RVRESOLVE

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
KEYSTONE / PASSPORT 2008-2009
Manufacturer : KEYSTONE RV COMPANY Mfr's Report Date : MAY 13, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V220000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 259
Summary:
KEYSTONE RV IS RECALLING 259 MY 2008-2009 PASSPORT TRAVEL TRAILERS, MODEL 290BH. THERE IS INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THE FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION LABEL WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE LABEL LISTS THE AXLE CAPACITY AT 4400 LBS AND IT SHOULD BE 3500 LBS.
Consequence:
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PART IS TO SPECIFY THE CONTENT AND LOCATION OF, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR, THE CERTIFICATION LABEL TO BE AFFIXED TO MOTOR VEHICLES TO ADDRESS CERTIFICATION-RELATED DUTIES AND LIABILITIES, AND TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH INFORMATION TO ASSIST HIM OR HER IN DETERMINING WHICH OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE VEHICLE.
Remedy:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE RV AT 1-866-425-4369.
Notes:
KEYSTONE RV RECALL NO. 08-107. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
KEYSTONE / SPRINGDALE 2009
KEYSTONE / SUMMERLAND 2009
Manufacturer : KEYSTONE RV COMPANY Mfr's Report Date : MAY 13, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V218000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 179
Summary:
KEYSTONE RV IS RECALLING 179 MY 2009 SPRINGDALE FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MY 2009 SUMMERLAND TRAVEL TRAILERS. THERE IS INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THE FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION TAG AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, ¿¿CERTIFICATION.¿ THE TAG LISTS THE TIRE SIZE AS 205/75R14C AND IT SHOULD BE 205/75R15C.
Consequence:
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PART IS TO SPECIFY THE CONTENT AND LOCATION OF, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR, THE CERTIFICATION LABEL TO BE AFFIXED TO MOTOR VEHICLES TO ADDRESS CERTIFICATION-RELATED DUTIES AND LIABILITIES, AND TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH INFORMATION TO ASSIST HIM OR HER IN DETERMINING WHICH OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE VEHICLE.
Remedy:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE RV AT 1-866-425-4369.
Notes:
KEYSTONE RV RECALL NO. 08-106. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
ITASCA / NAVION 2008
WINNEBAGO / ERA 2009
WINNEBAGO / VIEW 2008
Manufacturer : WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. Mfr's Report Date : MAY 14, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V216000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 114
Summary:
WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 114 MY 2008 VIEW, MY 2009 ERA, AND MY 2008 ITASCA NAVION CLASS C MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPRINTER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L DIESEL ENGINES. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN CERTAIN DIESEL ENGINES COULD FAIL DUE TO SEPARATION OF BOND WIRES FROM THE LEAD FRAME IN THE SENSOR.
Consequence:
THIS RESULTS IN AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CHIP HOUSING OF THE SENSOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BECOMING IMMEDIATELY INOPERABLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
SPRINTER IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 07V594). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-800-992-1997 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FOREST RIVER / CHARLESTON 2006-2007
Manufacturer : FOREST RIVER, INC. Mfr's Report Date : MAY 01, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V213000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 38
Summary:
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 38 MY 2006-2007 CHARLESTON 400TS, 400QS, 410DST, 410DST-4, 410QS, AND 410QS-4 MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER XC MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS CONTAINS STEERING FILTERS THAT CAN PLUG DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SCREEN ADHESION TO THE FILTER HOUSING CAUSING A RISE IN RETURN LINE PRESSURE POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FILTER OR STEERING GEAR FITTING RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING FLUID AND POWER ASSIST.
Consequence:
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVING A MOTOR HOME COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
FREIGHTLINER IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FILTERS WITH A LARGER FILTER (PLEASE SEE 07V570). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

RV Business
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Kingsley Coach Inc. announced today (May 14) that it has signed an agreement with Bocor Coach Sales Inc. of Orlando to be the company's exclusive dealer in Florida.

