California, 5 Other States To Ban Motorhome Sales

Above, unless things change, the California RV Show will be
barren of motorhomes starting in 2025. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like the Communists running the state of California have effectively banned the sale of new motorhome.

California, along with five other states (including New Mexico in 2027), are going after the motorhome industry using emissions laws as their pretext starting next year.

RV Travel reported:

“If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025. The exact date is still to be determined.” —RVIA

On Monday we broke the news about what boils down to a ban of motorhome sales in California and five other states. At the time, our understanding was the clamp-down would affect only diesel motorhomes. It does not, as many gas motorhomes will likewise be affected. And, hold on. While sales of affected motorhomes in those states will cease in 2025—several other states will follow suit thereafter. The RVIA has rung in with more information, which we’ll cover here.

This morning, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) released a fact sheet on the motorhome near-total “ban” situation. You can read the entire fact-sheet here, but we’ll boil the matter down in this story.

 

Note, these states are some of the most liberal (i.e, Democrat) states in the U.S.

To read more, go here.

Study: 1.1 Million Americans Joining RV Lifestyle, Including EV Owners

If there was one thing we learned (or already should have) during this winter season is that electric vehicles (EV) are useless (and even potentially deadly). There have been numerous reports over the past few weeks that cold temperatures are not good or EV batteries and charging stations.

Despite this, some RV owners are saying they plan on buying an electric vehicle or even already one one, according to a recent study. Others are planning on joining the "RV lifestyle".

RV Travel has posted an article on this study.

They begin it with:

A recent study commissioned by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) concerning electric vehicles (EVs) and EV owners revealed the following:

• 30% of leisure travelers who have used an RV already own an electric vehicle.
• An astonishing 17% of leisure travelers who have used an RV plan to buy an electric vehicle within a year.
• An additional 16% of RV users plan to purchase an electric vehicle sometime in the future.
• 50% of leisure travelers who own an electric vehicle intend to tow an RV with it.
• Remarkably, 22% of current electric vehicle owners and 30% of those planning to buy an electric vehicle are considering purchasing an electric motorhome.

Per the study, “Leisure travelers are defined as any U.S. residents who has taken some type of leisure trip in the past 12 months.”

To read more, go here. 

RVIA Critical of New EPA Emissions Rules

Above, The Beast at Route 66 RV Resort in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The meddlesome Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now wants to target light-duty and medium-duty vehicles (which would include motorhomes) with new strict regulations. Naturally, the clowns of the Biden Administration are in charge of the EPA, so this really shouldn't come as a surprise.

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is steadfastly in opposition to these proposed regulations.

From RV Travel:

The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has sent comments to the EPA in reaction to the agency’s proposed stricter emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles from 2027 to 2032. The comments expressed opposition to these new regulations. RVIA seeks an exemption for motorhomes from the medium-duty vehicle standards, contending that motorhomes are not well-suited for electrification and that the proposed rule would significantly constrain their use and affordability.

The proposed EPA emissions standards, aimed at fostering the growth of the electric vehicle market and significantly reducing carbon emissions, have been touted as the strictest ever. However, the RVIA points out that implementing these rules would negatively impact the motorhome industry, which, in turn, would have a detrimental effect on manufacturers, dealers, employees, and RV buyers. Installing batteries in motorhomes would infringe on space and add unnecessary weight, thereby affecting the components typically found in a motorhome.

To read more, go here. 

RV Industry Still Setting Records

Above, at a KOA Kampground in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Incredible as it may seem, the RV industry is setting records in RV shipments to dealers.

This comes after gasoline and diesel prices have gone practically through the roof.

According to kpcnews:

ELKHART — Despite record-high gas and diesel prices, the RV Industry Association reports that May was another record month for RV manufacturers.

According to an RVIA survey of manufacturers ending in May, total RV shipments ended the month at 50,529 new units, the best May on record and an increase of 2.6% compared to the 49,241 units shipped during May 2021. Through May, RV shipments are up 11.8 percent compared to the same point last year with 279,038 wholesale shipments.

“The summer RVing season is off to an incredible start with millions of Americans heading to their favorite outdoor destination to spend quality time with friends and family,” said RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “Thanks to the work of RV manufacturers and suppliers, consumers looking to purchase a new RV have more options to choose from as inventory continues to be rebuilt at RV dealerships across North America.”

To read more, go here. 

RV Industry Is Still Booming

Above, new transported RVs stopped at the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite record gasoline and diesel prices, the RV industry is still having a boom in sales, incredible as it may seem.

