SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Strong attendance was expected at the Valley RV show that ran Friday and Saturday last week from 10 am to 8 pm and noon to 5 pm. The RV industry has reported declining factory shipments for four consecutive months through the end of November, but at the same time, dealers have reported completed sales remain slightly ahead of the blistering pace set in 2018.

South Bend Tribune writer Ed Semmler attempts to figure out whether or not the RV industry is simply adjusting to over-ordering of inventory to meet demand from last year. Or is the industry truly struggling.  So far, it appears attendance is about the same this year at the Indy RV Expo, which got underway last weekend at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and will continue through the weekend, said Matt Rose, RV director for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association-Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council. Released by Grand Rapids-based Statistical Surveys, indicated sales of towable RVs remain 4.1 percent ahead of 2017 through the first 11 months of 2018. Trying to determine the direction of the RV industry is important because it employs tens of thousands of workers in northern Indiana, and it’s often considered a barometer of a coming recession because consumers tend to postpone purchases of discretionary items when they’re worried about the future. In conclusion, RV sales are still strong, but they’re now to the point where manufacturers are having an easier time keeping up with demand, explained Matt Rose, RV director for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association-Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council.

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