New 2003 Statistics

[Tim5055]

Look at the area I have made bold.  PU camping is declining, but not as much as previously thought.


RV Business
Friday, April 2, 2004

Statistical Surveys Inc. has revised its towable RV retail sales figures for December and all ofr 2003 and issued another revision to its 2003 motorhome sales numbers.

In both cases, the independent market research firm found that certain states included hundreds of units in their January 2004 retail sales totals that should have been included in their December or earlier totals.

Now, Statistical Surveys is reporting that retail sales of travel trailers declined 16.3% in December to 4,848 units sold in all states, except New Hampshire and Hawaii.

Earlier, the firm had reported that travel trailer sales fell 27.2% in December to 4,223 units.

For all of 2003, Statistical Surveys is now reporting travel-trailer sales increased 9.7% to 129,882 units. Earlier, travel-trailer sales figures are revised upward to 8.7% or 128,892 units.

For fifth-wheels, Statiscal Surveys now is reporting that sales declined 8.3% in December to 3,603 units. Earlier, it reported fifth-wheel sales fell by 20.8% to 3,097 units.

For the entire year, the firm now reports fifth-wheel sales increased 13.6% to 68,904 units. Earlier, it reported fifth-wheel sales improved by 12.4% to 68,008 units.

The new figures show that folding-camper sales fell 40% in December to 488 units. Earlier, the figures showed a decline of 48.2% to 421 units.

For all of 2003, folding-camper sales declined 15.3% to 30,920 units, the new numbers show. Earlier, folding-camper sales were listed as having declined 15.7% to 30,767 units.

[tlhdoc]

I wonder what impact the higher cost of gasoline will have on the RV industry?   I could see the PU market increasing due to the better gas milage TV get pulling a PU over a TT.

[mike4947]

Can't say I'm surprised at a drop concidering what's happended around here at dealerships over the last year.
The Flagstaff dealer changed to another line of Forest River trailers and dropped PU's.
The local Rockwood dealer, while they made a big showing at the local RV show with PU's, refused to stock the new highbox PU because it might cut into his more profitable Hybrid and small TT sales. That was right from the owner at the show.
Fleetwood/Coleman dealer said sales were down "slightly" do to the drop of the Coleman name. While I was talking to him at the show, 2 folks ask where the Coleman trailers were and he tried to explain the Fleetwood trailers, were just renamed Coleman's. They both walked away to "look for the Colemans".
Later that day a big poster went up Proclaiming how Fleetwood dropped Coleman because they charged to much to use the name. Didn't seem to help.
Jayco, Fleetwood and Starcraft had crowds around their highbox models, with the biggest ones around the 3600 series Starcrafts. But sales were going to smaller units. It looked like sticker shock was setting in on the big guys.
I will give all the dealers except, Fleetwood; Kudo's for actually telling folks what they could really tow. None of the: a 3500 pound rating could pull a 3500 pound trailer, or the ever famous, "it'll pull a house, that little trailer, you won't know it there."

[garym053]

There WERE at least 3 PU dealers within about 35 miles of my house when I bought my PU 5 years ago. Last year they each had one or two PU's on the lot and about the same in hybrids. They DID have 7 or 8 (or more) $200,000 or higher motorhomes on the lot. 5 years ago 2 of the 3 had NO MH's and the other had 3 or 4! One of them wouldn't even talk to you about lightweights last year! Bet they do some talking soon!
I have a feeling they were following PROFIT and it just isn't the same in PU's!
I have a feeling that the PU industry will be rebounding very nicely when gas hits $2.00 to $3.00 per gallon!!!
I have begun second guessing my plans for my next RV and moving into retirement!