It's a Fifth Wheel! It's a Yacht! It's Domani!

With all the noise about declines in sales and layoffs in the RV manufacturing industry, one player says they're bucking the trend and increasing staff for the spring production of its high-roller fifth wheel.

Carriage Inc., says they'll be putting more folks to work as they bring their high-end "Domani" line into higher production. With prices starting in the 70,000s, and factoring in the current state of the fuel market, it'll be interesting to see how many "Regular Joe RVers" will be towing these cappuccino-sounding rigs down the road.

Described as, "an innovative towable with yacht-like interiors and modernistic exteriors," the Domani line is relatively lightweight, the smaller 29' model scaling in at an unloaded weight of 9,000 pounds. Company puff says, "There isn't a straight corner on it. It's all curves, radiuses and angles. There is a feeling or more space in the 30-footer than any other 30-footer on the market.” Check out the company promo here.

Fifth Wheel with Full Wall Slideout

Slideouts in RVs are better than sliced bread, or so we've heard. We're still limping along with a no-slidem and wish we had the extra space. Our pocketbook probably won't allow it, but here's a new wrinkle: A fifth-wheel with a slideout the runs from the living room up and into the bedroom. Read that a 37' fifth wheel with a 30' slideout.

Sound crazy? These are hard times for RV builders, and being the first guy on the block with a new innovation appears to be the thing for manufacturers this year. The builder, Carriage Inc., has rolled out their new Carri-Light with this interesting approach. You won't find it to be a low-ender, however, along with the new slide comes Corrian countertops and leather furniture. For about $90K plus, you can be the first kid on your block to have one.

Photo: RV Business