According to Recreation Vehicle Industry Association statistics, 2013 shipments from RV manufacturers to dealers, a key indicator of demand, was 321,127 units, which was more than a 12.4 percent gain over the 2012 total. Shipments bottomed out in 2009 at 165,700 units.
“Consumer confidence is growing, credit is available, and RVs are visible, popular and even cool,” said RVIA President Richard Coon.
Two 2014 recreation vehicle models that have been getting media attention since their debut are Winnebago Industries Trend (above) and Viva! (below) Class C motorhomes. Both compact, 23-foot motorhomes are built on Ram ProMaster chassis and offer a powered StudioLoft bed that lifts snug to the ceiling to conserve space when not in use.
The Trend and Viva! “should serve the industry well in attracting the next generation of motorhome buyers,” said RV Business Publisher Sherman Goldenberg in announcing the Trend as one of the “Top 2014 RV Debuts.” The Trend runs about $92,000.
In the next and final post of this four-part series on ‘RVing: An American Dream,’ we’ll talk about the best place to see hundreds of different recreation vehicles — your local RV show.
If you missed Part 1,’ click on: “Spending quality time with family.”
If you missed Part 2 click on: “Lighter weight, more aerodynamic rigs”
Photos: (Top) Winnebago’s 2014 23-foot Trend class C motor home is built on the fuel-efficient Ram ProMaster chassis. (Bottom) The interior of the 2014 Itasca Viva! Class C motorhome includes energy-saving LED lighting and soft, easy-to-clean Ultraleather furniture. (Courtesy of Winnebago Industries)
