Written By Greg Long
June 2024 RV Sales: Riding Through a Bumpy Market
Do you have questions about current trends in the RV market and wonder which types of RVs are selling best?
Do you want to know how market conditions are affecting RV trade-in values and what this means for potential buyers and sellers?
This RV Sales Report for June 2024 examines the latest data on RV shipments, market trends, and trade values, providing a complete look at the industry’s health across all 50 states.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the current state of the RV market and be equipped to make smart decisions, whether you’re buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on trends.
Watch Josh the RV Nerd’s Full June Industry Report for RV Sales and other breaking RV news.
Table Of Contents
Want more RV News?
Be sure to read our other RV industry articles this month including the June 2024 RV Manufacturer Update
New RV Sales: Making More, Selling Less
When we talk about “shipments” in RV sales, we mean the RVs that dealers buy that are shipped to them from manufacturers to sell to people like you and me.
These numbers are important because they show how confident dealers are that they can sell these RVs to customers.
Recently, we’ve seen some market ups and downs: more travel trailers and fifth wheels are being made, but motorized RVs aren’t doing as well.
Here’s a look at the steady growth in RV shipments we’ve seen so far this year:
Towables: New Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels
New Travel Trailer Sales
Travel trailers are the most in-demand type of camper right now.
Affordable, price-focused travel trailers are by far the most popular.
Customers’ buying habits show that price matters, so RV manufacturers are creating low-cost travel trailers to meet the demand.
Travel trailers have seen over a 20% increase in production compared to last year, which is a significant increase.
As good as more travel trailers being made sounds, the truth is, many manufacturers halted production last year due to too many campers on dealer lots. The supply of new RVs last year far outweighed the demand. Thankfully, things are evening out.
So while more travel trailers are being made this year, it is not nearly as many as have been made in previous years
New Fifth Wheel Sales
Looking at the chart above, you see fifth wheels are also seeing a slight increase in shipments.
RV Dealers are not stocking as many 5th wheels as travel trailers, but the increase in 5th wheel inventory shows dealers are hopeful they will sell more 5th wheels this year than last year.
New towable RVs are more affordable than ever before.
Check out these great prices on Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels.
RV Production is Up, but RV Sales are Down
Sorry to be a Debbie-Downer, but the reality is, even though more travel trailers and 5th wheels are being made, fewer are actually being sold.
Year-to-date in 2024, new travel trailer sales are down 14% – and 5th wheel sales are down 11% compared to sales in 2023.
This doesn’t mean sales won’t pick up since we’re now in the “camping season,” but dealers could see an overstock issue again like they had post-COVID.
New Pop-Ups and Truck Camper Sales
Popups and truck campers, on the other hand, aren’t seeing an increase in shipments. Their prices have gone up a lot, so they’re not the cheap option they used to be.
This change is pushing people to buy other types of towables instead, like smaller travel trailers that are still affordable.
Motorized: Class A, B, and C Motorhomes
New Class C Motorhome Sales
Class C motorhomes have seen an 11% drop in shipments but the good news is — sales have stayed relatively steady.
Class C’s are currently the most popular motorized RV.
New Class A Motorhome Sales
Class A motorhomes are struggling even more, with about 33% fewer made than last year.
To date, Class A sales are down nearly 30% compared to last year.
Part of the reason is last year many dealers gave big discounts on Class A motorhomes on their lots because of overstock issues, but this year, as inventory levels have become more balanced, prices are closer to standard levels.
New Class B Camper Van Sales
Class B Camper Vans were very popular for a couple of years, partly because other types of motorhomes were hard to find due to parts shortages like chips for the vehicles.
Now, as everything is getting back to normal and there are more Class Cs available, fewer people are buying B vans.
About 32% fewer Class B camper vans were shipped to dealers in 2024 than in 2023 – and Class B sales are down 26% in 2024.
Slow Recovery
This shift, as painful as it may feel to a lot of dealers, shows us that the market is finding its balance again after a few years of ups and downs.
While motorized RVs are facing challenges, the overall picture tells us that the RV industry is starting to stabilize and sales will most likely pick up now that camping season has begun.
Motorhomes are waiting for an adventurer like you.
Check out Bish’s Low Pricing Now.
Used RV Sales and Values
The used RV market is changing in 2024, as manufacturers are focusing on developing campers that can be built cheaper, priced lower and are more affordable for consumers.
The effect these lower priced new RVs are having on the value of used RVs is huge.
This section looks into used towable values (like trailers) and used motorized values, so you can decide if now is a good time to buy or sell a used camper.
