Park Model RV
RV Business
Park Model RV (PMRV) wholesale shipments for 2014 were reported at 3,781 units, an increase of 5.1 percent (183 units) over 2013 shipments, according to RVIA.
As reported in RVIA Today Express, the single largest shipment state for park models in 2014 was Arizona at 421 units shipped. Texas came in second with 356 units shipped while California was third with 281 units. Other states seeing robust shipment numbers include Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Park model shipments to Canada were also very strong with 583 units (nearly 16 percent of all U.S.-manufactured PMRVs) shipped north of the border.
“These numbers track with historical trends, demonstrating that while seasonal camping continues to be a fast-growing trend, snowbirds continue to be the heart of the PMRV market,” said Matt Wald, executive director or Park Model RVs for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). “Looking at the Midwest and East Coast retail markets, the summer seasonal camping continues its growth in popularity in RV campgrounds, which is great for both the campground industry as well as the park model segment of the RV industry. And, of course, as more and more snowbirds discover the joys of the RV lifestyle, Sunbelt state shipments remain strong. RVIA is going to make a concerted effort in 2015 to promote the seasonal camping lifestyle, so we look for even better growth this year.”
He added, “Meanwhile more and more campground operators are finding both new customers as well as great success by adding park model RV rentals to their campground offerings.”
Reacting the potential impact of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) various decrees regarding PMRVs had on the market in 2014, Wald said, “While we certainly heard about some nervous PMRV builders and buyers, HUD’s activity does not seem to have slowed shipments. And at this point every builder, buyer and campground can rest assured that they can – and should – buy and use any PMRV with an RVIA seal on it without fear of HUD action.”
Originally published at http://www.rvbusiness.com/2015/01/rvia-seasonal-campers-buying-park-models/