Thor Industries now has $14 billion in backlogged orders

[rlw999]

From Business Insider: Thor Industries now has $14 billion in backlogged orders and is 'pretty much sold out for the next year'

And now, this boost in sales has grown into an over $14 billion order backlog, which is an almost 550% increase compared to the same time in 2020. Taking a closer look, Thor's backlog for towables and motorized RVs by the end of April in North America increased 766% and 548%, respectively, compared to the same time in 2020.

...

"Since a significant number of units in our backlog have already been retail sold, we currently believe the restocking cycle will extend well into calendar 2022," Martin said in the earnings report.

[azdryheat]

Very little inventory where I work. Word we get from the Indiana Transport drivers is the yards are pretty full with incomplete units, many waiting for chips and other parts. And they don't have enuf drivers for deliveries.

[bikendan]

S Davis wrote:
North of Seattle they are circling the lots with the units to make it look like they are packed, same with auto dealers.

I can verify that.

[Dtank]

Dave H M wrote:
I think it is just another "covid generated rumor or whatever"

The three RV lots in Springfield IL are loaded with towable units. :h

From what posters are saying - maybe it's just a "Thor thing" !!

Can somebody ask Bob Villa to check with the Amish Craftsman that were making stoves previously. Are they driving new buggies with Olds Fiesta hubcaps and horses with beautiful diamond-studded harnesses??...:@

.

[S_Davis]

North of Seattle they are circling the lots with the units to make it look like they are packed, same with auto dealers.

[GDS-3950BH]

Sagebrush wrote:


Lots of Grand Design units for sale in Gadsden. I'm surprised people think those are good quality durable units on the web reviews, to me they are built like ultra light models. Very thin counter tops, very light duty cabinets and the floors flex as I walk around.

Grand Design did a great marketing job and created a cult like following which I never bought into despite owning two Grand Design products. The first built in 2013 was ok, but nothing above previous owned trailers built by Forest River or Thor companies. The second built in 2019, a Solitude which is their self proclaimed top of the line, was absolute junk. So much so that we dumped it at a loss to get from under the recurring issues and trips back to their factory. Nothing much Grand about them.

[Dave_H_M]

I think it is just another "covid generated rumor or whatever"

The three RV lots in Springfield IL are loaded with towable units. :h

[GDS-3950BH]

Articles in business and trade publications like that or corporate reports reflect the past. Orders are not sales. They have to have a rosy picture for the investors and always paint it that way.

Wait 6 months to a year until inflation, which is running away with no topoff in sight, and the increased prices of energy and materials catch up with the RV industry. Plywood has more than doubled in price, steel and other metals also. That has to be passed on in future prices which will eventually slam the brakes on sales. Then they tear up or hit delete key on the orders.

[magicbus]

One would expect inventory to start coming back, as the "buying season" in northern states tapers off as the camping season goes on.

Except that the article indicated that all of 2021 production was already sold at the retail level and they expected 2022 production to just fill normal dealer inventory.

Dave

[dodge_guy]

Should be a lot less Thor complaints this year.......But oh man, wait till next year!

[dedmiston]

Grit dog wrote:
The PNW is unique I think, in the number of outdoor recreationalists, not excluding other popular areas though. One would expect inventory to start coming back, as the "buying season" in northern states tapers off as the camping season goes on.

The Buying season is followed by the Warranty season, which usually lasts about a year.

[Grit_dog]

TurnThePage wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Appears from the posts here, and my recent searching, that the further east you go, the more RVs are available for sale and the cheaper the prices.

We headed west from Michigan. Bought in Omaha (long story not related to RV inventories) and saw plenty of RVs on lots out thru Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, so I don't think it's how far east you are.

I've observed similar to Grid Dog. Maybe it's just the northwest. We have RV lots galore, but there's much less inventory than there used to be. I've actually noticed an uptick recently though.

The PNW is unique I think, in the number of outdoor recreationalists, not excluding other popular areas though. One would expect inventory to start coming back, as the "buying season" in northern states tapers off as the camping season goes on.

[Thermoguy]

I was doing some work in Oregon a couple weeks ago. There was a lot near where we were, every trailer had a sold sign on the trailer. I was shocked, I did't see one on the lot without a sold sign.

[TurnThePage]

valhalla360 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Appears from the posts here, and my recent searching, that the further east you go, the more RVs are available for sale and the cheaper the prices.

We headed west from Michigan. Bought in Omaha (long story not related to RV inventories) and saw plenty of RVs on lots out thru Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, so I don't think it's how far east you are.

I've observed similar to Grid Dog. Maybe it's just the northwest. We have RV lots galore, but there's much less inventory than there used to be. I've actually noticed an uptick recently though.

[mdcamping]

valhalla360 wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Appears from the posts here, and my recent searching, that the further east you go, the more RVs are available for sale and the cheaper the prices.

We headed west from Michigan. Bought in Omaha (long story not related to RV inventories) and saw plenty of RVs on lots out thru Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, so I don't think it's how far east you are.

This early spring we were searching for the 6yr 30' range MH's. At the time we were only intrested in Winnebago,Tiffin, Newmar..nothing in the NE area... with the exception of 1 newmar that was trashed on the inside that was sitting on the lot since last summer. Only a few over 35'

Mike