Motorcoach, Travel Trailer & Camper Manufacturers NAICS 336213, 336214

Nov 21, 2025 - Reliable Wi-Fi Emerges as Key Feature for RV Makers

• According to a report in RVPro, motorcoach and camper manufacturers are increasingly pressured to integrate reliable wi-fi as a core feature, reflecting the rise of digital nomads and remote workers. By 2030, jobs that can be performed from anywhere are expected to grow 25%, fueling demand for RVs that double as mobile offices. Yet connectivity remains a challenge: national parks and rural campgrounds often lack infrastructure, leaving RV owners reliant on congested public networks or costly hotspots. The rollout of 5G, offering speeds up to 10x faster than 4G and lower latency, is beginning to close these gaps, with coverage expanding into rural areas. Manufacturers and dealers are responding by offering portable 5G hotspots, signal boosters, and satellite internet options. For the industry, connectivity is now a differentiator: RVs equipped with seamless internet access are better positioned to capture growth in the mobile professional segment, while policymakers and providers are urged to invest in rural broadband.
• The transportation equipment manufacturing category is one of the six manufacturing industries reporting growth in October’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. Transportation equipment manufacturers reported an increase in new orders, growth in production, increased employment, higher inventories, slower supplier deliveries, lower new export orders, higher order backlogs, lower volume of imports, and higher prices for raw materials. Other manufacturing industries reporting growth during the period included Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. A dozen industries reported contraction, including Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Computer & Electronic Products. Overall, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 48.7%.

• According to RV News, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) projects a 3.6% increase in wholesale RV shipments for 2026, with a median forecast of 349,300 units, the highest since 2022. This modest growth reflects improving economic conditions, including easing inflation and more accessible financing, despite ongoing challenges such as elevated borrowing costs and cautious consumer sentiment. For 2025, shipments are expected to remain steady at a median of 337,000 units. The forecast signals cautious optimism and a potential rebound in demand for the RV industry. Manufacturers and dealers may benefit from renewed consumer interest, particularly if they continue to offer innovative, value-driven products. The projection also underscores the importance of strategic inventory planning and adaptability in navigating economic headwinds while preparing for long-term growth.
• Softening consumer sentiment and confidence in November and October 2025 reflects a growing weakness in discretionary spending, posing challenges for US motorcoach, travel trailer, and camper manufacturers. The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped 6.2% month-over-month in November's preliminary results to 50.3, a 29.9% year-over-year decline. The Current Economic Conditions Index fell to 52.3, and the Expectations Index to 49, down 36.3% annually. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.7%, while long-run expectations declined to 3.6%, with increased uncertainty across both horizons. Meanwhile, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged down to 94.6 from 95.6 in October, as improved current conditions (Present Situation Index up to 129.3) were offset by weaker short-term expectations (Expectations Index down to 71.5). Inflation expectations rose to 5.9%, and over half of consumers anticipated higher interest rates. Holiday spending is projected to fall, with promotions driving purchasing decisions.