RV industry must be slow!

[Bug Out]

Rumor has it that Forest River has closed for a week in Rialto, Ca. Anyone have any info?





The other rumor is that the designer or owner of Weekend Warrior has gone there and is working for FR.





Ok folks. . get the satellites going. . lets get the latest rumors confirmed or denied... . LOL



The owner of Berkshire Hathaway ( Owner of FR ) is still spending money.





Ed

 

[HBarlow]

Not reported in RV Industry News but probably true. When dealers don't order new units the factories cannot continue paying production employees indefinitely. Brief shutdowns are the way they often try to deal with the problem.



It could also be the first indication of a pending failure as well. That's the way the news comes out sometimes but some of the "temporary shut downs" become permanent.



I was saddened when Travel Supreme, then Teton, even Alfa went out of business but if Forest River fades away I won't shed a tear.

 

[BK]

That reminds me of something I recently witness...



About 1. 5 years ago, when the 1st big gas price increase came with hovering news of no end in sight, the SUV sales sunk to the bottom.

One of my potential customers, that made "units" for one of the big 3 for SUVs, went from making ~4,000 units a month to 90, and then nothing with in 1 month. That month they did a forced vacation for 2wks. During that time that company was putting together the plans of what todo with that particular plant and others. When people came back, they were handed their options and were to make their choices by the end of the week or two... .



The new work for other the new vehicles went to plants south of the boarder, equipment from most of the USA plants went down south too. Not only did it take care of their problem with the sales of the "units" for SUVs, but it let them get out from under the big old salaries in those plants they shuttered , as well as getting out from under the unions.



Some people were given offers to be hired for new positions within the consolidated structure of the new USA facilities, as new employees, at new lower pay rates and less beni's.

 

[Bug Out]

Alpenlite?

I think Alpenlite is gone too. They made a real nice unit. I had a 2001 36 Stone Creek model that was solid as a rock.

 

[RJWEST]

Alpenlite made a great Sponge ( T/C ), Sucked up every drop of water within 20 feet. .

 

[jack-green]

rec veh slow down

Just bought a sundance from best buy rv in richmond in. they consolidated 3 stores into one and layed off over 18 people. great people to work with.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Alpenlite made a great Sponge ( T/C ), Sucked up every drop of water within 20 feet. .

And here I thought Alfa had a corner on this :-laf

 

[R C Cola]

R V Industry ?

Sales are down, dealers are closing or being bought out by larger dealers,

deliveries are down at least 90% in the yards I pull out of. If my truck wasn't paid for I would already be out of the business. Presently looking for work. The honest sources of info do not see any improvement in the near future. This is from personal observation and experience.

 

[Bug Out]

Sales must be down by the same

If your deliveries are down 90%, sales echo that too. It would be a great time to buy if in the market for a RV, provided you get one that the company does not fold soon after. .

 

[BK]

But like the surprises in the financial sector, I would think it would be a crap shoot to figure out who really makes it out the other end of this period.





My camper was totalled about 3 years ago. With both my job and the company being new, I didn't want to get tied down with another loan till things took off.

And now it's killing me, like you said should be a great time to buy. I know of one dealer dying for sales, and I don't think he'll be pulling through the other side. Another was doing bad enough, in the spring he was investigated and all his inventory repossessed. He is accused of playing games with the units he sold. Not reporting them sold, so there fore not paying the loans off. He had a HUGE new lot filled with buses and tow-ables. It was the biggest on the Island. He had soo many they had to use repo lots spread over two counties. They left him with his rentals. He's trying to sell most of the land to balance his books (as reported in the newspapers). I'm not sure he'll make it through this.



For me, with most of our target customers being in the financial sector, I need to shed debt, not take on more and just buckle down.

Otherwise, yea, I think I would be shopping.

Same for a new car, my wife wants one, and my daughter wants my wife's '97 Altima, but it's too risky to take on a car loan right now.

The whole economy is slowly grinding down. About a year ago we started loosing car dealer around here.

 

[MSicotte]

Things are slow up here in Canada too. I've been looking a 5th wheel at a local dealer for a couple of weeks. They call me every few days and add a little extra to try and make the deal. The price dropped $2k and tax was included the first time I looked at it. Since then, no charge 5th wheel hitch and installation, no charge 1500 watt inverter, no charge to swap over my solar system. From what I've been able to research the starting price was lower than most ($45k), so its getting harder and harder to not say yes to the deal.

 

[MMeier]

Next 3-5 months are going to be heck for everyone involved with the industry. :{

 

[AABEN]

There is a report in your last TDR book about the RV . There is three companies that has gone under or sold out Jayco bought out Travel Supreme Alpine trailers and coaches have closed their doors. National RV is also closing their doors. Fleetwood has bought out some one I jest can't thank of the name Looks bad--But was bad in the 70s but they came out of it! I hope the ones that is up and going well make it this time!!

 

[HBarlow]

Sales are down, dealers are closing or being bought out by larger dealers,

deliveries are down at least 90% in the yards I pull out of. If my truck wasn't paid for I would already be out of the business. Presently looking for work. The honest sources of info do not see any improvement in the near future. This is from personal observation and experience.

I know it is bad and feel sincere concern for you guys that are still trying to make it transporting. I loved transporting but for me it only lasted three years. Late last October I looked at fuel prices and my net income and decided it was time to go home. I had no idea it would get as bad as it has but knew it was going to be slow for awhile.



Now would be the time to get into repo'ing trailers/motorhomes. A friend told me the auctions in SoCal were busy with RV repo units.