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10-20-2023, 09:54 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Michelle
Trailer: Casita
Washington
Posts: 335
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Sales of used fiberglass campers
I was in an RV supply store the other day and picked up a newsprint catalog produced by several RV sales companies.
It's called the Northwest Road and Marine.
It has pages and pages of used 5th wheels, RV's, (called Class A motor home) travel trailers, pickup campers, goosenecks, popups, toy haulers,
r-pods, etc.
There's Airstreams, Jayco's, Forest River, Tiffin, lot of big name stuff.
Many of them are relatively new, less than 5 years old.
It also has cars, trucks, boats, quads, motorcycles, dirt bikes, outboard motors, even tractors.
An ambitious (and desperate) real estate agent has several ads for houses in it.
The one thing it doesn't have, not a single one, is fiberglass campers. Now maybe the boats are fiberglass, I don't know, I don't know diddlysquat about boats except that whatever part you want for one, if you say 'boat' it costs twice as a much as anything else. (sort of like dressage, for my horse friends).
But there's no fiberglass campers. At all. This might mean that the dealers just don't accept fiberglass campers, or maybe if they do, they sell out with the snap of a finger, I don't know.
But I bet my lunch it's because we fiberglass folks keep a tight hold on our campers and when we to to sell, we don't need that middle man. Or even a cheapo, free catalog.
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10-20-2023, 05:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022 (was 2013 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17)
Massachusetts
Posts: 672
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Molded-fiberglass campers do turn up on RV-dealer lots from time to time, but the numbers made are so small, and the demand great enough, that most sellers just advertise on this site (or forums devoted to brands, like Casita, Scamp, Escape, etc.), or on FiberglassRVs4Sale, or sometimes on Craig's List or similar.
Escape has some pre-owned Escapes on their site. Don't know about others.
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10-21-2023, 02:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: 2010 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe
Wisconsin
Posts: 216
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We bought our first fiberglass, a Scamp in May 2012, by answering a Craigslist ad, being the second reply out of 26 overnight. It turned out to be an RV dealership that got it on a trade in. The first reply wasn't going to show up to look at it until after work. I put $2K down on it with a credit card over the phone and picked it up 4 days latter. When picking up the dealer said they had to hide it behind the building because they had so many inquiries, and he commented that he needs to try to stock them, lol.
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10-22-2023, 02:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Ron
Trailer: 2001 Casita 17' SD
IN
Posts: 141
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I’ve had folks at gas station stops come up and tell me how they love my Casita and want to look inside. They often tell me how they have “looked” for a fiberglass camper but they’re “so hard to find used”.
Very true, we tend to hang on to ‘em!
__________________
"Adventure Before Dementia"
2001 Casita Sprit Deluxe 17
2019 F150 4x4
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10-22-2023, 05:49 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: 2013Escape 21
Iowa
Posts: 1,279
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I’ve seen a couple fiberglass campers at camper dealerships in the past 10 years. one was a u haul in Washington state and one was a Scamp in Minnesota.
It’s hard to even spot them in residential yards. I had this personal question (talking to myself) and wondered if I were to set up a lawn chair along interstate 80 for an entire day, dawn to dusk how many fiberglass oils I see. My record on I90 was on the last Friday or Saturday of the week before school started. I drove the length of South Dakota from Rapid City to Sioux Falls against westbound traffic and saw 10 fiberglass campers. 5 scamps, 3 Casitas, an Escape and a Burro. Otherwise 2 or three a day on being an Eacape about every other day is my average when I go west. I drove 80 miles on I 80 one day and counted 125 campers of all types coming at me west bound and 80 campers being delivered on trailers or behind dually pickups with a DOT commercial sticker on them. Those new ones were coming out of Elkhart. The trailers I am seeing now are much smaller than the halcyon days of Covid when they couldn’t staple them together fast enough.
Iowa Dave
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10-25-2023, 03:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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There is a serious market here. Someone and several someones should be looking at this. I know that I have had several out of the blue offers for many times what I paid.
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10-30-2023, 02:58 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Name: ALBERT
Trailer: SCAMP
OK
Posts: 20
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SCARCE
It took us two years before we finally found and bought our 13' Scamp. It was a trade in at Camping World. I couldn't believe it when it was on their website for two days and nobody beat us to it! We love it.
