The obvious causes are perceived poor quality, prices of rv’s, and interest rates. I believe a big problem not frequently discussed is availability and price of tow vehicles. With chip shortages fewer new trucks were produced which limits supply of used (2-4 years old) trucks. Compounding this, the price of new trucks is insane. Many consumers who might be in the market for an rv, don’t have a reliable truck to tow it. And, they can’t afford both a newer truck and an rv.
We bought our current rig in 2016, and had a plan in place to upgrade in 4-5 years. The insanity chased us out of the market! We are currently making upgrades and necessary maintenance to make it last longer. I’m not wishing for manufacturers & dealers to become casualties, but we will not participate in stupid!
It just seems to me like RVing is just coming back to reality after a crazy period. It’s actually very welcome news for me. I’ve had to book campgrounds 6 to 12 months in advance when the “window” opened for the past few years. Hopefully, this translates to fewer people in campgrounds which in turn forces campgrounds to lower prices. And the manufacturers can take some time to make sure the models they push out are ready instead of popping them out as fast as they can. My 2016 is working fine but it’s getting a little old and I’d like to think I can get a new one without a second mortgage!
100%. Hopefully less crowds/easier reservations, better quality RVs and more reasonable RV costs are the result. Only downside is the value of your current unit is going to be lower. But all-in-all, the plusses outweigh the negatives IMO.
Eileen and Steve here, We love all your videos. your sincerity is really appreciated. We have a small horse farm in Michigan and both work part /full time. Really enjoy and appreciate your perspective. Keep on keeeping on my friend. At 77 don't let the old man in AKA Toby
Well, I believe interest rates, the cost of a new truck to pull the Trailer. And the fuel cost to put in the tank to go somewhere. And ever State is gouging you with Taxes for yourTrailer. And no matter what the government is telling you how good you have it, I do believe a lot of people are just getting by and they don’t have it that good. And a lot of people is scared with the election coming up, in both sides of the fence is claiming the other side will make us go bankrupt or something worse.
Combination of real or perceived declines in RV quality, combined with the ridiculous prices of trucks…it’s no wonder there’s a downward trend. For me, until I can get a truck (3/4 ton) at a reasonable price…I won’t be purchasing an RV anytime soon.
I would think 8% interest rates are having an impact on the sales portion. Also when I search for a place to stay I always type in RV parks. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.
People who got into RVing realized the campsites all suck and are overrun and crowded. The experience was ruined by RV manufacturers pumping out too many campers
High interest rates, high prices, poor quality products and high camping costs are all major factors in this decline, especially the poor quality of the products.
It was the most curious thing. I just got back from the Erie RV show and have since questioned the accuracy of my "perception". Every trailer I went into of the limited number of manufactures present just felt cheap...like it they were made of temporary materials. Back in 2018 I bought an Imagine 2600RB for my year long sojourn around the country. At that time I traded in a 2008 Rvision which was of poor design but OK materials. When I first walked into the Imagine I knew instantly that it was the trailer for me. I have since traded that in for an Imagine 3170BH which I'm still satisfied with. I now do not know whether I'm spoiled the Grand Design products or if the other brands really are made "cheap".
We were all hot to trade for a bit ''nicer'' couples coach, maybe a couple feet longer...untill we looked at price for quality...forget it! untill these manufacturers improve and give us a reason to trade, AND I DON'T MEAN ''GINGERBREAD'' THAT DOESN'T WORK, or mean anything. I am talking about QUALITY, in the build...Frame, Tires, Suspension, Cabnets, Drawers that don't fall apart, Roofs that are installed correctly with best coverings, slides installed correctly with best mechanicals, the list goes on........
