Any dealer who is offering service and repair knows that
our industry has a measurable gap between trailer sales and
the number of technicians who are employed to fix them.
The question we are left with – how does the industry fix
it? Over the last few years, NATDA continues to come
up with ways to fill that gap. Last year, we offered Elite
Technical Workshops (sponsored by Redneck Trailer Supplies)
specifically to assist with shortcuts and tricks that will
ultimately support dealers in their service department. B&W
assisted with the “installation tricks of the trade” on their
top selling products, Tekonsha highlighted “troubleshooting
tips” for brake control installation and Dexter Axle provided
“technical tips” and expert information on genuine Dexter
axle and brake parts.
This year at the 2015 NATDA Trade Show & Convention
our team is brainstorming ideas on ways we can continue to
educate, certify and retain technicians in the trailer industry.
We want to raise the bar from previous years’. Also, we
would like to thank those dealers who currently support
their local technical schools and colleges and who continue to
offer training at their dealerships. NATDA is exploring ways
we can continue to move forward
with its technical training program
at our upcoming trade show. The
association will work on rallying
suppliers and manufacturers to help
defray the training costs to dealers.
With the positive outlook on trailer
sales – dealers are continuing to
spend money on educating their
employees’ results in better quality
work and increase profits – it seems like the perfect time to
raise the bar!
Thanks for all your support and we look
forward to hearing your thoughts on these
issues!
This article is based on state registration data compiled by Statistical Surveys, Inc., which is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Statistical Surveys,
Inc. (SSI) currently produces national retail sales statistics for the Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Manufactured Housing, and Trailer Industries.
Due to data problems Maine, Minnesota and Tennessee are NOT included in the data or in the National Totals. Historical comparisons do not
include these states.
Sales for the month of October were up 11.9 percent. For the year, 2014, sales are up 5.9 percent thru October. The chart below shows the
breakout by trailer type.
Statistical Surveys
October 2014
Trailer Type
All Trailers
Boat
Enclosed
Horse
Livestock
Open
Oct 2014 YTD Oct 2014
11.9 %
5.9%
17.5 %
4.9 %
6.1 %
3.7 %
16.5 %
5.0 %
31.3 %
7.7 %
10.5 %
5.7 %
Here are the reporting states with the best overall sales increases for All Trailers for calendar year 2014 ending in October.
1. Michigan
2. Oregon
3. Idaho
4. Utah
5. Florida
+21.5%
+19.7%
+19.2%
+18.5%
+16.4%
)=