Fleetwood Rally

Elkhartjim · 06-27-2009, 09:45 PM

We are attending the first ever Fleetwood Motor Home Association national rally in Gillette, WY. For those of you that didn't come, it was money well saved.

The vendor exhibit took a little over an hour and of the motorhomes on display, most were 2008 and even a 2007 year model. If there was a 2009, I didn't see it.

The rally will last through Tuesday but some are leaving tomorrow. We are only staying for the co-pilot to take a driving lesson or we would leave...there isn't any other reason to stay. We will definitely leave Monday, two days ahead of schedule.

Rocky 2 · 06-28-2009, 07:53 AM

Too bad. We were at the Escapees Escapade there last year. I hope the Prong Horn Antelope are as thick as they were then. Our dog chased them all over the field with the heavy equipment displayed and had a ball. I hope you take the time to visit the Coal mines. I seem to remember a good steakhouse just out of town, Boss Restaurant I believe..had a really good deal on giant t bones.

**NLOVNIT** · 06-28-2009, 10:47 PM

Boy, that's a shame. I wondered what would go on at the rally once FW sold off the TT division & was in the process of selling off the MH division. Can't have much of a presence when ya don't have anything to show off, huh? Ah well, so goes the first (& LAST) FW MH rally.

Lori-

Elkhartjim · 06-29-2009, 06:50 AM

Just for clarification. This rally was sponsored by the Fleetwood Motorhome Association, not Fleetwood.

The problems were many and primarily due to the people that "organized" it. It was mostly organized chaos. As an example, the golf tournament was changed from Fri to Sat to Frid that the country club didn't know when it would be held.

The volunteers don't have much of a clue to whats going on.

Rigs started pulling out Sunday morning, we're leaving this morning. The rally runs through Tuesday.

Rick Long · 06-29-2009, 11:18 PM

2010 Bounder "Classic" with Bunk Beds... Displayed at the Rally.

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I have been at the Fleetwood Rally in Wyoming the last few days. I posted some photos with the "new" 2010 Classic Bounder. They have removed the fullbody paint and lowered the height back down. The basement doors now open from the side which can be seen in the photos. I only took one interior shot -- a model with bunk beds.

Kay in Gilroy

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Fleetwood Enterprises Receives Court Approval to Sell Motor Home Assets to American Industrial Partners
4:59:00 p.m. 06/25/2009
NEW YORK and RIVERSIDE, Calif.,June 25 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV, L.P. (AIP) of New York and Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. (FLTWQ), a leading producer of motorized recreational vehicles and manufactured homes, today reported that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of Fleetwood's motor home assets to AIP for $53 million, subject to pre-closing conditions and post-closing adjustments. Fleetwood did not conduct an auction because no other qualified bids were received.

"Fleetwood's motor home brands are highly respected, and we are confident that this market will recover with the broader economy," said Dino Cusumano, Partner of AIP. "We look forward to continuing to manufacture Fleetwood motor homes. Fleetwood's dealers and customers should see no change in Fleetwood motor homes' commitment to high quality industry-leading product. We greatly value the relationships that Fleetwood has with its dealers, customers and suppliers and very much look forward to continuing and improving those relationships going forward."

Elden L. Smith, Fleetwood's president and chief executive officer, stated that management, "is pleased to see that the Fleetwood name will be preserved in the RV market place with this sale to AIP. The Fleetwood motor home group will benefit greatly from having ownership that is well capitalized, experienced, and committed to growth in the RV industry. We are now focused on making this a smooth transition for our dealers, Fleetwood motor home owners, and associates."

The sale includes two motor home manufacturing facilities, two motor home service facilities, and Fleetwood's Gold Shield supply subsidiary, all presently located in Decatur, Indiana. It also includes the intellectual property for Fleetwood's existing motor home brands and certain machinery and equipment in Riverside, California. AIP may operate the Riverside facility for an undetermined period of time going forward. AIP has agreed to assume certain liabilities, including warranty obligations on Fleetwood motorized products.

The companies expect the deal to close within a matter of weeks.

