RV Industry Notches Big Month
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Recreational Vehicle Industry Association is reporting the highest monthly shipment total on record. The organization says March survey results totaled 47,579 units, compared to 40,740 during the same month a year ago.
The first quarter finished nearly 12 percent higher compared to the first three months of 2016, up 120,866 from 108,195. The only segments of towables and motorhomes that did not rise this March over last March were truck campers and conventional motorhomes. The RVIA says survey results show a sharp rise in shipments of folding camping trailers, van campers and mini motorhomes. Travel trailers and fifth wheels also recorded double-figure increases.
Shipments have increased in each of the first three months of this year compared to last. The RVIA has a regional office in Elkhart.
See full industry report.
Towables
Travel Trailers (ALL)
26,845
31,422
17.0%
70,344
78,985
1
2.3%
Travel Trailers – Fifth Wheel
7,670
8,884
15.8%
20,455
2
2,557
10.3%
Folding Camping Trailers
922
1,236
34.1%
2,588
2,379
-8.1
%
Truck Campers
326
224
-31.3%
767
598
-22.0%
All Towable RVs
35,763
41,766
16.8%
94,154
104,519
11.0%
Motorhomes
Conventional (Type A)
2,045
2,033
-0.6%
6,171
5,906
-4.3%
Van Campers (Type B)
328
427
30.2%
905
1,235
36.5%
Mini (Type C)
March 2017
RVIA’s March survey of manufacturers found RV wholesale shipments finishing the first quarter of the year on a very strong note. Monthly shipments reached 47,579 units, an increase of 20.7% over the February monthly total and of 16.8% over the March 2016 tally of 40,740 units. This represents the highest monthly total ever for shipments on comparable record.
Year-to-date RV wholesale shipments have reached 120,866 units, up 11.7% over the 108,195 units shipped in the same three-month period last year.
All towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, reached a total of 41,766 units for the month, up 16.8% over the 35,763 units shipped in March 2016. Motorhome shipments are also up 16.8% for the month at 5,813 units, compared to 4,977 units last March.