Wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs were reported at 13,300 units in the April survey of manufacturers, up 3.9% from last month but off 57.6% from this same month last year. Although well below this same period last year, April reported the highest total since October 2008 with totals reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of more than 130,000 units. Year to date totals now stand at 43,700 units through the first four months this year, off 61.7% for the same period, one year earlier.

While the decline in April was felt throughout all vehicle categories, hardest hit were motorhomes. Through the first four months this year, towable RVs were off 59.3% while the motorhome decline was reported at 77.3%. Type A motorhomes continue to take the brunt of the declines, loosing 83.3% this month while off 81.8% year to date.

Consumer confidence, as measured by the University of Michigan.s Survey Research Center, began to rise in April, posting the first year-to-year increase in nearly one year. The improvement was largely in consumer expectations for the future outlook for the economy, while assessments of their personal financial situation posted only marginal gains.

The pace in recovery of consumer confidence will be directly linked to prospects for employment and income gains. Facing these concerns, consumers will likely continue to increase their personal savings when they can, putting additional pressure on overall spending.

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were reported at 12,300 units in April this year, off 55.1% compared to this same month one year earlier. Year to date, totals of all towable RVs were running behind last year by 59.3% on shipments of 40,300 units through April.

Shipments of all conventional travel trailers were reported at 7,900 units in April, up from 7,700 units last month but off 52.4% compared to April one year ago. Seasonally adjusted, April.s rate equates to an annualized total of 78,400 units, a 5% increase over the annualized rate one month earlier.

A total of 2,900 fifth wheel travel trailers were shipped in April, down 59.2% from this month last year. Folding camping trailers were off 58.1% and truck campers off 66.7% on shipments of 1,300 units and 200 units respectively.

Motorhomes

Manufacturers reported motorhome shipments of 1,000 units in April, off 75% from this same month a year ago. Type A motorhomes continued to slide in April, declining 83.3% as compared to this month last year. Type C motorhomes declined 68.4% while type B motorhomes were off 66.7%.

Year to date, all motorhomes totaled 3,400 units through April, off 77.3% compared to the same period last year. Type A motorhomes were hardest hit, declining 81.8% to 1,400 units through April. Type B motorhomes have lost 66.7% of their shipments this year, falling to 300 units through the first four months.

Type C motorhomes were off 73.4% but ahead of the two other motorhome categories with 1,700 units shipped through April.