People are still buying up RVs, when they can find them or they wait for their ordered RV is built. There is currently a backlog of ordered RVs waiting to be built and delivered.

Yahoo! News posted:

May 22—OXFORD — Interest rates are up, fuel and diesel prices are near record levels and inflation fears are real and growing. Yet, one sector of the economy is still booming — sales of new and used recreational vehicles, or RV's.

"People are still buying," was the unhesitant response from Rick Emmert, sales manager at Call of the Wild RV Center in Oxford

The March 2022 shipment report from the RV Industry Association shows 64,454 units were shipped, an increase of 18.7% over March 2021, when 54,291 units shipped. The association does not offer membership to RV dealers, instead, its focus is on manufacturers, suppliers and RV aftermarket companies. The forecast for RV sales for 2022 points to a second best year in the industry, according to the quarterly forecast prepared by ITR Economics for the RV Industry Association.

To read more, go here. 

RV Economists: RV Supply Chain Woes Easing

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Mountain RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyone who has been paying attention these past two years are aware of the supply chain problems brought on by the pandemic. That includes the RV industry.

It appears there is a "glimmer of hope" afoot in the RV industry as RV economists are saying that the supply chain problems are easing. RV Travel posted an article on this.

RV Travel begins with:

Last week, the RV Industry Association gathered a few outdoor industry economists in the manufacturing mecca of Elkhart, Indiana, for a panel discussion on supply chain issues.

These sorts of get-togethers are nothing new in America. During the pandemic, most industries held monthly hand-wringing sessions on Zoom and other internet platforms to go over the latest data and try their best to predict what would happen next.

Last week’s gathering in Elkhart was different only in that it was one of the first I’ve seen that offered a glimmer of hope to RVers who (pick one):

• Have been waiting for several months for their new factory-ordered RV to arrive.
• Have taken delivery of a new RV that had more parts missing than a discount Thanksgiving turkey.
• Have waited impatiently to flush the toilet on their current RV because nobody has the required foot pedal to replace the one the kids broke.
• Want manufacturers to take parts from the assembly line to fix recently delivered RVs with faulty bits and pieces.
• Are ready to throw in the towel on their RVing lifestyle because they can’t keep their rig up and running with just spit and duct tape.

The list of woes goes on. But let’s get back to that glimmer of hope.

To read more, go here. 

2022 Projected RV Shipments Not Quite As Bullish

Above, The Beast in Payson, Arizona in 2021. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2021 saw record numbers of RV shipments to dealers.

2022 is expected to have big numbers of shipments as well. But now the numbers aren't expected to be as high as originally thought.

According to RV Travel:

The RV Industry Association is still bullish on the number of units it will sell in 2022, but it pulled back a bit from early projections that it would again top 600,000 shipped units.

The group’s latest projections show the industry might just miss the 600,000 benchmark it surpassed in 2021. The spring edition of RV RoadSigns, the quarterly industry forecast, now projects a total of between 578,000 and 603,300 RV units will be produced and shipped to dealers in 2022. The RV Industry Association said it expects the total to be about 591,100.

To read more, go here. 

New RV Owners Are Younger

Above, I've seen many younger RV owners at Crazy Horse Campground at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV ownership demographics has been changing over the years. The pandemic may have accelerated the change.

Data from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is showing that new RV buyers are getting younger.

According to Business Insider:

RV sales have boomed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from first-time buyers interested in investing in life on the road.

And according to data compiled by the RV Industry Association, RVing isn't just for retirees anymore: Many of these new buyers are now younger.

RV ownership has jumped more than 62% throughout the last 20 years. The 18 to 34-year-old age range specifically has grown "significantly," making up 22% of current RV owners, according to RVIA's "2021 Go RVing RV Owner Demographic Profile." And of these millennial and Gen Z tiny home on wheels owners, 84% reported that they were planning on buying an additional build.

Now, all we need are more campgrounds and RV parks to meet the demand.

To read more, go here. 

California Vote Complicates Future Use of RV Generators

Above, California may become inhospitable to dry campers who need to use RV generators. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As time goes on, the more grateful I am for moving out of Commiefornia almost four years ago.

The political climate is driving others out of the state as well. It is essentially a one-party state controlled by leftist Democrat loons.

The latest is on the ban on portable generators and gas-powered yard equipment and RV Travel takes a quick look at the situation. Naturally, this ban is by un-elected regulators. (Can you spell dictatorship?)

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association was in opposition to this move.

They will go further in depth in tomorrow's newsletter.

They begin with:

(Friday, Dec. 10, 2021) — California regulators voted yesterday to ban the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers starting in 2024 and portable generators by 2028, the latest step in the state’s aggressive effort to transition toward a carbon-free economy.

