Trailmanor Sold Again?

Padgett · 08-28-2017, 01:30 PM

The real value is in the dies, jigs, and custom tooling used to assemble the coach. Otherwise each unit is a custom. Does suit itself well to modular construction, mixing and matching end assemblies with center pieces & perhaps an extensible frame.

Does seem an odd buyer my question is "what did they buy & what do they plan to do with it ?"

rvcycleguy · 08-28-2017, 07:06 PM

I, for one, hope the new owners make the brand a huge success. Also, it may take a monumental marketing strategy to get a new dealer network. They've been promised some thing for several years now and may feel it's not a product they want to invest in. As with most things, shelf space is expensive. Lot space, is at a premium to whatever's sells most, fast, and profitable.

I'm a firm believer in the units as I've owned one since 2000 but for only a couple of years in there when I didn't. Everywhere I go with mine, it's the talk of the camp. When I has up, it's the talk of the lot.

It's not for everyone, but it may be too much money for most pop up buyers.

Rv

Larryjb · 08-28-2017, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvcycleguy

... Also, it may take a monumental marketing strategy to get a new dealer network. ....
Rv

There is definitely a market for this trailer. People are constantly asking me about mine, and one guy asked for a tour and is seriously interested. Mind you, probably a used one, but there'll be a market for new as well. In many cities you can store up to 24" on your property. This means you can effectively have a 31' trailer in your yard without paying hefty monthly rental bills.

The downside is that their current marketing strategy that you can tow it with many CUVs may be misleading. Many vehicles have dropped their towing capacities. The last decade of Crown Victorias, the new Explorers are two examples of this.

rvcycleguy · 08-28-2017, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

There is definitely a market for this trailer. People are constantly asking me about mine, and one guy asked for a tour and is seriously interested. Mind you, probably a used one, but there'll be a market for new as well. In many cities you can store up to 24" on your property. This means you can effectively have a 31' trailer in your yard without paying hefty monthly rental bills.

The downside is that their current marketing strategy that you can tow it with many CUVs may be misleading. Many vehicles have dropped their towing capacities. The last decade of Crown Victorias, the new Explorers are two examples of this.

Making my point... So when that guy goes for a tour and you tell him, new it's $27-30,000. Do you think he's still interested? Probably with a used one but factory doesn't make used ones... Need to sell new ones to replenish the used inventory if and when people move up or move on.

Rv

Padgett · 08-29-2017, 06:38 PM

Have used Kanban (Just in Time) systems before. Has almost no inventory and requires very reliable/fast purchasing/delivery of parts. Best with redundant sources so one failure does not shut you down.

RottieMom · 08-30-2017, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padgett

Have used Kanban (Just in Time) systems before. Has almost no inventory and requires very reliable/fast purchasing/delivery of parts. Best with redundant sources so one failure does not shut you down.

Not that I want to quibble, but "just in time" is more of a Lean principle than Kanban (which is a pull system based on limits).

Padgett · 08-30-2017, 07:01 PM

Go ahead. I larned it in the last century and meanings keep changing.

bheisser · 08-30-2017, 08:09 PM

i think october in south dakota is a great time to build trailers,, what else is there to do at 30 below

Padgett · 08-31-2017, 06:31 AM

Never saw a trailer with studded tires...

BrucePerens · 09-07-2017, 09:49 PM

The Old Elm Spring Hutteren Bretheren colony is here on Google Maps. The Trailmanor factory would be somewhere around here.

The parent colony, New Elm Spring, is across the river here. There are other colonies nearby, and also Mennonites and other Anabaptists.

The history from Martin Luther to the Hutteran Bretheren is fascinating, though as a non-Christian I can't profess to understand it well. There have been a series of schisms over issues of education, religious practice, etc. So, within the Hutterites there are several different groups, with the Hutteran Bretheren being one that embraces more of modern life. But their lives are very different from those of most Americans, since they live communally and strive to live up to the Sermon on the Mount in their everyday lives.

They would not individually own a motor vehicle, not to mention an RV, though the colony might own either. It is interesting that they chose this path to expand their industry.