Sandy » Despite continuing bad economic news, Utah RV dealers said sales are about the same as last year in their stores and at the 44th Annual Utah RV Show.
Brett Parris, president of Salt Lake City-based Motor Sportsland, represented one of 16 RV dealers statewide that showcased recreational vehicles during the weekend at South Towne Expo Center.
He is "shocked" about how well his dealership is doing because "all you hear is about all the doom and gloom," he said. At the same show last year, the dealership sold 60 RVs in three days. This year, it was down by two, Parris said.
"I don't think it will be a record year," he said. "But I don't think it will be a bad year."
About 35,000 adults and children (adults paid $8) attended the four-day event, which was a small decline of several hundred visitors from last year, said Debra Greenband, the show's organizer.
On Sunday, folks spent hours exploring about 300 campers, trailers and motor homes at the event. They toured luxury RVs with washer-dryer connections, electric fireplaces, vacuum units and ceiling fans. The RVs ranged in price from $10,000 to $200,000.
So why are families still buying RVs in Utah?
Dealers said the state is known for large families and the great outdoors, so camping in an RV is a lot cheaper for parents than taking a plane ride to a vacation spot and staying in a hotel. Gas prices are down. Others are using RVs as guest rooms or second homes. And dealerships are offering great deals and low interest rates.
Jerry VanDenakker, sales manager at Blaine Jensen RV and Camping World in Kaysville, said sales at the show were about 10 percent less than last year, but clients were buying more expensive RVs.
Some dealers have been able to buy discounted RVs from those going out of business on the East Coast, giving customers "good deals," he said. For example, VanDenakker at the show was offering an RV for $50,000 -- a 33 percent savings, he said.
But, for the most part, RV enthusiasts were just brousing at the event.
Tom Trujillo and Delainna Prettyman just finished remodeling their 2002 RV with leather couches, lighting fixtures and a flat screen TV. They said they get excited about checking out the newest luxury RVs at the show.
"We just come and get ideas" for our RV, Prettyman said.
Dave and Brenda Pierson, of Woods Cross, own a five-year-old RV that they use for hunting, fishing and camping trips with their two teenage sons. They said they attended the show because they hope to upgrade in a few years when the economy gets better, so the event allows them to see hundreds of RVs in one place rather than going to dealers all over the valley.
"They're getting so fancy," Brenda Pierson said.
