--- title: "RV Industry Facing Worst Spending Slump in Decades, But One Segment is Heating Up" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/rv-industry-facing-worst-spending-slump-in-decades-but-one-segment-is-heating-up" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2026-06-28T10:12:38-05:00" modified: "2026-06-28T10:12:40-05:00" --- # RV Industry Facing Worst Spending Slump in Decades, But One Segment is Heating Up The RV industry is still facing one of its toughest stretches in years, but one part of the market is moving in the other direction. New RV shipments fell again in May, according to the latest report from the [RV Industry Association](https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends/rv-shipment-reports/2026-05/rv-shipments-22900-may). Total RV shipments ended the month at 22,900 units, down 18.7% from the 28,150 units shipped in May 2025. Through the first five months of the year, RV shipments are down 14.4%, with 138,160 units shipped compared with 161,373 during the same period last year. That comes after a separate [Reuters report](https://www.reuters.com/business/americas-rv-industry-feels-chill-war-high-gas-prices-2026-06-15/) found inflation-adjusted consumer spending on recreational vehicles and related goods had fallen for five straight months, the longest slump in that category since the height of the Great Recession in 2008. We covered that broader RV industry slowdown in more detail here: [RV Industry Faces Worst Spending Slump Since The Great Recession](https://camperfaqs.com/rv-industry-faces-worst-spending-slump-since-the-great-recession). The latest shipment numbers add another layer to the story. New RVs are struggling. Used RVs, however, may be showing where some buyers are going instead. ## Used RVs Are Moving In The Opposite Direction While new RV shipments are falling, used RV registrations have been rising. According to [RV News](https://www.rvnews.com/report-used-rvs-still-trending-upward-in-april/), which cited Statistical Surveys Inc.’s April 2026 State of the RV Industry Report, used RV registrations were up 5.66% year over year in April. Used travel trailers were up 9.02%. Used fifth wheels were up 4.25%. Used Class B motorhomes were up 6.29%. That is a much different picture from the new-RV side of the market. RV News reported that new North American retail registrations were down 16.87% year over year in April. March was even worse, with new retail registrations down 21.87%. So buyers may not be walking away from RVing altogether. Some may simply be choosing used campers instead of new ones. ## Why Used RVs May Look More Attractive Right Now A used RV is not automatically a better buy. It can still come with hidden problems, water damage, worn tires, old sealant, neglected maintenance, or repairs the previous owner never handled. But for many buyers, the lower price may be hard to ignore. A used camper can reduce the amount financed. It can also soften the hit from depreciation, especially compared with buying a new RV and watching its value drop during the first few years. That matters more when loan rates are higher. Reuters cited LendingTree data showing the average RV loan rate at 7.53%. On a large purchase, that can add a lot to the total cost. The higher the monthly payment gets, the more buyers may start asking whether a new RV is worth it. For some, a used trailer or motorhome may feel like a more reasonable way to keep camping without taking on as much financial risk. Another factor may be buyer perception around so-called “pre-COVID” campers. In RV groups and forums, shoppers often talk about looking for units built before the pandemic-era sales surge, when manufacturers were dealing with heavy demand, labor pressure, and supply-chain problems. There does not appear to be a clear industry-wide dataset proving pre-COVID RVs are better built across the board, and plenty of older RVs have problems of their own. But the perception is real, and perception can affect buying decisions. If shoppers believe a well-kept used camper is less risky than a newer unit with a larger payment, that can help explain why used RVs are getting more attention. ## Buyer Trust May Also Be Part Of The Shift The economy is the biggest part of the current RV slowdown. Fuel prices, inflation, interest rates, and household budgets are all weighing on buyers. But the RV industry also has a trust problem with some shoppers. For years, RV owners have complained about quality control, warranty delays, and expensive repairs on newer units. Those concerns do not disappear when the market slows. In some cases, they may become more noticeable. When buyers are already stretching their budget, they may be less willing to take a chance on a new RV if they are worried about repair costs, dealer service delays, or warranty headaches. That does not mean every new RV is poorly built. It does mean some buyers may look at a used unit differently. A pre-owned camper that has already had some early problems fixed, has a lower price, and can be inspected closely before purchase may feel like a better bet for certain shoppers. Used RVs still require caution. Buyers should check for water damage, roof condition, tires, appliances, frame issues, recalls, and maintenance records before handing over money. Still, the used market’s recent growth suggests buyers are not done camping. They are just being more selective. ## Park Model RVs Are Another Segment To Watch Used RVs are not the only bright spot. Park Model RVs were up 8.5% in May and 23.3% year to date, according to RVIA. That is a very different type of RV buyer. Park Model RVs are usually built for longer stays in one place, not cross-country travel. They are often used at seasonal sites, campgrounds, lake lots, or vacation properties. The growth in Park Models may point to another trend: some people still want the camping or vacation-property lifestyle, but without the same travel costs tied to towing or driving a traditional RV. Higher fuel prices and campground costs can make long-distance RV travel more expensive. A Park Model at a seasonal site may appeal to buyers who want a regular getaway without moving their rig every few weeks. It is not the same lifestyle as traditional RV travel, but it is still part of the broader outdoor recreation market. ## Buyers Are Still Interested, But They Are More Careful The RV industry’s latest shipment report shows the new-RV market is still under pressure. The Reuters report showed broader RV-related spending is in its worst slump since the Great Recession. But the used-RV numbers tell a different side of the story. People may still want to camp. They may still want the freedom of having their own space. They may still want road trips, seasonal sites, national parks, and weekends away. They are just doing the math differently. For many buyers, the question may no longer be, “Do we want an RV?” The question may be, “What kind of RV makes sense right now?” For more shoppers, the answer may be used.