Like our headline suggests, the sale of motorhomes is declining. Shipments from manufacturers, with rare exceptions, have dropped annually for the past 4 decades in percentage of total RVs shipped. What happened? RVtravel.com would like your thoughts about this. Please leave them in the comments below or if too long to fit there then email them to editor@rvtravel.com.
The chart above from the RVIA tells the tale. In 2024, only about 10 percent of all RVs shipped to dealers were motorhomes. Go back 40 years to 1984, and 38 percent were motorhomes — nearly four out of ten. What a difference!
In January 2025, a total of 27,629 RVs of all types were shipped by U.S. dealers. Of those, only 2,723 were motorhomes. That’s a mere 88 motorhomes per day, less than 2 per state per day on average.
Our editors have their thoughts about reasons for the decline, but we thought we’d ask you what you think. So, have motorhomes had their day? Or do you think they will make a comeback? Please let us know. We’ll use some of your comments in an upcoming article.
Oh, before you leave, please take a moment to respond to the poll below:
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Motorized RVs are more expensive to maintain, insure, and license, or at least that is the perception.
I agree with Bill. The increasing initial cost, high-interest rate financing cost and insurance are a deterrent to ownership. In my case, the cost of maintenance and repairs that I believe have been greedily increased by unscrupulous dealers, are all deterrents to ownership. In my case, I have been unable to find a dealer that I can trust for repairs. In one example, I had the oil changed in my Class A, took a 2,000-mile trip, returned the coach to the dealer for a minor repair was told that my oil needed to be changed.
I believe it was just yesterday that the newsletter had an article about the uptick in full-time RVing. I think this accounts for the downturn in MHs. I know when we decided to full-time and workkamp we weighed MH vs towable and decided that towable was better (for us) since we would spend months parked in one location. Many full-time RVers are doing the same today – parking more than moving.
I do not think motorhomes will become extinct anytime soon, but I think the era of ‘bigger-is-better’ is going out the window. That said, I think the entire concept of ‘camping’ or ‘RVing’ is reducing. Taking things like travel speed, convenience, cost (etc.), many are simply staying in hotels and flying or driving to their destinations for about the same money.
RV towable trailers have gotten a lot nicer and offer more than they used to. Plus, auto manufacturers have improved engines for tow vehicles so that they have better gas mileage and towing capacity. I tow my camper with an SUV that I can use for everyday needs when not camping. These things make the pull-behind more attractive.
My husband wants a motorhome but I really prefer the trailer – it is nice to be able to disconnect the trailer from the vehicle and use the vehicle for outings.
Depends if you’re a destination camper or traveler.
Agree, as we are travelers who seldom stay in one place more than 3 days. So, we have a small, diesel Class C with no toad. It is basically like driving a long-bed diesel pickup, easily fits in parking lots, gets 14-15 mpg, and takes 10 minutes to park, level, and hookup to utilities. With solar, inverter, and generator, it is completely self-contained and no hookups are even needed for most of our short stays. After 60 years of tent, tent camper, camper van, truck camper, travel trailer, and fifth wheel camping experience, it is the perfect RV for our remaining travel years.
If you’re referring to class “A”, they’re dead. Demographics drive the market. Class “B” vans are in high demand. Perhaps the RVIA numbers are omitting B’s that are being built by numerous small manufacturers.
I agree 100% Glenn.
I 100% DISagree.
Exactly. I would love to see the breakdown by size of unit. It’s possible everybody who wanted and could afford a big A has one by now, and very few younger buyers want to go that big. If they do, there are plenty of used As for sale by widows who won’t/can’t drive a monster, so they don’t show up in sales figures for new motorhomes.
First, if the chart represents TOTAL RV shipments broken down by type, it has to total 100%, so something is wonky with RVIA’s chart.
That aside, it looks like motorhomes leveled at 10% of the market for the last 15 years after the financial collapse of 2008-9. I suspect it will hang around that level. Prices are outrageous…$250k msrp on many gassers. $400k msrp on entry DPs. When half the country can’t come up with $500 for an emergency, they aren’t buying MHs!
Of course, if you have to buy a new 1 ton dually pickup to tow your large new 5ver, the combined msrp isn’t much different than a quality gasser.
I live in a class A only Motorhome community. To purchase a home you must own or lease a class A Motorhome for one year in central Florida. This was a great concept that started around 1990. Resale of homes here now can be on the market for a year. Not good in today’s market.
We luv our SuperC MH & I agree that if we were sitters more than the adventure we’d have chosen a pull behind. That change could be coming as age is creeping!
Nevertheless , if my husband wasn’t a “MacGyver” ; mechanical & electrical we’d be stuck at home or at some unethical dealership. Sad & stressful for a product that is to bring some joy
The popular type of RV has a lot to do with demographics. When I was younger I liked a pull type as it did offer additional living space for the family. Now that we are retired, there are only two of us, and we don’t spend months in the same spot, we prefer a class A pusher. We also like being able to use the restroom and make a snack while rolling down the road and we like being able to setup in under 15 minutes! We also like the additional creature comforts afforded with a class A. As today’s RV owners age, their kids leave home, and hooking up/setting up a trailer becomes more of a hassle, I believe, you will see the trend shifting toward drivable RVs.
