Winnebago to shut down plants

[eleny]

From Chuck Woodbury's RV Newsletter

"Winnebago to shut down plants
Winnebago Industries Inc., will shut down its plants next week. The temporary closure will impact all three plants in Forest City, Hampton and Charles City, Iowa, although one production line will stay open in Charles City. A Winnebago spokesperson said the company was simply reacting to the economy, where fuel prices and other factors have hurt sales. Last month, Winnebago laid off 200 employees. It employs about 3,000 at all its plants."

http://www.rvtravel.com/publish/newsletter/issue323.shtml


I understand how many people at DU feel about RV's in general. But losing work is losing income. This sector of the economy was bound to feel the effects of the high price of fuel. It was only a matter of time. I'm predicting a switch back to tent camping in a big way since families still like to escape the cities.

[rurallib]

1. tent camping in the back yard.

[eleny]

5. Just the other evening I was thinking about teepees

Until I saw the prices, I thought it might so much fun to have one in the yard. Even the smaller ones looked roomy enough for two to sleep. They cost a lot and I don't have the kind of sewing machine for that kind of heavy duty sewing. It's fun to dream.

When I was little, my brother and I would go down into the cellar, string a clothesline between two supports and fling an old army blanket over the line. Anchor the corners with bricks and you're camping! I think backyard camping is a great idea for those with backyards.

[liberal N proud]

2. Victim of the gas prices

Further destruction of the economy.

[Donnachaidh]

3. This makes it sound like it *might* be a temporary shutdown

Are Winnebago's totally US made? I hate to even ask this, but could they possibly be thinking of outsourcing their production to Mexico or elsewhere?

I'm with you on the loss of work. We all have to be vigilant about keeping JOBS in the US. period.

[eleny]

8. I haven't heard anything about them moving operations out of the country

I'm not familiar with their manufacturing practices. It sounds like this is a response to high fuel costs. If they moved out, fuel will still be prohibitive.

[Red Zelda]

4. What? DU people don't like RVs??

[eleny]

7. I've seen a lot of negative postings

"Gas hogs" "Road hogs" - Things like that.

We have a smallish 5th wheel and I always feel safer in it here in the Rockies since we have bear and the big cats. We're scaling back and will only camp locally this summer. Not a bad thing, though, since we love these mountains. And we don't go as much as we used to in years past.

[Red Zelda]

9. We've got a used Winnebago

we love it. Our Subaru cost more. And the dogs can go with us anywhere.
And our RV has Dem stickers all over the back.

[eleny]

11. Are you going to cut back on travel this year?

I see that you live in PA. Lots of beautiful country to explore locally. I'm originally from NYC and visited PA a lot. Been visiting Gettysburg over the years since I was 10 back around 1955. I've been all around the countryside but have never explored Philadelphia. Go figure!

[Red Zelda]

12. We pick 2 main trips a year

Usually Adirondacks/Vermont and Ontario/Great Lakes. And we tend to pick one place, go there and stay there instead of the old nomadic cruising that cheaper gas made more enticing.

Philly's a huge city and not very attractive. Pittsburgh's much more manageable and more interesting in its own right. A lot friendlier, too.
One thing about Pa...it's really green.

[blue sky at night]

6. We have to change....

this is a sign of things to come, so when the SUV lines shut down because gas is $8.00/gallon you will know it is not a bad thing. I think we have enough of these stuipid road hogs to go around, if you need one...go rent it. I agree with you about real camping with a tent! Motor Homes = Lazy Americans.

[eleny]

10. I don't agree aboout RV's being for lazy people

Let me tell you a funny story to illustrate a point.

Back when hubby and I first got together in 1977 (by cracky!) we had a stepside pickup with a tiny pop-up camper that sat in the pickup bed. A great, small setup that let us go deeper into the mountains to camp. One day he went to take a hike while I stayed back at the campsite because I had some blisters. I was sitting at the table inside the camper when the whole thing started rocking. I peeked outside and there was a Hereford bull scratching his side on the lower corner of the camper. I jumped back in, crawled up into the bed and made myself very small. When he satisfied his itch he stepped over to the door, stuck his head in a wee bit and then he walked off.

We have a lot of open range up in the mountains. And we have bear and big cats. A hard sided camper isn't for the lazy. It's safer.

Many camping vehicles these days are getting very good fuel mileage. Some are on a par with cars or better.

But I understand how you feel and won't try to convince you of anything. You're opinion is valid. But lazy isn't why people like hard sided camping. Often they even like to live full time on the road. I believe that some people just have itchy feet and have the nomadic spirit of our ancestors. There's just too many people now and it's not feasible for the wallet nor the planet.

[Omaha Steve]

13. The way the economy is going....

There will soon be entire areas of many towns with people (families) living in tents. Good post.

[eleny]

14. Thanks, Steve

I was thinking about people in tents the other day. After reading about how some cities don't have shelters so people sleep on the street. I expect parks would fill up pretty quick if people were allowed.