Camping World Prepares for Utah Store Opening

Camping World will be opening its newest retail location in St. George, Utah, according to a press release. The company currently operates over 80 locations in the U.S.

Camping World of St. George, located just off I-15 at exit 6, will encompass both a Camping World retail store and Camping World RV Sales dealership. It is in the facilities formerly occupied by Painters RV.

The tentative grand opening celebration is slated for April. The company is looking to hire at least 30 employees to increase their sales, service and support needs for this local dealership.

“We look forward to having Camping World serve the Southern Utah community,” said Camping World RV Sales President Roger Nuttall. “Not only do we have great expectations for Camping World of St. George as a retail location, as a native of St. George, I am excited about our opportunity to contribute to the community and the surrounding area.”

 

 

 

Massachusetts Show Will Mark 50th Anniversary

The Springfield, Mass., RV Camping and Outdoor Show, marking its 50th year, will open Friday (Feb. 17) and run for four days at the Eastern States Exposition Center.

According to a report by The Republican, the show attracted some 37,000 attendees last year and has grown over the years to become one of the longest-running shows of its kind in New England.

Visitors will find exhibits by many major RV dealers who offer a wide range of equipment from basic pop-up tent trailers to luxury RVs, as well as campgrounds and dozens of outdoor equipment and camping specialty suppliers. Over 200 exhibitors will set up displays in several buildings on the fairgrounds.

“Campgrounds today are getting more family-oriented,” said show chairman Angelo Zeni. “They’re not just selling space, but offering activities and amenities. You’ll find Christmas in July celebrations at some camps and pot luck dinners, as well as some bringing in bands to perform and offering everything from pools to game rooms and even Wi-Fi.”

Travel Town Trailers of Southwick, one of the many RV dealers attending this weekend’s show, has been with the event since its inception. A family owned business since 1962, the company has its own niche in the RV industry selling park models.

“We don’t go to a lot of shows, but this is one of the best. It’s all done with volunteers who are members of a campground association,” said owner David Spillane. “We’ve been through all the cycles, the ups and downs of the RV industry, and without a doubt, we have been seeing an upswing in the past few years. People are always going to have leisure time, and they may give up some other things, but they’re always going to want to enjoy their vacation whether its RVing or participating in other recreational sports.”

He added, “What we are selling are recreational park trailers for destination camping that look like actual homes. We deliver these trailers to where the buyer wants them. Then, as part of destination camping, they leave their home on Friday in their own car, which is more economical, and usually travel one or two hours away, only to return home on Sunday.”

In honor of the 50th annual show, organizers will be awarding a grand prize of $5,000 to some lucky attendee who deposits their admission ticket in the prize area in Mallary Arena. The show is produced by volunteer members of Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 (PV8) of the North American Family Campers Association (NAFCA).

 

 

N.J. Show Dealers Hope Sales Uptick Continues

When the economy faltered in 2007, the recreational-vehicle industry nosedived after five years of historic highs as Americans tightened discretionary spending and the credit market froze.

According to a report in the Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), sales of the camping-friendly vehicles now are rebounding, a welcome trend in a region home to most of the state’s campgrounds.

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reported 252,000 RV shipments in 2011, the industry’s highest in four years. And while the industry originally expected little growth in 2012, a recent uptick in sales and attendance at RV shows has analysts rethinking prospects for the year, said Kevin Broom, spokesman for RVIA.

“The RV industry has been a leading economic indicator for the past number of recessions,” Broom said. “RV shipments go down first because RVs are discretionary purchases that are typically financed. When consumer confidence drops, people aren’t as confident about borrowing money. We think the outlook has improved for 2012.”

RVs are a big player in the region’s tourism industry, which abounds with seasonal campgrounds. Cape May and Atlantic counties have about half of the state’s campgrounds, according to the New Jersey Campground Owners Association. Many others are in Ocean County.

Signs of growth will be sought at the annual Atlantic City RV Show running Feb. 17-19 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The show has a big impact at Driftwood RV Center, which has locations in Dennis and Egg Harbor townships, said John Worthington, marketing director for the business.