The legislation is not aimed specifically at portable or RV-specific generators, but at high polluting landscaping equipment. According to the California Air Resources Board, operating a typical professional gas-powered lawn mower for an hour emits as much pollution as driving a car from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Operating a backpack leaf blower for an hour emits pollution comparable to driving that same car from Los Angeles to Denver.

To read more, go here. 

Record RV Manufacturing and What It Means For The Future

Above, The Beast at Crazy Horse Campground Thanksgiving week. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The RV industry is currently in a boom.

 RV Travel has posted an article on record shipments of RVs to dealers. But there's one problem.

To see that it is and what it means for RVing in the future, they start with:

The news out of the RV industry continues to be a bit, well, confusing.

The RV Industry Association announced last week that 2021 would be the year RV manufacturers set an all-time record for factory shipments to dealers and RVers around the country.

RV makers managed to crank out another 57,971 units in October, an increase of 22.5 percent compared to October 2022 [I think they meant 2020. - A]. This October also set an all-time one-month record for shipments by more than 18 percent.

October’s performance already makes 2021 the best year ever for factory shipments, and there are still two months to go.

So, all is right again in the world of RVing, right? Hardly. While the RV Industry Association touts the numbers – and they are quite impressive – they don’t mention in their press releases that all of those RVs going out the factory doors are already spoken for and aren’t available to anyone who hasn’t already plunked down their deposit money.

To read more, go here. 

RV Travel Corrects Last Week's Article On Industry Shipments

Above, a new RV being transported taking a break at the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last Sunday, RV Travel posted an article that suggested that the RV industry may be blowing smoke in regards to new RV shipments to dealers and new registrations in various states. I posted a blog about this.

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) saw the article and got a hold of RV Travel and pointed out flaws in their analysis.

Today, RV Travel posted a correction after taking a good hard look and doing a lot of number-crunching.

Even though they erred and had to post a correction, it is refreshing that they did so in light of all the fake news that's out there. It shows that RV Travel has integrity to admit when they were wrong.

They have posted their correction article and the begin it with:

Last Sunday we published a piece comparing wholesale shipments of RVs to actual registrations of RVs. We covered a six-month span, March through August, comparing statistics for both 2020 and 2021. The title of the story suggested that the RV industry might be blowing some hot air. If you poke somebody with a stick, you can expect a reaction. On Monday, an official from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) requested we take a closer look at our statistics and print a correction. It took a lot of time and number crunching, but the correct figures have shed new light on our premise.

Mea culpa

Please consider this a formal apology to you, RVtravel.com readers, and to the RV industry. This is truly a case of, “some people, when they mess it up, really mess it up big.” I, Russ, admit to being no statistician. But with my trusty 10-key, I labored through stacks of industry-provided numbers and, well, bottom line, really messed up my addition and subtraction. The information we provided you was just plain wrong. I’m embarrassed, to say the least. The thought of misleading readers – even though not in any deliberate way – troubles me deeply.

To read the full article, go here. 

Is the RV Industry Blowing Hot Air About Big RV Shipments?

Above, a new Winnebago Class A RV at the California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

President Ronald Reagan used to say, "Figures don't lie, but some liars figure!"

This could be the case involving the boom in the RV industry. 

For months, we have been told that people have been snapping up newly-built RVs at a record pace. The numbers may tell a different story. There are manufacturing and delivery numbers and then there are numbers coming from new RV motor vehicle registrations in every state.

According to an article in RV Travel:

Every month, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) produces a report showing just how many new RVs have rolled off the production lines. For the last number of months, the RV industry hype on production statistics has been shouted from the rooftops. The most recent report posted was for August 2021 production numbers. Here’s RVIA’s president, Craig Kirby: “The RV industry set a new monthly shipment record for ten straight months as RV manufacturers and suppliers work together to meet the sustained demand from RV consumers.” By the association’s reckoning, the number of new RVs rolling out this past August beat that same month’s production in 2020 by nearly 34%.

But a closer look at the numbers, and comparing them to another set of industry statistics, shows that RVIA’s rooster-crowing may be more hype than reality. To be sure, there has been a greater demand for RVs than in prior history. But analyzing the numbers seems to indicate that industry may not be the golden-egg layer it claims to be. Those eggs may actually turn out to be duds, potentially leaving RV builders in a precarious financial position. It appears to be a matter of RV industry hype versus reality.

