Total wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs in December 2005 were reported at 29,100 units, up 12.4% from this same month last year. Shipments were aided by continued strength in conventional travel trailers with many units destined for the Gulf Coast or to replenish dealer inventories reduced by the hurricane relief efforts last fall. Totals this month were the best December total for all RVs shipments since 1976.

Special Note: In December, 15,500 ELUs were reported shipped by manufacturers but not counted in the RV total reported here. An ELU is defined as a trailer built to F.E.M.A. specifications in compliance with the RV standard but without holding tanks. Since September, manufacturers have reported total ELU shipments of 38,900 units.

The 2005 annual total of 384,400 units was 3.9% more than the prior year and the best yearly total since 1978. With most vehicle categories below their totals from last year, conventional travel trailers were up more than 20%, due largely to their role in emergency relief efforts. Type B motorhomes were the only other category to show improvement in 2005, gaining 4% on shipments of 2,600 units.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment surged upward again in the December survey after slumping in September and October, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center (see page 16). The recent gains following the effects of Katrina have been primarily due to the drop in gas prices.

“Unfortunately, few consumers expects gas prices to continue to fall,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of consumer surveys. “Indeed, as gas prices fell during the past few months, consumers have anticipated larger future increases.”

Towable RVs
All towable RV shipments were reported at 24,800 units in the final month of 2005, up 24% over a very strong final month last year. Conventional travel trailers were up more than 5,100 units, gaining 44.7% over the prior year. All other categories of towables reported lower totals. For the year, all towable RV shipments reached 323, 000 units, up 8.3% with all gains in the conventional travel trailer category.

Motorhomes
All motorhome shipments in December were 4,300 units, off 27.1% from the previous December total. While type A motorhomes continued to represent the largest category of motorhome, they also reflect the largest decline, dropping 31% for the month and were off 18.1% for the twelve months. Type B motorhomes gained 100 units over last year’s total while type C motorhomes were off 2,100 units.

Conversion Vehicles
Shipments of all conversion vehicles declined 32.4% in December 2005, on shipments to dealers of 2,300 units. This was not only the lowest monthly total this year but it also marked the largest monthly decline. Year to date totals of 35,100 units of all conversions reported in 2005 were off totals from last year by 16.4%, making 2005 the lowest total for these vehicles on record.