Fold-Down Sales Drop 27% in September

[Tim5055]

Fold-Down Sales Drop 27% in September
RV Business
Wednesday, November 24, 2004

A 27.3% decline in camping trailer sales during September offset modest gains in the fifth-wheel and travel trailer markets, resulting in a 1.6% drop in towable sales of 345 units for the month compared to 2003.

According to Statistical Surveys Inc., fifth-wheel sales increased 4.5% to 6,975 units in September while travel trailer sales rose 1.1% to 12,419. The independent market research firm also reported that park model sales declined 11.1% to 442 units in September.

For the month, fold-downs dipped from 2,658 units sold last year to 1,932. During the third quarter, camping trailer sales declined 13.7% to 8,581 units and were down 7.8% with 26,229 units sold year-to-date.

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Hybrid & toy hauler sales is killing pop ups  :mad:

[Adam]

Tim, Do you get Camper Life ? There is an article in this months issue speaking about record sales across the board, speaks about todays younger families entering the market sooner then years in the past....actually claims sales for 2004 could beat a record set back in 1977.

Also wonder what month they posted the hurricane unit sales ? Since many mfg's had a influx of trailer sales to Fema and contractors, I understand Fleetwoods plant was still producing FEMA spec'd trailer units ? What shame since many these trailers never get lived in by a needy family and just and up @ an auction. I think of all these poor families looking for there next meal, gosh those trailers would be castle for some of these less fortunate families !

[SkipP]

I'm a little surprised by this. Seems to run counter to the idea that increasing fuel prices would see increases in sales of the smaller campers (ie; pop-ups) and not the opposite! Economy must be better than I thought!

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

Fleetwood Folding Trailers holds their annual dealer conferences in early August. This is where they introduce their new products to dealers and take sales orders for the new prduct year.  With all of the termoil between Coleman, Coachmen & Fleetwood the dealers didn't place the large orders as in years past, which means crummy Fall sales for the pop up industry.  

I feel confident that the numbers will shoot back up after this Coleman mess is put to rest and the pop makers compete on a level playing field.

[tlhdoc]

I cruised the lot at my Fleetwood dealer today.  They only had a couple of new PU trailers on their lot.  Only one used trailer and it was a Scamper.

[chasd60]

Hybrid & toy hauler sales is killing pop ups  :mad:

How dare they?
 With the price of some of the popups exceeding the price of some of the hybrids, it is bound to happen. If I save 20 hours in setup with my hybrid over the course of a season, the value of that time offsets the extra cost in fuel consumption. Add in the fact that I can extend my camping season with my hybrid and it made it an easy choice for me to make the transition.
 
 The hybrid feels just as open as the popup. In the daytime I wasn't in my popup and at night I had all of the curtains drawn to keep peeping eyes out.
 
The good thing is that the used popup market must be up then.

[Tim5055]

How dare they?
 With the price of some of the popups exceeding the price of some of the hybrids, it is bound to happen.

I totally agree, but I would need a big running start to get the hybrid into the garage.

[Dee4j]

With the price of some of the popups exceeding the price of some of the hybrids, it is bound to happen. If I save 20 hours in setup with my hybrid over the course of a season, the value of that time offsets the extra cost in fuel consumption.

exactly why we bought ours and got it for less than $14,000 @ the RV show.

It's nice to be able to load the frig, clothes etc w/o Popping it up
Don't get me wrong we loved our years in our PU but now I want to spend more time having fun than Popping up & tearing down

okay the truth is I'm getting old and lazy :yikes:

[chasd60]

I totally agree, but I would need a big running start to get the hybrid into the garage.

Not with that new truck you wouldn't.

[Wild Wild Qwest]

IMO - I think the prices of the newer pop ups are killing sales. When you have 12 footers and high walls in the $12 - $13 range, alot of prospective RV shoppers are leaning toward purchasing a hybrid or a TT for the same money.

[GeneF]

"IMO - I think the prices of the newer pop ups are killing sales. When you have 12 footers and high walls in the $12 - $13 range, alot of prospective RV shoppers are leaning toward purchasing a hybrid or a TT for the same money."

Have to agree with you on that one.

Even the entry level ones seem to be getting up there.  Neighbor paid about $5200 for an 8 foot colemen last year with a fridge and furnace.

Besides the price of the new big ones, some of them seem to be heavier than the hybrids.

But let's not forget that a popup is easier to tow and you don't need as big a tow vehicle with many of them.

We enjoyed our four popups as they were all a little different and a little bigger than the previous one.   Larger beds and better views were a plus for us in the last popup, a Mesa than our current hybrid.

[gekko65]

Hey I just bought a new Fleetwood in November to help the economy!!!!!! Go American .......

The Pop-Up was the best option based on the type of camping, tow-vehicle and most of all, I just love-em...... Floorplan was great.... Big beds,

Only downside is, "I snore loud", so the campers next to me may not be real happy on my pick for an RV!!!!! LOL

I must admit, for a little bit more money and if I had a larger tow-vehicle - the spousal unit would have pushed for the 26 foot hybrid with two side pop-outs and the front pop-out..... Maybe in about 10 years!!!

[GeneF]

"The Pop-Up was the best option based on the type of camping, tow-vehicle and most of all, I just love-em...... Floorplan was great.... Big beds,"

This is why most of us buy what we do.  It fits our needs and pocketbook.

Congrats on the popup and happy camping.