and Canada.

At Victoria Palms, retirees can lounge by the pool and listen to a 77-year-old DJ's collection of Bobby Vinton and Fats Domino, cruise palm-lined streets on bicycles, take dance lessons or perfect crafts in one of the many workshops. And like many of the Valley's more than 500 “Winter Texan” parks, it's 100 percent full.

Personnel at the parks worried the summer's high gas prices and the fall's plunging economy would make for a bad year. Instead, they find themselves turning people away.

ELKHART — All American Homes has donated a Class C motorhome, valued at more than $83,000, to the "A Century of Values" team who will soon begin a cross country journey in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

"As a former Scout, I am proud that our company was able to support the Century of Values Tour and the heritage of scouting," said Rick Lavers, CEO of Coachmen Industries. "This sponsorship is a natural fit for our company and an association that we are proud to be connected with."

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Camping World will surely gain more exposure as the new title sponsor of NASCAR's venerable Truck Series and its continued support of Ron Hornaday's No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado.

The outdoors retailer, however, might not have many sponsors to compete with.

While the series again figures to

RESTON, Va. — The Go RVing message was highlighted in several ways during the Super Bowl festivities, reminding footbal fans of the convenience and affordability of RV travel.

RVIA supplier member Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company added the Go RVing message to its popular Goodyear Airship, a “What Will You Discover” Go RVing” print ad appeared in the Super Bowl XLIII souvenir program, and as always, RV tailgating was a hit with football fans and media alike.

In the days leading up to the game,

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — Marcus Lemonis, president and CEO of FreedomRoads and Camping World, told RV Industry News today the $10 million loan to the company's owner is part of a long-term strategic initiative.

"The loan provides working capital to FreedomRoads, it is not restructured debt," Lemonis said. "FreedomRoads has no debt other than floorplan. We have no bonds or debt of any kind."

FreedomRoads sought working capital to help

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Ronald Sorenson's 30-foot rented recreational vehicle rests on a gravel pad at Cherry Hill Park in Maryland, its sides emblazoned with images of President-elect Barack Obama and Sorenson's own poetry.

The one-time building contractor decided three weeks ago to make the three-day trip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., spending $17,000 to decorate the RV (with the owner's permission). He has been parked at the campground in College Park for a week awaiting the inauguration of the man he thinks will save the country.

It is supporters like Sorenson who are bringing an unexpected stimulus to Cherry Hill, which is now nearly booked during a month when business is typically dead. The relatively inexpensive housing option is enlivening a usually moribund camping season at other parks near Washington, D.C., and creating a ripple effect that is putting money in the pockets of campgrounds and their employees.

YORK, Penn. — After hours of spraying and wiping and rinsing, eight motor homes at AJ's RV Rentals are ready to hit the highway to take a front row seat in President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration parade. AJ's worker Amanda Rhoads was happy to help make the arrangements.

"They are going to be placed along the parade route for emergency shelters for anybody who needs to warm up because its going to be super cold," she said.

The U.S. Department of Health is paying for the company to deliver the vehicles and pick them up Wednesday.

TAMPA - Visit this year's RV SuperShow at the Florida State Fairgrounds and you might find it hard to believe the nation is in a recession.

Huge crowds poured into the fairgrounds Friday to see the latest in recreational vehicles. The five-day event runs through Sunday.

"I came in here Wednesday afternoon and I was shocked by how many people were here," said Frank Konigseder, vice president of Liberty Coach, a luxury RV dealer based in Chicago. "This show has been very positive."

WASHINGTON — Loans to recreational vehicle dealers and consumers could be easier to come by if Congress authorizes the release of $350 billion associated with the financial rescue plan passed last year.

The new legislation would make RV loans insured by a government institution set up to protect banks from losses if borrowers default on their debts. The first $350 billion Congress approved as part of the so-called financial bailout gave similar protection only to auto, credit card and student loans.

U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, pushed for the change in the new bill, adding "and other vehicles" to the types of loans included in the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Despite a nationwide downturn in the RV industry and the departure of several key lenders, Priority One Financial Services reports that the percentage of loan approvals they generated last year is equal to 2007 totals.

The company actually works on behalf of RV dealers to submit loan applications to specific lenders based on the borrower's credit history and the lenders specific requirements. By outsourcing this important finance and insurance role, dealers can get more loans approved faster.