“It’s a huge percentage of our first quarter, but more than that it sets the tone for the year,” Worthington said. “If you have a strong show, there will be a lot of people who go to the show, get excited, but may not be ready to pull the trigger. But a month and a half after the show, some will return to the dealership.”

The nationwide RV industry hit a low in 2009, when 165,000 units were shipped, the industry association said. That was the second consecutive year in which shipments dropped about 30%. Shipments represent new RVs delivered from manufacturers to dealers.

In 2006, 390,500 RVs were shipped, the highest number in more than 30 years.

Broom said the industry saw a turnaround in 2010, when shipments rose to 242,300, a rise of 46% from the previous year. Shipments rose about 4% in 2011, he said.

As the industry experienced these changes over the past five years, many RV manufacturers redesigned products, using different materials to make them lighter and more fuel efficient, Broom said. Towable RVs make up more than 85% of sales, he said.

As Americans’ preferences shifted from large SUVs to smaller vehicles, manufacturers began producing lighter trailers that could be towed by smaller vehicles such as minivans and crossovers, he said.

Worthington said Driftwood has seen that trend as well, as more shoppers search for environmentally friendly construction and lighter vehicles.

“They’re making them lighter, easier to tow,” he said. “People may not have the sizeable trucks they had a few years ago.”

 

 

RVDA Poll: Most Dealers Upbeat on Coming Year

Dealers surveyed in January generally have an upbeat outlook for the 2012 retail market and most feel their inventory levels are just right, according to the latest issue of RV Executive Today Online.

About 58% believe the RV retail market in January was the same as it was a year earlier, and 42%t believe it was better.

The survey showed that 75% of the respondents say there’s an adequate amount of credit available for inventory financing, and 71% say there’s adequate credit available for their retail customers.

For more survey results and charts, see the March issue of RV Executive Today, coming soon.

Attendance Up, Sales Flat for Fort Wayne Show

Attendance was up 20-25% from previous years at Indiana’s 52nd annual Fort Wayne RV and Camping Show, which took place at the Memorial Coliseum Feb. 2-5.

The show featured nine RV dealers from around the state, with 150 brand new RVs for sale, along with representatives from 25 area campgrounds.

“It’s a buyers marketplace,” said show director Mark Bowersox, who also serves as executive director for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association-Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (IMHA-RVIC). “They can look at what they want and see what they like from one dealer. They can go across to the next dealer and compare models, and colors, and floor plans, and of course pricing, so it’s a great opportunity for people to come and buy.”

And the massive jump in attendance from last year’s show was particularly encouraging for Bowersox.

“That’s a good sign for the RV industry in particular, but also it’s a sign that the economy has stabilized and strengthened,” he said.

Unfortunately, the high number of people coming through the show didn’t translate into increased sales for one vendor.

Hank Schrock, owner of Total Value RV in Elkhart, said he had sold one RV during this year’s show, with another two going through financing. They usually sell six or seven RVs during the four-day show.

“This year’s slowed down a little bit,” said Schrock. “We expect more (sales), but we will get some residual from the show, people coming to the dealership.”

Edmonton Show to Highlight Lightweight Units

Reflecting a growing trend among Canadian RV buyers, lightweight travel trailers will be showcased at the Feb. 9-12 Edmonton RV Expo and Sale at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

The Edmonton Journal reported that Bill Burnett, president of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association of Alberta, said there are a lot more small trailers now than there were in years past that can be pulled by vehicles such as a minivan with 3,500-pound towing capacity.

“The market is polarizing,” Burnett said. “There’s lots of really big stuff, but there’s also that part of the market for trailers pulled by family vehicles. The industry has stepped up with trailers under 3,000 pound.”

Consumers can expect to see a selection of more than 400 RVs, including tent and travel trailers, fifth-wheels, park models and Class A, B and C motorhomes at the 32nd annual show.

In the larger units, lots of fifth-wheels are offering living rooms at the front of the trailer — the part that’s over the hitch, Burnett said. It’s an idea from the 1980s that’s making a comeback. A benefit of this floorplan is that it provides “an awesome view” from the living room, he said.

