MC Fireside Chats - July 27th, 2022

MC Fireside Chats

On today’s show, we talked to Rich Schnippel, the founder and president of Encore RV–an Elkhart-based RV OEM manufacturing lightweight and easy-to-tow trailers.

Our regular guests also joined us on MC Fireside Chats. Experts on both the RV Industry and outdoor recreation include Eleanore Hamm, President at RVDA of Canada; Shane Devenish, the Executive Director at CRVA; and Kurt Repanshek of National Parks Traveler.

Hamm started the discussion by saying that while reports say that the RV industry is experiencing shipment decline, it is still solid and resilient.

“We’re seeing some media saying that numbers are dropping in terms of shipments and as well as dealer sales, but I think realistically when we look back, and we compare our stats over a year prior, there’s just been a bit of adjustment.”

Hamm added that while retail sales in Canada are down about 15% to the end of May, over the last 15 years, it’s still probably the second best year ever for the industry.

Hamm also emphasized the surge in Class C motorhome sales, meaning the rental industry is bouncing back and are seeing the tourism coming in from international travel.

Devenish reiterated that Canadian shipments were still over last year and acknowledged that while the U.S shipments number goes down, it is not necessarily a bad thing.

Repanshek shared his experience from his trip to different national park units, saying he has seen a lot of RV traffic, particularly 5th wheels and trailers.

Repanshek highlighted that in addition to RV traffic, he noticed a growing concern about the lack of awareness in some smaller national park units.

He noted that last year, 150 million park visitors have only been to 25 national parks.

Rich Schnippel, who has been in the RV industry for 22 years, discussed the endless possibilities of overlanding. Last year, they targeted the growing adventure trailer industry by launching a lightweight adventure trailer.

Schnippel also shared their challenges amid supply chain issues and staffing shortages.