BajaNomad - Callen Campers - Going out of Business???

Callen Campers - Going out of Business???

Bob H - 2-22-2011 at 11:41 PM

Just heard on the news here in San Diego that Callen Campers phone number in El Cajon has been disconnected and that they may be going out of business. Anyone else heard about this?

bent-rim - 2-23-2011 at 12:05 AM

That's a bummer. They've been building Campers since the late 60's, probably earlier.

Bob H - 2-23-2011 at 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bent-rim
That's a bummer. They've been building Campers since the late 60's, probably earlier.

The report said they've been in business for over 30 years. Phone number is dead and that they are considering their options on what to do.

AmoPescar - 2-23-2011 at 12:22 AM

Their web site is still up and running. Not sure what's going on. They always seemed to have plenty of business. If there's a reason, it might be poor management. In the past I had trouble getting them to call me back or follow through on requests.

Miguelamo

The RV industry has one foot in the grave.

Pompano - 2-23-2011 at 08:05 AM

Many, many more than just Callen campers have ..or are..going out of business.

I have personally been involved for the last 3 months looking for a good deal on another RV. This one will be another Fifth Wheel...or maybe not?? I have done a LOT of research and am disappointed about what I found...and a whole lot alarmed. A little disappointment to me is irrelavant, but owners and workers losing their lifelong careers and businesses is a national trajedy.

Have you noticed how many RV builders have gone out of business in the last couple years? Here's just a few from a 2008 listing by a RV blog...remember...these are from way back in 2008.

Bankrupt RV Manufacturers
by: Don

The current 2010-2011 accelerated recession has again taken a toll on the RV industry. Quite a few more RV manufacturers are out of business, and every big RV manufacturer is either laying employees off or cutting back on production.

Here's the list that I am aware of. If anyone knows of others please comment.

Out of Business RV Manufacturers:

Alfa Leisure
Ameri- Camp
Bigfoot
Chinook
Country Coach
Dolphin
Extreme RV
Heritage One RV Inc.
Hi-Lo Trailer Co.
King of the Road
National RV
Pilgrim International
Sun Valley Inc.
Sunline Coach
Timberland Rv
Trail Wagons
TravelSupreme
Weekend Warrior
Western RV Inc

Bankrupt RV Manufacturers or cutting back:
Fleetwood filed bankruptcy..was recovering slowly, but now..who knows?
Monaco and Country Coach have stopped production
Teton has cut back in production

The price of oil is a major factor...and our idiotic practices of not drilling for the oil we have offshore and underneath us. We seem to be cutting our own throats...or exposing our necks to those who want to..remember? Wonder what ever happened to common sense?

With the price of gasoline soon to reach $5 per gallon, the American RV industry will be all but dead, or at least in hibernation.

Any RV from manufacturers who have gone out of business are referred to as orphan RVs. If you are considering purchasing one of these because they are being offered at rock bottom prices now, I'd be careful to get all warranty information in writing.

If you already own an orphan RV contact the manufacturer and see if they are still honoring the warranty contract.

Be aware there is a difference between the manufacturer's warranty, and an extended warranty or service plan through a third-party. If your purchased a third-party or extended warranty and the company is still in business they should be honoring repairs.

$5 gallon?..Aye Carumba!! Anybody want to buy a nice 35ft motorhome?? Cheap! I'll throw in a freezer of fillets..some Red Truck vino, a co-pilot, etc.

(Southwind by Fleetwood) that makes an embarassing 6 miles per gallon. Cheap!

Wanted: Does anyone have on of those VW campers left? Makes about a zillion mpg?

monoloco - 2-23-2011 at 08:10 AM

It's a whole lot cheaper to drive a Prius and stay in motels. :lol:

Pompano - 2-23-2011 at 08:22 AM

monoloco...somewhow the thought of driving a Prius and staying at Motel 6 in Mulege just is not the same as RV camping on a Conception Bay beach...

..of course, that could be just me.

Sunman - 2-23-2011 at 10:27 AM

One positive note in the RV biz is that Four Wheel Campers is actually expanding up in Woodland and with that expansion they are bringing back the Six-Pac Camper which got sidelined when they closed the down in Riverside many moons ago. So for you Six-Pac fans, they will be resurrected in the very near future.

[Edited on 2-23-2011 by Sunman]

mcfez - 2-23-2011 at 10:45 AM

Good report Pompano ....very good.

I got rid our Fleetwood Pace Arrow back when gas hit $2.50

And you are right Pompano.....Motor home business will certainly be not the same animal in 5 years from now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_and_diesel_usage_and_p...

Now...boats are on the cheap right now too. Another item to hit the wall at 80 mph

[Edited on 2-23-2011 by mcfez]

bigzaggin - 2-23-2011 at 01:16 PM

Callen good, Caravan better...the quintessential "you get what you pay for." I've had mine for ages - countless Baja runs - and not so much as a chattering screw.

