North Dakota RV Sales Up
|  Video
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| Marie Arceo |
| 7/30/2009 |
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| Camping in the summer is a tradition for many families, but when families are on a tighter budget, some aren`t traveling as much or as far. Nationwide, RV sales are down, but some dealerships in North Dakota, are seeing the opposite story. Scott Craigie is retired. He and his family travel around in their camper a few times a month. This is the second recreational vehicle they`ve owned and they say, with the amount of traveling they do, owning an RV has been a huge savings. "Motels, a decent one is 80 dollars a day, then we have our dogs and they charge you a premium to put a dog in the room. We have 2 generally, so we pay the premium twice and that`s 100-dollars and then you have to buy your meals and when`s the last time you ate out for 30-bucks?" said Craigie. Campgrounds are still seeing full lots this year and people are still enjoying outdoor activities, but some industry professionals say people are also just using what they already have.. Which means, for now, no new purchases. In 2003, about 390-thousand RVs were sold nationwide. Numbers this year are down 65-percent from that peak. Between factory closures across the country and some of the biggest names in the RV Industry filing for bankruptcy, it`s been a tough year. "Numbers are drastic across the country, really, but there`s parts of the country with the automotive industry, the housing industry, especially with the east coast and west coast. They`re struggling," said Kurt Leier, the Sales Manager for Capital RV Center Inc in Bismarck. Capital RV in Bismarck is not seeing what other dealerships are. Last year, its 2 dealerships in North Dakota sold a combination of about 900 RVS, which is its second highest earning year in its 23 year history. "We`re stable here but what we`re seeing is probably not as many people traveling from other states to here with their families and things. Probably staying closer to home and camping," said Kurt. It`s not all bad news for those other dealerships as the industry is expected to gain momentum over the next 5 years and rebound back. For campers like the Craigies who`s RV lifestyle has taken them around the country, it`s one expense that won`t be cut out. |
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