On the road observations

[bgum]

We just returned from a 3 night stay on the Gulf Coast. I would say the campground was 95% booked. The weather was great. You would never know the price of fuel is up. No shortage of campers and automobiles on the surface streets and main highways. This trip was just a little tuneup for our longer trip to the mountains later.

[ferndaleflyer]

Only 366 TT, Only!

[goducks10]

Wade44 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

ferndaleflyer wrote:
The local lots full of every kind of RV are not already sold. They are waiting for the next fish to swim in. As I have said before I have been all over the East and the lots are full.

As I said come out west.

Out of curiosity if I pull up a random Camping World near Los Angeles CA I see 149 units "in stock" with listed "stock numbers". A CW location near Seattle WA lists 478 as in stock, and a CW near Denver shows over 1000. Not sure where you mean by "Out West" but it at appears there is plenty of dealer stock out west, unless Camping World is playing some kind of listing shenanigans game. BTW those numbers were for travel trailers, but other categories reveal similar results.

If I go to Curtis Trailers which has a couple locations near Portland Oregon and is one of the bigger non CW dealers in Oregon, their website will show 172 new 5th wheels. By the time you hit 55 or so the list goes to 'pending sale, Sold or Order now.
Same with all their other categories. Just because the website lists X amount of RV's doesn't mean they on the lot or still for sale.
According to the CW Denver dealer they only have 366 TT's.
https://rv.campingworld.com/searchresults?external_assets=false&rv_type=towable&condition=new&subtyp...

I'm sure there's some shenanigans being played within the RV industry but my eyes don't lie. Pre Covid the lots I frequently drive by were jam packed. Now they're getting fuller but you can still see big gaps in the center of lots.

[bucky]

Thanks for sharing. That's a cool setup.

[bgum]

bucky wrote:
Please share with us the gasser that gets 15mpg towing and what it was towing.

2018 Toyota Tacoma towing a 2018 Airstream Bambi Sport 16rb. At 60 mph.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

NamMedevac 70 wrote:
This brings back memories of the 70s inflation gas lines and 55MPH national speed limit that lasted a long time along with sweaters. I actually missed all this as I was living in SE Asia flying commercial helicopters all over. No pain for me. YEP may happen again. People will spend more money faster thinking prices will continue to rise and this of course is like the dog chasing its tail. Faster and faster with ever increasing prices is definition of runaway inflation then leading to

BA Finance & Tax Accounting, Former SEC CFP, Army Guard and civilian Pilot to Texas Governors, etc. etc.

With your experience.....
just volunteer your flying abilities to the Ukrainian Air Force and you'll miss it all again...:W

.

[propchef]

Wade44 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

ferndaleflyer wrote:
The local lots full of every kind of RV are not already sold. They are waiting for the next fish to swim in. As I have said before I have been all over the East and the lots are full.

As I said come out west.

Out of curiosity if I pull up a random Camping World near Los Angeles CA I see 149 units "in stock" with listed "stock numbers". A CW location near Seattle WA lists 478 as in stock, and a CW near Denver shows over 1000. Not sure where you mean by "Out West" but it at appears there is plenty of dealer stock out west, unless Camping World is playing some kind of listing shenanigans game. BTW those numbers were for travel trailers, but other categories reveal similar results.

And how do those numbers compare to pre-pandemic numbers? Posting numbers without context doesn't really show anything. Those 149 units include anything from teardrops to 30+ footers, new and used, and several of them look like they've been there a while. Not one Lance. Only 2 Airstreams (and not priced too bad!).

Inventories are recovering, especially with TTs but it has been very slim pickin's 'till now.

[Wade44]

goducks10 wrote:

ferndaleflyer wrote:
The local lots full of every kind of RV are not already sold. They are waiting for the next fish to swim in. As I have said before I have been all over the East and the lots are full.

As I said come out west.

Out of curiosity if I pull up a random Camping World near Los Angeles CA I see 149 units "in stock" with listed "stock numbers". A CW location near Seattle WA lists 478 as in stock, and a CW near Denver shows over 1000. Not sure where you mean by "Out West" but it at appears there is plenty of dealer stock out west, unless Camping World is playing some kind of listing shenanigans game. BTW those numbers were for travel trailers, but other categories reveal similar results.

