July 2005

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that shipments to retailers of all RVs were 29,100 units in the July survey of manufacturers, off 9.9% from this same month last year. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in July were at an annualized rate of just over 340,000 units, their lowest level in more than 18 months.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment was 96.5 in the July survey, up slightly from the June reading of 96.0 and well ahead of the 86.9 reading last May, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. Although July gained slightly, it masks two opposing trends with current economic prospects viewed more favorably by consumers than longer term prospects.

Consumers continue to purchase RVs at a high rate, as witnessed in the Retail Sales Activity taken from surveys of manufacturers. The sales for conventional travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, and type C motorhomes remain above the levels reported this month last year. Any reading above the “100” line indicates sales over the past 12 months were greater than the previous 12 month period.

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were 24,400 units in the July survey, down 7.9% as compared to this month last year. Conventional travel trailers (including hybrids), fifth wheel trailers, and truck campers were below levels reported last year with folding camping trailers the only gainer.

In conventional trailers, shipments of smaller units without slideouts have actually gained in share of shipments as compared to units with slideouts, signaling a minor shift in recent trends. In a similar shift, fifth wheel trailers over 10,000 GVW have declined as a percentage of all fifth wheels shipped over the past several months.

Year to date, all towable RV shipments were reported at 187,600 units, still slightly ahead of this same period last year. Conventional travel trailers, including hybrids, have grown to 107,300 units through July, up 7.1% as compared to the first seven months last year. All other towable types are running slightly behind the record pace of 2004.

All motorhome shipments declined to 4,700 units in the July survey of manufacturers, slipping 19% below the July reading last year. Type A motorhomes were off 27% this month, falling 1,000 units below the 2004 record level. Type B van campers were even with this month last year while type C Monthly units were just 100 units behind.

Year to date, shipments to retailers of all motorhomes were at 38,300 units through July, off 13.5% over this same period last year. Type A motorhomes built on a diesel chassis have declined from 48% of all type A shipments last year to just over 38% so far this year.

Conversion Vehicles

July shipments of all conversion vehicles increased over the prior month, gaining to 3,100 units. While still slightly below this same month last year, the improvement in direction is remarkable. RVIA

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