The summer vacation season is upon us. People will be looking for a way to get away.
A recession that has changed the recreational vehicle business for now.
At Rhone's Travel Trailers near Cogan Station a lot has changed from the days when customers had big bucks to spend on campers and motor homes.
According to Brad Rhone, the RV industry is always the first to feel the effects of a recession.
"Disposable income's the first thing we chip away at when our incomes fall. And it's the first then when we're ready to have a little fun," Rhone said.
To make up for a slow down in sales, Rhone's family business has relied on its service department.
John Peterman dropped off his Winnabego Wednesday for a repair. "The refrigerator conked out and I have one drawer with catch that needs to be fixed. Getting ready to go," Peterman said.
Not only does Rhone see customers repairing older models, he notices families choosing low-budget getaways, such as taking the RV and parking it at the campgrounds.
The sales lot at Rhone's travel Trailers is usually full this time of year. The owner said there are three reasons for how it looks right now. One, the economy, two, tt's in between model years and three, the used sales are really going well right now.
"Any used we get go almost immediately, as evidenced by I have almost none," Rhone added.
Rhone said his business will weather the storm and will be ready when the economy starts to pick up again.
"I'd be surprised it wasn't yet this year or early next we see a rebound. When we start to rebound, watch the rest of the world. It will too," Rhone predicted.
He also said motor homes, the RVs that don't need to be towed, took the biggest hit so far in the recession. He blames that mostly on the rise in gas prices.
A recession that has changed the recreational vehicle business for now.
At Rhone's Travel Trailers near Cogan Station a lot has changed from the days when customers had big bucks to spend on campers and motor homes.
According to Brad Rhone, the RV industry is always the first to feel the effects of a recession.
"Disposable income's the first thing we chip away at when our incomes fall. And it's the first then when we're ready to have a little fun," Rhone said.
To make up for a slow down in sales, Rhone's family business has relied on its service department.
John Peterman dropped off his Winnabego Wednesday for a repair. "The refrigerator conked out and I have one drawer with catch that needs to be fixed. Getting ready to go," Peterman said.
Not only does Rhone see customers repairing older models, he notices families choosing low-budget getaways, such as taking the RV and parking it at the campgrounds.
The sales lot at Rhone's travel Trailers is usually full this time of year. The owner said there are three reasons for how it looks right now. One, the economy, two, tt's in between model years and three, the used sales are really going well right now.
"Any used we get go almost immediately, as evidenced by I have almost none," Rhone added.
Rhone said his business will weather the storm and will be ready when the economy starts to pick up again.
"I'd be surprised it wasn't yet this year or early next we see a rebound. When we start to rebound, watch the rest of the world. It will too," Rhone predicted.
He also said motor homes, the RVs that don't need to be towed, took the biggest hit so far in the recession. He blames that mostly on the rise in gas prices.