Kingsley said that under the terms of the agreement, Bocor will institute “an aggressive new coach sales campaign as well as immediately begin to market Kingsley's used coach inventory.”

The dealership, which bills itself as a “premiere broker of quality pre-owned motor coaches,” was established in 1994. Kingsley said it will work in conjunction with Bocor to build a U.S. dealer network.

"Kingsley believes that through the relationship with Bocor Coach Sales Inc., it can more effectively distribute its brand to a greater number of customers in the Southeast region," said Allan Smethers, CEO of Kingsley Coach, Inc. "Kingsley anticipates the exposure that Bocor Coach Sales Inc. will bring us within the hotbed of the RV/motorcoach industry will lead to additional orders from this segment of the market.”

RV Industry News

By Greg Gerber @ 9:16 PM :: :: 0 Comments :: :: Manufacturing News

Somerset, Penn. – FTCA, Inc., an affiliate of Blackstreet Capital Partners, LLC, a Bethesda, Md..-based private equity fund, has purchased Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Inc. (FFT) from Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. of California.

"Working with the talented team at FTCA, Inc. as well as the dedicated network of dealers across the country, we see many exciting opportunities to strengthen the company’s position as a world class leader in the folding trailer market,” said Aldus H. Chapin II, president of FTCA, Inc.

“We are thrilled to complete the purchase of Fleetwood Folding Trailers and excited about the future of the company,” said Murry N. Gunty, managing partner of Blackstreet Capital. “FFT has a strong dealer base, great products and leading market share, all of which we plan to build on in the future.”

Founded in 1967, Fleetwood Folding Trailers has earned a reputation for producing high quality, and innovative products. The company’s premier brands include the Highlander Series, Americana Series, Destiny Series, and the Evolution Series known for its unique adventure style and utility.

About Blackstreet Capital

Blackstreet Capital Partners (www.blackstreetcapital.com) is a private equity firm with $88 million of capital under management. Blackstreet focuses on control buyouts of companies that are either underperforming, in out-of-favor industries or are undergoing some form of transition. Blackstreet seeks investments in a range of industries, including manufacturing/distribution, restaurants, specialty retail, business services and health care.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
WELLS CARGO / TRAILER 2004
Manufacturer : WELLS CARGO, INC. Mfr's Report Date : APR 30, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V211000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1
Summary:
WELLS CARGO IS RECALLING 1 MY 2004 BUMPER PULL UTILITY TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
WELLS CARGO WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR WELLS CARGO AT 1-623-936-8150.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
COUNTRY COACH / INSPIRE 2008-2009
COUNTRY COACH / TRIBUTE 2008
Manufacturer : COUNTRY COACH INC Mfr's Report Date : MAY 05, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V210000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SUSPENSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 26
Summary:
COUNTRY COACH IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008-2009 INSPIRE AND MY 2008 TRIBUTE MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND ADL SERIES REAR SUSPENSIONS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.
Consequence:
IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy:
COUNTRY COACH IS WORKING WITH SAF-HOLLAND TO HAVE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ADL TRANSVERSE BEAM PERFORMED. IF A WELD DEFECT IS IDENTIFIED, SAF-HOLLAND WILL PROVIDE A SERVICE REPLACEMENT KIT THAT CONTAINS A NEW TRANSVERSE BEAM, ALL NECESSARY INSTALLATION HARDWARE, BEAM REPLACEMENT, AND INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 08E031). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-231-773-3271 OR COUNTRY COACH AT 1-800-547-8015.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
JAYCO / SENECA 2005-2008
Manufacturer : JAYCO, INC. Mfr's Report Date : MAY 06, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V209000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1673
Summary:
JAYCO IS RECALLING 1,673 MY 2005-2008 SENECA MOTOR HOMES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR IF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE NOT TUCKED INTO THE COMPARTMENT IN A MANNER THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CABLES TO BE PINCHED BETWEEN THE BATTERY SLIDE TRAY AND THE COMPARTMENT DOOR.
Consequence:
IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT ADDRESSED, IT MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE REAR BATTERY AND REPOSITION A CLAMP TO PREVENT PINCHING. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAYCO AT 1-574-825-5861.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
R-VISION / TOWN & COUNRY SPORT 2008
R-VISION / TRAIL-LITE B+ 2008
Manufacturer : R-VISION Mfr's Report Date : MAY 05, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V205000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 6
Summary:
R-VISION IS RECALLING 6 MY 2008 TRAIL-LITE B-PLUS AND TOWN & COUNTRY SPORT MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS. THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A SLIP YOKE THAT HAS CRACKS, POSSIBLY REDUCING ITS FATIGUE LIFE.
Consequence:
CRACKS IN THE SLIP YOKE WOULD PROGRESS OVER TIME AND THE SLIP YOKE COULD FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ALLOWING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
R-VISION IS WORKING WITH FORD TO HAVE THE DRIVE SHAFT AND SLIP YOKE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 08V165). THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR R-VISION AT 1-574-268-2111.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
SAF-HOLLAND / ADL 9999
SAF-HOLLAND / ADLSD 9999
Manufacturer : SAF-HOLLAND Mfr's Report Date : APR 04, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08E031000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SUSPENSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2065
Summary:
SAF-HOLLAND HAS REPORTED A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN 2,065 TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 90547733, 90547813, AND 90548443, INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES TO AID IN PROVIDING ROLL RESISTANCE OF THE DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.
Consequence:
IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy:
EACH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL FILE A DEFECT REPORT AND REMEDY PLAN FOR THEIR VEHICLES WHICH INCLUDED THESE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT EITHER THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR SAF-HOLLAND AT 231-773-3271.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