Why I think the trend is declining.. Who wants to pay 9-11% interest rates on a RV thats arleady overpriced? The quality has dropped, Camping World's CS has taken a big big hit and they don't seem to care.. and combination of inflation and greed... and since you love Grand Design, I'll use them for example.. I saw a video on a brand new 2021 17MKE and when it got to the part where "its time for the MSRP" (insert trumpet sound) his initial reaction was a shock face with a whistle and uttered the word "pricy".. the MSRP was 30K... less than 2 years later from the time of that video at the Tampa RV show in Jan 2023, that same 17MKE, MSRP was 45K... You mean to tell me that the supply chain was severly that bad it caused a RV to go up 50% in less than 2 years? I'm not buying it... and I believe Grand Design wasn't the only one.. I just used their 17MKE as an example because it stands out to me the most... and with all that, #BidensAmerica, and other factors, it just seems what used to be an enjoyable, memorable, relaxing endeavor became more of a burden, especially financial wise.
Oversaturation due too the covid years, the bubble was bound to burst. I don't think you can really evaluate the trend for February 2024 since the month isn't even half over yet. But, maybe this means it'll be easier for those of us who have been added a while, and don't plan on quitting anytime soon, to find campsites again.
Love a lot of the work you put in! I'd be careful about putting too much into a 1% differential, the relative trend line is still pretty strong. The February data isn't fully baked, so you may want to avoid that end point.
What is the number of people selling their RVs because I’ll bet that number went up. After COVID all these people who bought them probably don’t want them anymore.
Glad I bought my travel trailer in 2017. Good quality build with very few problems in 7 years. Comparable trailer would now cost 50% more (truck would also be 50% more). Nowadays you are looking at $150K for comparable truck and travel trailer which would price out most people. A nice 5th wheel and truck would probably be well over $200K. If you finance your rig you are going to be paying a ton of interest because RV interest rates are high. The days of these gigantic triple axle 5th wheels that require a one ton truck to pull them are numbered!
@@WanderingWeekends I've been researching rvs for over 10 years and I still cant bring myself to pull the trigger. We have been using the GA state park cabins to get out and enjoy what GA has to offer.. It just makes more sense to us for now.
The obvious causes are perceived poor quality, prices of rv’s, and interest rates. I believe a big problem not frequently discussed is availability and price of tow vehicles. With chip shortages fewer new trucks were produced which limits supply of used (2-4 years old) trucks. Compounding this, the price of new trucks is insane. Many consumers who might be in the market for an rv, don’t have a reliable truck to tow it. And, they can’t afford both a newer truck and an rv.
We bought our current rig in 2016, and had a plan in place to upgrade in 4-5 years. The insanity chased us out of the market! We are currently making upgrades and necessary maintenance to make it last longer. I’m not wishing for manufacturers & dealers to become casualties, but we will not participate in stupid!
Definitely some crazy times since 2020
Exactly!!!!
It just seems to me like RVing is just coming back to reality after a crazy period. It’s actually very welcome news for me. I’ve had to book campgrounds 6 to 12 months in advance when the “window” opened for the past few years. Hopefully, this translates to fewer people in campgrounds which in turn forces campgrounds to lower prices. And the manufacturers can take some time to make sure the models they push out are ready instead of popping them out as fast as they can. My 2016 is working fine but it’s getting a little old and I’d like to think I can get a new one without a second mortgage!
100%. Hopefully less crowds/easier reservations, better quality RVs and more reasonable RV costs are the result. Only downside is the value of your current unit is going to be lower. But all-in-all, the plusses outweigh the negatives IMO.
Eileen and Steve here, We love all your videos. your sincerity is really appreciated. We have a small horse farm in Michigan and both work part /full time. Really enjoy and appreciate your perspective. Keep on keeeping on my friend. At 77 don't let the old man in AKA Toby
So grateful you guys are here!
Well, I believe interest rates, the cost of a new truck to pull the Trailer. And the fuel cost to put in the tank to go somewhere. And ever State is gouging you with Taxes for yourTrailer. And no matter what the government is telling you how good you have it, I do believe a lot of people are just getting by and they don’t have it that good. And a lot of people is scared with the election coming up, in both sides of the fence is claiming the other side will make us go bankrupt or something worse.
Combination of real or perceived declines in RV quality, combined with the ridiculous prices of trucks…it’s no wonder there’s a downward trend. For me, until I can get a truck (3/4 ton) at a reasonable price…I won’t be purchasing an RV anytime soon.
