RV Sales Rise 1.8 Percent in 2005
It was inevitable. As boomers continue to retire, the number of vacationers is bound to increase, and therefore
businesses that cater to travel and leisure are benefiting. Case in point is the sale and rental of recreation vehicles.
While families with teenage children are also responsible for a great number of RV purchases, last year's overall sales were up 1.8 percent over 2004. Those buying fifth-wheel trailers and conventional travel trailers made the biggest difference, however, with sales of such towable RVs increasing by 20.2 percent to 196,600 units, in the U.S.
Actually, if it wasn't for the major jump in towables, total RV sales would have
declined being that motor home deliveries and van conversions dropped 14.5 and 16.4 percent respectively in 2005. While no corroborating information is readily available for the Canadian market, RV sales activity in Canada normally mirrors that south of the border.
Does this show an industry trend away from powered recreation vehicles and towards towable RVs? Its true many purchase towable RVs due to their flexibility after setting up a "base camp", allowing a couple/family to use their tow vehicle for shorter excursions as well as trips
to locations where a larger RV simply couldn't access easily or at all. The alternative to this scenario, of course, is to tow a secondary vehicle behind a motorized RV.
Lovers of powered RVs needn't worry too much that their home away from home is about to disappear anytime soon, however, as December showed stronger motorized RV sales as well as even stronger recreation vehicle sales overall, up some 7.2 percent over December 2004 sales numbers, to 31,400 units.
Obviously there were more than a few happy campers on December 25th.
It was inevitable. As boomers continue to retire, the number of vacationers is bound to increase, and therefore
 |
| The open road is waiting... what are you waiting for? (Photo: Gulfstream RV) |
While families with teenage children are also responsible for a great number of RV purchases, last year's overall sales were up 1.8 percent over 2004. Those buying fifth-wheel trailers and conventional travel trailers made the biggest difference, however, with sales of such towable RVs increasing by 20.2 percent to 196,600 units, in the U.S.
Actually, if it wasn't for the major jump in towables, total RV sales would have
 |
| Sales of towable RVs increased by 20.2 percentin 2005, to 196,600 units in the U.S. (Photo: Carriage Inc.) |
Does this show an industry trend away from powered recreation vehicles and towards towable RVs? Its true many purchase towable RVs due to their flexibility after setting up a "base camp", allowing a couple/family to use their tow vehicle for shorter excursions as well as trips
 |
| Motorhome deliveries and van conversion sales dropped 14.5 and 16.4 percent respectively in 2005. (Photo: Fleetwood) |
Lovers of powered RVs needn't worry too much that their home away from home is about to disappear anytime soon, however, as December showed stronger motorized RV sales as well as even stronger recreation vehicle sales overall, up some 7.2 percent over December 2004 sales numbers, to 31,400 units.
Obviously there were more than a few happy campers on December 25th.
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