Must Be The Economy - RV-Dreams Community Forum

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Must Be The Economy

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am hoping that families, couples and singles are reviving RVing/camping. If you notice the ads, you can get those smaller trailers for a really reasonable monthly payment and when they entice them with the fact that they can pull it with the vehicle they already own........ Also, they are really scaling down the motor homes, the B+ is popular and Thor has a new Class A on a Class C chassis that is really cute but out of our price range. Also, when it comes to selling used, the smaller units sell much quicker. Right now, the used market is flooded with big Class As and 5th wheels. They have done a really cute retro, on the outside looks almost original, of the Winnebago Brave when it looked sort of like a bread box and Shasta is doing a small retro trailer that is awesome but probably like the price tag will be! So many choices and it is good to see one of the few industries left in the US doing a little better.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are friends to the owners of at least two RV dealerships in Oklahoma. One is a multi-brand dealership in Oklahoma City from whom we have purchased three different RV's and the third are a mom and pop dealership dealing primarily with the DRV Suites brand in Elk City, Oklahoma. After a year or so following the housing bust in 2008, I commented on the big dealer as to whether they were having trouble with sales. He told me that their business was actually doing quite well. Speculation at the time was that folks were buying RV's that could be used almost anywhere.

The mom and pop dealership in Elk City with the DRV Suites brand are actually within the top five sellers of DRV Suites products in the nation. (Likely may be either #1 or #2 right now.) They even have units sold before they even get them on their lot. And, as you well know, the DRV Suites aren't small products.

Terry

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

From my personal experience only: I have seen a "downsizing" trend among some of our friends, from motor homes to trailers. The maintenance costs are the reasons mentioned.

Another reason you may be seeing smaller trailers is that I personally know more than one couple that have large 5th wheels that they live in, but still have a small unit to camp in!

-- Edited by Dog Folks on Monday 25th of August 2014 03:43:29 PM

cavalry6869 · RV-Dreams Community Member

IMHO.......I believe a lot of the smaller trailers and popups that you see may be the first time into the RV world. We have met several families that are just starting out and are trying this to see if it fits their families. Also, some of them that have upgraded from tent camping into their first trailer or popup.

On the other hand are the Baby Boomers. Some of them are going right to the MH or huge 5th wheel.

We on the other hand have owned TTs mostly since 1986. We just replaced our last used TT with another used TT. Two years away from retirement and five years from our first MH. We love it.

-- Edited by cavalry6869 on Monday 25th of August 2014 05:07:03 PM

Selah · RV-Dreams Family Member

The economy is doing very well and has rebounded nicely taking the RV industry with it. The last statistic I remember is that there has been a 27% increase in sales and production. I believe the reason you are seeing more smaller RVs is that more people are buying the first ones as well as younger people getting into the RV life style.

Just my opinion.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Junkman wrote:
compared to what and when ?

27% of a little.. is still a little..

In honesty.. I have no idea what the rv industry looked like 8 years ago..

-- Edited by The Junkman on Monday 25th of August 2014 08:47:45 PM

Not sure about the time frame they are referring to but as far as the 27% is concerned......wouldn't you like your disposable income to go up by 27% ?

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I see a handful of new smaller manufacturers entering the market and the larger ones adding to their lines after a long dry spell so I would say there is definite recovery. I don't think the economy has recovered but people have adjusted to a lower standard of living and many have adjusted their priorities to fit their budgets. The RV industry is very competitive which has driven down the quality and put the best out of business some time ago. Nothing like the classics.

mpierce · RV-Dreams Family Member

GENECOP wrote:
The Junkman wrote:
compared to what and when ?

27% of a little.. is still a little..

In honesty.. I have no idea what the rv industry looked like 8 years ago..

-- Edited by The Junkman on Monday 25th of August 2014 08:47:45 PM
Not sure about the time frame they are referring to but as far as the 27% is concerned......wouldn't you like your disposable income to go up by 27% ?

Disposable income, on the average, is LESS today than it was 10 years ago. The economy as a whole is very slowly improving, but the INDIVIDUAL disposable income is actually LOWER than it was 10 years ago. We need the individuals income to start going up, then the economy will take off.

The Sages · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am probably in the minority here, but if I purchase another unit it will be smaller then my current 31' TT. We really don't need this much space as we are outside most of the time. I did a swell job of reducing our "stuff" and I just don't need to be hauling around extra space. So yes, I would definitely go for the smaller size

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

"On the other hand are the Baby Boomers. Some of them are going right to the MH or huge 5th wheel." That's us, almost. Part of it is comfort - as we get older we want more comfortable surroundings. Part of it is full-timing - if you don't have a S&B you have to take everything with you, and that requires space. Part of it is economic - many boomers retire with a reasonable nest egg and can afford to buy something a bit nicer. That isn't us, unfortunately, so we went older to get the nicer.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ditto: I've been out here for years for the same reason ....

It cost no more to live in an RV than in an S&B.....money opportunities are better being mobile

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We can afford a larger MH but have no desire to own one - there's just two of us. I don't know if we're the minority.

Property values have increased 23% in the two years we have had our S&B and projections are another 8% increase by the end of the year. The numbers for homes under 2000 sq ft are the best. Personally I think many people came to their senses and realized that they didn't need all that space and all that stuff to be happy. It is a positive trend I believe. Hopefully as the economy continues to improve, people will not forget what's been learned.

Love the "behind the ice chest".....those are the neighbors I want in a park/CG!!

Jodee

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like "RV Business" on line as it gives updates on the manufacturers and what they are doing, how things are going, etc. Most of my family live within 40 miles of Elkhart and when the RV industry wanes, the area hurts! People are learning to live on less and from what I understand, are starting to vacation much closer to home.

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we were fulltiming we traded up in size several times. In a 33' 5th Wheel we found that all we had done was add more space for "stuff" and add more weight on the truck. For two people and three cats we don't need that much. When we go again, it will be in a shorter unit, maybe one slide out living room, no more. Our vintage 28' fiver without slides is perfect for now.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Update to my original post. I recently completed a round trip from LA to Seattle staying mostly on I-5. On my way up I conducted an un-scientific poll and kept a mental tally of the RVs I passed. It came out nearly equal small RVs (20 ft & under) to large RVs (35 + feet). Very few mid-length 22 to 32 ft.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

That sounds about the same for what I see on the interstates here in SoCal. We are just south of the Grapevine on I-5 and what I've noticed is the increase in Class B's and the decrease in Class C's. And the Class A's are mostly over 38'. All of the 5ers seem to be huge!!

At least our 34' MH will be more unique (when we get it)

Jodee

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Also I'll note.. for Las Vegas, And I see in FL.. Many rv'ers are not moving at all.

During the week you can drive by a park and spot the ones living in them.. they don't travel, They stay put and live. Thousands of them in Vegas.. I expect there are many more here in FL. As it seems the economy is much worse here..