Part 4/19:
The Data Tells a Stark Story
Statistics encapsulate the depth of the collapse. According to the R-vees Industry Association, shipments plummeted from more than 600,000 units in 2021 to approximately 333,000 in 2024—a near 50% decline. Used-RV prices have dropped around 25% from their pandemic peaks, reflecting the shift in market fundamentals.
Industry giants such as Winnebago and Thor report falling sales and sharply reduced profits. Winnebago's earnings show a more than 50% decline in sales over just a year. Thor's forecasts are similarly grim, warning of further cuts. This downturn echoes a broader economic slowdown, particularly in discretionary spending—those luxury items like RVs, boats, and vacation gear—that tend to suffer first when inflation erodes household budgets.