But this layout is not for small trailers. “It takes over 35 feet to pull off the front living room,” Burnett said.

A change on higher-end units such as Class A motorhomes is the use of automotive-style paint jobs rather than using decals to achieve the exterior look the manufacturer wants. These paint jobs are longer lasting than decals that will show the impact of sun and weather on units that are, for example, parked in Arizona for several months every year, Burnett said.

Burnett, sales manager at Trailblazer RV, expects dealers will be in a competitive mood at the show. Edmonton is a market with a full slate of RV dealers. In addition to dealers, the show will have a variety of other exhibitors including campgrounds, tourism areas and golf courses.

Dan Merkowsky, RVDA of Canada executive vice-president, pointed to one part of the show that has changed for 2012: The lifestyles theater has been dropped.

The theater attracted only a small percentage of those attending the show, Merkowsky said. Those who attended presentations usually went to sessions on one or two topics, leaving all the others virtually empty.

There will also be more than 30 tourism destinations will have booths at the show this year, Merkowsky said, giving consumers the opportunity to learn about places they can visit with their RV.

 

 

Thor Reports Increased Sales for 2Q, 6 Months

Thor Industries Inc. reported today (Feb. 2) a 13% increase in sales for the Jackson Center, Ohio-based company’s fiscal second quarter.

Sales during the quarter totaled $596.4 million, including $500.6 million in RV revenue, representing a 15% increase from $437.1 million last year. Bus sales were $95.7 million, a 7% increase from $89.1 million last year.

For the six months, sales rose 12% to $1.27 billion from $1.1 billion the previous year. RV sales gained 13% to just over 1 billion compared with $943.7 million last year. Bus sales in the six months were $207 million, up 9% from $189.2 million the year prior.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments on Jan. 31 were $157 million, lower compared to the prior quarter primarily as a result of the repurchase of two million shares of Thor stock on Jan. 20 for $57 million. Consolidated backlog on Jan. 31 was $647 million compared to $689 million last year. RV backlog was $413 million in comparison with $467 million last year. Bus backlog was $234 million, up 5% from $222 million last year.

“Sales momentum remains strong for Thor, with good results seen in both our RV and bus businesses through the first half of the fiscal year,” said Peter B. Orthwein, Thor chairman, CEO and president. “Results from January retail RV shows have been positive, with good attendance and retail sales activity reported at most shows, reflecting rebounding consumer confidence, access to credit, and low interest rates. Internal tracking of Thor’s recent retail RV sales activity has also been encouraging. Discounting remains a factor in the competitive RV and bus markets, although Thor continues to be well positioned in each of its product categories to take advantage of improving market trends.”

 

Dealers Hope Michigan Show Sets Table for ’12

For the next four days, DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Mich., will be a village of aluminum and fiberglass motor homes, trailers and recreational vehicles lined with streets of red carpeting.

According to a report in the Grand Rapids Press, the Grand Rapids Camper, Travel and RV Show has some 300 units on the convention center floor. The show opened at 3 p.m. today and will run through Sunday evening.

Inside, visitors can expect to find all the amenities they left behind at home – flat-screen TVs, leather lounge chairs, fire places, coriander counter tops, bathrooms with showers and of course, lots of beds and bunks on which to sleep.

By the time they wheel their units off the floor Sunday night, dealers are hoping many of them will have new owners. Unlike the Michigan International Auto Show last weekend, this show focuses on making a sale.

“This is not just a show, this is actually a sale,” says Bruce Ter Veen, sales manager for General RV Center in Wayland. “This is where we start our season as a dealer body.”

Most of the dealers are hoping this year’s show will bear out their hopes that the economy is on the rebound and consumers can afford to splurge on their families again.

“So far, the shows we’ve been seeing are up 20% to 30%,” said Ter Veen, one of 10 General RV Center dealers in the U.S. “This show is an indicator when the economy starts growing and gaining momentum.”

‘This is the best time to buy because they’re all under one roof,” said Ter Veen has 67 units on the floor, ranging from lightweight trailers designed for towing behind an SUV to the Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH, which has a special show price of $216,995, down from its list price of $275,009.

