TexGeorgiaBoy
Fort Worth Texas
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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With gas and diesel climbing everyday and talk of auto makers laying off and possibly going under I wonder what will become of the RV industry? I doubt many RV makers will survive this time because of these high fuel cost. It cost me close to $400 to fill up my diesel Seneca. I might can go 600-700 miles. Poeple look at me at the gas station like I'm causing their gas prices to go up because I am driving a big RV. I guess these MH's as we know them today will become a thing of the past and small towables or small van MH's will be all you will see in the future. I feel sorry for the people who work for these places. My how times are changing. I know I have bought my last big RV. Tex
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SidKaye
Mt Dora Florida, Montreal QC for the Summer
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Joined: 09/03/2003
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For a Crystal Ball view of what RV'ing might look like in the US one need only look to European RV's. They have had higher fuel prices for a long time so they build Motorhomes that get 20-30 MPG.
Sidney
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT,48RE, 4:10,Cummins HO Diesel,Quad Cab,LWB,SRW,PacBrake,Prodigy, X-Monitor Gauges,Line-X,Bedsaver
2002 Excel,Ltd,30RGW,Hughes Autoformer,Honda Eu1000i, Hughes Direcway HN7000S, Satmex5,
http://www.kayepics.com
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martinandanne
Dallas, Texas
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Joined: 09/04/2006
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Since the motorhome manufacturers are dependent upon others for the chassis on which they are built, I doubt that we will see any major change until the auto makers get around to changing the basic chassis designs.
Even at $4.50 a gallon, it is tough to justify spending extra money on say a diesel Sprinter unit. The extra MPG will never make up for the extra up front cost.
I would imagine that the number of RV dealers will decline. Some manufacturers will go out of business, but I doubt that it will be a major contraction in the number of manufacturers. They may make fewer units and perhaps adjust their product mix to reflect a change in demand, but that is exactly what Ford and Chevrolet and Chrysler are doing right now. And it is highly unlikely that either of those three are going to go away.
What the RVing community will loose will be those people who purchase and operated their RVs with the last dollars in their budget. Those dollars will need to be spend on other things. For some that will mean not taking the MH out as often or as far. For others that will mean selling it outright.
For those of us who already have purchased our MHs, one thing that we don't appreciate is how hard it is for people to get financing these days. Credit markets for RVs are tight. There are fewer lending options for dealers to turn to. And buyers are being required to put up more of a down payment. Ultimately this will be a good thing, as it will keep some folks from making a terrible financial decision that they truly cannot afford.
Martin
2008 Four Winds 5000 23A
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Joined: 11/01/2002
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I fully expect to see a bunch of smaller RVs evolve like what happened years ago.
There are those that like to travel a little more spartan and I think that niche may get more focus. If you carry less stuff in a smaller box you can get better fuel economy and have a smaller powerplant pushing it.
95 Chinook Premier
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Texas TC
Corinth,Texas
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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I know things look bad right now. However, I still remember back in the early 70's when everyone went out and bought Toyota's, Datsun's (remember those), and Volkswagen's and in just two or three years, everyone was back to buying pickups here in Texas. I have seen these cycles come and go over the years and I really think this will pass. I agree the market may get smaller for a while but I do not expect to see RV's, being A's B's or C's, completely disappear from our highways and campgrounds.
2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova (6331)
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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My 92 year old father in law has it this all figured out.
Last night he said he can remember since the great depression there has always been cycles that Washington could make or prevent any more then we can control the weather cycles. He has always been a cash man so the cycles never hit him. Even to this day is income is well above his out go.
The RV industry just waited 12-24 months too long to start downsizing for the coming fuel prices just a Ford and GM did on the trucks and large SUV's.
Just like the weather the current down turn is just something to yak about but is totally normal and all of the signs have been there for some time. 
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Skid Row Joe
America, Tent Camping and RVing since 1960
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Gale Hawkins wrote:My 92 year old father in law has it this all figured out.
Last night he said he can remember since the great depression there has always been cycles that Washington could make or prevent any more then we can control the weather cycles. He has always been a cash man so the cycles never hit him. Even to this day is income is well above his out go. I operate the same way. More income than out go. Not hard to figure out what always works. There are no cycles when you're cash, just opportunities to buy anything you want to on sale.
If anything, I would think Class A's and DPs are taking it on the chin in this cycle.
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davemittan
North central Arkansas
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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SidKaye wrote:For a Crystal Ball view of what RV'ing might look like in the US one need only look to European RV's. They have had higher fuel prices for a long time so they build Motorhomes that get 20-30 MPG.
Sidney
I think you're right. I've done some lurking on a British motorhome site - many of their rigs are shorter, narrower, and lighter than our small C's. Small little diesel engines (around 2.2L to 2.5L) - they aren't heavy enough to require duallies. No slides.
Some Brits have larger rigs, but have converted them to run on LPG.
The Euro rigs seem to be more for camping trips - not for snowbirding or full-timing.
I'm guessing that American RVing will be more about long-term parking at seasonal sites, with less wandering around the country.
And I wonder if there will be a shift away from "toy haulers". The rigs have to be longer and heavier just to haul the toys, and the toys usually require fuel.
* This post was
edited 07/02/08 04:27am by davemittan *
Dave
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AndyAmes
Southwest Florida
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Joined: 02/14/2006
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Just filled up the '06 Seneca here in SW Florida for our annual two week vacation. Total cost for 80 gallons was $377.50 (only had to fill up 40.1 to top off tank).
Rv'rs will adapt. We will change our habits in distance and staying longer at locations. I spoke with dealer we bought our Seneca. The rep stated that gas models are off this year, but they are still having a good year with diesels, especially the Seneca. Go figure.
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SKIRMISH
NORCAL
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Joined: 10/13/2005
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I hope they don't survive, Then I'll have a collectors item instead of a gas hog.
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