Great points!
I would think 8% interest rates are having an impact on the sales portion. Also when I search for a place to stay I always type in RV parks. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.
I’ll have to look at that search!
People who got into RVing realized the campsites all suck and are overrun and crowded. The experience was ruined by RV manufacturers pumping out too many campers
High interest rates, high prices, poor quality products and high camping costs are all major factors in this decline, especially the poor quality of the products.
It was the most curious thing. I just got back from the Erie RV show and have since questioned the accuracy of my "perception". Every trailer I went into of the limited number of manufactures present just felt cheap...like it they were made of temporary materials. Back in 2018 I bought an Imagine 2600RB for my year long sojourn around the country. At that time I traded in a 2008 Rvision which was of poor design but OK materials. When I first walked into the Imagine I knew instantly that it was the trailer for me. I have since traded that in for an Imagine 3170BH which I'm still satisfied with. I now do not know whether I'm spoiled the Grand Design products or if the other brands really are made "cheap".
We were all hot to trade for a bit ''nicer'' couples coach, maybe a couple feet longer...untill we looked at price for quality...forget it! untill these manufacturers improve and give us a reason to trade, AND I DON'T MEAN ''GINGERBREAD'' THAT DOESN'T WORK, or mean anything. I am talking about QUALITY, in the build...Frame, Tires, Suspension, Cabnets, Drawers that don't fall apart, Roofs that are installed correctly with best coverings, slides installed correctly with best mechanicals, the list goes on........
Why I think the trend is declining.. Who wants to pay 9-11% interest rates on a RV thats arleady overpriced? The quality has dropped, Camping World's CS has taken a big big hit and they don't seem to care.. and combination of inflation and greed... and since you love Grand Design, I'll use them for example.. I saw a video on a brand new 2021 17MKE and when it got to the part where "its time for the MSRP" (insert trumpet sound) his initial reaction was a shock face with a whistle and uttered the word "pricy".. the MSRP was 30K... less than 2 years later from the time of that video at the Tampa RV show in Jan 2023, that same 17MKE, MSRP was 45K... You mean to tell me that the supply chain was severly that bad it caused a RV to go up 50% in less than 2 years? I'm not buying it... and I believe Grand Design wasn't the only one.. I just used their 17MKE as an example because it stands out to me the most... and with all that, #BidensAmerica, and other factors, it just seems what used to be an enjoyable, memorable, relaxing endeavor became more of a burden, especially financial wise.
Oversaturation due too the covid years, the bubble was bound to burst.
I don't think you can really evaluate the trend for February 2024 since the month isn't even half over yet.
But, maybe this means it'll be easier for those of us who have been added a while, and don't plan on quitting anytime soon, to find campsites again.
Love a lot of the work you put in! I'd be careful about putting too much into a 1% differential, the relative trend line is still pretty strong. The February data isn't fully baked, so you may want to avoid that end point.
Trend is definitely headed downward on every search term.
What is the number of people selling their RVs because I’ll bet that number went up. After COVID all these people who bought them probably don’t want them anymore.
I've noticed in the last few of your you tube videos that your volume is very low. I have to almost double the volume FYI
Glad I bought my travel trailer in 2017. Good quality build with very few problems in 7 years. Comparable trailer would now cost 50% more (truck would also be 50% more). Nowadays you are looking at $150K for comparable truck and travel trailer which would price out most people. A nice 5th wheel and truck would probably be well over $200K. If you finance your rig you are going to be paying a ton of interest because RV interest rates are high. The days of these gigantic triple axle 5th wheels that require a one ton truck to pull them are numbered!
people realize its a waste of money
Financial disaster and a labor of love… but a GREAT investment in life. I’d buy another one in a heartbeat.
@@WanderingWeekends I've been researching rvs for over 10 years and I still cant bring myself to pull the trigger. We have been using the GA state park cabins to get out and enjoy what GA has to offer.. It just makes more sense to us for now.
Definitely not for everyone