Outback Ultralight Fiberglass Trailers
Interview With Owner Joe Thoen on Ultralights and the RV Industry
Nov 2, 2009
Joe Thoen of Outback Trailers in Calgary, Canada has been manufacturing a Trillium/Boler descendant since 2002. Joe shared his observations on the RV industry when Suite101 visited the factory in August, 2009.
What changes have you noticed in the industry over the past year or two?
I think people are more quality conscious. I think there's been a change in the industry. Big units to the more lighter weights for smaller vehicles. We've seen a surge in that in the last couple of years.
Are there differences between the RV industry here and in the States?
Even though there's a lot of downturn in the States, a lot of bankruptcies [have also happened here]. A lot of big [Canadian] companies like Okanagan, Bigfoot Industries have gone under since late last year.
Bigfoot was the big surprise for a lot of people because it was a well-to-do company, they built a top quality product, Canadian made. Same with Okanagan, a 35-year-old company, just couldn't survive the times.
Not only the big manufacturers have folded but the trickle down is terrible. Like the vendors supplying us with parts, whether it's upholstery or whether it's cabinetry or whether it's hardwood or whether it's appliances, you lose four or five or six big, big purchasers and they [parts suppliers] all soon go by the wayside. It was bottom line time for a lot of these companies and unfortunately it put a lot of companies out of business.
We don't make a lot of RV accessories in Canada because the demographics don't permit it. So for us, it's been a challenge because we've had to start sourcing out different vendors because some of them have just gone out of business...while we're waiting to get stuff for our trailers.
What is the greatest challenge facing the RV industry right now?
The economy of course is the greatest culprit right now. People's income is shrinking and there's not as many people in the workforce. It's going through a cycle right now. There's a little bit of negativity going on but it's just a cycle and we'll get back in the groove again.
Any final words?
There's still a lot of people talking about fuel economy, and gas milage. It's still less expensive to go camping. It's part of your vacation, it's part of the budget.
Our trailers are lightweight and well-balanced. Pulling a small trailer with a small vehicle, you're going to get the best mileage possible.
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