This month’s reported shipment total was the lowest November on record. Many manufacturers reported suspension of current production until after the New Year, raising concerns that the December totals might be even lower. Totals for type A motorhomes declined 78.9% compared to November one year ago and to the lowest monthly total ever.

Wholesale deliveries to retailers of all recreation vehicles totaled 6,000 units in the November survey of manufacturers, off 55.5% from last month and off 72.1% from this same month last year. This month’s reported shipment total was the lowest November on record.

Credit tightening, both in retail and wholesale financing, has driven industry production totals dramatically lower. Many manufacturers reported suspension of current production until after the New Year, raising concerns that the December totals might be even lower.

Year to date, RV shipments stood at 231,400 units, off 30.1% from this same period last year. Motorhomes have been hardest hit, off 46% from their 2007 totals through November on shipments of 27,700 units. Towable RVs were off 27.2% through November but their rate of decline has increased dramatically over the past several months.

Consumer pessimism continued to grow in November with widespread concerns over falling home values as well as declining employment and lower incomes. The index of Consumer Confidence fell to 55.3 in the November survey, near the record low set in April and May of 1980.

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs decreased 71.4% to 5,200 units in the November survey, slipping to their lowest November total on record. Conventional trailers sank 69.1% from 11,000 in November 2007 to just 3,400 units this November. Fifth wheel trailers were off 76.4% as totals for these products slipped from 5,500 units in November 2007 to 1,300 units in 2008.

Year to date, all towable RVs have totaled 203,700 units through November representing 88% of all RVs shipped this year. Conventional travel trailers were off the least on a percentage basis of any vehicle type, down 26.2% to 124,900 units so far this year.

Motorhomes

Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were off 75.8% in the November survey on a total of only 800 units shipped, the largest monthly decline on record. Totals for type A motorhomes declined 78.9% compared to November one year ago and to the lowest monthly total ever.

Year to date, all motorhomes fell behind 2007 by 46% on shipments of 27,700 units. All three motorhome categories were lower with a 52% drop in type A motorhomes leading the declines.