RV Dealers

The 2,980 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.

Sep 9, 2026 - RV Shipments Forecast Lowered

• RV dealers face a softer 2026 sales environment as high financing costs, inflation, and tighter household budgets delay discretionary purchases, according to a revised forecast by the RV Industry Association (RVIA). The RVIA cut its wholesale shipment forecast to 300,000–328,100 units, with a midpoint of 314,000, which would be 8.2% below 2025’s 342,200 shipments. For dealers, lower shipments signal weaker near-term retail demand and a need to manage inventories carefully to avoid excess stock and heavier discounting. Higher borrowing costs may also push shoppers toward lower-priced towables, used RVs, or longer purchase cycles. Still, industry fundamentals remain supportive over the longer term, as consumers continue to value RV travel for flexibility and affordability. Dealers that keep inventories lean and emphasize financing, trade-ins, and value-oriented models may be better positioned.
• Weakening consumer confidence in August points to a cautious outlook for US RV dealers, as RV purchases are large discretionary commitments that can be delayed when households feel less secure about finances. The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 6.3% from July to 51.7 and was 11.2% below a year earlier, suggesting softer appetite for major leisure purchases. Separately, The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 89.4 from 90.2 in July. Its Present Situation Index improved to 121.2, but the Expectations Index fell to 68.2 as consumers became more pessimistic about business conditions, employment and income prospects. Together, the readings suggest continued pressure on RV demand, with buyers likely to remain price-sensitive and dealers increasingly reliant on promotions, financing incentives and lower-priced models.
• The US RV dealer industry generated $38 billion in economic output in 2026, highlighting the sector's growing importance even as new RV shipments have leveled off, according to the RV Industry Association's RVs Move America study. RV sales and service, including dealerships, generated $38 billion in annual economic output, helping drive the industry's total $159 billion economic impact while supporting 643,238 jobs, $46.4 billion in wages, and $19.6 billion in tax revenue. Although RV manufacturing has leveled off following its post-pandemic surge, the study attributes overall industry growth to a larger installed base of 8.1 million RV-owning households, which continues to support dealer revenue through vehicle sales, service, parts, accessories, and trade-ins. For RV dealers, the findings suggest that long-term demand is increasingly supported by aftermarket services and an expanding owner base, making customer retention and service operations critical as new vehicle sales normalize.
• Statistical Surveys data in RV Pro showed a challenging May for the US RV dealer industry, with new RV retail sales falling 19.0% year over year, marking a sharp slowdown from the nearly flat comparison a year earlier. Towable RV sales declined 19.6%, while motorized RV sales fell 13.5%. Among new units, Class B (-9.3%), Class C (-11.7%), and fifth wheels (-17.2%) outperformed the market, while Class A motorhomes (-24.8%) posted the steepest decline. In contrast, the used RV market proved more resilient, with sales down just 2.4%, an improvement from -8.6% a year earlier. Used Class B (+0.6%) and travel trailers (+0.1%) posted gains, suggesting value-conscious consumers are increasingly choosing pre-owned models. Dealers may need to emphasize used inventory and stronger-performing segments until demand for new RVs improves.

Industry size & Structure

The average recreational vehicle dealer operates out of a single location, employs 25 workers, and generates $20 million in annual revenue.

• The RV dealer industry consists of 2,980 establishments that employ some 54,200 workers and generate about $43.3 billion annually.
• The industry is relatively fragmented, as the top 50 companies account for about 60% 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.