Comments on: Highlights from the 2008 RVIA Show

By: Mike Martinkus

Mike Martinkus — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:52:46 +0000

R V’s ARE green. R V’s were green, kinda like that song says , before green was cool. There are very few fuel burning machines in existance that get better fuel economy per hour of use than an R V. We need to tell the public just how green our products are. I have started doing that in radio ads and have had a very positive response. I’ve had numerous responses to the ads with comments in the vein of ” you know, I hadn’t thought of it that way”
I’d be happy to e-mail the ad to anyone who wants to use the material.
Right now, green is popular and rings the bell. We, as a group, can’t change that , so we need to join in or shut up about it completely. Seeing as how I believe we are in fact selling a green product, I’m for joining.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:57:22 +0000

I believe the RV industry should focus on value and conservation because it saves people money, not because it is “green.” People are getting tired of “green” being pushed by the popular culture as a movement. People want a good product at a reasonable price, and if they can save money on fuel, that’s a bonus. Nobody wants to be a wasteful polluter littering the environment. But they also don’t want cardboard trailers (hyperbole to make a point) pushed on them as a “green” product. Take the word “green” out of all RV literature.

By: Bob Carnahan

Bob Carnahan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:27:56 +0000

All of these comments are great to learn about.

Rob, I agree that if we try too much to transform the “culture” of our products to the point that they no longer do what we want them to do we will do serious harm to our industry.

“Go Green” My thinking for going “green” is to make our engines more fuel efficient while at the same time, increasing their power and driveability. This is something that the light truck accessory industry has been attempting to do for some time.

I do believe that the best “green” factor for the RV industry across the board can be achieved by developing better products and accessories for our RV’s that utilize new energy innovations and discovery.

By: Rob Young

Rob Young — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:52:31 +0000

I agree. The “Go Green” effort is symbolism over substance. The cost to build and purchase a more fuel efficient RV far outways the savings in fuel cost. Especially now that fuel has come back to a more reasonable level. Hybrids are a joke! Have you seen the Tahoe with it’s 10″ letters reading “HYBRID”? It’s like they’re wearing a badge saying “I care more than you do!” The Global Warming Religion will be the demise of this country if we don’t get these Lear Jet Liberals under control.

By: Steve L

Steve L — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:08:50 +0000

We have screwed ourselves. I just came from Outdoor World/Bass Pro Shops. I was looking for a polycarbonate water bottle. Everything in the isle where they were was made in China, everything, including the Nalgene bottle. Thermos bottles, vacuum food sealers, steering wheel covers, seat covers, smokers, grills, etc. We can’t outsource our country and expect to survive. There should be no bail outs for companies that made bad decisions and got rich and now need to be saved. If I make a bad decision at my small business I toasted. Also this week 2 banks lowered my credit card limits to $500 more than the balance and one closed one that had no balance. I have been trying to get a lease for a new machine for 1 year with no luck. As much asa I didn’t like Newt Gingrich he said something great, “You can’t have capitalism on the way up and socialism on the way down”

By: johnny

johnny — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:39:05 +0000

The press/media ect. has shot down almost any prospect of a decent outlook for the next several months. if I was working at any job, I doubt if I would buy any RV or
new truck/car either. The major news stories is how many
people are laid off, or overloaded with credit card debt.

We need some good news now with a postive outlook or they
will be wondering where the RV Dealers went.

By: Chuck Morgan

Chuck Morgan — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:07:47 +0000

Personally, I think this whole “go green” idea regarding RV’s is a waste of time. I’ve been selling RV’s for 18 years and have never lost or made a sale because of fuel efficiency. The percentage of time, and number of miles most RV users put on, makes it nearly irrelevant.
Gasoline cost less than half of what it did 2-3 months ago. Now what manufacturers? Build more products that our customers don’t want?
This is symbolism over substance and could prove fatal for those unable to retool in the future to give RV buyers what they want. Comfort, convenience and a good time.
This is America, not Europe or Japan, and I hope it never will be.

By: Wayne Post

Wayne Post — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:12:39 +0000

A big reason for the drop in RV shipments is that Bank of America, GE and others have been beating up the RV dealers. They cut floorplan availability and raised floorplan rates. I am at 50% of my floorplan limit and have not been able to buy anything for 90 days. My hot models are sold out and I can’t order replacements.

Most major nationwide banks got bail out money and used it to buy failing wall street brokers and other banks. Just try to get a better floorplan rate or easy retail financing. The bailout was a bad idea, handled poorly and has screwed us all.

By: Dr Ross

Dr Ross — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:51:27 +0000

(1) Has GoRving or any good market evaluation expert/firm suggested that there is a feeling of: “I would probably buy and take delivery (often two distinct goals)of a motorhome or towable product if these smaller and “more fuel efficient” products were available.”?

I worry that we may be retooling and spending development money on what might be the equivilent of a 1 bedroom house! The adage that “perception is reality” may very well be the reason and, in the short run, may work and be worth the price.

(2)Then who will make the loans?? If the government takes over the money lending,and since the uninformed and radical protection groups (the media and you know the names) are in high places, we will, or do have a real problem!

I keep thinking we are 10 months to a year late in press release and marketing campaigns that discuss gallons per day and a good description of the “work(in the scientific sense)produced by what the media likes to call “gas guzzling” or “fuel swilling RVs”! Can we now support these efforts? It has been financially and resource draining for quite awhile now. WE MUST SELL OUR INDUSTRY and who can do it better that our customers (if we take care of them)