Motorcoach, Travel Trailer & Camper Manufacturers
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 640 motorcoach, travel trailer, and camper manufacturers in the US produce motorized coaches and converted vans, campers that slide into truck beds, and towable campers, such as fifth wheels and pop-up campers. Firms may also modify cargo trailers such as toy haulers and horse trailers to include living space.
Dependence on Economic Health
The health of the economy and job markets affect consumer demand for new motorhomes, travel trailers and campers.
Reliance on Automobile Manufacturers
Motorcoach and travel trailer manufacturers rely on motor vehicle manufacturers, such as Ford and GM, for chassis, engines, and drivetrain assemblies, as well as vans for conversion.
Industry size & Structure
A typical motorcoach manufacturing firm operates out of a single location, employs 288 workers, and generates about $156 million annually. A typical travel trailer and camper manufacturing firm operates out of a single location, employs 104 workers, and generates $45 million annually.
- The motorcoach, travel trailer and camper manufacturing industry consists of about 640 companies that employ about 75,000 workers and generate about $31 billion annually.
- The industry is highly concentrated with the four largest firms accounting for over 66% of industry revenue.
- Large companies include Thor (Keystone, Heartland, Starcraft, Airstream), Gulfstream (Ameri-Lite, Vista Cruiser, Innsbruck, Conquest), Forest River (Rockwood, Flagstaff, Salem, Wildwood), Winnebago, and Dutchmen (Coleman, Atlas, Rubicon).
Industry Forecast
Motorcoach, Travel Trailer & Camper Manufacturers Industry Growth
Recent Developments
Sep 24, 2024 - Shipments, New Orders Down
- Shipments of motor vehicle bodies, parts, and trailer shipments fell 4.5% in June 2024 compared to a year ago and were down 4.7% from the previous month, according to the US Census Bureau. New orders for motor vehicle bodies, parts, and trailers declined 5.7% in June 2024 compared to a year ago and were down 5.9% from the previous month. Inventories of motor vehicle bodies, parts, and trailers were up 0.7% in June 2024 compared to a year ago and were down 0.5% from the previous month. Quarterly sales for motor vehicles and parts companies, including motorcoach, travel trailer, and camper manufacturers, decreased in Q1 2024, down 1.4% from Q1 2023 and 2.7% from the previous quarter. After-tax profits for motor vehicles and parts companies were down 10.3% in Q1 2024 compared to a year ago and down 19.4% from the previous quarter.
- US manufacturing activity contracted in August 2024 for the fifth consecutive month after a brief expansion in March, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The Manufacturing PMI registered 47.2% in August, up 0.4 percentage points from the 46.8% recorded in July. A reading above 50% indicates manufacturing expansion. Prior to the uptick in March, US manufacturing activity had fallen below the baseline for growth for 16 consecutive months. August’s New Orders Index was in the contraction zone at 44.6%. The August Production Index was 44.8%, a decrease from July’s 45.9%. Five manufacturing industries tracked by the ISM reported growth in August: Primary Metals; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The industries reporting contraction in August were Textile Mills; Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Machinery; Paper Products; Chemical Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
- RV shipments were up 17.5% in July 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to a report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA). The July 2024 shipments increased to 24,116 units shipped through the end of the month, continuing a stretch of moderate gains over last year, per RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby. The uptick is a positive signal for the industry, which has faced headwinds due to falling consumer demand and higher interest rates. Year to date, total RV shipments were up 9.4% through July compared to the same period a year ago. The towables category grew 21.8% in July 2024 year over year while motorhomes saw a decline of 9.4%.
- Consumer confidence levels increased in August 2024, according to data from The Conference Board. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index was 103.3 in August 2024 from 101.9 in July 2024. Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, noted that confidence was the highest among those over age 35 and those in the income category of over $100,000. Plans for large appliances and smart phone purchases rose on a six-month average basis. Plans to buy a home dropped to a 12-year low while plans for car purchases improved on a six-month average basis.
Get A Demo
Vertical IQ’s Industry Intelligence Platform
See for yourself why over 60,000 users trust Vertical IQ for their industry research and call preparation needs. Our easy-to-digest industry insights save call preparation time and help differentiate you from the competition.
Build valuable, lasting relationships by having smarter conversations -
check out Vertical IQ today.