Additional information about the company's reorganization may be found online in the news section of www.fleetwood. com or at Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLC fleetwood.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 07-03-2009, 05:25 AM

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We will definitely leave Monday, two days ahead of schedule.

I disagree with your assessment... In speaking with many at the Rally, we thought considering the fact that it was their (Fleetwood Motorhome Association's) first Rally it was pretty good. For those of you that left early you missed the excellent dinners and entertainment, especially Monday night. And by the way, even though it was very crowded the buffet's lines went exceptionally quick.

Granted there were a few hickups, and the vendor's were not many. Also if you missed out listening to Fleetwood you would understand why some things weren't as big a show as one might expect. Fleetwood wasn't even expected to be there until they realized that over 400 owner motorhomes were signed up to attend.

Likewise you didn't mention that a few of the coaches present were brand-new 2010 models. You also didn't mention that Fleetwood had their factory tech's present who fixed problems for free and did so by coming to the motorhome rather then the motorhome having to go to them.

Elkhartjim · 07-03-2009, 08:21 AM

You're correct Bob, there were several 2010 Class C mh there. Of the 400 in attendance there was less than 5% class C so not a great deal of interest to most of us.

I arrived two days early and didn't have 50 amp service and was told I'd just have to live with it...they may get it fixed Fri, Sat or not at all. I asked to change sites and they said No way. I changed anyway and they never did get the 50 amp repaired. The point is that it wasn't the vols fault they couldn't repair the 50 amp but insisting I couldn't move was silly. What was there, 200 vacant sites.

The rally would have been much better for 3 days, there just wasn't much to do in Gillette. Saw Devils tower, did the wildlife drive and I've seen coal mined. The sites were so close it was difficult to enjoy being outside.

I did miss the Fleetwood presentation but I remember a friend at a national Alfa rally when the president of Alfa gave glowing statements and the next day they filed for bankruptcy. The FW management has to be positive but listening to the employees, they didn't know if they were going to have a job when they got back to Indiana.

And next year they are going to Oklahoma in the summer....100plus temps and if you don't have 50 amp service you'll just have to live with it. I wish them success.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 07-04-2009, 08:44 AM

I've seen positive reports from this rally on a couple other RV sites, so many (most?) people must have been happy with the rally.

Teach · 07-05-2009, 09:50 PM

We were there and while it was small in comparison to some of the more "established" associations and keeping in mind that it was their very first rally, I thought it was a good rally.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 07-07-2009, 06:16 AM

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And next year they are going to Oklahoma in the summer....

I was wondering about where and when next years rally will be. I agree, I don't understand why these groups, including The Rally, FMCA, as well as FMA can't get their timing better in respect to the seasons.

FMCA is having their International Rally in Ohio in July, duh... . Last year they had their Inter' Rally in July in Minnesota. It was over 90 almost everyday and the RV Parking was on a blacktop parking lot. Generators were quitting, what a mess. Their having their spring Rally in Albuquerque in March. Albuquerque in March is just like where I live in Colorado Springs. Mother Nature tend's to give us some of the worst snow storms this time of year.

I realize scheduling can be an issue, but it sure makes one wonder about these guys.

Dennis37 · 07-11-2009, 07:02 AM

This was our first rally, we had a great time. So if it was a disappointment for others who have been to more rallies we really look forward to going to more rallies!!

I do agree that the parking was to close. There was plenty of room to have had a space between each unit.

RVingLady · 07-19-2009, 04:22 PM

I am sure that one reason that Rallies are scheduled when they are involves cost. For example it is much, much cheaper to have a rally in the "off" or "shoulder" seasons when RV parks, fairgrounds, etc. aren't as busy.

Elkhartjim · 07-20-2009, 04:35 AM

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Originally Posted by RVingLady

I am sure that one reason that Rallies are scheduled when they are involves cost. For example it is much, much cheaper to have a rally in the "off" or "shoulder" seasons when RV parks, fairgrounds, etc. aren't as busy.

Are you saying June, July and August are "off season"? Don't know anything about shoulders except mine are pretty broad.