The RV Industry is not out of the woods just yet. Carriage Problems? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mktobob · RV-Dreams Family Member

The RV Industry is not out of the woods just yet. Carriage Problems?

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

The shame of things like this is WE THE PEOPLE could turn this ecomony around - forget the politicians - they all are not worth their feeble efforts. People need to push the economy forward and all manufacturers starting with the GAS companies need to accept less for profits and do their part to push the economy forward.

Just my opinion.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

That new has been on the Big board for a couple of days. I still haven't seen this confirmed, however if its true, its very sad. The Carriage RV's are well build, and the owners I know and have met are very satisfied with their unit.. I was in Elkhart and Goshen area in April, many of the builders were doing lot of work. Drv was running full steam, however Drv only builds what is sold. So there aren't a lot of the Suites just setting on the lot. I guess there were 20 5th wheel waiting to be shipped. Some of the Transport companies went out of business and it seem to be a shortage delivery people in getting them shipped. Some were picking up their 5th wheels in Elkhart. We are helping the economy all we can I bought two new Trucks a 2011 3500HD DRW's and traded it for a 2012 Chevy 3500HD and Delaine bough a 2011 Tahoe. And we will look at the new Drv Mobile Suites (new walk in Closet design???) at the Tampa RV show this Jan. But its doubtful we will be ungradeing anytime soon, finally got the 5th wheel the way we wanted it. Happy Trails......

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

For perspective, DRV, as but one example, changed their business model. Build less rigs, but make a profit on each one. They also own another rig manufacturing company (the name escapes me) that build lower end rigs, but a lot of them.

KZ went back to its roots. They are close to wide open building smaller and mid-priced trailers (5ers and tag) that can support their relatively large operation. They also build a limited number of the higher end rigs, but don’t overstock those somewhat like DRV.

I noticed when we were there a couple of months ago the delivery trucking firm, MDZ, was back in operation and hiring again.

Forks, who builds totally custom rigs (mostly 5ers) was likewise wide open but they build to spec and don’t maintain any stock. This likewise has turned out to be a good model for them. Small, but high end quality and they can build almost anything you want. I’ve seen some 5ers in build from them that are 53 feet long and indeed require a semi to pull them. They “are” a semi trailer that looks like an RV.

NuWa has also changed their business model eliminating the dealer and thus improving the price to the end consumer.

Point is, IMO it depends. Some will do well if they can adapt to the market they really know about and not concentrate on just "growing" each year.

Bill

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

The other company under Drv is call Cruzer, they will build a small 5th wheel in the near future. Happy Trails....