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10-30-2023, 07:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scripalbertjr
It took us two years before we finally found and bought our 13' Scamp. It was a trade in at Camping World. I couldn't believe it when it was on their website for two days and nobody beat us to it! We love it.
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I totally lucked out. I decided I wanted to think about a camper for several reasons. I walked into a realer and they showed me several including my scamp. They had jut got it in. Actually I had to wait for some repairs before officially completing the deal.
Yeah there are things I would change, but in generally I am very happy. Maybe a 9 of 10.
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10-30-2023, 07:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,852
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Is the fiberglass camper market really hot? It seems to be, doesn't it? I have been on this forum for ten years, and we have seen several attempts by people trying to enter the fiberglass camper market, but none of them made it.
If somebody can explain it, please do! Thanks in advance.
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10-30-2023, 09:01 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022 (was 2013 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17)
Massachusetts
Posts: 672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul O.
Is the fiberglass camper market really hot? It seems to be, doesn't it? I have been on this forum for ten years, and we have seen several attempts by people trying to enter the fiberglass camper market, but none of them made it.
If somebody can explain it, please do! Thanks in advance.
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You mean enter as a manufacturer? Answer would probably be that molded-fiberglass is not a quick nor efficient, nor flexible, way to build a vehicle, so it tends to favor craftsmanship over mass production. It would probably be possible to create a molded-fiberglass production line, but likely hard to compete with the sticky staplers of Indiana turning theirs out by the thousands.
When you can make only a limited number in only a few few models, and you have to compete in price with much cheaper-made RVs, your chances of success are relatively slim. When you think of it, kudos to those few small companies who manage to do it!
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10-30-2023, 09:41 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Lynn
You mean enter as a manufacturer? Answer would probably be that molded-fiberglass is not a quick nor efficient, nor flexible, way to build a vehicle, so it tends to favor craftsmanship over mass production. It would probably be possible to create a molded-fiberglass production line, but likely hard to compete with the sticky staplers of Indiana turning theirs out by the thousands.
When you can make only a limited number in only a few few models, and you have to compete in price with much cheaper-made RVs, your chances of success are relatively slim. When you think of it, kudos to those few small companies who manage to do it!
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Probably part of it. But only part of it. Marketing I think is another part of it. I have not seen fiberglass trailer makers actually make the case for fiberglass. And there is a big case for it. They do last and last and take less maintenance. But really hit the manufacturer's web sites and they really don't even discuss it as a feature or as and advantage. We talk about it here a lot. They don't.
Of course the people in the business are not that interested because they can sell all they make. It would be interesting to see scamp talk about how many of their units are still out there in use. Compare that to the Indiana people. Some nice people, but their products just don't last. But try to pretend you are researching campers and try and see if you find that out.
We also have an advantage in towing cost and many other advantages. But nobody is talking about that. So the buying public don't know. And the new startups really just are doing "Hey see we have a fiberglass camper"
You are right that the shell is a bit hard to manufacture. And then there needs to be an inside. Both actually take an inside to work especially if they are going to be light and efficient. But that can more easily built into the stick built setup. But it really does not matter what is in the inside. It just needs to be there. And so someone could like make shells and then several someones could make campers of them. I have wondered if there is not a way in this modern world to make the manufacturing of a shell like a scamp or casita cheaper and easier.
The people up in Northern Indiana also deal mostly through dealers who really are the people marketing campers. Sorry the web is still not the place to sell them. But the fiberglass makers are all into direct sales. I have had reason to talk about this with several dealers (My job has me working 4+ states so I travel a lot and have reason to have contact with dealers a lot of places) they would love to be selling that style of camper but that is not an available option.
There are some other reasons for that. But this would be a start.
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10-31-2023, 06:03 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022 (was 2013 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17)
Massachusetts
Posts: 672
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Well, Escape likes to tout the virtues of molded fiberglass:
https://escapetrailer.com/are-fiberg...&video=92a3c34
But otherwise it's word-of-mouth marketing.
Big Foot sells their trailers (and truck campers) through dealers. I'm sure the dealers' cut is reflected in the prices. In general, I think low production volume works against using a dealer network. The dealers need stock on their lots for prospective customers to see.
Do any of the MFG builders show their products at RV and outdoor trade shows? The stickies do, even the smaller ones like inTech.
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10-31-2023, 06:52 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Lynn
Well, Escape likes to tout the virtues of molded fiberglass:
https://escapetrailer.com/are-fiberg...&video=92a3c34
But otherwise it's word-of-mouth marketing.
