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What does the future hold for the RV market?

Changes in the frequency and duration of vacations favor the RV industry. Americans are traveling shorter distances and on weekends with less planning, according to recent studies. For RV owners, this is a convenient travel pattern.

Primary RV demand remains very good and the potential for future sales is bright, according to a 2005 University of Michigan study. Among U.S. households that have never owned an RV, more than one in six expressed interest in purchasing an RV in the future.

Both parents and empty-nesters are strong potential buyers of RVs, and promising future prospects are emerging among younger, ethnically diverse consumers, reveals a Harris Interactive study commissioned by the Go RVing Coalition. Generation Xers, exhibit interests in outdoor activities that are highly compatible with RVing, the study found.

Ownership and demographic trends favor substantial RV market growth, according to the University of Michigan. As baby boomers have been entering their prime age range — 55 to 64 — with the highest ownership rates, according to the Michigan study.

The number of RV-owning households in the U.S. is projected to rise to nearly 8.5 million by 2010–a gain of 15 percent between 2001-2010, outpacing overall U.S. household growth of 6 percent.

from: RVIA.com

Comment by Randy and Annie on February 10, 2008 at 9:53pm: My feelings it that the families that have been RVing in the past will continue. I think that once you have experienced RVing, camping, motor coaches, it is hard to stay away from it. The rise in fuel cost has effected the market somewhat. But those that have coaches might not move about as much as before. They might stay at locations longer plan their trips a bit closer to home. But the recreational experience it is hard to leave. JMHO

Comment by Maggie on February 21, 2008 at 4:17am: I completely agree, after spending a month travelling with out the RV we really appreciate it much more. We had terrible experiences with Hotels, no matter what they cost. They weren't clean and it was horrible having to eat out all the time, it was nice at first but that wore off after 4 or 5 days. All we would want was a light lunch but that is impossible to find in most places, all portions were much too large and I hated the waste when I could only eat a part of the meal and the rest was thrown out. I missed making a bowl of Campbells soup and having crackers. I know it sounds silly but that was the worst. We said never again will we travel without our RV but we were travelling with two other couples (they had their own vehicles) who didn't have RV's. Next time we will use our RV and they can use the vans.

Comment by Andy Skinner on February 28, 2008 at 3:57pm: I have to share my experience from someone who is in the business. Our dealership did experience a slowdown in mid-2006 to late-2007. However, this January, at an RV show in Atlanta, we experienced a tremendous turnout (and very good sales). The demographics were wide-ranging. The price-points and types of RVs that folks were purchasing were just as diverse. The reassuring part has been that this frenzy has continued into February (for us at least). It is quite comforting and it leads me to believe that you will not keep RVers from RVing. You might see them change their habits a bit, such as buying pre-owned instead of new or some other slight change, but you will never see them give up their passion.