New pricing???

Nothing new really, just a few years ago a farmer friend of mine was ordering new grain bins. He could not get a price till they were delivered due to constant steel price increases. No doubt games with new tariffs come into play but then again what’s good for the goose. It’s ok that Canada charges a 270% tariff on US dairy as one example. Now we have someone who calls BS and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve spent plenty of time in China, they need us every bit and more than we need them. Another example, Airbus is supplemented by multiple countries so they can sell at a loss to undermine our industry. Th recent tax breaks given to corporations helps companies like Boeing, Lockheed etc have a chance to compete and add jobs while doing so.  The Middle East gives dang near free fuel to Emirates and the like and within a few years will wipe out all American international competition. What do you think will come of their cheap airfares once they wipe out the competition. Personally I’m tired of us being stepped on and ALL our politicians playing into it.

I don't want this thread to run off the rails, but can't help but contributing....... to your comment.  Irene and are 100% in for M.A.G.A.
G.T.

Joseph 

Eventually we will get quality goods built by Americans! And they will last , like they used to.

Ron

Ron your right.  Regarding the increase , It is quite a jump in price which adds to the sticker shock when it’s all at once. But let’s face it, how often do prices drop for recreation vehicles of any sort.

Sarz,      Ron , quality goods,  my parents first tv , a Zenith tall narrow cabinet that they bought in June of 1955 is Still on the family farm and still works. Why it even came with a channel changer.... wait that was just me when Dad told me to change the channel....

But let’s face it, how often do prices drop for recreation vehicles of any sort.

I think it would be extremely rare to see MSRP go down in price on the same exact model.  I think you would most likely see a higher percentage off MSRP during another severe down-turn in the RV industry.  Half off a fortune is more appealing than 20% off a lower priced rig.

Question really is at what point do they price themselves out of business? I mean it’s a class B
Apple an oranges.. for instance..  a concord loaded same chassis ducted air, air bags $89 K

Scratching my head...

Getting into a "this coach is cheaper" discussion is rather pointless as finding two coaches exactly configured and specified is impossible.  The reality is that at this point in time the line is full, orders are stacked up and all looks good.  Will that last?  Who knows?  All things in a free market correct to various degrees.  If Phoenix starts to get fewer orders they will correct in some manner.  The industry as a whole is booming right now but will that last?  Probably not as supply builds to meet demand.

And not to be picky, but it is not a class B, that is an RV built inside an existing van body.  What we have here are class C RV's without the front overhang.  Sometimes called a B+ but that is not an official class and most places list these as class C.

PS.  We have looked at the Concord's several places and if I remember right they were a nicely built coach, at least the older ones.

Seayall, they may have already jumped the shark. Not surprising after a company is under new owners. You can buy a Newmar Bay star class a in the same range as the 2552. And as you pointed out the concord for less. But there are many cheaply made units out there as well that you can’t use in comparison. I’ve seen some real poorly made brands. I never throw money away buying toys like rvs boats etc new anyway so new MSRP is something I really don’t pay attention to.

What’s capacity, maybe 80 per year spread out over 8 models?

Did you know in 2014 Ford announced it will discontinue the E-series cutaway chassis by the end of the decade?  If that’s still in the cards then  at some point next year everyone may have to stop accepting new orders for E- series motorhomes.

What’s capacity, maybe 80 per year spread out over 8 models?

I think it is a little more than that.  I was told they average 2 per week and the new owners stated they were looking at ways to raise that while maintaining quality levels.

Ford did announce the end of the E-series but sort of backed off on the time frame since there is no viable replacement.  But regardless, the handwriting is on the wall: E-series is going away and that will be a major issue for all RV manufacturers.  On the other hand I doubt Ford is going sit idly by and watch all that business go to Mercedes.

Curious why the F-450 / 550 is not a possible choice?

Ford also sells a lot of the E-series for box trucks and ambulances.  Killing the E-series cut-away will affect those industries too.  I could see them killing the SRW and DRW E350 due to the overlap they have with the Transit cutaway, but I would be very surprised if they terminated the E450.

I owned a Toyota C&C motor home with a pickup truck front.  I would not want an "F" Series for the same general issues I had.  Getting in back from the front will surely be harder, and I don't want to add another 2.5-3 feet to my rig but gain nothing useful.

Ron, I didn’t think they would ever kill the town at either. For a while the begging of the livery service kept it afloat but in the end they cut the number one livery car ever built.  As witnessed Ford didn’t go begging to Congress to save them. If a product isn’t cutting the mustard in making a certain amount of profit they change the game plan and move forward. So it won’t surprise me if it gets cut. I may be disappointed but not surprised. 

I agree that I wouldn’t want a F series in a cab over. However IF ( very big if) I ever come to buying another rig it will be a class A gasser. There are many smaller units available. The one I’d currently be interested in is only a foot longer than my 2552.

The Ford E-Series full-size van was scheduled to continue production through 2014 to overlap with its replacement vehicle, the all-new Ford Transit. Ford has announced it will discontinue the E-Series cargo van and passenger wagons later this year, essentially coinciding with the debut of the Transit; however, the E-Series will technically continue to produce two other E-Series models (the E-350 and E-450 stripped chassis and cutaway) until almost the end of the decade.

The rugged heavy-duty ladder-frame van chassis, which shares many parts with the F-Series pickup trucks, will continue being produced at the Avon Lake, Ohio, production line as long as demand for small school buses, emergency vehicles, airport shuttles, and recreational vehicles is strong.

Doing a bit more research it appears Ford initially announced that the E-series would end in 2013.  However they later amended that to 2014 for vans and "as long as demand is strong" for cutaway chassis.  As best I can tell the actual econoline vans were discontinued after the 2014 model year.  The official Ford statement is still that cutaways will be made through the end of the decade.  After that? Who knows?

And not to be picky, but it is not a class B, that is an RV built inside an existing van body.  What we have here are class C RV's without the front overhang.  Sometimes called a B+ but that is not an official class and most places list these as class C.

B+ may have not been a category in the past, but it seems to be defined now.

For what it is worth, the local RV shop here 'defined' a 'B+' as no bed over the cab, but still using a cutaway chassis like a class C.  Mentioned that they (B+) are generally a little narrower and shorter than a 'C' , but the bed above the cab seemed to be the 'line' that defined a B+ from a C.

A quick google search has 'Nexus RV' company in agreement -

Viper Class B plus gas motorhomes by NeXus RV are very similar to Class C motor homes except they are built without the overhead sleeping area and they are typically slightly smaller in height and length. They are perfect for customers wanting to downsize and prefer to have a unit that could maneuver easily into tight areas.  These products are also built on a cutaway Ford chassis with a V10 engine.

Never was a consideration before we got our 2350, and people asked WHY did we pay so much for an 'old' class C.    Now I explain its a different class of camper.