Bob Dylan famously sang, “I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind. You could have done better but I don’t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time. But don’t think twice, it’s all right.” RV dealers may be hearing those lyrics as their lots fill up, but the buyers are staying away. RV sales plunged across the board.
America’s once-roaring love affair with RVs is clearly cooling. New data from Statistical Surveys Inc. shows that retail registrations in March 2025 fell more than 13% from the previous year, continuing a steady decline that began in 2023. Despite the drop in demand, manufacturers are still pumping out units, raising questions about oversupply in a shrinking market.
RV sales plunged—down 13% in March
There were 28,997 retail registrations in the third month of this year, which is 4,427 fewer units—a 13.2% decrease—versus the 33,424 for the same period in 2024. For comparison, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported that there were 37,348 RV shipments in March 2025. Put another way, RV dealers sold 25% fewer rigs in March than they bought from manufacturers. Maybe dealers know something that we don’t know—or they could be heading for serious trouble.
For the first quarter of 2025 there have been 70,406 retail registrations, an 8.7% decrease compared to the 77,136 registrations for the same period last year. For comparison, there were 97,848 wholesale shipments in the first three months of 2025. Over the quarter, that means dealers bought more than a third more rigs than they sold. How did these figures break out across the various kinds of rigs?
RV sales plunged among towables
• Travel trailers – 18,655 retail registrations in March 2025 (versus 21,063 in March 2024; an 11.4% year-over-year decrease). Market share leaders: Forest River Inc. (40.8%), THOR Industries Inc. (39.7%), Grand Design RV Co. (7.2%).
• Fifth wheels – 4,566 (5,439; -16.1%). Market share leaders: THOR (37.4%), Forest River (28.0%), Grand Design (16.3%).
• Camping trailers – 300 (472; -36.4%). Market share leaders: Forest River (55.7%), Aliner (24.0%), Purple Line LLC (7.0%).
• Park models – 198 (228; -13.2%). Market share leaders: Champion Homes (25.3%), Cavco Industries (23.7%), Platinum Cottages (11.6%).
Motorhomes—The wheels fall off sales
• Class A – 608 (761; -20.1%). Market share leaders: THOR (46.1%), Forest River (21.9%), Newmar Corp. (14%).
• Class C – 1,564 (1,956; -20%). Market share leaders: THOR (54.3%), Forest River (22.7%), Winnebago Motorized (8.9%).
• Class B – 668 (883; -24.3%). Market share leaders: THOR (41.3%), Winnebago Motorized (25.4%), Forest River (10.9%).
Perhaps the only “light at the end of the tunnel” is the decrease in interest rates that reduce dealers’ flooring costs—at least compared to rates in 2024. Or that light might actually be an oncoming train.
MORE ON RV SALES
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- Letter to the Editor: How RV salesmen will charge you double the price for an RV
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- RV tech reveals the 3 most common lies RV salesmen tell
RVT1209b
testing again
I see it.
Thanks David!
Now… if I could just get the subscriptions to work 🙂
Thank you for the news and monitoring things, Russ and Tina! I had to remind myself what class As Forest River produces/assembles. I’d forgotten about the Berkshires, Charleston, and Georgetown. Won’t be in the market for another for at least a couple of years, if then. Have a great week and safe travels!
This story from Camper Reports says RV shipments were up 14% in the first quarter. It goes on to say shipments were up 15.8% in March and this story says RV sales dropped 13% in March. RVIA’s press release seems to be the same as RVLife/Camper Reports story. So what am I missing here?
It would be cool if folks started buying Popup trailers and little trailers again, instead of big trailers.
Actually I just did, lol…a NuCamp 360 CS (18′) for solo camping. When DW wants to go along we’ll tow the 31′ Alliance, or vice versa if she wants to go and I don’t. Amazing little camper, the wet bath is a little tight but it’s VERY well built.