Overall RV shipments are experiencing an almost 14 percent rise in the first quarter of 2025, according to an RV Industry Association (RVIA) report. Fifth wheels, travel trailers, and truck campers have seen the largest rises in units shipped. Meanwhile, motorhome shipments saw a decrease over the same period. These RV shipments, which represent wholesale shipments to dealers no retail sales, are being shipped before any new tariffs take effect. The time of the shipments dealers can be well stocked with pretariff units.
Fifth Wheels Top Gainer Among 2025 RV Shipments
Fifth wheel numbers saw the greatest growth with a 30.8 percent increase over the same period last year. By March, 18,243 units rounded out the fifth wheel total for the quarter. Travel trailers, too, showed a big gain, seeing a 14.5 percent increase over last year’s shipments with 68,114 units shipped in the first quarter.
Truck campers also gained with a nine percent increase year-over-year with 888 units shipped. Folding camp trailers (aka pop-up trailers) showed a more modest growth of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of the year.
Motorhome Shipments Drop Over 10 Percent
All the news wasn’t rosy for shipments of every RV type. While towables saw an overall rise with 17.2 percent, motorhome shipments dropped by 10.5 percent. Total shipments of motorhomes units moved from 10,416 in 2024’s first quarter to 9,318 in 2025. Class A motorhomes saw 4.1 percent drop; Class Cs saw a 9.4 percent drop; and Class Bs saw a substantial 18.1 percentdecline in shipments.
Pretariff Shipments and the Coming Summer Season
The RVIA numbers represent wholesale shipments to dealers but don’t represent retail sales. The models being shipped today are also still shipped before any new tariffs take effect. This enables dealers to stock their inventories with pretariff units. Some dealers have shared that interest rates have still been a challenge to their ability to complete more retail sales. So the shipments, in combination with this, might represent an opportunity for buyers who are in a position to purchase.
RVIA’s President and CEO, Craig Kirby, sees the upcoming selling season optimistically, “Heading into the summer selling season, RV shipments are up nearly 14 percent in the first quarter, and our research shows an estimated 72 million Americans planning RV trips this year.” Kirby says, “While we’re keeping a close eye on consumer confidence and potential tariff effects, one thing remains clear: Even in times of economic uncertainty, Americans turn to travel and the outdoors. The RV lifestyle has enduring appeal offering freedom, flexibility, and memorable adventures on the open road.”
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