Fewer Americans embrace RV life in 2024: RV sales fall short

Yogi Berra observed, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” After you get your head to stop spinning, you might relate it to campgrounds and RV parks. If you think things are just too crowded, you may find some cheer in the latest statistics on the sale of new RVs. RV sales declined. Last year nearly 7% fewer new RVs were sold, compared to 2023.

That information comes courtesy of Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI), the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based outfit that monitors retail and consumer data for the RV industry.

Nearly 7% fewer RVs sold in 2023

There were 356,518 retail registrations in 2024, which is 26,826 fewer units – a 6.9% decrease – versus the 383,344 for the same period in 2023. For comparison, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported 333,733 wholesale shipments for all of 2024, which is 6.8% less than the number of retail registrations.

The full year data – there were 22,785 retail registrations versus wholesale shipments – strongly suggests RV dealers continued to sell down their lot inventory through 2024. SSI noted that, while retail sales continued its downward trend, wholesale orders did seem to pick up toward the end of the year.

Looking at December 2024 only showed RV sales declined. There were 15,976 retail registrations, which is a 3.3% decrease compared to the 16,535 total in December 2023, according to Statistical Surveys. RVIA reported 23,153 wholesale shipments in December 2024.

Full year 2024 statistics

The results by RV segment for the full 2024 year across North America are as follows:

Towables:

• Travel Trailer – 245,648 retail registrations in 2024 (261,266 retail registrations in 2023; a 5.9% year-over-year decrease)
• Fifth Wheel – 61,318 (66,762; -8.1%)
• Camping Trailer – 5,217 (6,903; -24.4%)
• Park Model – 2,996 (2,668; +12.2%)

Motorhomes:

• Class A – 8,744 (10,406; -15.9%)
• Class C – 20,699 (21,806; -5.0%)
• Class B – 10,514 (13,063; -19.5%)
• Total – 356,518 (383,344; -6.9%)

Sales for the month of December 2024

The results by RV segment for December 2024 in the U.S. and Canada are as follows:

Towables:

• Travel Trailer – 9,856 retail registrations in December 2024 (10,111 retail registrations in December 2023; a 2.5% decrease). Market share leaders: Forest River Inc. (40.5%), THOR Industries (34.7%), Grand Design RV Co. (7.5%).
• Fifth-Wheel – 3,037 (3,251; -6.6%). Market share leaders: THOR (35.4%), Forest River (28.3%), Grand Design (15.0%).
• Camping Trailer – 157 (225; -30.2%). Market share leaders: Forest River (50.3%), Aliner (28.0%), Purple Line LLC (8.3%).
• Park Model – 228 (151; +51.0%). Market share leaders: Champion Homes (28.5%), Cavco Industries (22.4%), Platinum Cottages. (7.9%).

Motorhomes:

• Class A – 462 (481; -4.0%). Market share leaders: THOR (48.9%), Forest River (18.2%), Newmar Corp. (17.1%).
• Class C – 1,065 (1,049; +1.5%). Market share leaders: THOR (44.5%), Forest River (27.0%), Winnebago Motorized (13.7%).
• Class B – 601 (674; -10.8%). Market share leaders: THOR (40.4%), Winnebago Motorized (25.0%), Forest River (12.3%).

Yep, RV sales declined in December, just a smaller portion of the big annual picture. For RVers tired of crowds, this could be good news. If you’re an RV dealer, probably not so good.

For other new RV sales statistics stories, click here.

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