RV buyers, sellers grounded

RV enthusiasts and retailers are both feeling the pinch of gas prices and a struggling economy this summer.

Those who love traveling in recreational vehicles are finding themselves spending more time at home than on the road.

And RV dealers are experiencing a dismal sales year.

Paul Van, owner of Van's RV and Trailer Company in Surprise, said his sales are down 20 to 40 percent from 2007-08 figures.

"Luxury items go first," Van said.

It's the worst he has experienced in 56 years of business.

"It's a precarious time for dealers and manufacturers because we don't know when, if and how it will ever come back again," Van said. "When customers stop buying, which they did a long time ago, retailers cut back. It's a domino effect."

Van said what makes things especially difficult is not knowing when the economy has hit rock bottom.

"Have we hit the bottom?" Van said. "It's already August, so if we aren't there we better be."

Nearby at Orangewood RV in Surprise, sales manager Darrel Nagler said sales for August are expected to surpass last year's figures, but are down about 22 percent for May through July, compared to last year.

Nagler said the company's collision center, 6,000-square-foot accessories department and 26 service bays are keeping busy enough to make up the difference in dropped sales.

In addition to carrying new conventional fifth wheels and travel trailers, toy haulers and recreational vehicles, it also has 40 to 50 used, consignment vehicles on site.

"We're kind of selective as far as taking (consignments)," Nagler said. "Once it's seven years old we are reluctant to take them."

Fluctuating fuel prices were to blame for scuttling two trips being scheduled for the more than 400 members of the Recreational Vehicle Club of Sun City West this summer: a fishing trip to San Diego and a trip to Las Vegas.

"Our wagon master - the guy that arranges and organizes - couldn't get prices out of the charter boat or campsite," said membership director Tom Metzger. "The fuel prices were causing that."

Metzger said no other major trips were planned for the group. Metzger just returned from a five-day trip to Sedona.

The club is looking to the future and planning a month-long trip to Colorado in the summer of 2009.

"It gets us into the cooler climates," Metzger said.

Soaring gas prices and a struggling economy have local RV enthusiasts feeling like they are grounded.

Instead of spending their summers meandering around the country, members of the Sun City RV Club are sticking closer to home.

Pat and Howard Mayhew of Sun City have been RVing for 25 years and have traveled across the United States, Mexico and Canada on their own and with the club.

"We're cutting back some," Pat said. "We're traveling mostly in Arizona."

They joined the group in Show Low, where some members were spending the entire summer. That trip cost them $200 in gas.

Gypsy and Don Christopherson said they took their annual trip to northern California to see their family.

"We had to do it," Gypsy said. "We can't go more than a year without seeing our grandchildren."

That trip cost the Christophersons $800 in gas, as they have a large rig and pull their car. Consequently, the RV gas mileage was 8 miles per gallon.

Mindy and Fred Garner have been traveling by RV for 30 years, after graduating from tent, pop up and trailer before moving on to a motor home.

They spent a month in Show Low, enjoying the 3½-hour drive for a summer destination.

"We have a 75 gallon tank," Fred said. "So when we fill up it's about $300."

Pat said many of the more than 400 club members make an annual trek to Quartzite for several days, so they are looking forward to that excursion.

"We all shop and eat," Pat said. "And (on the last night) we have a show and tell of what we bought."

Though the gas prices and economy are keeping many motor homes in storage facilities, some of the pricier, larger vehicles are still on the road. Pat said some full-time RVers were in Show Low for the summer driving their $900,000 motor home.

Gypsy said even though they have other, more reasonable travel options, they will always drive their motor home.

"We can fly for free since our daughter is a pilot (with a major airline)", Gypsy said. "But we don't. We take the RV, can take the dogs."

"And we have no suitcases," Don said.

The Sun City RV Club can be reached on the Web at: http://www.scazrvclub.com.

The Recreational Vehicle Club of Sun City West can be reached on the web at: http://www.scwclubs.com/Clubs/CT20/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=446.