RV Industry Perspectives
Opinion articles from columnists and bloggers on a variety of RV business related topics.
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Friday, December 30, 2011
Despite lower attendance, manufacturers and suppliers generally pleased with show.
While attendance numbers at the recent 49th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., dropped by about 6 percent compared to 2010, exhibitors who spoke with RV PRO report they were...
With prices for elements used in the construction of RVs at near record levels, exper
The prices for some commodities have climbed so high that it’s become worth the risk of jail time for thieves trying to cash in.
Commodities, it seems, are the latest cash crop....
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The RV Dealers Association bestows its highest honor.
The RV Dealers Association bestowed its highest honor, the James B. Summers Award, upon industry veteran Bert Alanko at its annual meeting during the recent RV Dealers International Convention/Expo in Las Vegas.Alanko,...
Manufacturers see reasons for optimism
And toy haulers continue to adapt to the times in other ways as well. Just a few years after a faltering economy drove some key players out of the market (most notably Weekend Warrior), other manufacturers have rushed to fill the void...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Exhibitors will offer hands-on product demonstrations and interactive features.
Exhibitors at this year’s RV Dealers’ Association Exposition say they’re prepared to give attendees plenty of reasons to visit their booths.
In place of old standbys like...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Imagine a place where you can see vintage RVs.
The RV/MH Hall of Fame offers a library, a convention center, a place to recognize the industry’s leaders and a museum featuring plenty of antique RVs – all under one roof.
Imagine a place where you can see vintage...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
It’s shaping up to be a busy year for the aftermarket group, with a new management firm in place and ongoing efforts to improve the state of the industry.
As president of the RV Aftermarket association since October 2008, Piar Adams has had a...
The president talks about the company’s new product mix.
Don Clark doesn’t skip a beat when asked what’s changed at Dutchmen RV in the past two years.
“There’s a renewed sense of life within these walls. People are now walking with a bounce in their...
Jerry Pearo, co-owner
Hilltop Trailer Sales
Fridley, Minn.
“From a regional standpoint, we’ve had a longer winter with more snow. Therefore, I think people are a little more anxious to think about spring and the summertime.
...
Dealer Trends
RV dealerships and RV parks have always had a symbiotic relationship, with many dealerships recommending favorite parks, and many parks recommending preferred dealerships. But for some RV dealers, they don’t simply partner with parks – they own them...
Friday, March 5, 2010
How do you answer the questions posed in this article’s title? Are your customers the owners of that new 2010 Class A coach who have purchased five RVs from you since 1987? Is your customer the owner of that towable that she purchased from a dealership in another state...
RV PRO magazine has proven over the past half decade to be a consistent and loyal voice for the RV Aftermarket – a segment of the industry that has been largely discounted through the years despite its vital role in the success the recreational vehicle industry has...
Monday, January 4, 2010
RVIA President Richard Coon highlighted the improving outlook for the industry in 2010 at the association’s annual Outlook Breakfast during the National RV Trade show.
RV manufacturers reported they were pleased with dealer...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It is all being “reset”: Wall Street, the automotive industry, the housing industry, and yes, the RV industry.
Most motorhome and towable dealers still in business have taken care of the expense side of the business. That leaves the revenue side of the...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Raising fees, like raising taxes, is hardly a way to win a popularity contest these days, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the decision by the RV Industry Association Board of Directors to temporarily raise the seal fees it assesses on new RVs from just over $4 per...
If you’ve been in the RV industry for awhile you understand that RVers are quick to replace the products and systems that the OEM includes on a new trailer or motorhome. One reason for this is that the aftermarket provides enhanced products that the OEM does not due to...
It’s important that technicians understand holding tank disposal systems and their potential shortcomings in order to best serve customers.
Waste management systems present some of the greatest frustrations for RVers and that’s unfortunate, as emptying...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
At its Committee Week meeting earlier this year, the RV Industry Association took the time to recognize Congressman Joe Donnelly of Indiana for his efforts on behalf of the industry, presenting him with the association’s 2008 National Legislative Award. The...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The economy’s poor performance is very much in the news as of late, but most RV dealers don’t need to read the paper to know that; it’s showing up on the lot in the form of substantially reduced sales.
The U.S. auto industry is facing the same...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The answer is quite a lot, actually, if a dealership commits to measuring the productivity of its technicians, establishes realistic goals for the service department, and provides the necessary support in terms of having a strong parts department.
Have you ever...
