The RV Industry Association’s November survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments finished the month with 33,023 wholesale shipments, a decrease of 20.3 percent from the 41,451 units shipped last November. It’s the fourth consecutive month that shipments have dropped from the same month in 2017.
Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, totaled 28,868 units for the month, a decrease of 20.8 percent compared to last November’s towable RV shipment total of 36,464.
Motorhomes ended November with 4,155 shipments to retailers, down 16.7 percent compared to last November’s total of 4,987.
Year-to-date wholesale shipments are currently at 455,309 units, down 2.8 percent compared to this point last year. Towable RVs are down 2.3 percent at 400,880 units; motorhome shipments are down 6.1 percent at 54,429 units, compared to totals through November 2017.
RV shipments are expected to total 479,000 in 2018, which is down 5.1 percent from the peak of 504,600 set in 2017, one that capped eight successive years of growth. RV industry analyst Richard Curtin projects total RV shipments in 2019 will further decline to between 439,800 and 466,000 units.
I joined a couple rv remodel groups on FB. The number of people buying older RVs, remodeling them to live in FT is amazing. That could be one reason new sales are down.
No kidding!
In our travels this year from AL to MN to the RGV in TX we’ve seen more than a few NEW RV dealers and all dealers have been Jammed FULL and some have overflow lots.
Where could new RVs go?
I predict another Bust is coming
The canneries in mine for the 2019-2022 recession are pleasure boats and RV’s. Both had record sales in 2017. Sales for both will continue to plummet for at least the next two years.
The good news is the lack of crowds at parks and competition for campsites. Stay vacations will return for those who still have jobs. Fuel prices will stay low also.
So, if you have a paid off RV or want one for pennies on the dollar, your ship has come in!
There is no question the quality is a big issue. The smaller travel trailers appear to be the last ditch effort by the industry to attract the younger generations. Not sure this is working as well as the smaller u its are expensive. Like the new 4cly cars with turbos very expensive for smaller engine that will wear out quicker. Rv industry needs to clean up it’s act quick;y or we will see the consolidation of the 90’s again.
The economy is not booming, it is doing OK. we are still feeling the effects of the financial crash of 08.
People will eventually figure out there is very little “Quality” in a new RV. Then when they are insulted by the dealers on a trade in 2 years later and quoted 40% of original purchase price people will stop buying. The “New” RV Industry has become a bunch of quick sale artists just out for the mighty buck not long term relationships interested in long term sales.
Yes
Maybe the horror stories of us RV’ers is scaring people away from buying. Also RV dealers not fixing the problems when you bring them in. Buying an RV is a big investment for people even if you are just buying your first pop-up. RV manufacturers need to start turning out a good quality product.
YES you are right on with this comment….
I agree, quality need to start ASAP, as the more RV’er I talk with all tell the same story. It’s time they take a page from the Ford Motorr Co. that quality is Job #1.
No doubt that dealers are loaded with RVs that people don’t want to buy or RVs that people bought and are now waiting to have things fixed that should never have been taken out of the factory! The RV industry, especially Thor related RVs, are the cause for bad sales. People want value for their dollar, not excuses.
Why are you singling out Thor products? Thor is actually one of the better manufacturers. There are many others that are way worse. My Thor has been a great RV. I researched for over a year before buying and found Thor to be the best especially for the price.
I own a Newmar and in October I toured the plant and they can’t keep up the demand.
Always slow this time of year but at least the outlook is better. Continuing declines would be great, especially if percentages increase greatly.
This is a good thing, since RV Dealers around the country are loaded with UN-Sold RV’s sitting on their lots. Plus, this is a BAD Time of year to sell RV’s or Large Ticket items.