RV shipments are up, but there’s more to the story than just an increase in shipments. More new people are entering the RV market this year, and trade ins are down.

First let’s just start with the June Shipments. Remember that shipments do not equal sales, but are a very good indicator of how the market is doing.

June 2020 Shipments of Travel Trailers were 28,340 as compared to June of 2019 (pre-covid) of 25,559. That is an increase of 10.9%.

June 2020 Shipments of 5th wheels were 8,125 as compared to 6,818 in 2019; an increase of 19.2%

Folding trailers were 636 vs 463 in 2019, an increase of 37.4%. Even truck campers were up, 338 vs. 331 in 2019, a 2.1% increase.

These are very good numbers for the RV industry as a whole given that due to the pandemic they are down roughly 26,000 units Year To Date or -16.8%.

I’m not going to talk at length about the Motorhome market because I really only concern myself with the towable market. However, the Motorhome market is down 38% across all types except Van Campers which are up. My thought at first glance is that the economy is still not in a position where folks are ready to drop that kind of money on large motor homes.

As a very interesting side note as it relates to the current sales: Dealers are reporting that 50 to 80 percent of the current buyers are new to the RV lifestyle. Ordinarily they would only make up 25 to 35% of the purchasing market. That is a huge increase, and I think its fueled by a number of things.

  1. The increase may prove that people have finally discovered that RVing is a safer way to spend time with their families during the pandemic. Many families probably do not feel safe going to hotels, amusement parks, etc.
  2. The increase of 37.4% in folding campers probably supports the reported increase in new comers to the RV market, why? What better way to try out RVing than starting with a pop-up camper; and not having to worry about spending money to upgrade a tow vehicle.
  3. The workforce being encouraged to work remotely and with schools moving, at least for the current time, to virtual classrooms; why not do it on the road where you can combine work and leisure?
  4. The fact that trade-ins are down reflects the fact that folks are not trading up perhaps due to the fact that there is a shortage.

RV Shipments are up and one has to wonder what the second half of 2020 will be like for the RV industry. Perhaps, if the supply chain can support it, they will overcome the current shortfall in shipments for the year. Either way, my guess is that the 2021 year will be equal to if not greater than 2017 as more people retreat to the safe lifestyle of Camping.

It may also be a stressful time for campgrounds as a new surge of campers fight for a space to set up their rig. If you were thinking of building a campground, this might be the right time!

If you would like to look at the number of shipments reported for June by the RVIA click here.