MasterBoondocker
nw lower Meeeechigan, TN and FL
Senior Member
Joined: 10/11/2003
View Profile
|
I have a Bud that hauls trailers and RV out of Elkhart. Biz is NOT good.
|
jomarfl
Tampa
Senior Member
Joined: 01/27/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Believe Fleetwood will survive this crunch, not because I own one, however; they are diversified in their prodcut line. Not only do they manufacture RVs, they also build the park models, mobile homes and the larger turn key homes built on site I believe. They'll make it, they'll just feel the pinch for a short amount of time. Now is the time to buy stock 
Most RV companies I believe will survive by cutting costs, downsizing and moving into more of a Class B structuring of their business. More lower end Class A's, slow down in manufacturing and inventory levels and smarter financing. I can't predict the future, however; the future is what we make of it.
I intend to make the best of it by continuing to camp at least twice a month staying within 500 miles of home for the time being. A lot of places to see in 500 miles, so I think we can hold on and still enjoy life
Life is a dream, live it, love it and then leave it the way you found it.
Happy Camping everyone
Papa John & Mother Mary
Living The Good Life In Tampa, FL
Retired Military, USAF
2008 Fleetwood Fiesta, 33L
|
BroncoRVer
8,600 feet elevation, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 07/22/2005
View Profile
|
John S. wrote: I know Foretravel adn Newell are doing fine as they only build to order.
Really? Maybe you can show us where you come up with this.
2006 Winnebago Voyage 35A, W-22
Brake Buddy, Aventa II tow bar, Protect-A-Tow
2005 Hyundai Elantra toad
|
Sea Dog
Ontario Can.
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
I think that counting on the Boomers may be a false hope.
Most stats that I read claim that the boomers on average have very low savings and very high debt.
Combine this with the loss of equity in homes in many markets, the dismal returns from the market, I think that the Boomers on average have bigger problems than deciding which classA to drop two or three hundred thousand on!
Life is short,Death is long,
Take a vacation.
|
WA1RI
FL
Senior Member
Joined: 09/26/2004
View Profile
|
The folks buying Newells and Foretravels aren't worrying too much about the price of diesel.
LeMesa closed their Tampa store, but I heard the LeMesa corp bought Featherlite.
This is a bad time for small RV dealers, and the large ones can increase market share.
Bill & Jolene / FL
1997 Southwind 35P
2006 Yamaha 1100 Classic &
1970 Norton Commando 750 in state of recuperation (Almost road ready!!!)
6x12 Enclosd trailer
|
|
|
Badeye
Bonaire GA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/06/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I can see where size has some relationship to the ability to survive a downturn in the economy but it is not the all determining factor. The way that a company has structured their debt, assuming that they have debt and most do, is more important than size. If the debt is structured so that it depends on a constant cash flow for that debt to be serviced, then an economic downturn can be very detrimental to their ability to survive. Some of the smaller companies have been able to survive because they have little or no debt or have it structured so that they can service it even though they have a lower cash flow.
The same goes for dealers. How they floor plan their stock can be the make or break for them when sales decline. It is all a part of their overall business strategy. If you are too agressive, they you can pay the price if all does not go according to your plan. Sometimes being a little more conservative in your business plan nets a slower growth but can get you through a dip in the market. Been there done that.
"No one can guarantee success, only effort."
Bob & Fran
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 40 ft DP
2003 PT Cruiser
Featherlite Car Hauler
FMCA F324606
|
Whtbass
johnsburg, Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 05/14/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
We recently toured the Newmar plant in Indiana and they told us production was down to 8/day vs. a high of 22. Monaco told us they were at about 12/ day vs. capacity of 18. Lots of completed motorhomes at Monaco and they said all of them had someones name on them. I would guess that there were over 75 finished and at least 50 in various states of completion.
I do not think people will stop buying but they may delay a bit until there is at least some stabilizing in the price of fuel. AAA roports a decline in travel plans this summer so price should come down a bit.
Dave & Mary Anne
2006 Mountain Aire 43 ft
400cummins
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Brake Buddy
Brittany Named Cassie
|
D & M
Laurel, MD
Senior Member
Joined: 03/04/2005
View Profile
 Online
|
Old news....
Dave  & Mary
Isabel (a cuddly little Boston)
Buddy (The Beast) another Boston
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 35A
2003 Jeep Liberty
If it's listed in the Yellow Pages, the government shouldn't be messing around with it.
|
bandmjdavis
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 08/29/2006
View Profile
|
I sure still see the RV's going down the interstate. In a 5 mile stretch yesterday, I counted 8. And 86 tractor trailers
I'm afraid the worst of it hasn't got here yet.
'05 Keystone Spningdale with Bunkhouse
'07 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD SRW 4X4
3 Happy Campers 
|
Stim
NE Florida
Full Member
Joined: 05/23/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
There was a story on the news (can't remember which news), the businesses that make the numbers for gas station signs are covered up with business and orders, it's all because they are selling more 4's !!!! It don't look good!
Anyone one else notice that things started down hill after the 06 elections?
|
|
|
