Curtin: Shipments up 8.4% For 2013, 4% in ’14

Richard Curtin RV industry analyst Richard Curtin revised upward his forecast for the recreational vehicle industry’s wholesale shipments in 2013 to 309,800 units, representing an 8.4% increase from the 2012 total of 285,749. Presented during the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Joint Committee Luncheon today (June 3), Curtin also stated that RV shipments are expected to rise for a fifth straight year in 2014 with wholesale production expected to reach 321,800 units, a gain of... Read more

GE Capital a Platinum Partner for RVDA Confab

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) announced that GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF), is a Platinum Partner of the 2013 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, Sept. 30–Oct. 4, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. According to a press release, the convention is sponsored by RVDA, RVDA of Canada and the RV Learning Center. “The support of GE Capital and our other partners allows RVDA and the RV Learning Center to meet dealers’ continuing... Read more

Peterson Unveils Slideout Entry Door on Excel

Excel fifth-wheel equipped with slideout entry door With a great deal of fanfare, Peterson Industries Inc., Smith Center, Kan., has introduced an entry door within a slideout in its high-end Excel Winslow fifth-wheel line — an innovation made possible by a set of locking exterior steps that fold up against the door. The new door configuration debuted during a 15-minute live video Friday afternoon on the company’s website hosted by Peterson President Bryan Tillett, who termed the innovation... Read more

Doug Gaeddert: RV Industry is Off and Running

RVIA Chairman Doug Gaeddert Editor’s Note: The following is a column from Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Chairman Doug Gaeddert that appears in the latest  issue of RVIA Today. Gaeddert, general manager for Forest River Inc., expounds on the industry’s strong first quarter, RVIA’s plan to aid the RV transport companies, and a look at Committee Week in Washington, D.C. Wow! I can’t believe that this is already the third time I’ve put some of my thoughts on paper... Read more

RVIA: April Shipments Show 19% YOY Increase

Wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs were measured at 32,054 units in April, a gain of 10.8% over last month and a 19% increase over the same month last year. The April monthly level of RV shipments represented a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 315,000 units, the best April total in six years. Totals for all towable RVs were reported at 28,274 units in April this year, the best April total for towables since 2007. Motorhome totals reached 3,780 units this month, their best April since... Read more

First ‘Partners in Progress’ Meetings Scheduled

The first five Partners in Progress brand committee meetings have been scheduled for this year’s RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, running Sept. 30-Oct. 4 in Las Vegas. According to a press release, the annual confabs allow dealers and their manufacturers to discuss important brand-specific issues in a confidential and candid environment. Scheduled meetings include: * Sept. 30: Keystone RV Co. retailers and manufacturer officials will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dutchmen Manufacturing... Read more

KOA Reports Fast Start for Summer’s Bookings

  KOA reports a good increase in campground reservations for this season. Summer camping at the 485 Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) locations around North America is off to a fast start, according to numbers released this week by KOA, the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds. KOA’s advanced registrations for the Memorial Day Weekend are up more than 4% over the same period in 2012. Advanced reservations for the entire summer peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) are... Read more

SSI: Towable Sales Flat in March, Decrease 1%

Year-over-year retail towable sales were flat in March, down 1.1%, while registrations for the first quarter showed an 8.1% gain. According to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc., results showed: • Sales for the high-volume travel trailer sector edged up 0.6% in March and rose 9.2% for the two months. • Fifth-wheel registrations slid 3.6% for the month but increased 7.8% year-to-date. • Folding camping trailer sales fell 12.7% in March and 3.6% year-to-date. • Recreational... Read more

Keystone Rolls Out New 30-Foot Laredo Trailer

Interior of Keystone Laredo 274RB travel trailer Keystone RV Co.’s Laredo is targeting a fast growing segment of the RV market as it continues to add half-ton towable, lightweight travel trailers to its product line. According to a press release, the latest installment is Laredo’s new 30-foot 274RB island kitchen travel trailer. “What we’ve done here at Laredo is roll out some fantastic floorplans with our ‘Life-Size Lightweight’ package,” says Product Manager Adam Smith. “We’ve... Read more

ASV is Emerging as Major Motorhome Player

Fleetwood RV's John Draheim In the wake of its announced acquisition of Navistar Inc.’s RV operations, Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) has begun assembling the pieces for its emergence as a major player in the motorhome segment. Faced with a raft of organizational and engineering challenges, ASV has mapped out a strategy that will consolidate the building of four high-profile motorhome brands at its campus in Decatur, Ind., while also realigning its corporate structure. “We will be manufacturing... Read more

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