Another set of numbers

There’s another, far less widely circulated set of statistics that folks should be scrutinizing. In fact, if we were stock market investors, we’d be real careful to look at these. A small industry group, Statistical Surveys, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has for decades crunched numbers for the recreation industry. Included among their customers are RV production and sales concerns. Every month, Statistical Surveys does its own pertinent analysis and produces a report. What’s the report show?

Statistical Surveys’ report to the RV industry shows numbers of recreational vehicles registered. That is, buy a new RV, and the owner – if they want to use the rig – marches down to their state DMV office and registers that RV. It’s really the only practical way to determine exactly how many of those newly minted RVs are actually being sold – not just marching out of a plant and being parked on a dealer lot.

To read more and see what the DMV numbers show, go here. 

Little-Known Facts About RVs

Above, The Beast at Crazy Horse Campgrounds at Lake Havasu last weekend. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Thinking about taking "the plunge" and getting an RV?

If so, you're not the only one as many others have joined the ranks of "RV lifestyle" enthusiasts.

AOL has posted an article on little-know facts about RVs that's an interesting read.

They begin it with:

Even pre-pandemic, the RV industry was experiencing consistent growth. In the eight years leading up to 2017, sales expanded each year. What’s more, according to a 2019 economic study from the RV Industry Association, the recreational vehicle industry has hit a staggering $114 billion total economic impact in the U.S. annually, from RV sales to industry jobs to campgrounds and travel.

While many industries slowed or stagnant growth, the RV industry was the opposite. According to the Fall 2021 RV Industry Association Report, shipments are expected to reach an all-time high in 2021 with even greater gains in 2022, when a projected 600,000 units are expected to be sold.

Here’s a closer look at some of the little-known, colorful, or otherwise intriguing facts about the RV industry, culled from industry reports, association websites, and statistics research.

To read more, go here. 

RV Industry Had A Record August

Above, RVs on display at the California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The RV industry recorded the best August in shipment of new RVs.

Since the supply pipeline of parts for the manufacture of new RVs has been seeing shortages, the record would have been even more impressive had there not been any parts shortages.

According to the Goshen News:

RESTON, Va. — The RV industry had a record August, according to the RV Industry Association.

In a news release Tuesday, the RVIA, said a survey of manufacturers determined that total RV shipments ended the month with 52,819 units, an increase of 33.8% compared to the 39,489 units shipped during August 2020. The 52,819 shipments recorded last month set a new record for August and is the second most units to be shipped in any single month, behind only March 2021.

A new record was also set for Class B motorhomes (camper vans), which saw 1,442 units shipped in August, a 29% increase over the previous record, also set in March 2021. Class B motorhomes have been growing in popularity, posting significant monthly increases for 16 straight months, the association stated.

To read more, go here. 

RVs Are About To Upend American Life

Above, campers at a KOA Kampground in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Adapting to new realities is something people have always done. Right now, more people are working at home or remotely on the road and the RV is well-suited for on-the-road work lifestyles.

RV Travel publisher Chuck Woodbury says that the RV is about to upend American life.

He starts with:

In 1790, only about one out of 20 Americans lived in urban areas. The ratio had dramatically changed to one out of four by 1870, one out of two by 1920, two out of three in the 1960s, and four out of five in the 2000s.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association predicted this past week that 600,000 RVs will be shipped to dealers in 2022. If you combine that figure with those of the past three years, it adds up to more than 2 million RVs on the road that were not there before. And if you look at the number of large, comfortable RVs being sold, it prompts the thought: “How many of these RVs will people live in full-time?”

Remote work is more common today than ever before. Living in one town, even one country, is not necessary. Countries around the world are offering incentives for road warriors to move there. At least 45 communities are currently offering incentives to attract remote workers, some upwards of $20,000, according to USA Today.

Heaven knows, the RV industry is promoting the idea of working remotely, suggesting an RV is one great way to do it.

I believe in the next ten years we will see a significant shift in how we live. We will not long define where we live as urban and rural. It will be urban, rural and mobile.

The problem with all these new RVers is that there aren't enough campgrounds/campsites to accommodate all of them. More need to be built.

To read more, go here. 

Should You Rent or Buy An RV? 7 Key Considerations

Above, taking a break after crossing Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The media and politician hysteria over the Delta variant of the coronavirus is hardly putting a dent in people's desire to travel. They're going anyway.

How to travel is the big question.

Many are seeing travel in recreational vehicles to be the safest way to travel as they aren't exposed to people as they would be on planes (along with being forced to wearing masks during entire flights) and ships. 

Should they rent or buy an RV?

Yahoo Lifestyle has posed this question in an article.

