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December 1999 Supported by a robust economy, low inflation and high employment, manufacturers reported record levels of shipments to RV retailers in 1999, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). In all, shipment totals reached 321,200 units, up 9.7% from the previous year and at its highest level since 1978. This was an extremely successful year as each month exceeded the prior year's total, capping a decade in which nearly 2.4 million RVs were shipped. In December shipment totals of 22,000 units were up 4.8% ahead of November totals and up 15.8% ahead of this same month the year before. This also represented the largest December total since 1977. The Index of Consumer Sentiment was 105.4 in the December survey, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center, dropping slightly from its November reading. The loss was relatively minor when compared to the yearly average of 105.8 the best year yet recorded. "Although the recent interest rate hikes have significantly diminished home buying attitudes, nearly all other aspects of consumer confidence have remained quite positive," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. Wholesale shipment gains continue to mirror retail sales activity as seen in surveys of manufacturers. Retail sales of all product types reported were above totals recorded one year ago with conventional travel trailers up 22.9%, year over year. Towable RVs Shipments of all towable RVs were at 16,500 units in the final month last year, up more than 17% over this same month one-year earlier. Conventional travel trailers improved most, up 26.2% over December 1998. Fifth wheel travel trailers were up 21.6%, truck campers up 16.7% and folding camping trailers off 2.7% in December. Year to date, conventional travel trailers displayed an outstanding year, rising 19.2% to 117,500 units, the best for these products in more than twenty years. Fifth wheel travel trailers also did quite well, growing 7.1% over last year to 60,500 units, the best ever for these products. Truck campers staged a very strong final quarter of 1999 and finished with shipments of 11,500 units, up 6.5% over the prior year. Only folding camping trailers failed to outperform 1998 as totals of 60,100 units were off 5.1% from the prior year. Towable RVs Shipments of all towable RVs were at 16,500 units in the final month last year, up more than 17% over this same month one-year earlier. Conventional travel trailers improved most, up 26.2% over December 1998. Fifth wheel travel trailers were up 21.6%, truck campers up 16.7% and folding camping trailers off 2.7% in December. Year to date, conventional travel trailers displayed an outstanding year, rising 19.2% to 117,500 units, the best for these products in more than twenty years. Fifth wheel travel trailers also did quite well, growing 7.1% over last year to 60,500 units, the best ever for these products. Truck campers staged a very strong final quarter of 1999 and finished with shipments of 11,500 units, up 6.5% over the prior year. Only folding camping trailers failed to outperform 1998 as totals of 60,100 units were off 5.1% from the prior year.
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