Weak RV Sales Signal Imminent Recession?

[SmokerBill]

Just read this article. I guess inflation and uncertainty is causing people to hang on to more of their money. If they have any money to spend, that is.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...D=ansmsnnews11

[RPR]

Uncertain economy and RV industry is running out of buyers after record sales the last few years.

[TaftCoach]

Normal cycle.

[adsfhjq]

Everyone bought an RV during COVID and now nobody needs a new one.

[bucko]

Originally Posted by adsfhjq

Everyone bought an RV during COVID and now nobody needs a new one.

This.

I recall the motorcycle/Harley craze a few years back. They too have now experienced the declining hobby.

[Jerry713]

I think the RV industry has been on the decline since last June. It was last July when RV manufacturing plants started closing.

Times are changing for sure. But they need to in my opinion. Not many people who have average salaries in their respective markets can afford a $1200 truck payment. I really don't see the cost of vehicles changing much but it's an example how far out of balance the economy is.

[TMTEX]

Now if we can get back to the days where you dont need to make a reservation 6 months in advance for a basic local camp ground.

[gypsmjim]

This is not signalling a coming recession. IT'S ALREADY HERE. The only reason we don't know about it is because the powers-that-be changed the rules about how to determine a recession.

[klinner28]

It's also gotten obnoxiously expensive for a new RV and a new tow vehicle.

Dealers only selling trucks at MSRP. The same camper I bought for $30k in 2017 is now $53k after discounts.

I paid cash for my truck + camper, and I wouldn't pay these prices. RV's are 95% financed and trucks are at least 80% financed. Who in their right mind would pay these inflated prices at high interest to boot?

[Crabman]

One thing I've noticed recently is new trailers bought the last few years are increasingly for sale on Facebook camping groups. The covid craze to get into camping is ending along with the economy slowing. Also just a year ago it was almost impossible to buy a boat or engine, now the dealers lots are full of boats. The tide has turned....

[jetlag]

X2 on the boats. We sold a 2017 23' Sea Hunt, bought new, for what we paid for it in 2021. We have been in an and out of boats, from a 17' to a 41' sport fisherman, and had never seen this craziness

[norty1]

I read an article that Van Leigh is going out of business on fifth wheels. They were made by Tiffin.

http://trbnews.net/main/2023/01/09/t...rations/?amp=1

[Jopopsy]

Originally Posted by klinner28

It's also gotten obnoxiously expensive for a new RV and a new tow vehicle.

Dealers only selling trucks at MSRP. The same camper I bought for $30k in 2017 is now $53k after discounts.

I paid cash for my truck + camper, and I wouldn't pay these prices. RV's are 95% financed and trucks are at least 80% financed. Who in their right mind would pay these inflated prices at high interest to boot?

Yes. ~65k for a reasonably spec'd F250 XLT. Add a modest new trailer and you cracked 100k easy. Not long ago that was motorhome money.

Now if I ever decide to chase that Airstream I'll have to buy the truck outright as all in you could be around 200k !

Ahh ... dreams for down the road.

[klinner28]

RV, auto, boat industries are pretty much screwed.

The dealers bought anything they could from the manufacturers at top dollar to have inventory on hand. But now with the demand destruction from inflated prices, high interest rates, cost of living, and looming recession, they are stuck being unable to lower the prices.

[TCNashville]

I was in the market for a new camper, or at least thought I was until I saw the ridiculous prices. Although I still think one could get 35% off MSRP, the problem is that MSRP's are 35% higher than just a few years ago. The salesman I was working with is still expecting strong spring sales. We'll see I guess.

[Happy wife / happy life]

I have been wanting to buy a new truck for over a year. Been setting on the cash. Looks like my patience just might payoff. I’m still going to wait for a couple of months before I get the check book out.

[klinner28]

Originally Posted by Happy wife / happy life

I have been wanting to buy a new truck for over a year. Been setting on the cash. Looks like my patience just might payoff. I’m still going to wait for a couple of months before I get the check book out.

Same here but the best deal you can get on a new truck is MSRP. And that's their "incentive" because there are others are selling at $3k over MSRP.

It's a joke because the trucks sit on their lots for 3+ months now.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by klinner28

Same here but the best deal you can get on a new truck is MSRP. And that's their "incentive" because there are others are selling at $3k over MSRP.

It's a joke because the trucks sit on their lots for 3+ months now.

Dealers can afford to wait longer than consumers can in many cases and this is what they are doing. They are holding on to MSRP as long as possible before they give in. Personally I would buy a brand new truck right now. Buy used and let the dealers sweat it out for another year. My 02 cents.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Jerry713

Buy used and let the dealers sweat it out for another year. My 02 cents.

Problem with that is used costs as much as new but I have seen a slight down turn in used prices. My dealer is still offering me more for my 5 year old F-250 than I paid for it.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Problem with that is used costs as much as new but I have seen a slight down turn in used prices. My dealer is still offering me more for my 5 year old F-250 than I paid for it.

I know used truck prices aren’t a lot less expensive especially for one that is only a year or so old. Ones that are 3 or 4 years old with low miles will be substantially less than a new one.