FEMA: Trailer Demand Outstripped Supply

Residents of New Orleans and nearby areas clobbered by Hurricane Katrina continue to clamor for temporary trailers to ease a housing crunch. But, according to a report in the Times Picayune, industry experts say the official claim that units are coming soon is a pipe dream. “I feel for these people who’ve lost homes and think the posse is coming because it’s not, not like they think it is,” said Mike Fulmer, owner of Berryland in Hammond, Louisiana’s largest trailer... Read more

Agenda Set for Largest-ever Louisville Show

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) sold-out 43rd Annual National RV Trade Show, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Louisville, Ky., will showcase 2006 products along with the newly expanded Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) . The KEC underwent the first of several planned renovation phases this year, adding 166,500 gross square feet with the opening of the new South Wing C, featuring high ceilings, new lighting and virtually column-free public space. RVIA said the additional space will make this... Read more

Woodworth Sells Collection to Hall of Fame

RV historian David Woodworth has sold his 1,800-piece collection of historic RVs and camping paraphernalia to RV/MH Heritage Foundation Inc., which will display the collection in a new Hall of Fame/Museum currently under construction south of the Indiana Toll Road near Elkhart, Ind. “This collection is the finest in the world,” said James McGee, chairman of the Heritage Foundation board and president of Action Homes, Inc., Columbia, Tenn. “It is a real good fit to go along with... Read more

FreedomRoads Acquires Camping Time RV

Chicago area-based FreedomRoads LLC recently acquired Camping Time RV, a Georgia dealership chain with three retail outlets headed by Martin Zonnenberg. With the acquisition, FreedomRoads now owns and operates 57 locations in 21 states with annual revenue approaching $1.5 billion. “Camping Time RV is key to our growth plans in our Atlantic Coast region where we intend to increase our market penetration by 15% to 20% and operate in an additional four to five markets within this territory in... Read more

Serious Foam Shortage Afflicting Industry

One of the side effects of the recent spate of hurricanes and the disruption of the nation’s southern petrochemical processing plants is a nagging shortage of foam – that substance the industry tends to take for granted used for padding in seating, bedding and furniture. Manufacturers and fabricators, the companies that buy it in bulk and cut it to fit any variety of uses, are all on allocations from their suppliers. And industry sources report the prices for what they can get have skyrocketed... Read more

Bad Weather Slows Pomona Show Traffic

Rainy, windy cold weather that closed down the 53rd California RV Show for a day and a half hampered attendance and ultimately contributed to a 7.7% drop in show traffic. “It got fairly chilly during the week, and being closed and losing that time affected attendance,” said Mary “Mike” Hutya, vice president of meetings and shows for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the retail show’s sponsor. Hutya reported that 35,496 people – down from a record... Read more

Monaco’s 3Q Loss Snaps Profitability Streak

Monaco Coach Corp. reported its first losing quarter after 48 straight quarters of profitability since becoming a public company, resulting in the elimination of approximately 225 non-production related jobs. Corroborating a preliminary report issued Oct. 18, the Coburg, Ore.-based builder incurred a $6 million loss in the company’s third quarter and a 17% drop in revenues, which also impacted nine-month results. Revenues for the nine months decreased 12.6% to $930 million from $1.06 billion last... Read more

Featherlite Enjoys Earnings, Sales Growth

Featherlite Inc., a builder of specialty aluminum trailers, transporters and luxury motorcoaches, reported a 31% increase in revenue during the company’s third quarter, ended Sept. 30. Sales during the quarter rose from $45.2 million a year ago to $59.3 million while net income increased to $1.1 million versus $900,000. For the first nine months, net sales increased 6.3% to $169.7 million from $159.7 million the year prior. Net income was flat during the period at $3.6 million compared with $3.7... Read more

RPTIA Takes Action on ‘Front Porch’ Issue

During its annual meeting Thursday (Oct. 27) in Middlebury, Ind., the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA) addressed building practices on front porch areas that could lead to reclassification of units as manufactured homes. According to a report in the South Bend Tribune, RPTIA voted to better define what constitutes a porch. Park trailers cannot be larger than 400 square feet, not counting the porch, according to regulations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development... Read more

Fleetwood Introduces 2006 Gearbox Line

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. is offering two different construction formats in the 2006 GearBox sport utility towable (SURV) lineup – the entry-level S-2, with wood and aluminum construction, and the mid-priced S-4 with laminated fiberglass sidewalls. Base retailing from $21,742, the 2006 GearBox also features Sportsman and Motorsports option packages with amenities aimed at two distinct markets – the outdoorsman and NASCAR fan. “The 2006 GearBox has evolved to be even more cross-functional,”... Read more

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