Total RV shipments to retailers were reported at 30,100 units in March this year, an increase of 9.1% from last month but a decline of 18.9% from this same month one year ago. Although declines were reported in all vehicle categories this month, hardest hit were folding camping trailers and type A motorhomes.

First quarter totals reflect similar patterns with total shipments of 82,600 units off 11.8% from this same period last year. On a seasonally adjusted annual rate basis, first quarter was measured at a total of about 320,000 units, a 9% decline from the 2007 annual total.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, continued to drop in the March survey, falling to its lowest level in more than 16 years. Concerns for continued general economic malaise, rising unemployment and higher consumer prices were largely responsible for these latest declines in sentiment.

Summarizing the recent decline Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the consumer survey said, “Financial distress caused by higher fuel and food prices as well as prospects for higher inflation and joblessness during the year ahead have caused consumers to become more cautious spenders.”

Matching declines in wholesale shipments, retail sales activity fell again in March for all vehicle categories measured. Retail sales of conventional travel trailers and type C motorhomes reported the smallest declines, mirroring their wholesale shipment counter part.

Towable RVs

Shipments of all towable RVs were reported at 25,900 units in the March survey of manufacturers, a 17.3% decrease from this same month one year ago and the largest decline this year. Conventional travel trailers were again the largest category of vehicles accounting for more than half of all RV shipments but were themselves off 15% from this same month last year.

Year to date, shipments of all towable RVs were reported at 71,600 units in the first quarter of 2008, off 9.4% compared to the first three months last year. Folding camping trailers were down the most, declining 19.2% to 6,300 units so far this year.

Motorhomes

A total of 4,200 units of all motorhomes were reported shipped in March, off 27.6% from March last year. Type A motorhomes remains the groups largest category but declined the most in the March reports, slipping 36.1% from the same month one year earlier.

Year to date, shipments of 11,000 motorhomes are now behind the 2007 pace by 24.7% and at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of roughly 43,000 units, off 22% from last year.