RV Sales Down Because Of High Gas Prices

As gas prices continue to skyrocket, those who rule the road with huge RV's may be cutting back in the future. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that RV shipments declined 9.5 percent in 2007, after five consecutive years of record growth.

In the Desert Southwest RV experts say things are steady. Mike Green who owns RV World in Yuma says they're a little off the mark but are not facing some of the hardships that others are in different parts of the country.

Even though sales might be down, the true test to see how the economy will play out will be at places like this one. RV Parks. Don Gammons at the Cactus Gardens says it's too early to tell and see if any of these spots are going to be filled by winter.

"They won't really see any impact of the gas prices maybe until the latter part of August, first part of September." Gammons says. But Green doesn't have to wait until then. He adds that Yuma is destination city where people want to come. Read more about why RV Sales Down Because Of High Gas Prices.

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...

RV Industry 'Downsizes' to Keep Pace with Slow Economy and Rising Cost of Gas

Teardrop Trailers and Other Lightweight Campers Proliferate as RV Industry Scrambles to Provide Fuel-Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Large Travel Trailers and Motor Homes

CANTON, Ohio, June 9 -- The June 2008 issue of RV Business Magazine, the leading trade publication for the RV industry in America, recognizes the emerging role of lightweight tow able camper trailers in the RV industry. The recreational vehicle industry, traditionally slow to adopt these small, aerodynamic campers that can be pulled with virtually any vehicle with a hitch, has been compelled to expand their product lines to include products such as the Little Guy teardrop camper trailer and the Silver Shadow teardrop.

The uptake of these micro sized campers by RV dealers has historically been somewhat slow, says Chris Baum, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Little Guy Worldwide, headquartered in Canton, Ohio. "For years, the RV industry has been hesitant to carry a product that only retails for between $5,000 and $10,000. But the explosion in the ownership of small, more fuel-efficient cars in response to the escalating cost of gas has forced the recreational vehicle industry to take another look at selling a product with a broad-based appeal." Read more...

High diesel prices force some RV owners to cut back (Napa Valley Register)

For Laurie Potter, the breaking point came last week when she drove into Napa and found diesel selling for $5.25 a gallon. Her commitment to the RV lifestyle... crumbled.

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