RV Weekly Round-Up (Oct. 3-9, 2009)

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

1. Former FEMA trailer park in Convent, LA, is filling a key housing need: Mark Anderson is converting a former FEMA trailer park in Convent, LA, into the Sugar Hill RV Resort. A recreational vehicle resort that was originally aimed at luring RV enthusiasts is instead providing much-needed housing to industrial workers in the River Parishes. Residents include employees at the local refineries and plants, as well as an influx of construction workers hired to expand the Marathon refinery in Garyville.

2. Elkhart’s English sister city — without its sibling’s woes: MSNBC’s Jennifer Carlile reports on the economic perseverance of English beer brewing capital Burton-upon-Trent. The town has diversified its industrial base, cushioning the blow from the global economic downturn as well as the decline in its dominant economic engine. While both cities each have around 53,000 residents and rely heavily on manufacturing, their experiences have varied greatly.

3. Time for a Brake: RV handling expert blogger Robert Henderson discusses a few after-market products to install on your RV for better (and safer) braking. From diesel or gasoline engine braking to supplemental dinghy braking, Robert discusses some ways to supplement the factory stock brakes and reduce wear-and-tear on your braking system.

4. Campgrounds and RV Parks Stay Busy This Year Despite the Recession: Campground and RV park occupancies and revenues have largely kept pace with 2008 figures, despite the recession, according to an informal survey of parks by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). “The campground and RV park business continues to be the most vibrant segment of the travel and tourism industry,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds in Larkspur, Colo., which represents commercially owned parks nationwide.