RV Inventory Pressure In Canada

Since air travel and ship cruises are not exactly being encouraged during the pandemic, it is no surprise that people are flocking to RV dealerships wanting to buy so they can "cure" their cabin fever and travel. This, along with a shortage of parts and supplies for manufacturers, is resulting in a shortage of new RVs on dealer lots. 

This is true in the U.S. and, it turns our, true to our next-door neighbor to the north, Canada.

The Victoria and Vancouver Island Times Colonist has posted an article on this problem.

They begin it with:

With a continuing ban on leisure travel to the U.S., COVID-testing hassles for those travelling by air and a build-up of cabin fever — not to mention the ability to work from pretty much anywhere — interest in recreational vehicles has hit an all-time high.

Dealers on the Island say there has been so much interest in RVs of all shapes and sizes over the last 18 months that it’s starting to become difficult to find inventory, parts and accessories.

Jason Gallaugher, marketing manager with Arbutus RV, said they’ve seen a surge in demand through the pandemic, including many newcomers and young families wanting to get into RVing.

“This was one of the few options they could actually do over the last year,” Gallaugher said. “There’s that added layer of safety in RVs that people can control all aspects of their travel.”

Sylvia Thistle-Miller of Triangle RV said the newcomers tend to want to live by their own rules and have been opting for smaller units they can take off the beaten track.

“I love to see that — I love to see people exploring Canada instead of running across the border,” she said. “I think it’s time Canadians saw Canada.”

But the surge in demand has put pressure on inventory.

All dealers have reported shortages, though both Thistle-Miller and Gallaugher note that if buyers are willing to be flexible, vehicles are available.

It’s more of a problem when people want a specific RV, or a used one, since owners haven’t been as eager to sell during the pandemic.

Thistle-Miller said manufacturers have struggled with getting parts and labour, and in some cases have been rationing vehicles — offering dealers just a trickle of inventory.

To read more, go here.