RV Weekly Round-Up (July 18-24, 2009)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news, events and video from this past week.

1. Portable Power & Light: Brian Brawdy shows us his favorite portable power units and headlamps–perfect for those emergency situations or boondocking adventures when you need safe, reliable power and lighting off the grid. Watch the portable power video now!

2. Bargain Hunting & Sightseeing at World’s Longest Yard Sale: Here’s a reminder in case you didn’t see my earlier post about the longest yard sale around. It’s happening August 6-9, 2009 along Highway 127 from Gadsden, Alabama on up to West Unity, Ohio.

3. AIP’s acquisition of Fleetwood RV seeks to recapture company’s lost glory: American Industrial Partners and RV manufacturer Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. finalized a deal for AIP’s acquisition of Fleetwood’s RV Division for some $33.2 million–much less than the original $53 million offer. Read the article for details of the Fleetwood deal and what it means for RVers.

4. RVers Send Hugs From Home to Troops Overseas: The Timber Valley Escapees in Sutherlin, Oregon are supporting our troops overseas by making care packages filled with things that the soldiers love to get from home. If you’d like to do something similar for troops from your neck o’ the woods, you can contact your regional military installation, or find a branch of Give 2 the Troops near you where you can drop off care package items. You can also make a secure financial donation online to the USO, where your contribution will be used to bring a touch of home to military personnel stationed overseas. A full 89¢ out of every $1.00 donated to the USO is spent on the delivery of programs and services to our troops! (I know it made a difference to my dad when he was deployed overseas 20 years ago). Watch the video report from KPIC News to see the Timber Valley Escapees prepare care packages.

5. 10 Low Cost Mods You Can Make to Your RV: In today’s economy, RV owners are either trying to sell their RV to reduce their month cash outlay, or are hanging on to them instead of trading them in on something “bigger and better.” Those who are keeping their RV are instead modifying them with doodads and gizmos to suit their personal needs. Read the list of low-cost RV modifications you can do yourself to enhance your rig, from RV tech expert blogger Mark Corgan.