Total recreational vehicle shipments reached 24,683 units in January this year, reflecting a 10.7% decrease from 27,629 units shipped in the same month last year, according to the RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) latest survey of manufacturers.
The decline was driven primarily by towable RVs, which ended the month down 13.2% from January 2025 with 21,614 units shipped. Conventional travel trailers led the segment, continuing to represent the largest portion of towable RV sales.
In contrast, motorhome shipments increased 12.7% over last year, totaling 3,069 units. Park Model RVs also posted gains, with 360 wholesale shipments in January, up 22.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
RVIA, which represents more than 500 manufacturers and component suppliers producing 98% of U.S.-made RVs, highlighted the mixed performance across segments. The trade group has offices in the Washington, D.C. area and Elkhart, Indiana, and serves as the primary voice for the $140 billion RV industry.
The association also conducts market research and industry trend monitoring, providing data on manufacturing performance, consumer behavior, and segment growth.
The association also supports regulatory engagement, industry standards enforcement, and workforce development, including training RV technicians through the RV Technical Institute (RVTI). These efforts aim to sustain long-term industry growth and innovation.
Manufacturers and suppliers rely on the association’s data to guide production, marketing, and business strategy, especially as seasonal demand and economic conditions affect shipment volumes.
“The RV Industry Association unites the diverse RV industry and forges alliances to form a strong, single voice. Working with our members, we advance the industry, driving growth and innovation across the outdoor market landscape,” RVIA’s website indicates.
The RV industry generated $140 billion in annual economic output in 2022, contributing $13.6 billion in federal, state and local taxes to the U.S. economy.
That same year, the industry supported nearly 680,000 American jobs and paid more than $48 billion in wages.
Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis shows outdoor recreation accounts for 2.2% of national gross domestic product, with RVing identified as the largest conventional activity within the sector.
For more information about RVIA, visit their website here.