Hot off the press this morning are the RV wholesale shipment numbers for August 2021. It’s another record month of production. According to the RVIA’s August report, “The 52,819 shipments recorded last month set a new monthly record for August and is the second most units to be shipped in any single month, behind only March 2021.”
Not every type of RV is setting a record, but Class B motorhomes certainly have. “A new record was also set for Class B motorhomes, which saw 1,442 units shipped in August, a 29% increase over the previous record, also set in March 2021. Class B motorhomes have been growing in popularity, posting significant monthly increases for 16 straight months.”1 These more expensive Camper Vans have certainly seen stellar growth during the pandemic as more people with resources discover the ease of travel and social distancing in an easy-to-maneuver small motorhome.
2017 was a record year for RV shipments and 2021 is well on track to break this record year of production. Unfortunately, there are indicators that production quality may be suffering as shortages of parts and labor seem to be plaguing the northern Indiana RV manufacturing hub. You can read here about dealers anonymously speaking about poor RV quality posted last week. The issue with production moving to record levels is that a tight labor market means that the average tenure of the line work likely building your next RV has declined with production increasing. So while RVIA is singing the praises of these industry production milestones, it may not mean that this is the best time to buy an RV.
Love’s Travel Stops Opening New RV Park
According to RVTravel.com Love’s Travel Stops will be opening a new RV park in Normal Illinois. “A proposal for a new 30-acre truck stop, travel center and RV park in Normal, Illinois, was recently approved by the Normal Town Council. The facility will be built just off Main Street in Normal, north of I-55. The complex will include a 60-space RV park, a Bojangles Restaurant, convenience store and a Speedco tire and repair shop. The area is currently farmland.”2 This is a result of franchising agreement made with KOA made public in May 2021.3
My take is that a company like Love’s that already has a substantial footprint and quality product would be well positioned to create RV accommodations along busy travel routes. I am not as thrilled that Love’s is partnering with KOA as I think Love’s on their own may bring a fresh perspective to RV hospitality.
Canadian’s Still Not Welcome
Unfortunately while Americans in RVs can visit Canada given certain restrictions, the opposite is still not the case. Once again the U.S. has decided to keep the boarders closed to Canadians for non-essential travel until at least October 21st. According to RVTravel.com, “Canadian campground owners along the coast of British Columbia are being barraged by calls from Canadian full-time RVers, all anxious to find an open-all-year campground for the winter months.”4
According to RVTravel.com New York Congressman Brian Higgins, one of the most vocal critics of travel restrictions with Canada, said it’s long past time the U.S. began allowing recreational visits from Canada. “It is welcome news that the White House is making progress on reciprocating international public health measures to protect air travelers,” Higgins said in a statement. “Yet it is inexplicable that no announcement on easing travel restrictions at land ports of entry is being made today since the livelihoods of communities across the northern border depend on cross-border commerce.”5
That’ll do it. All the best in your camping endeavors!
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