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05-13-2008, 01:03 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Excella
1962 16' Bambi
New Haven
, Connecticut
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 600
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WSJ - Economy Puts Tight Squeeze on RV Makers
Article discusses the current financial state for Coachmen, Fleetwood, and Winnebago and the rough patch those companies are going through.
See Economy Puts Tight Squeeze On RV Makers - WSJ.com
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05-13-2008, 01:12 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,342
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I saw a news item last night about a guy who had a big MH that got 7mpg. Instead of his usual trip he went to a CG 3 miles from home. That local campground's reservations were up 140% over last year.
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05-13-2008, 01:31 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Excella
1962 16' Bambi
New Haven
, Connecticut
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 600
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
I saw a news item last night about a guy who had a big MH that got 7mpg. Instead of his usual trip he went to a CG 3 miles from home. That local campground's reservations were up 140% over last year.
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As most in this forum already know, even with the price of fuel RVing still offers a great vacation value. If you add up the cost of plane tickets for a family of four, every meal out for a week, hotel, car rental or taxis, an extra couple of hundred bucks for fuel is still a vacation bargain.
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05-13-2008, 02:45 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,850
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I found it interesting that they discussed Fleetwood whose 2007 sales were $1,442,000,000 and Coachman whose 2007 sales were $481,000,000 but not Thor whose 2007 sales were $2,856,000,000. Perhaps the owner of Airstream is in better shape to weather this storm. One issue that Thor needs to resolve is that their financing partner, GMAC, has withdrawn from the RV business. They need to to replace GMAC and I am sure that they are working on a replacement.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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05-13-2008, 02:56 PM
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#5
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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From what I understand, Thor also has a bus segment that is in addition to the RV business.
Though I don't disagree that going RVing can be less expensive than taking a plane, adding hotel, meals, etc, that is not really the issue because those costs for non-RV camping have also increased.
The bottom line is that costs have now reached levels where income has not kept up. Until income increases to offset the rising costs, the point is moot because yes, the costs have gone up so high that folks may be hard pressed to do any type of vacation.
About 2 months ago, I saw a national news story where folks were doing just what has been suggested. Local vacations.
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05-13-2008, 02:59 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,850
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
From what I understand, Thor also has a bus segment that is in addition to the RV business.
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Yes, but bus sales are only $400 million of that total. The balance of $2,400,000,000 still makes Thor much larger than Fleetwood.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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05-13-2008, 03:04 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Alamo
, California
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 73
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As someone who is activily looking to purchase a new or nearly new 25' Airstream trailer after selling our boat (w/ 72 gallon tank X marine fuel costs that I believe will be $5+ / gallon this summer on Lake Tahoe), I'll take the cost of putting regular fuel in the Suburban gladly to pull a travel trailer & get the State / Federal camp ground "62 senior citizen" rates.
Tom
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05-13-2008, 03:12 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Excella
1962 16' Bambi
New Haven
, Connecticut
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 600
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wkerfoot
Yes, but bus sales are only $400 million of that total. The balance of $2,400,000,000 still makes Thor much larger than Fleetwood.Bill
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If Thor is holding it's own through a recession and soaring fuel costs coupled with a mortgage lending meltdown, that would have cut against the premise of the WSJ story of RV makers steering rough road.
A while back I read about high-brow economists using RV sales as a barometer of the state of the economy. I wonder how power boat manufacturers are doing.
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05-13-2008, 03:32 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Excella
1962 16' Bambi
New Haven
, Connecticut
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 600
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
The bottom line is that costs have now reached levels where income has not kept up. Until income increases to offset the rising costs, the point is moot because yes, the costs have gone up so high that folks may be hard pressed to do any type of vacation.
About 2 months ago, I saw a national news story where folks were doing just what has been suggested. Local vacations.
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One travel and entertainment company seems to be weathering the storm okay - last weeks announcement... "Disney Posts Higher Earnings - Theme Parks Stay Strong"
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05-13-2008, 03:38 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,242
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Rv holiday is still cheap.
I just finished driving from Toronto, Ontario to northern Georgia and then extensive driving on lots of state roads in Tennessee, ending in Nashville.
Then we drove back to Toronto. Total for gasoline: $925.00. (Yes, I pull my 31 foot Airstream with a gas powered Club wagon.)
