RV industry taking a hit

[hammersley]

The bigger question is will RV's be replaced????

For many yes - BUT I'll bet a whole lot of people will not do this because it requires an investment in a vehicle to haul that get's crummy fuel economy when you could have other options for transportation.



So I would think instead of TT's , either small lite ones or pop-up's will make a comeback OR people won't do this. Folks are being hit in all areas and many people will have their jobs gone because of ths spin of high fuel $$$$... Our Kids won't be able to enjoy what we did..... Oo.



I don't care how cheap they get - I ain't buying one..... and I hate to think that we're supporting OPEC buy using fuel hauling these that wouldn't be used otherwise.

 

[KKaminski]

The wife and I were returning from a weekend at an out-of-the-way campground on 6-1 and noticed that we were the only RV on the road! It's kinda sad that very few people have the means to use their RV's, much less afford them (as in some people we know).

 

[KBalzuweit]

There are several factors that will keep me doing rv vacations.



1. I can sleep in my OWN bed that I know is clean!! I don't care how much you pay for a hotel room, it still creeps me out.



2. We can eat home cooked meals, not fast food.



3. No matter how I figure it even with the higher fuel cost its still the less expensive way to travel (to most destinations).



4. Most of all my family enjoys it.



You can't sit around a campfire, make smores, talk, and have a beer at Holiday Inn. Plus when was the last time you carried on a conversation with the family in a hotel room next to you???



Yes the industry in in a downturn, but right now I am still running the wheels off my truck delivering new units and most dealers are still doing fine (atleast the ones I deliver new Jayco's to).

 

[AHarris]

There are several factors that will keep me doing rv vacations.



1. I can sleep in my OWN bed that I know is clean!! I don't care how much you pay for a hotel room, it still creeps me out.



2. We can eat home cooked meals, not fast food.



3. No matter how I figure it even with the higher fuel cost its still the less expensive way to travel (to most destinations).



4. Most of all my family enjoys it.



You can't sit around a campfire, make smores, talk, and have a beer at Holiday Inn. Plus when was the last time you carried on a conversation with the family in a hotel room next to you???



Yes the industry in in a downturn, but right now I am still running the wheels off my truck delivering new units and most dealers are still doing fine (atleast the ones I deliver new Jayco's to).

Amen brother!

 

[steved]

So I would think instead of TT's , either small lite ones or pop-up's will make a comeback OR people won't do this..... Oo.

The small ones are still selling like hotcakes around here... I can buy a newer, and much larger, 5vr cheaper than a smaller TT (one towable by a smaller SUV).

 

[hammersley]

Article in Today's Paper on RV's

High gas prices crimp RV lifestyle- OregonLive.com

 

[Regcabguy]

New Zealand solution.

Due to high taxation on fuel,New Zealand offers camping RV's based on cabover diesel powered trucks similiar to what you see delivering light freight all over. They're Nissans,Hinos etc. with manual trannies and complete with camper bodies mounted on the rear. My buddy rented one on his trip. The only hangup was driving on the left side. I was over in Austrailia in '79 and never did get used to it over the 4 months I stayed.

 

[AMink]

As RV'ing slows down, so will the economies of many small, out-of-the-way towns. Many of those little places depend on RV'ers for the bulk of their economy. No RV'ers=no economy=no jobs!:{ Same thing with campgrounds. As the $$ dry up, so will the jobs. It's a microcosm of the effect of higher fuel prices everywhere. I heard this morning GM is laying off thousands in 4 large vehicle plants in Canada, Mexico, and the US. And the Krispy Kreme in Reno closed because they can't afford to deliver their donuts to other venders! The sky is falling!

 

[Crash&Burn]

I look for some the RV manufactures to start making some "higher quality" smaller, low profile units. I know Airstream is out there, but who can afford 40,000 for a 19 footer?

I'll bet a light, low profile, 20 to 22 ft. could get 15 to 18 MPG with our CTD trucks!

 

[Bob4x4]

I get between 13. 5-17. 5 towing my 25"Airstream,just depends on my right foot



Bob

 

[Grizzly]

We were planning on making another trip to Alaska this summer, but due to the high cost of diesel we opted for shorter trips in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. We're not going to sit at home staring at our new 5er in the Trailerport. At todays diesel prices, an 11,000 mile round trip to Alaska would cost about $6,000 in diesel.

 

[Bob4x4]

All facets of american commerce will feel the effects.









From an employee of the Hershey company.



