The RV: Going the way of the dinosaur?
Tim Jones, Los Angeles Times
The economic crisis threatens an industry and an American lifestyle. 'This is the worst it's ever been.'
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Reporting from Forest City, Iowa -- In the realm of conspicuous consumption, few things are larger than the RV, the multi-ton vehicular brontosaurus that has taken generations of families on the great American highway adventure.
But in the worst economic crisis since the Depression, the RV is facing perhaps its gravest challenge as sales have plummeted, manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy or gone out of business, and lofty expectations of a grander profile for recreational vehicles have been drastically cut.
Even the most pessimistic economy watchers will acknowledge that someday people will begin buying cars again, only because they have to. That assumption, though, does not apply to RVs, which are not essential purchases, can easily cost a quarter of a million dollars and are relentless binge drinkers of fuel.
(28 March 2009)
Interesting comment by tstreet on The Oil Drum's DrumBeat:
Maybe the RV industry needs to reframe itself. The term "RV" implies the use of a lot of discretionary income. Most people speed tens of thousands of dollars on an RV and use it just a few weeks a year at best. RVs,however, start to make sense economically when they are used year round or near year round and move with the seasons to cut back on heating and/or cooling costs. There is an emerging tiny home movement that is wheel based and environmentally sensitive. The problem is the emphasis on recreation and vehicle.
The RV industry needs to become the PH (portable home) industry. They also need to build PHs that are nontoxic, solar powered, and more efficient.
Here's a good example of what I am talking about. martinhousetogo.com
latimes.com |