Big Foot sells their trailers (and truck campers) through dealers. I'm sure the dealers' cut is reflected in the prices. In general, I think low production volume works against using a dealer network. The dealers need stock on their lots for prospective customers to see.
Do any of the MFG builders show their products at RV and outdoor trade shows? The stickies do, even the smaller ones like inTech.
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Well the other guys ought to be doing this too that's a good presentation. Or at least the short amount I was able to look at.
Well the dealers would like to be able to probably have some stocking. Which wouldn't really hurt the industry any. That's more units. But my experience which is somewhat limited but not that limited is that there's a lot of low volume stick built RV manufacturers who go through the dealer Network that the dealers don't have their units on the lot. But they do have good literature. And the latest time I had any contact with this they also had some really good modeling information on their computers. But they also did offer dealer pricing to the dealers. And were able to make a commitment of a fairly reasonable turnaround once one was ordered.
From talking to dealers with regard to fiberglass units they don't have any kind of dealer pricing and they don't have the kind of information that their sales people would need in order to present that is an option.
No idea if they're going to the RV shows but I'm suspicious they don't. Back to marketing marketing marketing
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10-31-2023, 07:06 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Ron
Trailer: 2001 Casita 17' SD
IN
Posts: 141
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I believe the biggest part of advertising in fiberglass units is availability. As noted fiberglass production is a slow(er) process and having excessive customers lined up to buy would be a detriment, not an asset. Customers having to wait longer periods of time tend to move on as camping is not a “wait until next year gratification. Those willing to wait seem to be the ones who hold on the longest to their campers.
Other side of availability is longevity. How many 20-25 to 30 year old campers do you see along the road or on lots for sale? Not many, and I’d bet everyone of them are fiberglass or aluminum. Stickies just don’t stand up to time and a proven older unit at a lesser (than new) price is very attractive, especially to newbie’s.
Camping, and campers are a niche market just like motorbikes, ATV’s and skydiving and all are “wants” not necessities so demand has to be realized with expectations. Current fiberglass production times are starting to come back to reality after covid and the glut of covid buyers are diminishing as well. The used market has many non stickies to offer, if you look, but the pandemic sure put a hurt on prices like every other market.
I do not think you’ll never see an exclusive corner lot seller of new production fiberglass/aluminum campers ever. Just isn’t a timeframe for hand produced quality units that will satisfy consumers.
Factory direct is a reasonable option, if your a reasonable person willing to wait.
__________________
"Adventure Before Dementia"
2001 Casita Sprit Deluxe 17
2019 F150 4x4
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10-31-2023, 08:57 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Motoboss
I believe the biggest part of advertising in fiberglass units is availability. As noted fiberglass production is a slow(er) process and having excessive customers lined up to buy would be a detriment, not an asset. Customers having to wait longer periods of time tend to move on as camping is not a “wait until next year gratification. Those willing to wait seem to be the ones who hold on the longest to their campers.
Other side of availability is longevity. How many 20-25 to 30 year old campers do you see along the road or on lots for sale? Not many, and I’d bet everyone of them are fiberglass or aluminum. Stickies just don’t stand up to time and a proven older unit at a lesser (than new) price is very attractive, especially to newbie’s.
Camping, and campers are a niche market just like motorbikes, ATV’s and skydiving and all are “wants” not necessities so demand has to be realized with expectations. Current fiberglass production times are starting to come back to reality after covid and the glut of covid buyers are diminishing as well. The used market has many non stickies to offer, if you look, but the pandemic sure put a hurt on prices like every other market.
I do not think you’ll never see an exclusive corner lot seller of new production fiberglass/aluminum campers ever. Just isn’t a timeframe for hand produced quality units that will satisfy consumers.
Factory direct is a reasonable option, if your a reasonable person willing to wait.
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Well certainly availability is an issue very I don't know that there is a really intrinsic reason that fiberglass trailers couldn't be built approximately as fast as stick built. The process would have to be a little different. But the general idea of a fiberglass camper isn't preventing a faster building. But I do think the length of time it takes to get one built and to get one in your hands certainly is affecting the market.
Your dad on about the people aren't going to wait thing. That is one of the big problems here.