SAY GOODBYE TO HERSHEY



A sad story for those of us who remember growing up with Hershey bars, and just as sad for the generations of today. What will be outsourced next?



Pennsylvania is a big state, but it amazes me in this day how some news doesn't make it over the mountain to the front page of our papers or the top of our news hours in Western Pennsylvania.



Milton Hershey, this year, will be joining H. J. Heinz in rolling over in his grave. Hershey Chocolate is moving to MEXICO... whoopee!



They're even closing down Hershey Canada. By the way, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite and they are made by Hershey.



M. S. Hershey had a dream... I will buy my OWN sugar, milk, cocoa beans, (all natural mind you!) and make candy... (no tariffs etc. )



Even during the depression... He and the Company made money...



Thank you M. S. Hershey for all the things I have and all you have done for me and my family. 'I' do appreciate it... as for 'Dick' Lenny and Company, good luck you greedy, money loving...



You are ruining the name, the company, and MANY lives in central Pennsylvania



So Hershey executives are closing plants in the US, laying off over a thousand people and destroying Mr. Hershey's dream, all to cut labor, material costs and AVOID PAYING ANY US TAXES!



The company will save about $170 million a year. The top executives will still make their mega bucks and the laid off workers will have to find other jobs, some probably at minimum wage due to their age. All this to take their jobs to India, China and Mexico. These countries are no doubt laughing at the Americans.

 

[AMink]

The Hershey's story is partly true, according to snopes snopes.com: Hershey's Moves to Mexico

Still unfortunate that any company feels it needs to move out of the country to get out from under the government's thumb, or for greed.

 

[BradyWilliams]

Long trips with RV's will decline for a while. Shorter trips will increase for some and others will be too worried to use their RV because it may cost an extra 50-100 bucks in fuel. For me it has and will mean less hassle getting an RV spot at a State or National Park. Less pressure on Lakes etc. Last weekend we went to Lake Powell and met with water like glass, great weather and found a beach camp spot not far from the marina. Still had a great time and fuel costs were less because we didn't drive all over the lake like we have in the past. I think some people will still RV or Boat but will do it closer to home. Yes some have sold or dumped their RV's to save a few bucks on fuel but lost a bunch of cash when they panic'd about fuel costs. (Sold cheap) Thanks

 

[DonTX]

I have to make over 5000 miles of travel this summer, and it will be by my Dodge and fifth wheel. I will stop in the middle of the trip and go to Europe for a few weeks of travel by car. Gasoline in Germany was $8. 88 a gallon last week, so I guess the US travel will be the cheapest of all!

 

[SHobbs]

I am planning a trip to CO in Sept. and the 5er will have to stay home. To take it will cost nearly 1k in fuel without it it will be around 400. Would really like to take it but at 1k thats pretty steep.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The Hershey's story is partly true, according to snopes snopes.com: Hershey's Moves to Mexico

Still unfortunate that any company feels it needs to move out of the country to get out from under the government's thumb, or for greed.

Not to hijack - but the Hershey plant in Oakdale Ca. (my old home town!) was also closed for the move to Mexico - and was then quickly bought by a Bay Area candy maker who was glad to move out of their former area into a plant fully set up for their operation, a very welcome event for former Hershey workers and the community - maybe other areas that saw Hershey leave should seek similar buyers for the vacated Hershey operations...

 

[Grizzly]

I have to make over 5000 miles of travel this summer, and it will be by my Dodge and fifth wheel. I will stop in the middle of the trip and go to Europe for a few weeks of travel by car. Gasoline in Germany was $8. 88 a gallon last week, so I guess the US travel will be the cheapest of all!

Not unless your pulling a 5th wheel with the car. :-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

NO denying the downturn in larger RV sales - makes it sorta humorous/pathetic, the RV owners dumping their white elephants they no longer can afford to run, or want - but asking over valued pricing in hopes prospective buyers are too stupid to know what's going on as related to falling RV prices in what is now a buyer's market...



The longer they try to fool themselves with false fantasies, the more they eventually lose, as the market continues to fall thru the floor...

 

[KBalzuweit]

I am planning a trip to CO in Sept. and the 5er will have to stay home. To take it will cost nearly 1k in fuel without it it will be around 400. Would really like to take it but at 1k thats pretty steep.

That would depend on how long the trip is. Start adding up the costs of traveling without like hotels and food, and the difference will shrink rapidly. Unless you are staying at Motel 6 and eating at McDonlds every day:-laf. Myself I have found decent hotel rooms are all becoming $100-150, heck even motel 6 can be $60 now.