August 2005

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs rose 3.7% to 33,600 units in the August survey of manufacturers, reversing a recent slowing trend in deliveries to retailers. An 18.8% increase in travel trailers this month compared to this same month last year was largely the cause. Year to date, shipments of 259,500 units have been reported so far in 2005, just slightly behind the record pace of last year.

Concern over weakening of the general economy pushed down the Index of Consumer Confidence in the August report from the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan (see page 16). Consumer’s reaction to rapidly rising fuel prices, increasing interest rates and concerns for future increases in unemployment drove the Index lower this month.

August retail sales of conventional travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, folding camping trailers, type A and type C motorhomes combined, were 9% lower than the previous month but nearly 5% higher than this same month last year. Of particular interest, conventional travel trailers were below last month and this same month last year while type A and type C retail sales were slightly higher compared to both periods.

Towable RVs  

Conventional travel trailers (excluding hybrid trailers) improved 22.7% over last month and posted a solid 23.7% gain over the same month last year (see page 4). Fifth wheel travel trailers also improved over last month but fell short of topping August 2004 totals.

Interestingly, conventional travel trailers with slideouts and those over 10,000 GVW reported the largest gains this month.

Motorhomes

Interestingly, conventional travel trailers with slideouts and those over 10,000 GVW reported the largest gains this month. Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were reported at 5,400 units in the August survey, off 10% compared to this same month one year ago. Both type A and type C motorhomes were off while type B motorhomes grew from 200 units last year to 300 units this year.

Year to date, all motorhome shipments were reported at 43,700 units, down 13.1% compared to the same period last year.

Conversion Vehicles

Year to date, all motorhome shipments were reported at 43,700 units, down 13.1% compared to the same period last year. All conversion vehicle shipments totaled 2,900 units in August, down 9.4% from the same month last year (see page 17). Van conversions remained the category’s largest product type with more than 80% of the category’s total shipments but were also off the greatest percentage compared to August last year. Year to date, all conversion vehicles have now climbed to 25,000 units through August, off 15.3% compared to this same period last year.  RVIA

This Chart Shows Total RV Shipments 1991 - 2005 (Units in Thousands)