mumkin
Minot ND USA
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Joined: 07/16/2004
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As someone who is a moderator on another board, I am fully aware that a public board... especially one like this... will draw a large number of negative posters. That is just because most happy owners don't need to post. That said...
The Yahoo View/Navion board has over 4600 members - most of them owners of the product - most of them cheerleaders for their product - and have proven themselves to be knowledgeable, fair, and honest about both the pros and cons for the 5 or so years that I have been reading it. There are over 112,000 posts on Sprinter based C Class Winnies. I would believe the majority there rather than one or two posters here in two days - including myself.
BUT... what matters most is not the fit or finish, but whether the vehicle has the floor plan and equipment that meets your wants and needs. (and price point)
Mumkin
2011 LTV Libero
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RSchleder
iowa city, ia
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Joined: 09/04/2011
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mumkin
Well put, thank you and I couldn't agree more!
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Admin
Channel Islands Harbor, Ca.
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Joined: 06/20/2000
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Back to topic please folks
The question is:
"Does anyone truly know how much Roadtrek or Pleasureway make in profit per unit, and what a dealer makes after the unit lands on their lot?
How much room for negotiation is there on last years models as well as current years Class B's which just rolled off the truck?"
Thanks
Admin
RV.net
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bobojay5
Eastern Kansas
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Joined: 01/02/2007
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Well Juliev who is in the car sales business, and owns a B, up at the top said about 30%.
Based on what I've seen in our owning and trading RV's, I can believe that easily.
Bob & Sharon
Eastern Kansas
2009 Itasca Navion IQ DL
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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Admin wrote:Back to topic please folks
The question is:
"Does anyone truly know how much Roadtrek or Pleasureway make in profit per unit, and what a dealer makes after the unit lands on their lot?
How much room for negotiation is there on last years models as well as current years Class B's which just rolled off the truck?"
Thanks
Admin
RV.net
Parsing the question:
Manufactuer's profit.
Subtract from the sticker price the manufacturer's cost for the chassis.
e.g. If the RV list for $80,000, subtract chassis price of say, $25,000
A gasoline chassis that is high volume and discounted heavily will sell for a bit less, a low volume esoteric chassis like the Sprinter will sell for a bit more.
In the above example, $80,000 - $25,000 = $55,000
Now subtract the cost of the upfit components, typically $10,0000 for a basic kit of propane stove, furnace, AC, plumbing, etc.
Subtract the cost of major upfits like tops, seat upgrades, furniture, and materials... easily $10,000
Subtract the cost of direct labor, manufacturing costs, etc.
$25,000 is left.
If a class B maker is lucky, they might make $10,000 per unit.
That leaves $15,000 for the dealer margin.
Notes:
I have seen manufacturers sell the chassis for as little as $15,000 in the recent past.
Have also seen chassis go for over $30,000 with a diesel engine, loaded.
If you wonder why your average RV is so cheaply made, it is because there is just no margin in the business --- too many competitors, too much cut throat pricing, and customers who refuse to generally pay a premium for serious work.
If you want the absolute best deal:
Have CASH (not plastic) in hand.
Go to a show where the manufacturer (not dealer) is showing their RV.
Offer to buy it off them at the end of the show --- exactly as it is.
Shoot for below dealer cost. You know what the manufacturer's cost base is from above.
Otherwise, next best deal, pay cash, order one from a dealer with a good sized deposit (10-15%), wait for it, and pay about dealer cost plus $1,000.
Posts are for entertainment purposes and may not be constituted as scientific, technical, engineering, or practical advice. Information is believed to be true but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed / or deemed fit for any purpose.
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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For those who want to cough up $50, here is the Hoovers profile for Roadtrek:
http://www.hoovers.com/ondemand-company-reports/roadtrek_motorhomes_inc/tcchtxksf-1.html
Pleasureway report should also be available.
If you really care to know, both companies have been hammered by the Canadian dollar.
By my back of the envelope estimate, the rise in the CAD have made both effectively uncompetitive in the US marketplace.
The price of their supplies in USD terms went down, but the value of their direct labor, etc. is now about 25% too high.
I am a tad surprised that neither company has packed up and moved to Mexico!
* This post was
edited 02/14/12 07:59am by NewsW *
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gerrym51
unknown
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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I am not a pricing expert. However relatively few class B are made and sold versus other rv.
Unlike companies that make many types of rv and can spread overhead
among many vehicles you basically have 1 trick manufacturers.
Roadtrek,Pleasure way just b i think.
Airstream class b might have more to get better price . Airstream is part of THOR and can spead costs over its trailers
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NewsW
US
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Joined: 02/06/2012
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Not so sure what cost there is to spread unless you are cross subsidizing the lines.
There are volume discounts for fridges, etc.
Design costs are the same, labor the same for a B vs. C often for the identical appliance / feature install.
The B format is just more expensive because it is actually harder to pack it in a compact package than to pack it into a C like box.
Few makers are in B because it is so hard to make money in it.... when you pay $7k for a top.
For 7k, you could have done a lot of framing / box body on a C.
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gerrym51
unknown
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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Newsw,
I am amazed at the number of posts you have had since joining Feb.6
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PeteCo
Virginia
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NewsW wrote:
By my back of the envelope estimate, the rise in the CAD have made both effectively uncompetitive in the US marketplace.
The price of their supplies in USD terms went down, but the value of their direct labor, etc. is now about 25% too high.
I am a tad surprised that neither company has packed up and moved to Mexico!
After the morning report of $5 gas (potentially) this summer, plus the Canadian/US exchange rate, I was wondering how well Roadtrek or other Canadian B makers will fare. Winnebago and Airstream could pick up Class B market share because of this.
Gspeed
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