02/08/12

RV manufacturers are big and small. They are household names and they are unknowns. Some manufacturers like Winnebgo and Fleetwood, crank out tens of thousands of units a year (Fleetwood sold 80,120 in 1990). Others operate out of oversized garages and are family operated businesses that produce only a handful of units a year. Some high end companies may also produce only a handful of units a year, but the price tags may be a half-million dollars and up, making these businesses far from Mom and Pop operations.

It's hard to know how many manufacturers there are in the United States and Canada, but a good ballpark figure is 175. These are the main players, but they are far from equal in size. Giants like Winnebago and Fleetwood with their huge factories and work forces, dominate, at least in numbers of units sold.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) represents 95% of all RV manufacturers. Anyone who plans to buy an RV should follow one very important rule: make sure that whatever motorhome, trailer or other RV they purchase displays the oval-shaped seal of the RVIA. This means the company agrees to meet high standards. If an RV does not display such a seal, then don't buy it.

Most RV manufacturers sell through dealers. Most dealers represent more than one manufacturer, although some sell only one line. A few RV manufacturers, like Born Free and Lazy Daze, sell directly to the consumer with no dealer middlemen. Born Free sells from seven "factory-direct" locations, while Lazy Daze sells only through its Montclair, Calif., factory. "By eliminating dealer mark-ups, we are able to offer a motorhome that is top quality at a competitive price," the company stresses in its literature.

A big advantage to buying from a large RV manufacturer with a big dealer network is that specialized repair work is often close by no matter where the RVers travels.

Most RV manufacturers publish catalogues that list the models, sizes and amenities of their products. Consumers pick what they like either right from the sales lot, or by ordering ahead, in which case they can have some input over the color and style of carpets, draperies and upholstery. High end manufacturers, where price tags are $200,000 and up, allow their customers many choices in interior and even exterior design. Custom built luxury coaches may be designed nearly from scratch by the buyer.

It's a good idea for a new RVer buyer do a background check on the manufacturer before signing on the dotted line. Most manufacturers have websites, so check there first. RV Business publishes current stock prices for 15 publicly traded RV manufacturers. Check out the company's 52 week records to see which direction the stock is headed. Finally, anyone about to buy a recreational vehicle should be sure to check with RVers who currently the same make and model to get an unbiased opinion of the unit's worth.