RV Dealers
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 2,900 recreational vehicle dealerships in the US sell new and used RVs, replacement parts, accessories, and services. Dealers may provide rental services for RVs and also earn fees for facilitating financing and insurance purchases through third party providers.
Seasonal Sales
Summer is the peak season for RV travel and demand drops quickly in the late fall/winter.
Vulnerability to Economic Conditions
The RV industry as a whole is vulnerable to downturns in the economy.
Industry size & Structure
The average recreational vehicle dealer operates out of a single location, employs 19 workers, and generates $9 million in annual revenue.
- The RV dealer industry consists of 2,900 establishments that employ some 56,000 workers and generate about $26 billion annually.
- The industry is relatively fragmented, as the top 50 companies account for about 47% of industry revenue.
- Camping World (Freedom Roads) is the largest RV dealer in the US with about 200 locations. Most companies are small and serve a limited geographical market.
Industry Forecast
RV Dealers Industry Growth
Recent Developments
Oct 18, 2024 - Gas Prices Up Slightly
- According to a AAA report in RV Pro, the national average for a gallon of gas rose two cents to $3.21 in early October, as hurricanes caused some regional price increases. Gas demand grew to 9.65 million b/d in the second week of October from 8.52 million the previous week. Sales for motor vehicle and parts dealers, including RV dealers, fell 6% in June 2024 compared to a year ago and declined 9.7% from the previous month, according to the Census Bureau. Consumer spending, a key indicator for the industry, grew 2.6% in June 2024 compared to a year ago and increased 0.2% from the previous month, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Producer prices for RV dealers were flat in July 2024 compared to a year ago, and employment fell 5.5% in July compared to a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The US RV dealers industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.9% between 2024 and 2028, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is slower than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth. The report noted that consumer confidence is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the retail and wholesale industries. Factors that continue to limit consumer spending are lower consumer sentiment levels, elevated interest rates, and higher price levels. On a positive note, inflation is subsiding, which supports a moderate increase of real disposable income by about 1.9% in 2024 and 2.4% in 2025.
- RV shipments were up 17.5% in July 2024 compared to the same period a year ago, 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 several months of increases over last year. The growth is a positive signal for the industry, which has faced challenges due to falling consumer demand and higher interest rates. According to RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby, “July’s shipments continue this year’s moderate year over year gains.” 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% year in July 2024 year over year while motorhomes saw a decline of 9.4%.
- Consumer confidence levels fell in September 2024, according to data from The Conference Board. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index was 98.7 in September 2024 compared to 105.6 in August 2024. Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, noted that confidence was the highest among those under the age of 35 and those in the income category of over $100,000. Plans for laptop/PC and smart phone purchases declined on a six-month average basis. Plans to buy a home or a new car improved slightly on a six-month average basis.
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