The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that total shipments of all RVs were 21,200 units in July this year, down slightly from last month and off just 6.6% from July, one year ago. The July reading reveals a flattening of recent shipment declines and offers promise for renewed future growth.

Seasonally adjusted, shipments in July were at an annual rate of 255,800 units, equal to the year-to-date annual rate of shipments through the first seven months this year. Towable shipments continue to over perform motorhomes with truck campers and fifth wheel travel trailers doing best.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment was little changed in the July survey registering a solid 92.0, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. Overall, consumer confidence during the past seven months has remained at or near the same levels since December last year even though offsetting issues have developed.

Commenting on July's consumer sentiment, Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey said, "The slumping stock market had a significant impact on upper income households, while lower inflation expectations boosted real income prospects among lower income households. Nonetheless, more consumers expect the unemployment rate to climb in the year ahead and the pace of income gains to slow."

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were off a mere 4.2% compared to July last year, and were at levels quite comparable to the past four years. Truck campers out performed their July total from last year and conventional travel trailers were just a few hundred units behind. Interestingly, in spite of overall lower shipments, conventional travel trailers over 30 feet with slideouts and under 23 feet without slideouts are selling better than they were this time last year.

Year to date, all towable RV shipments have now reached 131,600 units, off 16.6% from this same period last year. Folding camping trailers have been hardest hit with shipments down 21.2% from this same period, one year earlier.

Motorhomes

Shipments of 3,000 motor-homes were reported in July, off 18.9% from this same month last year. Both type A and type C motorhome totals were off 20% while type B motorhomes remained even. Year to date, shipments to retailers of all motorhomes were at 29,000 units through July, off 25.6% over this same period one year ago.

Year to date, shipments of type A motorhomes have declined by 27.1%, compared to last year, to 19,100 units. While gasoline chassis with slideouts remain the most popular type A product, diesel chassis with slideouts have continued to gain market share this year.

Conversion Vehicles

July saw conversion vehicle shipments slip again after having reported some measure of improvement over the recent past. Van conversions continue to lead this category with nearly three-fourths of all conversion vehicle shipments. However, shipments of converted vans slipped 25% from this same month last year in July and are off 46%, year to date. Pickup truck conversions are off nearly half and sport utility conversions are down nearly a third from last year.