Posted on 06/16/2024 9:04:52 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
At this time of year, a reservation with Chill RV Rentals isn’t usually the easiest to come by.
The Los Angeles-based company’s 16-camper fleet is typically booked solid, with the RVs oftentimes reserved weeks in advance.
That’s just not the case this year, said Nika Shneyder, who started the recreational vehicle rental business with her father in 2016. Bookings are light; plus, the people who are traveling are taking shorter trips, she said.
“We’re definitely seeing demand for RV travel slowed down compared to previous years, and I don’t think it has to do with people coming out [the pandemic] and going on different kinds of trips,” Shneyder said. “I actually think it has a lot to do with people having less discretionary spending available.”
She added: “I think we’re going to pick up this summer, in July and August for sure; but historically speaking, we would have been busier by now.”
On the retail sales side, there are similar stories at play: Businesses are seeing softer, but improving, demand; consumers are showing some hesitancy but still are spending some; and industry members are exhibiting cautious, but growing, optimism.
The industry appears to be not only getting back into gear but also settling into a familiar groove: its role as an economic bellwether.
When consumer sentiment falters or the economy starts to teeter, RV sales follow suit, said Michael Hicks, an economics professor at Ball State University and director of Indiana University’s Center for Business and Economic Research.
RVs are typically large-dollar items for individuals and families, costing about $12,000 to $15,000 for a small, pop-up, tow-behind trailer, to some that run well north of $250,000 or more for a motorhome or luxury offering.
(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...
Well, at least I haven’t had to replace the microwave in the Gulfstream .... Yet, anyway. :-)
I actually don’t mind replacing stuff like that, since it isn’t part of the original design / build, and it is just a matter of taking out the old one and plugging in the new one.
Yes we have found that most things are not hard to replace and so far I’ve ordered everything from Amazon except the micro wave. The water heater is about the only other thing we are concerned about. So far its fine. The furnace and AC work great but we hardly ever use them. We use a couple of electric heaters and we bought one of those portable air conditioners last summer. It cools the place down fine and pulls about 35% less watts and is pretty quiet.
It could easily do something about the problem.
The pols just refuse.
https://www.investopedia.com/thor-industries-cuts-its-outlook-as-rv-sales-struggle-8658591
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-retail-sales-march-fell-stone/
I have the water heater out of the Gulfstream now.... Part of what I was talking about in the original post... It has a manifold next to it that has both cold water flowing in and hot water flowing out... the manifold failed, internally and externally when the water heater went, and apparently is irreplaceable; I’m going to have to bypass the manifold, run independent direct lines, with regular Tees instead of complex manifolds; input to the water heater and then out to the faucets etc.
Just more BS trying to gaslight the economy is great
Ours is replaceable for about $300 on Amazon but Mr. GG2 looked at it and said if it dies he’s going to let the RV tech fix it.
A worthwhile thread!
^^^^^^^^THIS!^^^^^^
Count me in. I am off grid in an RV. I can’t hope to buy a house anymore. I don’t see how anyone else in “middle class” can afford a house. I just saw the average house in my neck of the woods in now 750k. There are not magical new jobs paying that much. Still Bay Area californicators are buying up everything. I am blessed with my couple acres, solar panels, and creek.
LOL!
If you think calling me a Cheese Head hurts my feelings, you’re as WRONG as putting ketchup on a bratwurst! :)
Hi, Blam! Great to see you!
I hear ya! I know for certain I will be moving to smaller quarters if I lose Beau. The plan is to sell off the house and 48 acres, keeping the land at the west side of the property with the established tree-line as a backdrop. My ‘Tiny House’ will fit in there just perfectly - once I move all the Guy Junk out! It is also adjacent to my greenhouse and established raised bed gardens. ;)
Renting out the crop land will keep me afloat financially and the new owners of the house/48 get the PLEASURE of plowing and maintaining the mile-long driveway out of here!
“Turning America from middle class homeowners into Gypsies to make room for, well, Gypsies.”
My thoughts, exactly.
I just read last week that RV and boat sales both are dropping which indicates the economy is entering a recession. Also, the recreational vehicles purchased during Covid are now for sale creating a glut in the used RCV department.
Which is it?
Ping to Post #54. :)
See posts 45 and 46 for the real skinny on RV sales/future.
CNN is just blowing smoke up our skirts with this deceptive article. ;)
I saw a similar article. “Van-lords” have replaced slum lords. People are buying old vans and RVs and having them towed to homeless camp areas and renting them out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.