TrailManor Manufacturing Downsizing

robertrael · 01-23-2015, 11:31 AM

Are they going to continue to make TrailManor's?

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local...lose/22161571/

I still have yet to purchase my first TrailManor!

TrailManorMan · 01-23-2015, 11:51 AM

That did not sound good ! Hope to hear more.....

**Bill** · 01-23-2015, 12:40 PM

I have no information about this. But Trail Manor Manufacturing (TMM) has made it clear for a couple years that they were spending a lot of time and money to open a new plant in Nebraska. I bet that the closing of the Tennessee plant simply reflects the company's move to the new plant. Remember, the only reason TMM was in Tennessee was that the old TM plant was there. To make a smooth transistion between old owners and new, they continued building in TN while making the transition to NE.

Bill

funpilot · 01-23-2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

I have no information about this. But Trail Manor Manufacturing (TMM) has made it clear for a couple years that they were spending a lot of time and money to open a new plant in Nebraska. I bet that the closing of the Tennessee plant simply reflects the company's move to the new plant. Remember, the only reason TMM was in Tennessee was that the old TM plant was there. To make a smooth transistion between old owners and new, they continued building in TN while making the transition to NE.

Bill

They are moving to Nebraska based on what they were sharing with me when I was at the plant a few weeks ago. They are thinking about keeping a small operation open somewhere on the East coast to support service for this side of the country.

ArkyDoodle · 01-23-2015, 02:01 PM

I've heard that all TM mfg will be moving to Nebraska while there'd still be a "support crew" at their TN location

funpilot · 01-23-2015, 02:08 PM

I just talked to the Nebraska office and they confirm what is happening like Arky says. I suggested that they have someone post to our forums what is going on as we are so important to their sales cycle.

Padgett · 01-23-2015, 03:19 PM

It has never been a large company. If you look at the VINs, there are only a few years with over 500 built. I wondered then how it could support two major operations. Still such a move is not cheap particularly if large molds and jigs must be transported.

My guess is that it is part of the cash infusion that must have taken place to finance the RISE development. Just hope the move also results in hiring an automotive engineer who understand chassis and electrical systems as well as how to comply with RVIA & DOT requirements.

There must be a financial reason though as it does not make much sense otherwise. The bulk of the sales are in the eastern crescent: Maine to Texas and transporation from TN is easy year round. Not sure I can say the same for Nebraska. (my Vixen was originally built in Michigan an the demographics were similar. After the breakup everything moved to Montana and after struggling for a few years, they recently closed their doors).

When I worked at GM I was involved in some similar moves and startup pains are myriad.

Trailmanor's success has always been built on the original design: Two folding end caps with a variable length center. Brilliant and timeless but the major innovation since then were the front slide and foam honeycomb instead of a wood frame. The two most needed (IMNSHO) a rear slide and power raising and lowering, have not been accomplished.

ceickhoff · 01-23-2015, 08:17 PM

TrailManor is moving all the manufacturing to Hartington, NE where they have a larger facility that is more suited for their business and the State of Nebraska has incentives that make the move promising.
TrailManor's Tennessee Service Department will remain in Tennessee - at a new location just a few miles from the Jacksboro Plant. It is right on I-75 off Exit 134. The address is 414 Lake Drive - Caryville, TN. The phone number remains the same 423-563-6685. They plan to expand the service to other campers as well as the TrailManor units.
Nebraska's TrailManor Plant is located at 56251 Highway 84 in Hartington, NE (Northeast Nebraska) - Phone 402-316-7288 (or you can always reach them through the Tennessee Service Center).
TrailManor will manufacture the classic TrailManor models as well as the new RISE models in Nebraska.

LoveToCamp · 01-23-2015, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the update! I hope to get over to your neck of the woods sometime, and check out your new facility.

**Bailey'sMom** · 01-23-2015, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceickhoff

TrailManor is moving all the manufacturing to Hartington, NE where they have a larger facility that is more suited for their business and the State of Nebraska has incentives that make the move promising.
TrailManor's Tennessee Service Department will remain in Tennessee - at a new location just a few miles from the Jacksboro Plant. It is right on I-75 off Exit 134. The address is 414 Lake Drive - Caryville, TN. The phone number remains the same 423-563-6685. They plan to expand the service to other campers as well as the TrailManor units.
Nebraska's TrailManor Plant is located at 56251 Highway 84 in Hartington, NE (Northeast Nebraska) - Phone 402-316-7288 (or you can always reach them through the Tennessee Service Center).
TrailManor will manufacture the classic TrailManor models as well as the new RISE models in Nebraska.

Thanks for posting Cleo. I'm sure we all are glad to hear direct from those who know.