Record RV sales.

A "Skilled Worker" in Elkhart is anyone that shows up to work.

I enjoy camping where the familys with kids, popups etc show up. It seems like every camping or aviation event I attend is all geezers. Kids do seem to go to boat stuff.

A percentage of those are going to take our place as geezers move on. They will have better equipment than we had and it will be a pleasant experience for them.

The largest obsticle in their path are the Forest Service policies restricting camping and access.

SidecarFlip wrote:

RV's are a funny thing. Most buyers prefer a virgin unit that hasn't been slept in or the toilet used in or cooked in.

It usually takes a few trips out before the newbies learn not to cook in the toilets, but hey...we've all got to learn somehow :B

Generally speaking, our culture is in the same cycle they were in prior to the 2008/2009 housing bust. Bigger, more expensive, above their means, loan originators acting loosely, etc. As one popular financial guy says: "people not acting their wAge"

So, with all the same key ingredients, it's only a matter of time before it goes bust again. Even the RV industry leaders know it's coming, so as in any business, you fill the bank as fast as you can with as much as you can while it lasts. In the meantime, though, it does make campsites harder to find and campers less considerate.

SidecarFlip wrote:
What will be interesting is when the economy bubble breaks and all those new RV's become liabilities. That will be interesting.

Economies are always cyclical. What goes up, must come down, and will.

People with 10 and 15 year RV loans will be in deep do-do and because an RV is a discretionary purchase for most, it becomes the first to go.

Yes it will be interesting my friend, and it's only a matter of time. When not if, I think sooner rather than later.

I watch these new owners at the State Park with shiny new rigs that you can tell is their first. Just watching most back up is great entertainment. And most do not start small either, they went out and bought a 36 footer for their first RV. A few Fridays ago I counted 4 out of about 30 or so people coming in, who scraped a stop sign cutting the left hand turn into the loop road too tight. New trailer....with a nice scratch down the side. And watching some trying to level up is awesome also.

The last few years I see more and more at the state park who never leave their rig. They seem to sit inside all day with the AC running. That leaves me scratching my head. Whats the point? You could do that in your driveway or yard.

SidecarFlip wrote:
What will be interesting is when the economy bubble breaks and all those new RV's become liabilities. That will be interesting.

Economies are always cyclical. What goes up, must come down, and will.

People with 10 and 15 year RV loans will be in deep do-do and because an RV is a discretionary purchase for most, it becomes the first to go.

Not to wish a depression on anyone but it will sure cut down on the crowded CG's.

KX5002 wrote:
I looked at a bunch of used "creampuffs" they were all damaged, or poorly cared for. I'm making payments either way, I'd rather not be making payments on something with rotting walls from the roof leak the PO "fixed"

The last straw was a 2007 with obvious termite infestation and water intrusion... salesman " well in a unit this old there are bound to be some issues"
NO THANKS!
So we went to the Hershey show "just to look" Now I'm going nuts waiting for my new camper to be delivered :)

The number one issue by far with any used unit and I mean any used unit is water intrusion because the original owner didn't maintain the seals and caulk and many owners don't have a clue about how to in the first place. Second is rodent damage and third is plumbing issued from inadequate or improper winterizing.

A whole lot more to RV'ing than hooking up and going camping. In reality that is about 10% of the total picture.

2oldman wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
What will be interesting is when the economy bubble breaks and all those new RV's become liabilities. That will be interesting.

Many will become liabilities when people realize RVing can be a significant amount of work. I think the 'rv craze' is a bubble itself.

It's the 'Glamping' thing. Then when they get into it, they find out it's not the glamorous thing they thought it was..

Been doing this stuff (camping) so long now, most everything is reflex.

I looked at a bunch of used "creampuffs" they were all damaged, or poorly cared for. I'm making payments either way, I'd rather not be making payments on something with rotting walls from the roof leak the PO "fixed"

The last straw was a 2007 with obvious termite infestation and water intrusion... salesman " well in a unit this old there are bound to be some issues"
NO THANKS!
So we went to the Hershey show "just to look" Now I'm going nuts waiting for my new camper to be delivered :)

SidecarFlip wrote:
What will be interesting is when the economy bubble breaks and all those new RV's become liabilities. That will be interesting.

Many will become liabilities when people realize RVing can be a significant amount of work. I think the 'rv craze' is a bubble itself.

What will be interesting is when the economy bubble breaks and all those new RV's become liabilities. That will be interesting.

Economies are always cyclical. What goes up, must come down, and will.

People with 10 and 15 year RV loans will be in deep do-do and because an RV is a discretionary purchase for most, it becomes the first to go.

.