Consumers Gravitating to Smaller RVs
Friday, 05 September 2008 14:34 | Written by RVPortals.com | 
BREAKING NEWS
Consumers Gravitating to Smaller RVs, Rentals
RV BusinessMonday, July 14, 2008
Families in New York state looking to get away this summer are continuing to hit the road in their recreational vehicles, but they are traveling shorter distances and
renting them, area RV dealers say."People are still going to vacation," said Bill Kinney, sales manager at Ballantyne RV and Marine in Victor. "They're just a little cautious."
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chrnoicle, Kinney said the most popular RV models nowadays at Ballantyne are some of the more inexpensive ones such as folding camping trailers and used vehicles. Consumers are conscious of gas prices and, like regular cars, are purchasing smaller and more gas-efficient RVs, he said.
According to industry sources, gas prices have also boosted the RV rental market along with campground bookings asAmericans rethink the way they vacation.
At Perinton RV Rentals in Macedon, RV rentals start at $250 for a weekend, said president Kevin Peters. The rental business is up over last year, he said, but people are opting for three-day rentals as opposed to three-week rentals."They're not traveling as far," Peters said. "They're staying closer."
New York state is fortunate to be rich with parks, trails and other natural resources, said Aaron Johnston, president ofJohnston RV Country in Webster and Palmyra.
There is a downturn in sales to first-time buyers of RVs, Johnston noted. People are also taking more time in making decisions and looking at used vehicles and more gas-efficient types of RVs.
"Sales have been challenging as consumers struggle with fuel prices," Johnston said.
Realizing the challenges fuel costs would have on the RV industry, Doug Stacey, owner of Stacey's Camper Rental inRochester, changed his business model this year to focus on smaller vehicles. There are now 19 small RVs and only four fullsize motorhomes on his lot.
Even when gas prices were below $4 a gallon, "we saw the writing on the wall," Stacey said. He knew consumers woulddemand more fuel-friendly vehicles and is now catering his business to the new trend.
Consumers now want to know how fuel-efficient the RVs are, Stacey said. His business doesn't carry any vehicles longer than 28 feet. The RVs that are 24 to 28 feet typically get 8 to 10 miles a gallon while 19-foot campers get 10 to 15 miles a gallon.
Consumers Gravitating to Smaller RVs, Rentals
RV BusinessMonday, July 14, 2008
Families in New York state looking to get away this summer are continuing to hit the road in their recreational vehicles, but they are traveling shorter distances and
renting them, area RV dealers say."People are still going to vacation," said Bill Kinney, sales manager at Ballantyne RV and Marine in Victor. "They're just a little cautious."
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chrnoicle, Kinney said the most popular RV models nowadays at Ballantyne are some of the more inexpensive ones such as folding camping trailers and used vehicles. Consumers are conscious of gas prices and, like regular cars, are purchasing smaller and more gas-efficient RVs, he said.
According to industry sources, gas prices have also boosted the RV rental market along with campground bookings asAmericans rethink the way they vacation.
At Perinton RV Rentals in Macedon, RV rentals start at $250 for a weekend, said president Kevin Peters. The rental business is up over last year, he said, but people are opting for three-day rentals as opposed to three-week rentals."They're not traveling as far," Peters said. "They're staying closer."
New York state is fortunate to be rich with parks, trails and other natural resources, said Aaron Johnston, president ofJohnston RV Country in Webster and Palmyra.
There is a downturn in sales to first-time buyers of RVs, Johnston noted. People are also taking more time in making decisions and looking at used vehicles and more gas-efficient types of RVs.
"Sales have been challenging as consumers struggle with fuel prices," Johnston said.
Realizing the challenges fuel costs would have on the RV industry, Doug Stacey, owner of Stacey's Camper Rental inRochester, changed his business model this year to focus on smaller vehicles. There are now 19 small RVs and only four fullsize motorhomes on his lot.
Even when gas prices were below $4 a gallon, "we saw the writing on the wall," Stacey said. He knew consumers woulddemand more fuel-friendly vehicles and is now catering his business to the new trend.
Consumers now want to know how fuel-efficient the RVs are, Stacey said. His business doesn't carry any vehicles longer than 28 feet. The RVs that are 24 to 28 feet typically get 8 to 10 miles a gallon while 19-foot campers get 10 to 15 miles a gallon.
Last Updated (Thursday, 18 September 2008 11:37)
