By Greg Gerber on 1/30/2008 3:04 PM

I wonder what went through Bob Olson's mind at Winnebago Industries when he learned Bruce Hertzke was retiring at the end of May and that Olson was being tapped to fill Hertzke's position as the company's chairman and CEO. Olson may have been laying in bed and staring wide-eyed at the ceiling in a cold sweat after coming to grips with the job he was inheriting. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/30/2008 2:26 PM

A week after the Federal Reserve Board announced they were cutting the discount rate on loans by 0.75 percent, RV dealers across the country are apparently wondering when the rate cut will filter down to consumer loans. Read More »

By Chuck Marzahn on 1/23/2008 1:21 PM

There may be ways that we steal time from the company that we don't even think notice. It's become an epidemic. See if this is true in your business... Walking through the airport... not an unusual thing for me. Hart's Field (Atlanta)... I see the cleaning crews with the big ol' dumpster on wheels rollin' (more like strollin') down the center of the concourse. Clearly, there's no urgency involved. But Hey! I tell myself it's a cleaner. They likely don't get much over minimum wage. Supervisor's off somewhere else. Why should I care? Read More »

By Kevin Maxwell on 1/22/2008 3:05 PM

When it comes to setting appropriate pricing of rental units many operators remember the wheels part and tend to overlook the house part. Just like hotels, airlines and car rentals, RV rentals have a fixed capacity and perishable inventory. If a coach is sitting on your lot all weekend long, the opportunity to gain rental income for those days on that unit is gone forever. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/22/2008 3:01 PM

The last thing the RV industry wants or needs is 49 state legislators deciding what standards 320- to 400-square-foot RVs must be built to before they can be sold and used in individual states. It is entirely conceivable that this situation could result in people from California buying an RV they can't use in Oregon or Washington, can drive through Nevada, but not Arizona -- and certainly not to Canada. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/22/2008 1:54 PM

At first glance, 100-amp service seems excessively unnecessary, but the park developer said RV users have persistently complained they don't have enough power for their rigs and the toys inside. But, by taking into consideration everything being tossed into RVs today, it may be fair to ask if 100-amp service is enough power. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/14/2008 11:18 PM

His engaging, reassuring voice may be silent. His penetrating, but gentle gaze may no longer shine on Earth. His towering presence may no longer be felt at industry events. But, Dave Altman's legacy will live on for years to come. And his spirit will linger in our hearts. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/7/2008 9:06 AM

In a speech a few weeks ago, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton announced she will raise the fuel efficiency standards -- again. This time it will mean certain doom for the RV industry by 2030. Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/4/2008 3:24 PM

Nearly every day, RV Industry News publishes financial information from "analysts" who suggest that such-and-such isn't performing "as expected." Or the analysts are surprised when a company, market report or financial statement is "better than expected." Who exactly is doing all this "expecting?" Read More »

By Greg Gerber on 1/4/2008 2:48 PM

Iowa might be a great state and it's located in the middle of America. But, really, must it have so much clout in the political process? Read More »