RVS are making a comeback, with towables as the big growth market
Photo Caption: Driving the industry's gradual comeback have been less-expensive towable RVs attached to pickups or hitched to other vehicles. Courtesy RVIA
Skift Take
The classic American industry makes a classic American comeback, with a twist. In keeping with post-recessionary yet cautionary times, smaller towables are driving the growth.
The RV industry's recovery from the Great Recession has picked up speed.
Recreational Vehicle makers are churning out higher numbers of travel trailers bound for dealers' lots and, ultimately, campgrounds.
Overall shipments from manufacturers to dealers — a key measure of consumer demand — are expected to rise 10 percent in 2012 and could gain another 4.5 percent next year, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association said Tuesday.
Through September, shipments were up nearly 11 percent from the same period last year, the group said. The higher-than-expected number had dealers, manufacturers and suppliers feeling more optimistic as they gathered this week for an annual industry trade show.
"We made up a lot of ground this year," said Jeffrey Pastore, owner of Hartville RV Center in northeastern Ohio. "We're seeing a lot more buyers walking in the door, and we're seeing those buyers with more money in hand."
Sales at his dealership are up about 18 percent so far this ye
