The Big RV Picture
Even pre-pandemic, the RV industry was experiencing consistent growth. In the eight years leading up to 2017, sales expanded each year. What’s more, according to a 2019 economic study from the RV Industry Association, the recreational vehicle industry has hit a staggering $114 billion total economic impact in the U.S. annually, from RV sales to industry jobs to campgrounds and travel.
While many industries slowed or stagnant growth, the RV industry was the opposite. According to the Fall 2021 RV Industry Association Report, shipments are expected to reach an all-time high in 2021 with even greater gains in 2022, when a projected 600,000 units are expected to be sold.
Here’s a closer look at some of the little-known, colorful, or otherwise intriguing facts about the RV industry, culled from industry reports, association websites, and statistics research. Curious to learn some RV lingo before you hit the road? Be sure to read Boondocking and Other RV Terms You Need to Know.
Related: 17 Tips for RVers Riding Out the Coronavirus Pandemic
Kathryn Mancewicz contributed to this article.