Barry A. - 2-23-2011 at 01:57 PM

Thanks, BigZaggin--------I had never heard of CARAVAN campers. This is really good info to know.

Like I said before, my CALLEN is 28 years old, but it won't fit the newer trucks as they have smaller beds, so I may need a new one one of these days. Sounds like CARAVAN is the way to go, now with Callen maybe going down.

Barry

bigzaggin - 2-23-2011 at 04:03 PM

Honestly, I spent YEARS (and $$$$) looking for a Baja-worthy camper shell with no luck - parts rattled loose, doors broke, screens ripped, roofs sagged, cracks let in dust, etc...

Caravans are strong as anything (roof capacity of 2,000lbs), have tons of options (rear roller bar for boat, internal fan, BRIGHT rear lights, etc) and the most crucial element - the rear doors - are literally unbreakable. Ambulance doors in essence. The guys who build them - by hand - take serious pride in their work and their subsequent service (not that you'll need any). And they're a riot too...very very old skool.

However, they're expensive, take a while to build and they do not deliver...so it's Reno or bust (unless you can find one used and good luck with that). My suggestion, make it a weekend with a bit of poker and few dozen c-cktails.

Bajahowodd - 2-23-2011 at 05:01 PM

It's seems like deju vu all over again. (apologies to Yogi). What with the Middle East going nuts overturning Western-friendly dictators all over the place, the price of crude just topped $100 per barrel. Just seems to me that this happened before. And when it did, the RV industry took a dump. And the small car segment, despite the fact that most of them felt like an old rusty tin can, took off. Stay tuned.

But, I just cannot close without mentioning that the three biggest producers of crude in the world are Russia, China, and The USA, none of which are members of OPEC.(Neither is Mexico) The sad fact is that it's the commodity speculators that drive up prices. Regular is poised to hit $4.00 per gallon. The US exports oil. Think about that.

mtgoat666 - 2-23-2011 at 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
The price of oil is a major factor...and our idiotic practices of not drilling for the oil we have offshore and underneath us. We seem to be cutting our own throats...or exposing our necks to those who want to..remember? Wonder what ever happened to common sense?

With the price of gasoline soon to reach $5 per gallon, the American RV industry will be all but dead, or at least in hibernation.

$5 gallon?..Aye Carumba!! Anybody want to buy a nice 35ft motorhome?? Cheap! I'll throw in a freezer of fillets..some Red Truck vino, a co-pilot, etc.

(Southwind by Fleetwood) that makes an embarassing 6 miles per gallon. Cheap!

bajawood: commodity speculators do not set price, they speculate on price. 7 billion consumers and their respective governments and energy producers set supply/demand in the market.

Drilling under ANWR and our national parks and beutiful so cal beaches won't solve squat. The unfortunate fact is that the cost of energy production is increasing, the "easy" oil is gone, and there are 7+ billion people in the world consuming energy (not to mention the middle east is about to boil over with bubbly good vibes of democracy thanks to Al Gore's invention of internet)

The days of cheap energy are gone -- those days will never return. The easy oil is gone, the remaining oil is expensive and consumed with fervor by your 7B bros and sisters. Time to retune your lifestyle for greener footprint on this mother earth.

You like traveling by RV? Learn to like car camping. You like fishing from your big stink pot? Better take up sailing and kayak fishing. You like heating and cooling that 5,000 SF house for 4 occupants? I never understood that obsession for mcmansions, but those are passe too. Frugal hippy green is the new vogue.

I already like car camping, kayaking, sailing and frugal living.

Yes we can!

Peace out!

David K - 2-23-2011 at 07:34 PM

Just on KUSI News' Turko Files (a consumer advocate)... Callen Campers came through to build a custom camper for a customer who paid a $2,000 deposit last August... and then never heard back... They came through and built it and gave the customer a big discount... saying there was no excuse for what happened.

However, Turko said the future looks pretty grim for Callen... that their phone is disconnected, etc. The company has been in business for three generations.

bajaguy - 2-23-2011 at 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigzaggin
...so it's Reno or bust (unless you can find one used and good luck with that). My suggestion, make it a weekend with a bit of poker and few dozen c-cktails.

And don't forget the Basque food!!!!!!

Pompano - 2-23-2011 at 07:53 PM

Good post about campers, David,

So sad....About 75% of the RV builders are gone..forever. Nothing deja vu about that..it's a first and final event.

I think the USA needs to hear that old cry.....It's a gusher! :tumble:

tripledigitken - 2-23-2011 at 07:59 PM

They have been shaky since 3rd generation took over!

woody with a view - 2-23-2011 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

ol goat. finally i can call you out.....

check this out. sorry i can;t find the GOVT final report that is out there in the public domain.

http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news2.13s.ht...

drill, drill, drill. why is my generation being bent over when we have everything here, now? i'm sure there is a plan for when the arabs run dry, but i won't be around then......

toneart - 2-23-2011 at 08:20 PM

Komfort is another RV manufacturer who is defunct. I found a used 1990, 24' Komfort motorhome that only has 3400 original miles. It is absolutely cherry inside. Very comfortable! It was owned by an 80 something yr old couple and they hardly used it at all.

