Summary

May was the first month back for the RV industry following the large-scale shutdowns to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with some manufacturers opening in early May, some not until later in the month, and none opening at full capacity. As the economy began to reopen, RV manufacturers and suppliers adapted to a “new normal,” including supply chains that were still ramping up, limited production days, and modified manufacturing processes. These challenges impacted production capacity early on but eased considerably as the month continued. By month’s end, wholesale shipment totaled 27,999 units, down (-29.7%) from the 39,838 units shipped in May 2019, according to the RV Industry Association’s survey of manufacturers.

“While numbers compared to last May show a 30 percent decrease, the reality is the RV industry is very strong right now. Many RV dealerships that were able to reopen their showroom reported record sales, but RV sales were heavily dependent on whether or not state stay-at-home orders had been lifted, something that varied state-by-state throughout the month of May,” said RV Industry President Craig Kirby. “Now that all states have reopened, coupled with continued media attention on RVs as a way to travel and maintain social distance, the outlook for the RV industry this summer is extremely bright.”

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, totaled 24,790 units for the month, a decrease of (-29.1%) compared to last May’s total of 34,952 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month with 3,209 units, down from (-34.3%) compared to the May 2019 total of 4,886 units.

Park Model RVs ended the month down (-28.7%) compared to last May with 281 shipments.

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Wholesale RV Shipments

May 2019 May 2020 YOY Last Year CUM. 2019 CUM. 2020 YOY To Date

Towables

Travel Trailers (ALL) 26,326 18,513 -29.7% 120,874 92,583 -23.4%
Travel Trailers - 5th Wheel 7,505 5,582 -25.6% 32,368 25,680 -20.7%
Folding Camping Trailers 831 528 -36.5% 3,483 2,284 -34.4%
Truck Campers 290 167 -42.4% 1,198 1,073 -10.4%
All Towable RVs 34,952 24,790 -29.1% 157,923 121,620 -23.0%
Motorhomes
Conventional (Type A) 1,584 942 -40.5% 7,893 4,601 -41.7%
Van Campers (Type B) 421 755 79.3% 1,524 2,033 33.4%
Mini (Type C) 2,881 1,512 -47.5% 12,717 7,346 -42.2%
All Motorhomes 4,886 3,209 -34.3% 22,134 13,980 -36.8%
Total RV Shipments 39,838 27,999 -29.7% 180,057 135,600 -24.7%

Total Shipments Monthly vs. Last Year


Park Model RV Shipments

May 2019 May 2020 YOY Last Year CUM. 2019 CUM. 2020 YOY To Date
Park Model RVs 394 281 -28.7% 1,891 1,564 -17.3%

Monthly Shipments