RV Dealers NAICS 441210

Jul 10, 2025 - Shipments Fall in May

• RV shipments were down 6% in May 2025 year over year, according to a report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) in RV Pro. The May 2025 shipments totaled 28,150 units shipped through the end of the month. Per RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby, “While the industry continues to navigate uncertain economic conditions, the long-term pattern of growth for the industry remains with a recent study showing 16.9 million American households indicating they intend to join the RV lifestyle. These potential customers are younger and more diverse than ever before, showcasing the wide and enduring appeal of RVing.” Year to date, total RV shipments were up 5.3% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 161,373 units. The towables category dropped 17.2% in May 2025 year over year, while motorhomes saw an increase of 6.1%.
• Consumer sentiment, an indicator of discretionary spending, was mixed in June 2025, according to two major indicators. The final index of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan grew 15.9% in June 2025 from the previous month, as the Trump administration put some tariffs on hold against major US trade partners, according to CFO Dive. Year over year, the index of consumer sentiment was down 11.3%. An index measuring consumers’ expectations for the future was up 21.9% from the previous month, but was down 16.1% year over year. According to survey director Joanne Hsu, “Consumers appear to have settled somewhat from the shock of the extremely high tariffs announced in April and the policy volatility seen in the weeks that followed.” Hsu noted that consumers’ views of business conditions, personal finances, buying conditions for big ticket items, labor markets and stock markets all remain below six months ago. However, the Consumer Confidence Index fell by 12.3 points in June 2025, compared to the previous month. The index dropped in June following a gain in May, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index.

• A new forecast projects that RV wholesale shipments will reach a median total of 350,100 in 2025, which would be a 5% increase over 2024's year-end total, according to the RV Industry Association’s Spring 2025 issue of RV RoadSigns. The forecast range is 333,400 to 366,800 wholesale units. In 2024, the industry’s wholesale shipments increased 7% from 2023. According to RV Industry President & CEO Craig Kirby, “Interest rates continue to be a challenge, but there are green shoots for the market including continued consumer interest in RVing, creating a positive overall retail environment.” The forecast was generated for the RV Industry Association by ITR Economics.
• A recent survey by RV Business found that industry executives think the developing global trade war will negatively impact the RV industry. About 55% of respondents believe the tariff activity will create a major negative impact and increase retail RV prices by at least 20%. About 15% said retail RV prices would grow between 10% to 19%, and 15% said it was too soon to tell. Nearly 60% said the trade war would increase the costs of doing business by at least 20% while 11% said costs would rise between 10% and 19%, and the same percentage said costs would decrease by 20%.