RV business doing well despite rising fuel costs

Record prices at the gas pump could have put the brakes on the recreational vehicle business. But instead, area RV dealers say business is healthy and customers may be looking at their hobby as an escape from the stresses of the tough economy.

Quad-City dealers see customers buying RVs, upgrading to larger units and planning trips as they always have. But their trips might be shorter this year and fuel costs are definitely weighing heavier on their minds.

“We’re down 10 percent but it’s not from the folks who have experienced RVing,” said Mark Thompson, the president of Thompson Family RV. “It may be some new buyers are being more cautious because of consumer confidence and they’re holding back. It’s not that we won’t see them next year.” Read more...

Coachmen offers RV rebate to complement federal stimulus program

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. — Coachmen RV Group wants to help the federal tax rebate program stimulate the economy by offering its own rebate packages to stimulate sales of new RVs and help more Americans enjoy the many pleasures of RVing ... and see America!

May 14, 2008, Wall Street Journal: "The government's economic stimulus package was credited as being effective in stimulating the market ... say economists at Global Insight, a Waltham, Mass.,-based forecasting firm... They forecast continued growth in consumer spending, partly because of tax rebates and stimulus checks."

"In line with this government program, we are making the stimulus package even sweeter with our very own Coachmenomic Stimulus Package. We want to multiply the buying power of the government stimulus package by making it even more affordable to purchase a Coachmen RV," said Michael R. Terlep, president of Coachmen RV Group. "The government rebate combined with the rebates we are offering make it much easier for consumers to move forward with getting the RV of their dreams."

Coachmen is marketing the program as the "Coachmenomic Stimulus Program," a part of the "Vote for Pete Campaign." Pete is the name of Coachmen's iconic mascot, a spotted Dalmatian.

The rebates Coachmen is offering range from $250 on the very economically priced 2009 Spirit of America® travel trailer up to $2,000 on a 2009 Sportscoach® Class A diesel coach. And, the Coachmenomic rebates are multiplied on new 2007 and 2008 model year of select models in dealers' inventory. So for instance, the rebate would be $5,000 for a 2008 Sportscoach motorhome and $1,500 for a 2008 fifth wheel. Read more...

Class C Motorhomes

If you've ever traveled in a Class C Motorhome recreational vehicle, you must already be aware of the fun and thrill that such a ride provides. Traveling in a recreational vehicle is a kind of experience that cannot be compared with any other journey. It's no wonder that people often get hooked on the Class C Motorhome to its unique charm. They wouldn't travel any other way if only they could manage to travel in a recreational vehicle. Learn more about Class C Motorhomes.