(Dec. 3, 2008) -- Why couldn't that massive piece of government property at Camp Shelby have been used for this purpose? If not, it certainly would have been cheaper in the long run for FEMA to buy land rather than lease it. How much cheaper? FEMA is now paying $28 million a year - and will be doing so for several years to come - to lease and store trailers on 1,154 acres at five sites in South Mississippi. Those millions of dollars cover more than just the cost of leasing the land, but still, that averages out to $24,263 per acre per year.

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(Dec. 3, 2008) -- These new models come after a busy summer that included the launch of the brand new Power Bridge Chassis and a lifecycle change on the high-value Southwind Class A gas motorhome. "Our motorhome leadership team is committed to innovation," said Paul Eskritt, president of Fleetwood's RV Group. "Their ongoing collaboration with our dealers, customers and suppliers helps us bring new models like these more quickly to the market, allowing us to be more competitive in this challenging economic environment."

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(Nov. 26, 2008) -- Compass Chemicals, which makes private label cleaners and sanitation products, announced a new program designed to drive repeat traffic to RV dealerships. The company began offering RV dealers the opportunity to add a coupon to the label of any of its product purchased by the dealership for resale to consumers. The coupon can feature any offer the dealer wishes.

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(Dec. 3, 2008) -- ecoFRED, so named because of its increased fuel economy and ecological/ environmental benefits, has the additional benefits of significantly less brake wear due to regenerative braking, leading to lower replacement costs. It also boasts better acceleration and increased towing capacity, and operates similar to driving an automatic transmission.

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(Dec. 3, 2008) -- Less than three months after its dealer event in Las Vegas, Fleetwoood introduces another eight travel trailers and fifth wheels. "Over the past year, our Travel Trailer Division has maintained a constant focus on overall product innovation, reducing the weight of our products, and closing the gap in our fifth wheel product segments," said Paul Eskritt, president of Fleetwood's RV Group.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- RVT.com announced today it will be giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle at the 46th Annual RVIA show. Dealers are eligible to enter to win and can find details about the giveaway at the RVT.com booth, which is located in Hall 8, Booth 447. The giveaway will take place Dec. 3 at noon at the RVT.com booth. Some restrictions may apply.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Fleetwood Enterprises' RV Group today announced that the Fleetwood MotorHome Association (FMA) will hold its first-ever "Wind Your Way to Wyoming" national rally in Gillette, Wy. June 27 to 30.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- The Saskatchewan government granted permission to develop the site in the heart of the Centre Block, a first for the popular summer destination. The lots will be fully serviced with water, sewer, power, street lighting, and parking pads. Each is a minimum of 3,000 square feet and costs $30,000 for 10 years, but lease-holders have the opportunity to renew for an additional 10 years at a lowered cost of $25,000.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star is the first East Coast dealer to win the award since its inception in 2003. The award is given each year to the dealer who received the highest customer satisfaction rating as determined by customer surveys. Customers are able to complete surveys at the dealership.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- The Give Away, co-sponsored by the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation and the South Dakota RV Dealers Association, gave state park visitors the opportunity to win one of 10 different travel trailers offered by participating dealers.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- "During the last couple of months, Odyssey Group, along with the rest of our markets, has seen extremely difficult and volatile times. We have made tough decisions to size our company to the markets we serve. Unfortunately this has involved the downsizing of physical locations and people. These great people are the reason Odyssey Group became one of the largest suppliers to the RV and Housing markets," said CEO Lindsey Stults.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Coachmen, Damon RV, Entegra Coach, Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., Forest River RV, Gulf Stream, Tiffin Motorhomes, Triple E RV, Winnebago and Itasca are all displaying new RV models constructed on FCCC motorhome chassis at this year's trade show.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- RVIA President Richard Coon told Outlook 2009 attendees that the RV industry's history of posting strong recoveries from previous market downturns offers encouragement in the face of the current tough economic circumstances. “For many of us here this morning, today’s situation is nothing new. We’ve seen and survived tough times before,” said Coon, a 30-year veteran of the RV industry. “We are a resilient industry that has a history of coming back stronger than ever."

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- An enthusiastic audience and energetic, information-packed presentations helped make the Dec. 2 “Outlook 2009: We’ve Got Heart!” a showcase for the RV industry’s resilience and “heart” in the face of difficult economic times.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- The recently announced acquisition is the culmination of a business relationship 17 years in the making. Hickory Springs first began working with JSI in 1991, when JSI started buying rocker bases from Hickory Springs’ Fort Smith, Arkansas, metal plant. Over the next 17 years, JSI continued to purchase more products manufactured by Hickory Springs for its RV customers.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Thetford recently was granted Design for the Environment status as part of a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create more environmentally-friendly products. Thetford has five products in its RV Care line that have received DfE certification including: Hard Water Spot Remover; RV Wash & Wax; Mildew Stain Remover; Ultra Foam Black Streak & Bug Remover, and Ultra Foam Awning Cleaner.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- According to Gary and Valerie Bermans, America’s estimated Hispanic population exceeds 44 million people — 15 percent of the nation’s population. Hispanics had purchasing power of $863.1 billion in 2007, a number projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2010. The Bermans urged RV manufacturers and dealers to reach out to Hispanics in an effort to tap into this large and growing market.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- The TravelNet system uses existing cell phone data coverage offerings to deliver internet to the RV. While coverage and connection speeds vary by provider, the TravelNet system is far more reliable than Air Cards. Anytime, all-the-time internet access provides fast and reliable two-way wireless service. Since it's always on, you're always connected, even while traveling down the road, as compared to satellite internet systems that work only while parked.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- More than 46 percent of survey participants – up from roughly half that (24.5 percent) in the summer – were most concerned about speed, flexibility and adaptability to change. Global economic performance (44.6 percent) and financial risk including liquidity, volatility and credit risk (43.8 percent) were the fourth and fifth most pressing concerns, but were not in the Top 10 list of concerns in the summer survey. Business confidence also jumps into the Top 10, moving up 25 ranks from 34th out of 94 challenges to 9th. Those rating business confidence as being one of their “greatest concerns” rose four-fold from 9.1 percent in July/August to 36.3 percent in October.

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(Dec. 2, 2008) -- Our research helped us make an extremely important point," Gary LaBella, RVIA's vice president of marketing and public relations told industry professionals this morning. "That RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry's control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular." RVIA cost comparison and owner research was a major factor behind the positive coverage in a difficult year. “Our research helped us make an extremely important point,” said LaBella, “that RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry’s control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular.”

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