Big decline in RV shipments for Feb 2023

[Neal]

RV shipments dive in February

Total RV shipments ended February with 24,903 units, a decrease of 53.7% compared to the record 53,773 units shipped in February 2022. So says the just released

www.rvtravel.com

 

[Rich W.]

And according to the article, park models are up 62% over last year - a definite sign of the times.

 

[A-Texan]

And according to the article, park models are up 62% over last year - a definite sign of the times.

Forgive my ignorance, what is a park model RV?

 

[Rich W.]

Forgive my ignorance, what is a park model RV?

Its a tow behind trailer designed to stay long term in a RV or mobile home park, not campgrounds, usually around 40’. They look more like a small single wide mobile home than an RV type trailer. More along the lines of what we now call tiny homes.

So the fact that all other towable RV‘s are down by 58% and park models are up by 62% is an interesting development to ponder.

Park Model RVs

This is not "tiny home" living.

www.redmanhomesca.com

 

[A-Texan]

I have seen those on the side of the highway, but I didn't realize they were considered RV's. Learn something new everyday, thanks!

 

[Rich W.]

I have seen those on the side of the highway, but I didn't realize they were considered RV's. Learn something new everyday, thanks!

It’s a somewhat vague definition, but they are manufactured by the same industry to similar standards.

ex: Forest River Park Models - Extend Your Stay!

 

[Neal]

I watched Park Models get built at Palm Creek RV resort. Essentially two "trailer home" "thingies" side by side and connected to make a home. It's typically RVers that like the amenities of RV resorts (and activities) like Palm Creek and decide to just stay put there. It's an interesting aspect from the financial side, what little I know, as to what you own vs. rent.

 

[J&JD]

To me, park models take spots that were originally for rv’s and somewhat ruin the rv experience. I guess they generate more income/profit for the park owners or the numbers wouldn’t be on the rise. I’m not into the “mixed use” Rv park.

 

[Neal]

True, that's the sad part about Palm creek is it's very affordable camping where some like to winter and it seems they are going to do away with RV sites and make them all park models.

 

[sanda]

RV shipments dive in February

Total RV shipments ended February with 24,903 units, a decrease of 53.7% compared to the record 53,773 units shipped in February 2022. So says the just released

www.rvtravel.com

But will the quality improve? Probably not.

 

[Stuart W]

It would be interesting to see the unit numbers for the same period before Covid.
Although we are seeing higher interest rates and pricing I would guess that factories ramped up to meet the Covid demand that is pretty much over now and the average worker went from the freedom to travel most of the year to two or three weeks vacation a year. This is a large part of the massive layoffs recently seen in the RV industry.

 

[Voyageurs]

On our cross country tour thru Canada last year we occasionally stayed in commercial campgrounds or RV parks. (We normally stay in provincial parks or municipal campgrounds). We were surprised by how many sites were taken up by park models. That and large fifth wheels that haven’t moved in years. Even motorhomes with grass growing up around the tires. Sad to see all those sites no longer available for campers.
Talked to a bunch of operators and many said that they were seeing more smaller rigs on the road. (We are tiny at an 18 foot trailer). But we saw lots of 20 to 24 footers on the road. Not sure if it’s indicative of a shift but just something we noticed. Lots of SUV’s towing little trailers as well. It might just be where we were touring. Provincial parks don’t have big sites so it kind of makes sense.

Jmho.

Cheers.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I would imagine for some, it's fuel prices waffling and seeming to stangnat at way too high resulting in spending a small to medium fortune on diesel every year to get your rig moved around.

 

[Voyageurs]

I would imagine for some, it's fuel prices waffling and seeming to stangnat at way too high resulting in spending a small to medium fortune on diesel every year to get your rig moved around.

Yah I would think fuel prices have a big effect. This was last summer and I think it was pretty expensive across the country. Our tow vehicle is electric so we didn’t pay close attention although we noticed big variances in gas and diesel across the country. I think the price has come down since then although not sure.

Cheers.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Park models typically have standard plumbing ie. No holding tanks, standard toilets, no house batteries, 115vac appliances.

Basically a small platform mobile home.

 

[old timer]

More and more,we see (camp grounds) half full of seasonal residents campers and no one is there till the weekend or holidays ,just a sign of the times.

 

[TheLooks]

They are the exact same poor construction. Not made to live in full time. No real way to keep bugs and rodents out of them.

 

[TheLooks]

As Kevin said, a few differences, just poorly executed.