Used Towable Values
Used Travel Trailer Values
Used travel trailers are losing value both month-to-month and year-over-year.
The most likely reason for this is that over the last year, more affordable new models have been introduced to the market, since the demand for lower-priced campers is high.
As the average price of new RVs has dropped, it has also brought down the prices that people are willing to pay for used RVs.
Used Fifth Wheel Values
Interestingly, fifth wheel prices have become stable.
Lower-tier 5th wheels do best – in the $45,000 to $55,000 price range, maintaining or increasing their value.
Higher-priced luxury 5th wheels are also remaining relatively steady.
However,this stability in value is not seen in the middle-priced models, which face tough competition and market pressures.
Used Popups and Camping Trailer Values
Popups and camping trailers used to be the cheaper option for camping, but not anymore, since travel trailers are becoming more affordable.
Since they are no longer the budget-friendly choice,the value of used popups and camping trailers have seen a big drop.
Used Motorized Values
Over the past few years, used motorized RVs have seen a consistent decrease in their market value, and this downward trend is still ongoing.
In 2024, as newer models become more affordable and offer updated features, the appeal of older, used motorized RVs continues to decline, further driving down their prices.
Used Class A Motorhome Values
Class A motorhomes have seen a big drop in value, the biggest in the last three years.
It appears the high costs of buying, fueling, and insuring these RVs have made them less appealing.
Used Class C Motorhome Values
Class C motorhomes, unlike Class As, are starting to do better.
With more models available and previous supply issues resolved, their values are stabilizing.
One of the appeals of Class C campers is their versatility and size. Now that more Class C campers are available, Class C sales are strong so the demand remains high.
This higher demand for Class Cs is helping the value of used Class Cs remain strong.
What Lower Used RV Prices Mean for You
The prices for used RVs are going down, which could greatly affect your decision to buy or sell right now.
Let’s take a look at what this means for you.
Buying a Used RV
If you’re thinking about buying a used RV, now might be a good time because the prices are lower.
This means you might be able to buy a bigger or nicer RV than you could afford before.
But, be careful to check the RV well to make sure it’s in good shape and doesn’t have any hidden problems. Also, think about how much the RV might be worth in the future if you decide to sell it later.
RV Dealer Pro-Tip: Watch out for these RED FLAGS when buying a Used RV
Selling a Used RV
If you’re trying to sell your RV, you might find it a bit hard because the prices are lower now. If you bought your RV when prices were high, you might not get as much money for it now.
To help sell your RV, make sure it looks good and works well. You can also tell buyers about any special features or updates you’ve added.
Being flexible with your price and waiting for the right buyer might help you get a better deal.
RV Dealer Pro-Tip: Thinking of Trading in your Camper?
Discover the steps you can take to Get the Most Value for Your RV Trade
RV Brands Leading the Market
In today’s RV market, more RVs are being made and competition is getting tougher. Some brands are struggling to survive, yet a few RV manufacturers are starting to stand out as industry leaders.
They are doing well because they understand what buyers want and are making RVs that meet those needs.
These brands are leading the way by offering good deals and a variety of RVs that appeal to the trending demands of RV buyers.
Keystone RV
Keystone is currently the most looked-up towable brand of 2024.
Their strong presence in the market is helped by successful models like Cougar and their lead in the laminated RVs section.
Thor Motor Coach
In the motorized RVs category, Thor Motor Coach is the top brand people are researching.
They have many different sub-brands, which helps them stay popular and shows they’re a trusted choice among consumers.
Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to know about the current prices and be smart about your choices.
Staying Informed in an Ever-Changing RV Market
The RV market is a never-ending rollercoaster ride, and keeping up with how RV sales are performing provides valuable insights into the market’s overall health.
At Bish’s RV, we’re committed to watching these trends and sharing our knowledge with you, helping you make smart decisions.
Whether or not you choose to buy from us, we want you to have all the information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.
Next Steps to Buy or Sell Your RV
Now that you’re up to date on the current prices for new and used RVs, you might be wondering if it’s the right time for you to buy or sell a camper.
Here are some next steps you can take:
- Find out the Value of Your Camper: Get a reliable estimate of what your camper is worth in today’s market.
- Shop Our Inventory: Browse our selection of both new and used RVs to find one that fits your needs and budget.
- Talk to an RV Outfitter: Our experts are ready to help. Start a conversation about your RV needs.
- Subscribe to Our Blog: Stay updated with all the latest RV industry news by subscribing to our blog.
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June 2024 RV Manufacturer Report
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Greg Long
Bish’s RV Content Manager
Amateur adventurer; professional dreamer.
aka: The Bish-Blog-Guy