Agree with your thoughts. My only difference is I am not sure the come back will be folks buying new motorhomes as opposed to gently used ones. I am seeing more 10+ yr old motorhomes on the road and believe RV parks will have to adjust to the trend.
The Price of the New Class A and some Class C units is getting out of hand. I have a 1995 34′ Class A I bought in 2009 for $25,000 and when it was new it was about $120,000. Back in 1995, I could not afford that and I could not afford a new one today. A Diesel Pusher now would be way too expensive and I doubt any one is making a 34′ Diesel anyway. For us a 34′ with no slides is perfect.
Ditto! Our 95 Bluebird Wanderlodge DP with NO slides was the bomb for us!
34′ DPs are made. 35′-36’s common.
Younger campers today, about 40% of today’s RV’ers are under 40 equals lower cost entry level campers. Plus, more households have a pickup in the driveway (they’re replacing SUVs it seems) already making the jump into the lifestyle quicker and cheaper. I believe motorhome sales will adjust and pick up, slowly.
Just look at past cycles. They always have come back.
I believe it will stay in the niche market. We love ours. 33′ not too big/small. We wanted the ability to get up, snack, use the bathroom. We spend 4-6 months a year in it. We don’t own a truck nor do we want to.
I think that a lot of it has to do with the fact that so many of the younger/newer owners are buying (big) trucks these days, then to hop into the RV market, buying a towable is a no-brainer vs a MH, $$ wise. For us, we didn’t have, nor wanted a big truck, and wanted the convenience of the MH, never have regretted it.
Those were my thoughts too.
No doubt the younger fools are going into deep hock buying a new toy to blow coal and brag to their pals.
Does anyone here think there’s a correlation between the cost of fuel and Class A motor home demand? I mean we’re talkin’ 6 mpg, that is a big turnoff! If we get fuel costs down, and I mean down consistently, folks may start buying class A’s again.
Fuel economy isn’t great, but 6 mpg average is really low. I’ve had two class A gassers and just got my 4th DP. 7.X-9 is what I’ve experienced, with a toad behind. Both my 40′ Winnebago Journeys and my 43′ Newmar Mountain Aire averaged mid 7’s. My latest, a Newmar Mountain Aire is running 8 mpg with toad.
But, my Silverado HD Diesel pulling a heavy 34′ Sunnybrook 5ver averaged 12.2, so 50%+ better.
I only run around 62 mph on the freeways, so that helps.
Motorhomes never made practical sense to me. They are the least efficient way to travel/camp because you need a toad. Now you’re pushing two engines, two chassis, two vehicles to maintain. Contrast that with a truck and 5th wheel. Lighter, cheaper, more space, more efficient. IMHO
I’d much rather tool around in our Ford Edge toad than humongous 1 ton dually pickup.
I’ll take driving my luxurious SRW F350 before a Ford Edge. I use my truck for so much more than a toad could ever provide. Also my insurance and maint is less with my F350 + 5th wheel as opposed to a large MH + toad. Just my experience over time..
The Edge is the wife’s car at home. I have a pickup for utility at home. Don’t need it on the road.
For us, we were VERY close to getting a Newmar Newaire. Then, someone decided to have a pandemic and prices went nuts. Adding in the complexity and cost of upkeep (even with an ardent DIYer owner like me), we concluded that we didn’t want to tie up so much capital. We also looked at the aging out of the boomers and felt that depreciation was going to be a killer.
The convenience of a motorhome is second to none, but with the cost 3-4 times what a luxury fifth wheel + diesel truck is, I’m out.
It is just more convenient to tow. The vehicle can be used for other things at home and for exploring while camping. One less motor to maintain. Could see a motor home if we full timed and pulled a toad.
How do the sale of Class B’s compare?
After a good surge during and post covid, they are on the decline as well. Still a tiny percentage of total motorhome sales
Who in the hay can afford a fancy new MH now days? If one has to work for a living it is a doubtful desire.
Have you priced new 1 ton dually pickup and 5th wheels these days?
We sometimes overnight in a rest area when traveling, and also do a lot of USFS and BLM camping in forested areas that sometimes are in off the beaten path areas. Our choice was a motorhome for safety and security reasons. If an undesirable situation were to arise in the camping area, I felt like we would be sitting ducks in a trailer with no way to get to the tow vehicle. With a motorhome, just jump in the drivers seat and leave.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! No, sorry, no idea. We have been RVing for a bit under 10 years. Both our RVs have been/are diesel pushers. It is my preference and also, but to a lesser extent, DW’s. If there is an RV #3, it, to, will be a diesel pusher. Have a great week and safe travels!
Have you seen the crash test videos of motorhomes that were done in one of the Scandanavian countries? Class A motorhomes are like toolsheds on wheels, and I would never feel safe on the road in one of those. If you’re a family that travels, aside from the safety concerns there are logistical issues – you can’t go do any sightseeing or shopping or anything without bringing everything with you. You could tow a car but not really anything that would fit a larger family.
I think motorhomes are in a similar situation as SxS UTV’s. Most folks that want one, have one, and they are a longer term ownership, don’t have to replace them so often. Polaris and CanAm are hurting too. I am pretty sure we will not be buying another Super C or Rzr, they should last until we age out.