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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that RV shipments to retailers totaled 28,200 units in May, up 7.6% from this same month last year. Year to date, totals have now climbed to 141,300 units through May of this year, up 18% from this same period last year. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in May were down slightly from last month but remain well above the 300,000-unit level. Conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, and type A motorhomes did quite well this month while other vehicle categories were at or slightly below their level for this month last year. The Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 106.8 in the May survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. The overall level of consumer confidence has remained near all-time record levels for the past two years. "Consumer evaluations of current economic conditions have never been more favorable in the fifty-year history of the survey," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "The May results reflect an extraordinary gain in buying attitudes for large ticket items." Towable RVs Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were 22,300 units in May, above last year by 5.7% and the best May in more than twenty years. Year-to-date totals for all towable RVs have now reached 110,500 units, up 5.9% from this same period last year. Conventional travel trailers, particularly large units with slideouts and smaller units without slideouts, continue to gain ground. Fifth-wheel travel trailers also did well this month growing to 5,400 units for the month, their best May total ever. Folding camping trailers weakened some again this month while truck campers held their own. Motorhomes On the strength of a 25.8% increase in type A motorhomes, all motorhome shipments climbed 15.7% in May. Year to date, all motorhome shipments have gained 16.2% and now stand at 30,800 units, their best start since 1988. Conventional motorhome shipments of 3,900 units in May pushed their year-to-date total to 21,100 units through the first five months, 21.3% ahead of this same period last year and their best since 1977. Type C units also did well and with 1,700 units in May pushed the year-to-date total to 8,300 for the year, 10.7% better than this same period one year ago. Conversion Vehicles Shipments to retailers of all conversion vehicles continued to rise in May, climbing 2.3% this month to 13,500 units. Van conversions managed to hold their own and cumulatively are at 45,400 units for the year, 1.3% better than last year. Pickup truck conversions improved as did sport utility vehicles. In all, year-to-date totals were at 66,300 units in May, a welcome 4.9% ahead of this same period last year. Click Here For
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