RV Industry Death Spiral Report

Disregard if this has already been on the forum, but I just found this report from July 2016... I don't know how credible this rv journalist is, but it's well written and pretty interesting reading.  Seems to pertain mostly to brands sold thru dealerships but also covers rv'ing in general.  (And as I'm new here, please feel free to tell me if sharing something like this that is not PC specific is not appropriate or wanted on the forum.)  Thanks. 

The author is Greg Gerber and I think you can link to it at www.rvdailyreport.com/industry/download-rv-industry-death-spiral-complete-series

Hi CKK,

I downloaded the 63 page compilation.  It looks like it will be a good read.

Thanks for sharing that.
Ron

Disregard if this has already been on the forum, but I just found this report from July 2016... I don't know how credible this rv journalist is, but it's well written and pretty interesting reading.  Seems to pertain mostly to brands sold thru dealerships but also covers rv'ing in general.  (And as I'm new here, please feel free to tell me if sharing something like this that is not PC specific is not appropriate or wanted on the forum.)  Thanks. 

It can't hurt to repost for folks like you and us who have just recently joined in the discussion (and it is a discussion).  We follow a blog written by Nick Russell, the publisher of "The Gypsy Journal", a full time RVer's newspaper, and he has covered this topic numerous times http://gypsyjournalrv.com/2011/10/the-worst-part-of-the-rv-lifestyle/ .  When we were fulltiming, and needed to change from a 30ft Airstream trailer to a diesel pusher (age infirmities needed rest), we took Nick's comments to heart since we were considering Tiffin, Newmar and other mid to higher entry level manufacturers for our (we thought) final RV purchase.  After thorough research, we found that our best option was to buy an older (read affordable 1996) Foretravel, which are made in Nacogodoches, Texas in much the same manner as Phoenix Cruisers. . .to order and hand crafted.  Both of these companies were among a few who re-imagined how the industry could work after the disastrous 2009 downturn that closed so many RV manufacturers and dealers; selling direct (some always did) and keeping the "assembly-line-for-max-profit" practice out of their business model.  And, that is why we chose Phoenix Cruisers when health took us off the full time road and we became "sometimers".  We have friends who follow us on Escapees and Foreforums who are thinking of downsizing and looking at Phoenix Cruisers.  

Hi CKK --- I jumped very quickly to read the report.  Thought that there would be something revolutionary
in its contents.  What the writer is speaking about is the overall demise of "stuff" that's being produced
for consumer use in the US for the last 25 years.  He just applies (through first hand experience) the
frustration to the RV industry.  His assessment of the industry is pretty much spot on!  However if you
just changed the word RV to say......appliances, furniture, etc you would get the same results almost
word for word on other industry's.   The lack of quality construction, service, integrity, is not unique
to just the RV business, its pretty much everywhere.

I only read about half of his reports.  Down midway through "RV park issues" when I realized that the
writer had an agenda he was pursuing for whatever reasons.  Once you start researching a business
or product you'll find a lot of reports similar to this one.  Ive read many reports and articles that hit
on the same RV topics.   Thats why we all research and learn before we buy.  For the serious RV'er thats
why they come to the Phoenix Cruiser's, Coach House, Lazy Daze, Born Free.

Hi CKK --- I jumped very quickly to read the report.  Thought that there would be something revolutionary
in its contents.  What the writer is speaking about is the overall demise of "stuff" that's being produced
for consumer use in the US for the last 25 years.  He just applies (through first hand experience) the
frustration to the RV industry.  His assessment of the industry is pretty much spot on!  However if you
just changed the word RV to say......appliances, furniture, etc you would get the same results almost
word for word on other industry's.   The lack of quality construction, service, integrity, is not unique
to just the RV business, its pretty much everywhere.

I only read about half of his reports.  Down midway through "RV park issues" when I realized that the
writer had an agenda he was pursuing for whatever reasons.  Once you start researching a business
or product you'll find a lot of reports similar to this one.  Ive read many reports and articles that hit
on the same RV topics.   Thats why we all research and learn before we buy.  For the serious RV'er thats
why they come to the Phoenix Cruiser's, Coach House, Lazy Daze, Born Free.

I'd ad Leisure Travel Vans to your list!

Good point on the Leisure Travel.  I thought about it.  They build a fine coach....but it is made in
Canada, not the US.  With a fine German chassis.  Same with Pleasure Ways, which I think is also made in Canada.  Roadtrek another good one made in the US.  Could mention a few Class A's also.

Leisure Travel has a good reputation but I follow their Facebook page because they were our first choice before we found Phoenix Cruiser.  And I am astounded at the number of complaints lately.  Some are just newbie things but many are real serious production issues.

I think there are two reasons for this, first Leisure Travel seems to be the brand of choice for a lot of younger, maybe millennial? buyers who have no idea how to fix anything so they get upset over the littlest thing that most older folks would just break out the tool bag and take care of.  But second and more alarming is that they currently have a 9 month plus wait list.  So maybe they are rushing production a little too much.

Regarding the 'disposable' nature of stuff these days I agree that finding anything well made is a lot harder than it should be.  I do see what I am hoping is a ray of light on this though and that is that the current generation that are in their 30's are not as interested in "cheap and disposable" as earlier generations.  I see a real return to wanting to buy things that will last them instead of disposable.  I see this in my sons and their friends.  They are quite willing to spend a lot more on something that is well made and intend to keep it.  And they are a lot more willing to buy used and to sell on their used stuff that is still in good shape.  Maybe wishful thinking, but I do see a different attitude in these younger folks.

JATrax----Dean, the one from LT, told a friend of mine that its the "oil Sands" in Canada,  Heard the same from the CEO at the Winne factory get together this past summer.  Dakota's Shale Oil.  They lost a lot of people during the downturn to the oil business.  Tough to get back an employee who was making a moderate wage from a high wage job.  Even Earl, in one of his videos stresses PC very low turnover rate.
Whats next, the "Keystone Pipeline" project I guess?

I did not realize that a 2552 was that close to us.  If your ever in Anacortes, I'd love to see one.

Yes, that makes a lot of sense.  A lot of the complaints are things not fastened properly or simply not even installed.  Rookie type mistakes that a long term employee would be unlikely to make.

Easy to see how people can be attracted to the oil industry.  When it is booming, wages are amazing.  Hard to keep good employees when they are being offered doubled the wages elsewhere.

2552 is not here yet, supposed to pick her up the first week of March.  I have clients in Stanwood, Mt Vernon and Bellingham I'll let you know if we take the rig that way.