Retail sales of towable RVs posted a 2.8% gain in August and a 7.2% increase for the first eight months. According to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc., results by category showed:
• Sales for the high-volume travel trailer sector grew 4.5% for the month and 9.5% year-to-date.
• Fifth-wheel registrations edged down 0.7% in August, but registered a 2.9% gain for the eight months.
• Folding camping trailer sales were down 5.4% for the month and 4.3% through August.
• Recreational park trailer sales rose 10.1% in August, but slipped 2.2% for the eight months.
Forest River Inc. was the towable sales leader through August with a 36.8% market share, edging out Thor Industries Inc. which captured a 36.4% share. Jayco Inc. was No. 3 with a 13% share.
By segment, Forest River was No. 1 in travel trailer sales for the eight months with a 37.4% market share, ahead of Thor (34.2%) and Jayco (14.4%). Thor was No. 1 in fifth-wheel sales, capturing a 49.4% market share, followed by Forest River (31%) and Jayco (8.8%).
Forest River was the folding camping trailer sales leader year-to-date with a 64.8% market share while Jayco (14.2%) held the No. 2 position followed by Columbia Northwest/Aliner Inc. (10.6%). In the park model segment, Kropf Manufacturing Co. Inc. was No. 1 with a 15.7% share, followed by Skyline Corp. (12%) and Thor (11.6%).
To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext. 128, or (616) 901-8335 (cell).Â
