RV Dealers Report Good Sales Activity at Some Early RV Shows

Traffic and sales at several RV shows have exceeded expectations according to dealers and show organizers. These shows include the Colorado RV Adventure Show, the North Carolina RV Camping Show, the Washington (DC) Camping RV Expo, the New Jersey RV Show, and the WBAY RV and Camping Show in Green Bay, WI.

Randy Ketelsen of Ketelsen Campers in Wheat Ridge, CO, said that he saw a shift in buyers' moods at the Colorado show.

"I had a good feeling coming out of the show," Ketelsen said. "The most important thing is there is a definite undertone of consumer interest and pent-up demand. It's almost like they are waiting for someone to tell them that it's okay to buy an RV and enjoy the lifestyle."

In Greensboro, NC, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, 7,500 people attended the 20th Annual North Carolina RV & Camping Show and all 14 dealers displaying units reported sales.

“Going into our first shows of 2009, we didn't know what to expect," said Tom Gaither, senior vice president of Affinity Events, which organizes consumer shows. "I've been in the industry 20 years and, with all that is going on in the economy, I was impressed with the number of people who showed up with money and the intention of buying RVs.  It's good to know that individuals who love the RV lifestyle are still buying."

Three banks were at the show in Edison, New Jersey, in order to make sure that RV buyers had financing. "We had a good show," said Walter Hynes, general manager of Scott Motor Coach Sales, based in Lakewood, NJ. "We didn't see any delusional buyers. The buyers at the show were serious and ready with down payments. We feel that we will be able to get 90 percent of our sales from the show closed and credit approved."

At the WBAY RV and Camping Show in Green Bay, attendance was strong.  "This show has been phenomenal," said Mike Andes of Tiffin Motorhomes. "It's been wall-to-wall people. I think it speaks well to the diversity of the Wisconsin economy. It's a good omen. Even with the cost of gas, RVing is a much more economical way for families to travel," he said. "People aren't going to give up camping."