Posted on 12/26/2021 8:24:52 AM PST by blam
It was one thing when Americans panicked hoarded food and toilet paper during the early days of the virus pandemic. Then guns and ammo after social unrest broke out, but 20 months later, recreational vehicles continue to be hoarded at levels never seen before.
A new RV Industry Association (RVIA) report released Tuesday shows shipments for towable RVs jumped 14% in November to 43,881 from 38,485 the same month last year. All motorhome shipments soared 30.4% to 5,254 vehicles for the month, and total RV shipments increased 15.6%.
Like all of 2021, November’s sales are a record for that month…
For the first eleven months of the year, towable RV shipments totaled a mindboggling 506,952 versus 353,109 a year earlier. Motorhome shipments increased to 52,791 from 36,921, and total RV shipments erupted 44% to 559,743 vehicles.
The pandemic has transformed the way Americans vacation. Instead of fancy resorts and hotels in big metropolises, people opt for self-contained motorhomes parked in rural areas or nature parks.
“Demand for RVs remains incredibly strong, driving RV manufacturers and suppliers to continue to build a record number of RVs month after month for the past 13 months,” said RV Industry Association Chief Executive Craig Kirby.
“Interest in RVing remains high even in what has traditionally been the ‘offseason,'” Kirby said.
In a separate report, RVIA forecasted RV wholesale shipments would exceed 600,000 units in both 2021 and 2022.
“RV manufacturers and suppliers have accomplished something never before seen with the incredible number of RV produced in 2021 and forecasted to be built in 2022,” Kirby said in early December.
Americans are rediscovering the great outdoors, and the RV boom may continue well into 2022 and beyond as millennial ownership steadily increases.
Folks buying hard goods while their ‘money’ still has some value?
Saw this in the “Carter” years.
One man’s RV is another man’s bugout camp . . .
What are RV owners going to do when the government insists on 35MPGs for the bigger RVs and 50MPGs for the smaller ones?
Vacationing might be one of the biggest reasons for getting RVs, but, it could also be the new homes for those that can no longer afford regular homes and regular rent for apartments.
A couple here just got their RV. It took months to get it.
Retires selling their homes and hitting the empty road.
No vax passport required.
Lol.. gmta.
I think you are onto the answer.
“Retires selling their homes and hitting the empty road.”
I must wonder what happens when the retiree has bad luck in health when they get older. Will the RV hold value in 10 years to sell to buy a home?
My home is almost pay for. I will keep the house and buy an RV. This way I will have the home pay for when I need it.
“could also be the new homes for those that can no longer afford regular homes and regular rent for apartments.”
I did not think about that, I do see a lot of 5th wheel trailers sitting on land in the countryside. The RV is the new trailer, something easier to move with it hiring a company to move it.
Motorhomes and trailers are very expensive, require maintenance, insurance, storage, and in some cases a 2nd tow vehicle since 6 cylinders don’t have the omph.
“Vacationing might be one of the biggest reasons for getting RVs, but, it could also be the new homes for those that can no longer afford regular homes and regular rent for apartments.”
Where I am at on the Texas coast a significant portion of the population lives full time in travel trailers. RV parks are being built as fast as they can. Central Texas will also see a boom in RV parks with the already high cost of housing and Samsung and others building factories.
And in CA (Comifornia) they are banning small engines from 2024...
Power generators, leaf blowers, mowers and RV engines...all not allowed to support "clean air"
Only the rich will have big generators to power up their mega-mansions.
They are cheaper than a house, mobile, and make great vacation get away vehicles.
Like all vehicles, they depreciate. Many RV parks will not accept RVs over 10 years old.
I can boondock in places most people never even know exist. One way to go where you want to go and do what you want to do with minimal contact with government or regulations. In pretty nice comfort.
I lived in a 30’ tow behind for several months during a divorce. The combined camper payment and park fee was $600 a month. That’s everything, including decent wifi. Then I bought a house on a couple of acres. I cannot keep up with the brush clearing, I worry my a/c is going to go out or something else is going to go wrong. I’ve already replaced all the windows, the roof, and the water heater. Sometimes I think I should have stayed in the trailer.
Bug out camp or home.
Home prices have jumped 25% in the past year.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.