Total deliveries to retailers were reported at 13,300 units in May this year, the same total recorded one month earlier but off 46.8% from this same month last year. Motorhome totals were slightly better than the previous month while towables were slightly less. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this month's total shipments presented an annual rate of 140,800 units, an increase of 7.5% over last month.

Year to date, all RV shipment totals have now reached 57,000 units through May, off 59% compared to this same period last year. While all vehicle types were lower this year than last, type A motorhomes continue to experience the largest percentage declines.

Consumer confidence continued to improve in the May survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan.s Survey Research Center, due to the widespread expectations of future gains in the overall economy. However, consumers remained concern about continued employment and slower income growth in the year ahead.

Commenting on sales potential ahead, Dr. Curtin, director of consumer surveys at Michigan reported that .the persistent appeal of the RV lifestyle as well as the good economic value provided by this form of recreation will energize future growth in the RV market..

Towable RVs
All towable RVs were reported at 12,100 units in the May survey of manufacturers, off 45.7% compared to this same month last year. Seasonally adjusted, all towable RV shipments in May represented an annualized rate of 128,500 units, an increase of 8.2% over the previous month.

Year to date, all towable RVs were behind last year.s pace by 56.8%, falling to 52,400 units, where all vehicle types participated in the decline. A total of 34,000 conventional travel trailers have been reported so far this year, slightly less than half the total reported at this point last year but representing nearly 60% of all RVs shipped.

Motorhomes
Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were reported at 1,200 units in May, a gain of 20% from last month but off 55.6% from this month last year. This marked the lowest May total for all motorhome shipments since 1980. Seasonally adjusted, the May total for all motorhomes represents an annualized rate of 12,300 units, an increase of 5% over last month.

Year to date, total motorhome shipments stood at 4,600 units through May, off 74% compared to this same period one year earlier. Type A motorhomes continue to lead the declines with shipments off 79.8% on deliveries to retailers of 1,800 so far this year. Type C motorhome shipments were off less and have reported totals higher than type A motorhomes. Type B motorhomes have declined the least but on lower unit volumes.