Fact Check: Are RV sales up or down?

Are RV Sales Up or Down?

The RV industry has been a topic of interest, especially regarding its sales trends in recent years. The claim in question revolves around whether RV sales are currently up or down, particularly in the context of 2023. Various sources provide differing perspectives on this issue, with some indicating a decline in shipments and others suggesting potential growth in the future.

What We Know

1. RV Shipments Decline: According to the RV Industry Association (RVIA), RV shipments in 2023 totaled 313,174 units, which represents a significant decrease of 36.5% compared to 2022. This decline has raised concerns about the current state of the RV market 3.

2. Retail Sales Trends: The RVDA (Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association) reports on retail sales trends, indicating fluctuations in consumer demand. However, specific figures for retail sales in 2023 are less clear, with some reports suggesting a mixed outlook for the year 4.

3. Future Projections: Despite the downturn in shipments for 2023, RVIA forecasts a potential rebound in 2024, particularly in the latter half of the year. This projection is based on observed increases in shipments during the last two months of 2023 3.

4. Long-term Growth: A report from KOA (Kampgrounds of America) highlights that RV ownership has increased by over 62% in the last two decades, with nearly 12 million RV-owning households as of 2022. This suggests a long-term trend of growing interest in RVs, even if 2023 has not reflected this growth in sales 7.

5. Used RV Market: The used RV market has reportedly seen a 15% growth in sales volume in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating that while new RV sales may be down, there is still consumer interest in purchasing used RVs 8.

Analysis

The conflicting data regarding RV sales necessitates a critical evaluation of the sources and their methodologies:

• Source Reliability: The RVIA is a primary source of data on RV shipments and industry trends, making it a credible source for understanding the market's current state. However, as an industry association, it may have a vested interest in presenting a more optimistic outlook for the industry, particularly regarding future projections 12.

• Retail Sales Data: The RVDA provides insights into retail sales, but their reports are less frequently updated and may lack the granularity needed to fully understand the current market dynamics. The absence of detailed statistics for 2023 limits the ability to assess the retail landscape comprehensively 4.

• Market Trends: Reports from third-party sources like ConsumerAffairs and Camper FAQs provide additional context, but they often aggregate data from various industry reports, which can introduce variability in accuracy and reliability. For instance, the claim about the growth in the used RV market is based on aggregated data and may not reflect broader trends in the new RV market 68.

• Potential Bias: Some sources, such as Ever RV and IDs Astra, may present information with a promotional angle, aiming to attract consumers or investors to the RV market. This could lead to biased interpretations of the data 910.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodologies used by various sources to gather data on RV sales and shipments can differ significantly. For example, while RVIA focuses on wholesale shipments, other reports may rely on dealer surveys or consumer insights, which can yield different conclusions about market health.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that RV sales are currently up is false, as evidenced by a significant decline in RV shipments in 2023, which decreased by 36.5% compared to the previous year. While there are indications of potential growth in the used RV market and optimistic projections for future sales, these do not negate the current downturn in new RV sales.

It is important to note that while the RV industry has experienced long-term growth in ownership, the specific context of 2023 shows a clear decline in new RV sales. Additionally, the available evidence is limited, particularly regarding retail sales data for 2023, which complicates a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information from various sources and consider the nuances of market trends, as the RV industry continues to evolve.

Sources

1. RV Industry Profile | RVIA. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/2023-rv-industry-profile
2. Reports & Trends - RVIA. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends
3. RV Shipments Top 313,000 for 2023 - RVIA. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends/rv-shipment-reports/2023-12/rv-shipments-top-313000-2023
4. Total North American RV Retail Sales 2020-2023. Retrieved from http://www.rvda.org/RVDA/Facts_Sheets_Members_Only/Total_North_American_RV_Retail_Sales.aspx?WebsiteKey=3bd1dde7-359a-4e5a-aedb-d29b8de44797
5. RV Industry Sales and News Report: November 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bishs.com/blog/rv-industry-report-november-2023/
6. RV industry statistics 2025 - ConsumerAffairs®. Retrieved from https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/rv-industry-statistics.html
7. Current RV Statistics, Trends, & Facts for 2024 - Camper FAQs. Retrieved from https://camperfaqs.com/rv-statistics-trends-facts
8. Current RV Sales Statistics: Market Data Report 2025. Retrieved from https://gitnux.org/current-rv-sales-statistics/
9. RV Trends Revolutionizing the Industry in 2023 - Ever RV. Retrieved from https://everrv.com/rv-statistics/rv-trends/
10. A Glimpse Into The Future: 8 RV Industry Statistics In 2023 - IDs Astra. Retrieved from https://www.ids-astra.com/blog/2023-rv-industry-statistics/