RV Business
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Two of the country's largest recreational vehicle makers, pummeled by high gasoline prices and the slumping housing market, face serious cash crunches and are taking drastic measures to ease the strain.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Coachmen Industries Inc., whose sales have declined 40% over the past three years, is borrowing against the value of life-insurance policies it holds on employees and retirees. So far, the Middlebury, Ind., company has tapped about half the cash value of those policies, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc., which has posted five straight years of losses, recently sold its Riverside, Calif., headquarters and is seeking buyers for other properties, in an effort to raise $100 million to finance a looming bond redemption. In addition to RVs, about 25% to 30% of Fleetwood's business comes from mobile homes, a market that has been skidding even longer.

The $15 billion RV industry has been among the less-heralded casualties of the mortgage and housing crises, say manufacturers, dealers and others. But the impact has been severe. RV sales peaked in 2006 at about 390,000 vehicles, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. (RVIA) After a 12% drop in 2007, the trade group expects sales to tumble 14% to about 305,000 vehicles this year, the lowest level since 2001.

Industry watchers say couples in or nearing their 50s are the core market for motorhomes and travel trailers. These couples are delaying their purchases of RVs, largely because they would typically have financed them by selling or borrowing against their homes. That has become more difficult as home values have plunged nationwide.

Meanwhile, banks and other lenders, many battered by mortgage-related losses, have grown more reluctant to make RV loans, demanding higher interest rates and better credit scores. Last week, General Electric Co.'s consumer-finance unit, a major lender in the field, said it would cease to make new RV loans because of disappointing returns.

According to WSJ, high gasoline prices have also put off would-be buyers of the fuel-guzzling vehicles. "Gas is a real problem for these guys. What's happening with [sport-utility-vehicle] sales happens in spades with an RV company like Fleetwood," said Al Koch, vice chairman and managing director at AlixPartners, a turnaround and business-advisory firm.

The sales slowdown has already claimed three smaller RV manufacturers. In November, National RV Holdings, a Perris, Calif., maker of high-end motor homes, filed for bankruptcy-court protection and is in the process of going out of business. Last month, another high-end manufacturer, Western Recreational Vehicles Inc., of Yakima, Wash., closed its doors. Then in early May Ontario, Calif.-based Alfa Leisure Inc. shut down.

