Everyone is buying RV's

[John Linck]

Recent article in the Milwaukee Journal about rising RV sales. So how are we going to find space in campgrounds? Click for more.

This fall, wholesale shipments of travel trailers were at some of the highest levels in decades, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, based in Reston, Va.

RV industry shipments are expected to total 361,400 units in 2015, up 4% from 2014.

The 2015 figure would be more than double the industry's recent low point in 2009.

"We've had a good year in 2014. Our October numbers were up 30% from September and were the best October total we've posted in 38 years," said RVIA President Richard Coon.

Sales of travel trailers and motor homes are big business in Wisconsin, with people coming here from the Chicago area to buy rigs costing tens of thousands of dollars.

"We had our best year ever," said Paul Beitzel, sales manager at Ewald's Airstream of Wisconsin, an Airstream travel-trailer dealership in Franklin.

New Airstream trailers cost $42,000 to $140,000. The Ohio-based trailer manufacturer has benefited from baby boomers not wanting to wait much longer to buy one of the luxury units that sometimes serves as their second home.

"The baby boomers are retiring and want a lifestyle change," Beitzel said.

[mary and bob]

Talked to a couple today in the campground that went from years of tent camping to a 30' Airstream a year ago. They're not baby boomers or retired. Maybe many of those new trailer sales are to replace older units that fell apart. But any RV dealer we have been by has a huge inventory on the lot. Seems it would take years to sell them all even if no new units were ordered in. We are working at the RV show in R I in April, maybe can get a feel of the market there.

[Terry R.]

My son sells RV's and I am shocked at the business they do. Every year seems to get better for him.

[stevebaz]

Probably more due to the rebound of the lending industry than anything else. Easy money for the buyers and sellers will move allot of mountains.

[Uplander]

The lower fuel prices of the last several months should supply a much needed "shot-in-the-arm" to all RV categories in the coming months...I would expect to see a lot of activity at RV Shows this winter and spring...low fuel costs...low interest rates...that should result in more campers on the roads!

Just about 6 months ago I read of lower unit production at Winnebago ...... that should improve with the current trends....there are a lot of "Boomers" out their with money and time on their hands now that they are retired.

Happy Camping!!!

[Ron Merritt]

5 years of sales in the toilet and highly restrictive financing has created pent up demand. This is a cyclic industry and it's heading for it's peak. Now is not the time to buy if you are price driven. If you have plans, then, there is no time like the present.