RV shipments rise in February 2009, but still behind 2008

Truth Report

Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose nearly 40 percent in February compared with January but lagged behind February 2008 totals by 62.7 percent, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.

Year-to-date, shipments dropped 66.5 percent with towables falling 64.6 percent and motorhomes decreasing 79.4 percent. The decline is blamed on consumers curtailing their buying plans because of insecurity about jobs and incomes.

For February, 9,600 towables were shipped, a drop of 60.2 percent from the 24,100 shipped in February 2008. Manufacturers shipped 700 motorhomes in February, down 80 percent from 3,500 in February 2008.