Even Winnebago Industries Inc., one of the industry's strongest companies, hasn't been immune. While Winnebago has managed to stay profitable by cutting costs and focusing on large RVs, a market where profit margins are fatter and competitors fewer – it has had four straight years of declining sales.

To get through its cash crunch, Coachmen has borrowed $23.7 million, or nearly half the cash-surrender value of what it describes in its filings as "company-owned life insurance."

Such insurance typically is purchased by a company on the lives of its employees and pays the company when an employee dies. In its filings, Coachmen has said the policies were intended to fund executive retirement benefits. It didn't return phone calls seeking details of the policies or the outlook for its benefits programs.

WSJ reported that Coachmen sales fell sharply to $480 million in 2007 from $802 million in 2004. Over that period, it nearly halved its work force to 2,300.

Though its sales fell 7% in the first quarter of 2008, Coachman posted a profit of $1.3 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $10.4 million. Monday its shares, which were trading at $10 a year ago, rose four cents to $3.49 in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

People familiar with the matter say the company has sought out pricey "rescue financing" from private-equity funds and other lenders. They say it has received one proposal, which is now before the board, and that no decision has been made.

But Coachmen CEO Rick Lavers, while acknowledging the company faces "challenging times," said any discussions about new funding were initiated by the funds and not by his company. "That's because they want to make capital available to us. We don't feel we need it right now. You'd always like to have more cash. We've prepared very well for worst-case scenarios, which unfortunately have come to pass," he said.

Lavers said the company isn't contemplating a bankruptcy filing. "Rumors of our demise are overstated," he said.

In response to queries from The Wall Street Journal, Coachmen said in an SEC filing that it was "not actively engaged in pursuing additional debt or equity financing" and that its credit line and life-insurance policies provide "adequate sources of liquidity for the company's current and foreseeable operations."

The much-larger Fleetwood Enterprises is in its own rush to raise cash as sales continue to tumble and losses mount. For 2007, it posted a net loss of $89.9 million as sales slipped to $2 billion from $2.4 billion a year earlier. Since last year, the company has shrunk its work force to about 8,500 from 10,000.

Fleetwood bondholders are expected to redeem $100 million in bonds on Dec. 15, and the company needs money to finance the redemptions. In April, it sold its 42-acre headquarters complex for $23.5 million and is shopping around other land and assets, including its division that makes pop-up camper trailers.

Fleetwood shares have plummeted from more than $11 last summer, finishing 4 p.m. composite trading Monday at $3.88, up eight cents, on the NYSE.

Despite its battered share price, Fleetwood is considering issuing more stock to pay off its bonds. Fleetwood Treasurer Lyle Larkin said "we are confident we can meet this requirement, though it sure could have happened at a better time."

According to WSJ, most of the RV industry had banked on Baby Boomers preparing for their retirement years to fuel a new era of sales growth. That is what Robin Schwartz and her husband were expecting in 2005 when they sold off a gas station and bought Brien's RV, a small RV dealership in Fairless Hills, Pa., about 20 miles north of Philadelphia. Mrs. Schwartz said customer traffic began flagging late last year.

"We are selling more used RVs. Or people will take a lower-end model that doesn't have surround sound, or the cabinets are more basic. It's like stepping down from a Lexus to Hyundai," Mrs. Schwartz said.

Sales manager Harry Wiko estimates Brien's will sell 80 or so RVs this year, down from about 110 in the past couple of years. And the average sale price is down to about $20,000 from $30,000. "It's as bad as I've seen it," he said.

To cut costs, the dealership is keeping fewer RVs in inventory and upgrading roadside service to keep customers happier. It is also paring advertising on local cable TV and a $5,000 NASCAR sponsorship it shares with a local radio station.