I think you might be able to add in an awful lot of additional trailer types besides RV trailers into the program in order to increase volume and therefore justify higher speed production with the same quality. I am thinking that various kinds of show trailers would also lend themselves even more to fiberglass because now you're dealing with business and business is going to be more interested in a longer life product. And there is the area of the very niche but valuable area of fiber optic repair that is becoming much larger.
But yes the way they are currently made definitely leaves to one of the big issues here.
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10-31-2023, 12:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Jerrybob
Trailer: casita
Washington
Posts: 854
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Wonder how many current fiberglass owners are former stick built ownwers? I know I was.....we've owned stick built trailers.....both leaked at some point even after doing regular roof maintenence......in our neck of the woods.....lots of rain......our Casita does not leak. We were lucky....bought our Casita from a guy who took delivery in Florida.....drove it across the country once....never used it after that.....he never even used the stove or frig. He put it on Craigslist....I was his first caller by luck.....picked it up about two hours away from us the next day.......he owned the trailer for about a year.....we've had it 10 yrs now.......don't plan to sell it but....if I did....could get 4 or 5 thousand more than I paid. When we downsized....I wanted a Casita......perfect for us.....easy to pull.....easy to maintain.....no leaks....we love it.
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10-31-2023, 01:11 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrybob
Wonder how many current fiberglass owners are former stick built ownwers? I know I was.....we've owned stick built trailers.....both leaked at some point even after doing regular roof maintenence......in our neck of the woods.....lots of rain......our Casita does not leak. We were lucky....bought our Casita from a guy who took delivery in Florida.....drove it across the country once....never used it after that.....he never even used the stove or frig. He put it on Craigslist....I was his first caller by luck.....picked it up about two hours away from us the next day.......he owned the trailer for about a year.....we've had it 10 yrs now.......don't plan to sell it but....if I did....could get 4 or 5 thousand more than I paid. When we downsized....I wanted a Casita......perfect for us.....easy to pull.....easy to maintain.....no leaks....we love it.
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Another great question that if the fiberglass manufacturers were doing good marketing they would ask.
You story sure sounds common on here.
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10-31-2023, 05:41 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Lynn
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21C, NTU April 2022 (was 2013 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17)
Massachusetts
Posts: 672
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Just a follow-up note: Now that I think about it, I expect it's the dealers who generally take trailers to the RV shows, though they may get support from the builders. The shows are regional, so it would be hard for small builders to manage those all over the country.
Still, if MFG builders want to attract more customers, getting units to RV shows would be a good way to do it. If I were them, I'd put together a traveling team with two or three models and loads of brochures, and pay them to travel around the country hitting every RV show they could.
Come to think of it, that would be a fun job, too!
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10-31-2023, 06:37 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: scamp
Indiana
Posts: 1,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Lynn
Just a follow-up note: Now that I think about it, I expect it's the dealers who generally take trailers to the RV shows, though they may get support from the builders. The shows are regional, so it would be hard for small builders to manage those all over the country.
Still, if MFG builders want to attract more customers, getting units to RV shows would be a good way to do it. If I were them, I'd put together a traveling team with two or three models and loads of brochures, and pay them to travel around the country hitting every RV show they could.
Come to think of it, that would be a fun job, too!
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Suspect the job could get old fast. Probably would be a better perk for employees and then do rotations. Hey you take these four the next four weeks and then come back and we will prep up a new run and we send out the second team with some different employees. Maybe including some visits to some cool camp grounds and you take the family. Maybe every other weekend for a couple months in the company dime. Then back to the job.
Of course that might reduce production. :-(
But I think you are half right. I think they both do it, AND the manufacturers get a lot of support from the regional dealers. And the dealers get great leads. But we are back to dealers. But I also suspect that dealers are not going to work well with the "order it this year and get it next year" thing.
Back to we need more production. But I think in the end the manufacturers are happy with the market they have. They might not what the additional hassle of a lot more sales.
I think the real key might be finding a way to make GOOD reasonably priced shells and then have companies start up to fill them. AND not all for RVs. I can see this style of trailer being able to meet a lot of other needs.
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10-31-2023, 09:43 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Name: Katrina
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
British Columbia
Posts: 20
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Both Escape and Armadillo have shown a couple of their trailers at the Tradex RV Show in Abbotsford, BC. It's very close for Escape since Chilliwack is only 25 min from Abbotsford. Armadillo is a few hours north of Abbotsford in Armstrong, BC. It was great to be able to talk directly with the owners who manufacture the trailers.
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