The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that total deliveries to retailers of all RVs continued to improve and were reported at 32,700 units in the April survey of manufacturers, up 15% from last month and up 18.5% from this same month last year. Year-to-date totals have reached 104,600 units in the first four months this year, up 13.7% from this same period one year earlier.

Seasonally adjusted, shipments in April were at an annual rate of more than 295,200 units, up slightly from the previous month. So far this year, deliveries are running at an annualized rate of more than 287,000 units.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 108.7 in the April survey, up from 106.5 recorded in the March survey, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. While only a small gain, the April reading brought the Index back near its recent all-time high of 110.4 recorded in February of this year.

"Consumers in general continue to hold favorable buying attitudes," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Rather than larger income gains, consumers' optimism about their future financial situation is largely due to the expectation of declining inflation."

April not only saw increasing wholesale shipments of RVs but final sales improved as well, according to reports of manufacturers. Retail sales for all but type C motorhomes were above the same period last year.

Wholesale shipments of all towable RVs increased to 26,200 units this April, up nearly 17% over last month and up more than 20% compared to this same month one year ago. Year-to-date deliveries of all towables are now at 83,200 units, up 13.8% from this same period last year.

Conventional travel trailers improved to 11, 100 units in April, up 29% from April 1997, and marks the best monthly total for these products since August 1978. Year-to-date shipments of conventional travel trailers have now reached 34,900 units, more than 22% ahead of this point last year. Fifth-wheel travel trailers, which set an all-time high of 52,800 units in 1997, appear to be headed for another record high. April saw the best month ever for fifth-wheel travel trailers which rose 9% from last month and up 16% from this same month last year.

Wholesale shipments to retailers of all motorhomes totaled 6,500 nits in April, up 8% from last nonth and up 12.1% from this ame month last year. Surprising trength in diesel chassis (which epresented nearly 20% of the total) elped type A motorhomes to their est monthly total in 14 years.

April saw more good signs that type C motorhomes have turned the corner as shipments improved by nearly 19% over last month and by nearly 12% over this same month last year. Year-to-date, type C totals have now reached 5,800 units, the best start for them in three years.

Conversion Vehicles

Wholesale deliveries of all conversion vehicle Products improved slightly from last month to post totals of 13,400 units. Year-to-date, conversions continue to struggle and ended the first four months this year off 30% compared to this same period last year. Van conversions remain the most popular conversion with the standard size vehicles representing 85% of the product.