After enduring the biggest downturn in the history of the park trailer business, several park trailer manufacturers are reporting increased sales and renewed interest in their products, which are used by consumers as vacation cottages and by campgrounds as rental accommodations.
"Several park trailer manufacturers are saying their orders are up at least 10 to 15 percent from where they were a year ago," said William Garpow, executive director of the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association, which represents park trailer manufacturers. "Of course, park trailer shipments were down about 50 percent last year, so we've still got a long ways to go to get back where we were three years ago, but at least we're heading in the right direction."
The Breckenridge Division of Damon Corporation, a Thor company that has long been one of the largest park model manufacturers in the country, reports that spring sales have been encouraging thus far.
"In the past two months, we have seen a better market, a better demand for products, broadly, than we saw during the same period last year," said president and CEO Tim Howard.
Other companies reporting increased sales include Woodland Park, Forest River, Kropf Industries, Trophy Homes and Athens Park Homes.
Manufacturers say limited bank financing continues to affect the industry.