The Tiffin Phaeton is a 40-foot diesel-powered behemoth that includes 1 ½ baths, a stacked washer/dryer, leather recliners, king-sized bed and a 37-inch television. It features four slideouts to expand its interior space when parked.

While the big units are staples of the industry, the growth in sales are among ultra-light trailers which can be towed by an SUV but are large enough to accommodate an entire family, Ter Veen said. The ultra-lights allow families to camp comfortably without upgrading their everyday transportation, he said.

For consumers who don’t yearn for the open road, there are the “park models” that look more like houses, complete with shutters, fireplaces, and second floor lofts for the kids.

“They’re like a little cabin,” said Show Manager Carolyn Alt. While most of the trailers and RVs are designed for the open road, the park models are towed to campgrounds for the season or in some cases, years.

 

 

 

Fort Myers RV Show Posts Steady Traffic, Sales

The 27th Annual Fort Myers RV Show, sponsored by Region 1 of the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA), drew over 11,100 patrons during the show’s four days.

“Everyone I spoke with at the show was very pleased with the buying interest the public had,” said FRVTA Region 1 President Nelda Iacono. “In fact, we had several dealers who achieved double digit sales. All dealers came away with lots of sales leads they can now follow up over the coming weeks.”

While not an attendance record, Show Manager Jack Carver was gratified for the public’s positive response, especially following the economic turmoil the industry has suffered over the previous years. “We worked hard to put on a quality event that created a buying situation for all participants,” he said. “I’m gratified the show was successful.”

This year’s annual event, which ran Jan.19-22, featured 14 dealers displaying well over 500 new RVs of all types, styles and price ranges. The show also staged 100 vendors selling everything from RV resort lots, engine upgrades and other enhancements for the RV lifestyle.

“Everyone seemed to be selling whatever they brought,” said Show Chairman Chris Morse. “I’m still busy with traffic and additional sales a week after the show.”

This year’s show success continues the Fort Myers RV Show’s distinction as one of the largest RV events in the Southeast United States, Nelda pointed out. “We are proud to offer dealers, vendors and patrons the best the RV Industry has to offer and look forward to helping spread consumer interest in the RV Lifestyle,” she explained.

 

RVDA: Notices Required for FEMA Trailer Sales

RV dealerships have recently been investigated for failing to pass along a required federal disclosure certificate when they resell FEMA units, according to the  latest issue of RV Executive Today.

The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) reminded members that they are legally required to pass along the “Useable Travel Trailer Certificate” notice informing buyers that these FEMA units aren’t intended to be permanent housing.

The RV trailers that FEMA bought after Hurricane Katrina and auctioned off by the General Services Administration (GSA) require this special disclosure at the time of that sale and must be passed to all subsequent buyers.

Dealers should be particularly cautious of trailer trade-ins from 2005 and 2006 and the need to confirm the vehicles’ histories. A customer may “forget” to pass along the required disclosure to the RV dealer when trading in the vehicle for a new RV. RVDA said that the best way to research vehicle history is to run the VIN against the GSA’s database of Katrina trailers or ask the trailer manufacturer for a vehicle’s history.

Not all of the affected FEMA units are white boxy models – some were purchased directly from RV dealer inventory. RVDA said that relying on the vehicle’s title may not be reliable, since Katrina trailers weren’t titled until after their first sale at auction.

A similar issue is developing with oversized park model trailers that FEMA bought more recently and are now being auctioned through the GSA. Park models over 400 square feet must comply with HUD code, and as RVDA understands it, these oversized park models are not built to HUD codes. Customers may be unable to title these vehicles in their state, and they may run afoul of local building codes. Specifically, they may be unable to place these units in a zoned park model RV park.

All oversized compliant and non-compliant park models sold at GSA auctions come with a “Usable Park Model Trailer Certification” that the buyer must sign and pass along to all subsequent purchasers. The certificate disclaims government liability for any future issues arising from these vehicles. Dealers face liability if they fail to pass along the certificate.

 

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