[RetiredRealtorR]

2oldman wrote:

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
but please don't drive 55 on an interstate where the flow of traffic is at 70+.

Traffic flows around me and the trucks (in the right lane) just fine. No way I'm towing at 70+.

Then I again emphasize, enjoy the US highways and state highways. You may think they "flow" around you --- they might just be 'avoiding' you, employing fortunate maneuvers.

[bucky]

Please share with us the gasser that gets 15mpg towing and what it was towing.

[Planeteer]

Wade44 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:


Everywhere but the east coast. Guessing thats because all the RV's are made in Indiana. I drive by a dealer that carries Grand Design and Jayco and a couple other brands. The lot is packed to the gills. But if you go online and look at new inventory they have very little. They have a few of some models but not the normal stock amount. Same with the other dealers in my area. If you pick a brand and model and scroll down the online list most only have a few in stock with the rest on order. Even the big CW dealer 70 miles south is low on lot stock.

The RV Industry is going to ride the golden goose as long as they can and the propaganda arm the RVIA with the rag they promote, RV business, in conjunction with the GoRVing campaign, are going to sugar coat it as long as possible. The sheet is hitting the fan and the crash is coming folks. I was through Goshen and Elkhart two weeks ago. The storage lots and fields out there are packed more than I've ever seen. RV shortage my rear end. What they're going to have is a buyer shortage and that will be a good thing.

We bought a brand new TT in Elkhart last year. I called ahead and they had the model we wanted sitting on their lot. We drove there, inspected it, and said "We'll take it".
The dealer said, "sorry but this one is sold and going to California in 2 days."
I pulled out cash, full price, and he still would not take it.
A couple days later the dealer called and said they received another TT, same model, and would deliver it to me if I wanted it. The nice thing was that the new TT had some upgrades over the first one we looked at.

edit: My point is that plenty of RV transport companies are hiring in my area. But I do agree, that propaganda arm is strong!

[magicbus]

Returning from Florida last week it seemed to me that the lots, while looking full, appeared to have an over-abundance of trailers as compared to Class A, B, C or DP's or even fifth wheels. One of the big dealers had 5 Class B units, but most of the rest were lucky to have 1 or maybe 2.

Dave

[goducks10]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
The local lots full of every kind of RV are not already sold. They are waiting for the next fish to swim in. As I have said before I have been all over the East and the lots are full.

As I said come out west.

[ferndaleflyer]

The local lots full of every kind of RV are not already sold. They are waiting for the next fish to swim in. As I have said before I have been all over the East and the lots are full.

[Wade44]

Mich F wrote:


Winnebago says they have over $4 billion in order backlogs. Thor said a while back they had over $18 billion in order backlogs. Perhaps those full lots you're seeing have vehicles that are waiting for missing items or waiting for drivers to deliver or ??

Fair enough, Anyone can say anything. We also have prisons full of people who say they're innocent. You can not have 40% increases in energy costs, caused by almost instant inflation no one has seen in 40 years, without a huge switch getting thrown to the off position somewhere. A lot of younger folks have not seen inflation amounting to anything since they've been on the planet. It's going to be a huge eye opener come about mid summer.

[Mich_F]

Wade44 wrote:


The RV Industry is going to ride the golden goose as long as they can and the propaganda arm the RVIA with the rag they promote, RV business, in conjunction with the GoRVing campaign, are going to sugar coat it as long as possible. The sheet is hitting the fan and the crash is coming folks. I was through Goshen and Elkhart two weeks ago. The storage lots and fields out there are packed more than I've ever seen. RV shortage my rear end. What they're going to have is a buyer shortage and that will be a good thing.

Winnebago says they have over $4 billion in order backlogs. Thor said a while back they had over $18 billion in order backlogs. Perhaps those full lots you're seeing have vehicles that are waiting for missing items or waiting for drivers to deliver or ??