They begin it with:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, families increasingly turned to the outdoors (and the open road) for recreation and family vacations. As a result, recreational vehicles (RVs) gained a surge of popularity. In fact, 56 million Americans planned to take an RV trip this summer. And according to recent data from the RV Industry Association, this boom in RV travel isn't slowing down any time soon. But when is a rental the best value? Or is purchasing a recreational vehicle a better investment?

The biggest impact on whether you rent or buy an RV is how you plan to use it. "What are your goals?" says Paige Bouma, EVP of RV Trader. "Is it a lifestyle? Or do you just want to go on vacation and see what it's like?" Bouma has more than 15 years of RV experience, and she says answering this question is one of the best ways to approach RVing, whether that's deciding where to go, which type of RV to choose, or whether to rent or buy.

To read the full article, go here. 

Cut Costs On Your RV Trip

Above, dusk at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The summer vacation season is fast approaching. The "unofficial" start of it is Memorial Day weekend.

With that, people are going to be hitting the highways to "get away from it all" with hordes of thousands. As more people hit the road, there will be shortages of campsites and the "law of supply and demand" will kick in.

There are ways to cut costs on an RV trip and Yahoo! Finance has six tips.

They begin with:

Certain things have become synonymous with the coronavirus pandemic: Sourdough bread, Zoom calls, remote learning. In terms of pandemic travel, it’s the RV trip.

According to a report from the RV Industry Association, 2020 was on par with the third-best year on record for RV sales (2017), despite a two-month industry shutdown. The report projects that 2021 could break the 2017 record of 502,582 units shipped -- though it also notes that this surge is also part of a longer-term trend of solid growth over the last four decades.

“RVing is the perfect way to travel during a pandemic,” said Kelly Beasley, co-founder of Camp Addict, a website dedicated to informing RV consumers. “You are self-sustained. You can choose to have as little interaction with the public as you can get away with. You’re bypassing airplanes, trains, buses, cruise ships, etc. It’s your own private little hotel room on wheels.”

Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or just beginning to get your wheels dirty, check out these tips from RV travel experts for keeping your costs low the next time you take your private hotel out on the road.

To read more, go here. 

18 Million Campers Forecast For Memorial Day Weekend

Above, Sleepy Bear RV Park in Swan Valley, Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been so long since I last traveled anywhere during Memorial Day weekend that I can't remember when and where it was.

This year, I will remain home and leave the holiday weekend road trips to others. There is good reason why I chose this.

A new camping report from KOA (Kampgrounds of America) forecasts that nearly 18 million campers will be hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend.  

From RV Travel:

The camping research numbers for this summer keep rolling in. They all point to a record year for camping in the U.S.

A recent survey by the Recreational Vehicle Association (RVIA) is projecting that 56 million camping families will hit the road this summer in an RV. On Thursday, Kampgrounds of America Inc. released results of its May KOA Monthly Research Report. It projects more than 17.8 million households will kick off the camping season over the Memorial Day weekend alone in the U.S. and Victoria Day weekend in Canada.

If there's anyone reading this wanting to hit the road during Memorial Day weekend, unless they've secured campground reservations, good luck! 

To read more, go here.

Survey: 56 Million Americans Plan To RV This Summer

Above, The Beast at Route 66 RV Resort yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The roads may get a little crowded this summer if the survey results by the RVIA holds true.

National Parks Traveler reported:

The RV boom that rolled across the United States last year, as Americans sought a way to get outdoors and protect themselves from Covid-19, will continue this year, with a survey indicating that 56 million will take an RV trip this year.

The survey, conducted for the RV Industry Association, involved 180 million leisure travelers. Thirty-one percent said they were planning to take an RV vacation this year.

To read more, go here. 

Advantages of RV Travel

Above, Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thinking about "diving into" the RV lifestyle? 

There's a few things to consider before making a purchase. Renting an RV first may help in the decision-making process.

There are advantages to RV traveling and the Miami County Republic has them listed.

They begin with:

Individuals who are approaching retirement or those who already have said goodbye to the working world may find they are ready to make some life changes. Travel is something many older adults enjoy when they have much more free time to see the sights.

Recreational vehicles are great ways for people to get out and about. An RV is more than just a way to get around; for many people it becomes a lifestyle. According to the RV Industry Association, about 10 million American households own RVs.

There have been more RVs on the road in recent years, and there are now more facilities to accommodate them. RVIA says there are now roughly 18,000 campgrounds around the country, and certain facilities are pushing to improve and upgrade campgrounds in national parks and on federal lands.

Individuals considering if the RV lifestyle is for them can refer to this list of RVing benefits.

To see the list, go here.