Total for campgrounds was $325.00.
This was a three week holiday for two.
Food doesn't count since you eat anyway.
Find me a cheaper three week trip that also gives a change of scenery etc.
Al
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05-13-2008, 03:47 PM
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#11
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LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,048
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Let's not kid ourselves.
Yes, RVing is cheaper...unless you figure in the 20,000-50,000 it costs to buy a travel trailer, or GASP, a motorhome. And storage, insurance, license, maintainance, etc.
I think if you do the math, taking a trip by plane with hotels, meals etc, may be cheaper.
I guess you may get some money back if you resell.
I think the bottom line for us is we just like our hassle free way to travel by camper, rather than all the crap that is the alternative.
Jonathan
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
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05-13-2008, 04:10 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1967 28' Ambassador
1963 19' Globetrotter
1970 29' Ambassador
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazylev
Let's not kid ourselves...I think if you do the math, taking a trip by plane with hotels, meals etc, may be cheaper.
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Unless you have 5 kids in tow like I do.
We are looking forward to affordable vacations in our TT.
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05-13-2008, 04:11 PM
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#13
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Most of the places we like to go require some sort of sleeping arrangement close by the fire pit with some hot coffee and the smell of grillin' in the air, gathering with like minded folks...
Southwest Airlines & a Holiday Inn just don't compare.
I can go to most anywhere, set up and have my karma and poke around any "destination". And I can still return to our 'Stream. Our house on the road where I don't have to worry about whether or not someone has cleaned, mopped, wiped or replaced the linen so I don't cath some exotic, flesh eating disease...
Besides, I don't have to get dressed to have breakfast and laze around drinking that first cup of coffee in the morning...
Nope, it may cost more, requiring changes in the manner we plan and go on our trips but it's not going to stop us. Heck, ain't nothing wrong with feelin' a bit randy and doing some back-yard camping...
__________________
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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05-13-2008, 04:23 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazylev
Let's not kid ourselves.
Yes, RVing is cheaper...unless you figure in the 20,000-50,000 it costs to buy a travel trailer, or GASP, a motorhome. And storage, insurance, license, maintainance, etc.
I think if you do the math, taking a trip by plane with hotels, meals etc, may be cheaper.
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My first night in my Airstream cost me $25,000, yes a hotel would have been cheaper. The second night was at half price.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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05-13-2008, 04:33 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Anywhere &
, Everywhere
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,090
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Well I'm at Jackson Center in the Terraport and this afternoon I filled up at the gas station right at the entrance to Airstream and it was 3.77. Just walked up to the road and they've jumped to 3.93 - 16 cents in one jump. At some point this is going to start hurting the RV industy like hell. I suspect it is already. Took the tour yesterday and they're turning out about 35 a week which is down from the 42 a year ago and a lot more than that 2 years ago.
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05-13-2008, 06:03 PM
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#17
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
"Let's not kid ourselves.
Yes, RVing is cheaper...unless you figure in the 20,000-50,000 it costs to buy a travel trailer, or GASP, a motorhome. And storage, insurance, license, maintainance, etc.
I think if you do the math, taking a trip by plane with hotels, meals etc, may be cheaper.
I guess you may get some money back if you resell.
I think the bottom line for us is we just like our hassle free way to travel by camper, rather than all the crap that is the alternative.
Jonathan"
All the more reason to buy used equipment. I bought both trailer and truck for just under $30,000 (see signature). With repairs, upgrades, etc to the trailer and some maintenance on the truck I am still at way under $40. More specifically, the trailer "cost" is still well under $20. We lived full time in it for seven months, and not a lot more is needed.
A used A/S, ready to roll, ought to actually be worth a bit more due to the fuel economy increase over a SOB; a very good selling point. There is a silver lining in every storm cloud.
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05-13-2008, 07:17 PM
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#18
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Classic 30
Sum Wear
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 594
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Quote:
Originally Posted by munimula
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Hey munimula,
Thanks a million for posting that article. Interesting how the housing market has affected RV sales. Amazing how everything is linked together, and how the effect of greed in one sector of our economy ripples across most other sectors. Almost nothing goes unaffected.
Thanks again
__________________
"Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast" - Oscar Wilde
2500HD DMax............30' Classic
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