I paid $7500 for it and put in another $2500. I had some carburetor work done to get it to smog and I had to put in a new radiator core. It runs beautifully.. It also makes a good guest house on my Nevada City property.

I didn't bring it to Mulege this year, but if there is another flood I will bring it down to stay in while cleaning up my casita.

PabloS - 2-23-2011 at 08:26 PM

I tried several months ago to buy a new Callen shell like my old one bought in 2001. Talked to the secretary @ Callen on the phone and she said Scott would call me back........nada, never heard from him.
We just took delivery on a new (custom built Hallmark Ute Xl
Popup and we are ready to start exploring the Baja back roads again, all mounted on a new Ford F350 Lariet 4X4.
baja here we come!!!! YeeHaw!!!

Bob H - 2-23-2011 at 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Just on KUSI News' Turko Files (a consumer advocate)... Callen Campers came through to build a custom camper for a customer who paid a $2,000 deposit last August... and then never heard back... They came through and built it and gave the customer a big discount... saying there was no excuse for what happened.

However, Turko said the future looks pretty grim for Callen... that their phone is disconnected, etc. The company has been in business for three generations.

Things must be slow for Turko. I saw this same presentation on the 22'nd and thus my post.

Too bad about Callen if they are going under.

Pompano - 2-23-2011 at 08:32 PM

woody with a view...I would have mentioned the Bakken Oil Field..which runs from Wyoming to Saskatchewan and would make the US non-dependant on oil use..the field is HUGE..bigger than OPEC and other sources combined. Of course we are not allowed to drill for it, even though it would be very easy with today's improved techniques of shale oil recovery and would not harm a gopher...but I think it might give old goat a coronary!! :yes:

[Edited on 2-24-2011 by Pompano]

Bob H - 2-23-2011 at 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart
Komfort is another RV manufacturer who is defunct. I found a used 1990, 24' Komfort motorhome that only has 3400 original miles. It is absolutely cherry inside. Very comfortable! It was owned by an 80 something yr old couple and they hardly used it at all.

I paid $7500 for it and put in another $2500. I had some carburetor work done to get it to smog and I had to put in a new radiator core. It runs beautifully.. It also makes a good guest house on my Nevada City property.

I didn't bring it to Mulege this year, but if there is another flood I will bring it down to stay in while cleaning up my casita.

Tony, very nice to hear that you still have your place in Mulege. We want to make a trip down next year to visit our friends Bob and "T" on the river, very near your place. You know who they are. Great people.

larryC - 3-22-2011 at 08:25 AM

Just an update, I just talked to Jimmy Callen, an old freind, and he says that Callen campers is still in business and that Scott is pretty busy. His advice to anyone wanting a Callen camper is to put a small down payment on it and pay as the work progresses. They still make a good product, just a shame to see them lose their customer base because of some poor business practices. Hope Scott turns it around.
Larry

absinvestor - 3-22-2011 at 08:33 AM

Pompano- I really don't need another motorhome but your offer to throw in some fillets and most importantly "co-pilot" has really increased my interest!! I have to check with the wife. Ron

Phil S - 3-22-2011 at 08:41 AM

In considering an rv motorhome type, you might want to consider the rare GMC motorhomes that were manufactored l973 to l978. They are Toronado V8 driven front wheel drive. Steel framed, but aluminum constructed. They offered two engines. 403 & the 455. Many reports of mileage up to 12 mpg. for a 26'er, that's not bad. They offered two lengths. 23' & a 26' Coachman made many of the interiors, using the name Royale & Birchhaven. Close friend of ours out of Riverside Ca owns one, and has tons of miles driving all over Baja. Usually pulling a pickup with a boat over the pickup. GM made just under 13,000 of these, and there are still over 8,000 known still around. Some have been seen Australia. Aerodynamic in design is one of the reasons of the great gas miles. Some have been converted to diesel engines. Others to propane for fuel. They have a very large support group that keeps parts available. And their prices are all over the place, depending upon original to reconditioned. They have regional clubs. Owners range from engineers to mechanics (race car type also) pilots, medical, to business people. And everyone would qualify for being a great Nomad. I own one. It was one of the smartest moves I'd made back in 2000 when I found one parked on the beach at Requison (never can get that spelling right) beach south of Mulege. Great couple that own it. Got a tour & next thing I know, he's mailing me back in the states info on the coach & I just had to have one. Drove one out of Salem Oregon, and I was impressed. haggled, and bought it. Not sorry since. And mine averages 11 mpg. (heavy foot)

Another one bites (bit) the dust . . .

djh - 3-22-2011 at 10:52 AM

I've heard that Holiday Rambler also went out of biz...

Some of the most solid, well designed, and well built RVs around.... (pretty pricey too.... I imagine that had alot to do with it...??)

Anyone hear any differently ?

djh