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The News Update is all about getting up-to-speed on the latest RV news that may impact you. We look at various sources and try to boil the news down to a few main items to review. First up…
Traditional forms of travel continue to be hit hard…
TSA checkpoint numbers are showing air travel is still recovering very slowly. The past four weeks (2019 vs 2020) saw 61.8M vs 20.1M travelers (32.6%). While the latest 5 weeks have maintained 30+% of prior year volumes, this level seems to be holding steady, meaning any quick recovery in air travel seems less possible.
March 1st to September 26th by week. Source TSA
RV Sales Remain Robust
Meanwhile new and used inventory on RV Trader has increased since early September as manufactures begin to recover production and the traditional camping season reaches its conclusion.
May 20th to September 30th New and Used RVs for sale. Source RVTrader.com
Meanwhile Thor Industries, the largest RV manufacture in North America, has seen its backlog of orders increase by 300% year over year, especially towables.
“Looking ahead, we expect a year of continued growth in fiscal 2021, and we concur with RVIA’s recent RoadSigns most likely forecast of an approximate 19.5 percent increase in calendar 2021 shipments over their most likely estimate for calendar 2020 shipments.” – Bob Martin, Thor CEO (RVNews.com)
Overall RV sales continue to outpace same month prior year numbers.
RV shipments 2019 vs 2020 by month. Source RVIA.org
Travel Restrictions
The U.S., Canada and Mexico have extended travel restriction of non-essential travel on their shared borders until October 21 with more extension likely.
R-Pod Drops 191 Twin Model
If you are interested in a twin bed model small travel trailer, R-Pod is no longer an option. The R-Pod 191 recently was dropped from the Forest River floorplans and shows as dealer stock only, meaning they are no longer producing this model. This was a sudden move as several dealers had these models on order very recently. This shows again the move to larger trailers by R-Pod. Currently there are only three models still being made that were available when I purchased my 179 in spring of 2017 (171, 179, 180) and only two remaining with wet baths (171, 179). Since 2019 they have dropped the 172, 176, 176T, 178, and the 191.
So long 191!
These RV Trader numbers show what is for sale by quantity. The few 191’s are all on order and likely not really available.
R-Pod Big Changes
With the release of the brand-new models this summer and fall, most R-Pods have seen significant changes, including a larger 5.0 cu ft. two-way fridge. To accommodate the larger fridge, the convection microwaves have been moved to under the counter in most smaller units. This means a loss of drawers or storage to accommodate the convection microwave’s new location to accommodate the slightly larger fridge.
Here is a look at the new 179 with new exterior and interior colors.
The big addition is the Dometic 5.0 Cu. Ft. refrigerator which replaces the 3.7 Cu. Ft. fridge and changes the power from being three-way to two-way power.
Notice the convection that was on top of the fridge is now residing in the corner storage area. This removes a bunch of storage for the 179.
With this change they also had to move the vacuum to the bottom of the wardrobe, thus eliminating one of the three drawers.
My Take
Used R-Pods are especially pricey just now as they are entry-level trailers and demand is high. Some believe this will ease up as we hit 2021. While overall economic conditions will greatly impact future sales, airline traffic continues to struggle and my take is that as long as this continues, demand for RVs will remain high to accommodate vacationing. In light of this, companies like Forest River should carefully evaluate a strategy of slowly eliminating smaller entry-level campers.
Of course, this seller’s market is good news if you want to sell your RV just now, not so good news if you are looking to buy one!
Q: Do the changes on the new smaller R-Pod models make them more or less appealing to you?
Below you will find the live show replay on YouTube that speaks the changes and has comments on the subject.
All the best on your camping endeavors!
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