Smaller-camper sales pop up as fuel prices stall big models
14.06.2008 11:01
Shopping
- Source: toledoblade.com
On vacation this summer, it's popular to go small. With gas near $4 a gallon, lightweight travel campers have replaced heavier gas-guzzling trailers as the preferred mode of outdoor living. Jack Chalfin, sales manager at Coleman Sales & Service Inc. on Lewis Avenue, said he's not surprised that his lighter, more aerodynamic models are fast sellers. "That seems to be the thing right now with gas prices," Mr. Chalfin said. "We're definitely selling more lightweight pop-ups and travel trailers over the bigger trailers." The most popular models are the Travelstar by Starcraft, a 19-foot, 3,100-pound trailer at $15,000, and the Fleetwood Yuma, a 10-foot, 1,500-pound pop-up at $7,000. Large trailer sales are down 10 percent, while small pop-ups are up nearly 8 percent from last year, Mr. Chalfin said. Two brands of large trailers that he carries cost over $25,000, weigh about 7,000 pounds, and extend to nearly 30 feet. Anything that size requires a three-quarter ton truck to haul it, Mr. Chalfin said, and considering the size, would demand a high expenditure of fuel. Tom McGuire, owner of the All American Coach Co. on Alexis Road, has noticed an uptick in small camper sales as well. He said he's sold 25 a month this season, "better than in the past." Little Guy Worldwide LLC in Canton, which specializes in ultra lightweight campers, entered the market this year in response to high fuel costs, and what the company felt was a missing niche in the marketplace. Its Teardrop Trailers can weigh as little as 700 pounds, and cost $3,000. But surprisingly, short-distance travelers, or weekend campers, are still purchasing large trailers, Mr. McGuire at All American said. The trend was confirmed by other area dealers. Large trailers typically cost $15,000 to $40,000, considerably less than RV homes often priced upward of $80,000. "We're selling a lot more of the bigger ones than little ones" for short-distance traveling, said Dudley Tucker, sales manager at Young's RV Center in Fremont. Nearly 80 percent of his customers keep trailers parked permanently at local recreation areas, he added. "We're surrounded by a lot of campgrounds, and we're 15 miles from Lake Erie," Mr. Tucker said. Jill Walters, owner of Walter's Travel Trailers in Swanton Township, said permanent camping has become increasingly popular. Many local residents park RVs at area campgrounds and live in them on the weekends, she said. Contact Ted Fackler at:
tfackler@theblade.com
or 419-724-6199.
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