In the May consumer confidence survey, the Index of Consumer Sentiment dipped slightly to 86.9, down from 90.2 as reported one year ago, according to the University of Michigan’s Consumer Research Center. While small, the consistent slippage in this indicator recorded so far this year is troubling. 

“Consumers continue to expect the pace of economic growth to be slower in 2005 than last year,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “More recently, consumers have become less confident about the longer term outlook for the economy, holding the least favorable prospects in ten years.”

Still, lower interest rates continue to spur retail sales of RVs as seen in the retail activity of all RVs. Although lower than this same month last year, the Index has remained quite positive over the past several years.

Towable RVs  

All towable RVs were reported at 26,000 units in May this year, off 2.3% compared to May last year. Year to date, totals for all towable RVs have grown to 135,400 units, up 4.6% over the first five months last year and the highest start to a year since 1976.

Conventional travel trailers continued to grow rising 400 units to post a monthly total of 14,800 units, the most travel trailers for the month of May in nearly 30 years. Year to date totals for conventional travel trailers were up 7,700 units over this same five month period last year, ahead by 11%. Other towable vehicle categories were behind last year’s pace limiting the groups gain to 4.6%, year to date.

Motorhomes

Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were off 8.3% on shipments to retailers of 5,500 units in May this year. Totals year to date were behind last year’s first five months by a total of 4,000 units or 12.6%. rising 10% on 1,100 units, year to date.

Conversion Vehicles