Roadtrek Acquired by European Manufacturer

[qtla9111]

Read this on RvTravel.com this morning. I wonder what changes if any they will make?

Kitchener’s Roadtrek acquired by Europe’s largest motorhome manufacturer

[mumkin]

RobertRyan wrote:

mumkin wrote:
Not sure what you mean here Robert... in Europe, the Hymer groups has divisions that make Class A's, B's and C's... and small travel trailers.

Erwin Hymer Group, has Burstner, Detleetfhs, Carado etc, they are like Fleetwood in the US, but pop out 35,000 Motorhomes, from their various brands.

I would say that they are more like Winnebago... with the quality of Leisure Travel. :C

[dks]

I think Roadtrek quality suffered once the founding family lost/gave up control.
The past few years have seen them introduce several models that didn't seem to be wanted by the RV market. I suspect things will improve by this merger and accountability will force Roadtrek to improve their product.

[RobertRyan]

mumkin wrote:
Not sure what you mean here Robert... in Europe, the Hymer groups has divisions that make Class A's, B's and C's... and small travel trailers.

Erwin Hymer Group, has Burstner, Detleetfhs, Carado etc, they are like Fleetwood in the US, but pop out 35,000 Motorhomes, from their various brands.

[jjson775]

I see this as a positive. Roadtrek was owned by a U.S. private equity group. I would think being owned by a company committed to building RV's will be an improvement and probably better for the employees.

[mumkin]

Not sure what you mean here Robert... in Europe, the Hymer groups has divisions that make Class A's, B's and C's... and small travel trailers.

[RobertRyan]

mumkin wrote:
I disagree. Hymer is a large and very experienced RV company in Europe with deep pockets. They build a quality rig more similar to our Leisure Travel, whereas Roadtrek is now more similar to a Winnebago than LTV as far as QC.

I expect Hymer to demand that RT come up to their standards, not that they lower theirs to RT.

As to prices... we'll have to wait and see. The Hymer unit being marketed in current shows is more pricey than the same unit in Europe.

Hymer it self is only one division that makes Class B's from the Erwin Hymer Group
Burstner Brevio

[mumkin]

I disagree. Hymer is a large and very experienced RV company in Europe with deep pockets. They build a quality rig more similar to our Leisure Travel, whereas Roadtrek is now more similar to a Winnebago than LTV as far as QC.

I expect Hymer to demand that RT come up to their standards, not that they lower theirs to RT.

As to prices... we'll have to wait and see. The Hymer unit being marketed in current shows is more pricey than the same unit in Europe.

[scrubjaysnest]

mumkin wrote:
Hymer is a big well-respected company that has purchased a number of European brands too. Those brands continue to be built under their original names in Europe. Hymer isn't stupid. Roadtrek is a known brand in North America. The Hymer name was added to the side of the Roadtrek factory... it did not replace the Roadtrek name.

Those of us who have purchased Roadtreks in the last few years are hoping that being owned by a company with the reputation of a high quality builder will bring back the quality control that RT used to be known for... but has slipped quite badly while owned by an "investment company" which was more concerned about pushing out as many rigs as possible in the shortest period... letting the dealers and purchasers deal with all the problems.

Many of us feel that this is very good news for Roadtrek and Class B's.

Most likely won't make a bit of difference since they will be to busy recovering from their investment. Will drive the cost of used ones up.

[mumkin]

Hymer is a big well-respected company that has purchased a number of European brands too. Those brands continue to be built under their original names in Europe. Hymer isn't stupid. Roadtrek is a known brand in North America. The Hymer name was added to the side of the Roadtrek factory... it did not replace the Roadtrek name.

Those of us who have purchased Roadtreks in the last few years are hoping that being owned by a company with the reputation of a high quality builder will bring back the quality control that RT used to be known for... but has slipped quite badly while owned by an "investment company" which was more concerned about pushing out as many rigs as possible in the shortest period... letting the dealers and purchasers deal with all the problems.

Many of us feel that this is very good news for Roadtrek and Class B's.

[RobertRyan]

Dick_B wrote:
It also stated that the name will change from Roadtrek to a German name.
I wonder if the rigs will have the well-known Roadtrek name to an obscure one from overseas?

Fairly big " obscure" manufacturer, they make 35,000 Motorhomes a year about the same as all of the Motohomes manufactured in the US.
It is the Erwin Hymer Group, who have many brand names in about 8 different manufacturing sites
Edwin Hymer Group Motorhome Brands

[Jim_Shoe]

I'm single and my first RV was a Roadtrek. In that size RV, everything has to do double or triple duty. I liked it, but it wasn't convenient for the way I RV.
I tend to stay in one CG for a week or more. That often meant breaking camp for needed groceries or just for seeing the sights. Sometimes, I returned to find my spot taken by somebody else. So I wound up with a 'C' that stays in the RV park and a Jeep Wrangler "toad" for seeing the sights.
I imagine that many on this forum have had more than one RV. I know that I had no idea how I would use my 'B' when I bought it.

[Dick_B]

It also stated that the name will change from Roadtrek to a German name.
I wonder if the rigs will have the well-known Roadtrek name to an obscure one from overseas?