RV Weekly

Recently, I have been posting news stories about the recently aired NBC show The Great American Road Trip. This is a new reality show which features seven American families traveling in RVs and competing in challenges.

According to the show’s Web site, one family has already been eliminated with six still in the competition. I have yet to see the show, but would like to get some feedback from viewers.

Most of the industry views this show as a boost for the RV industry. I believe that overall this show helps promote the RVing lifestyle but I want to see if a reality show is the best means to accomplish that goal. If you have seen the show, please feel free to comment on what has happened thus far. Is the show engaging? Does it do a good job of promoting the RVing lifestyle? What advice would you give to the remaining families? If a second season were to happen, how could the show be improved? Let’s hear your thoughts.

This morning I received a phone call from an RV dealer who has been in the RV business for 40 years. This dealer was calling to ask questions about the SBA floor plan loan guarantee which began its pilot program July 1.

The dealer mentioned to me that he has been contacting lenders to inquire about the program but none, thus far, are participating in the program.

According to RVDA’s Web site, the associations are actively seeking to gain incentives for the lenders to participate in the program.

RVDA is also seeing this lack of lender participation: “Several dealers tell RVDA that lenders are not jumping on board to participate in the floor plan program. RVDA will submit federal comments requesting further revisions and bank incentives.”

RV Trade Digest is currently conducting an opinion poll about the SBA program and as of this morning, 67 percent of voters don’t think the SBA loan guarantee will help dealers.

I want to hear from other dealers about their attempts at gaining SBA loans through local lenders. Has the pilot program worked? Is it too early to tell? How many dealers have successfully begun the floor plan loan process? All comments are welcome, but please refrain from “bad-mouthing” specific lenders or businesses.