The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that total shipments to retailers were measured at 23,400 units in the latest survey of manufacturers. The August total was 10.4% above last month but off 6.4% from this same month, one year ago. The rate of decline in shipments continued to slow in August, indicating a potential turning point in the current cycle. Conventional travel trailers and Type A motorhome shipments were ahead of the same period last year, a clear indicator of improving markets.

Year-to-date totals have climbed to 184,000 units, off 17% from this same period, one year ago. Declines in all product categories have been reported through August with motorhome shipments down more than towables.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment was reported at 91.5, down marginally from it's July reading according the the latest survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. This month's reading was nearly identical to the average over the past six months but was considerably below the 107.3 reading this month last year.

Commenting on this lowered sentiment Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey, said, "While most consumers expect economic conditions to improve, they anticipate that the return to a stronger pace of growth would be delayed until late next year."

Although clearly at lower levels than reported this time last year, retail sales of RVs continue to outperform wholesale shipment totals in August. This lowering of dealer retail inventory is a continuation of a two-year trend.

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs improved slightly over last month to 18,900 units. However, this total was off 6% compared to this same month last year. Year to date, all towable RV shipments have now reached a total of 150,500 units, down 15.4% compared to the same period last year.

Conventional travel trailers improved slightly this month, up 3% from last month and up 2.1% compared to this same month last year. Fifth-wheel travel trailers were up substantially over last month but off slightly from August 2000.

Motorhomes

Motorhome shipments picked up some momentum this month finishing with 4,500 units. Although off 8.2% compared to this same month last year, shipments were 50% ahead of last month.

Year to date, shipments of 33,500 units of all motorhomes were off 23.7% compared to this same period last year. Type A motorhomes are down 24% and type C motorhomes off 22.1% compared to the first eight months last year.

Conversion Vehicles

Conversion vehicle shipments have remained in a relatively narrow band of 5,200 to 7,200 units each month this year with conversion vans representing two-thirds of those shipments. In August wholesale shipments to retailers totaled 6,000 units, slightly higher than the 8-month average total so far this year. Although the trend line is decidedly more positive, early shipment declines will force annual totals again below the prior year results.