The RV Sales Rumors Are Wildly Wrong (and Here’s the Data to Prove It)

RV sales are climbing, not crashing. Here’s why the RV industry remains strong and the open-road lifestyle isn’t going anywhere.

❓ Why the RV Industry Isn’t Fading, It’s Evolving

You’ve probably seen the videos and headlines: “The RV bubble has burst!” or “These 9 RV manufacturers are in trouble!”

Let’s get one thing straight…that’s about as accurate as saying Ford or Chevy are going out of business because gas prices went up.

I’ve been full-timing for eight years, and here’s what I know: the RV industry doesn’t crash and burn, it adapts, pivots, and rolls right through.

🚐 The Real Numbers: RV Sales Are Up, Not Down

According to the RV Industry Association’s September report, RV shipments rose 4.4% compared to last year.

That’s 25,684 units shipped in September 2025, up from 24,595 in September 2024, and total year-to-date shipments are 4.2% higher than the same period last year.

That’s not the story of an industry in decline; that’s steady, sustainable growth.

And let’s not forget: motorhome sales jumped 21%, and towables (travel trailers and fifth wheels) climbed 2.7%. Those aren’t “doom and gloom” numbers; they’re the signs of a market finding its new balance after the pandemic boom.

🏆 Jayco’s Still Crushing It

Jayco, the brand that’s powered more family road trips and first-time adventures than most others combined, is thriving, not dying.

Here’s why the data proves it:

• Award-Winning Quality: Jayco and its sister brands under THOR Industries just earned top honors in the 2025 RV Dealers Association Quality Circle Awards. Dealers don’t hand those out for fun; they’re based on real-world satisfaction, product reliability, and customer support.
• Strong Parent Company: THOR Industries’ latest quarterly report showed North American Towable RV sales up 9.1%, with unit shipments up roughly 5.5%. That includes Jayco’s lineup, proving that demand and production are steady.
• Real Scale, Real Stability: Jayco operates at a $1.5 billion revenue scale with more than 3,000 employees. That’s not the profile of a company on its last leg; that’s a manufacturing giant navigating a changing market like everyone else.

So when you see people claiming “Jayco’s done,” remind them that brands winning national awards and posting shipment growth aren’t the ones closing their doors.

📈 Why All the Doom Talk Then?

It’s simple: headlines love drama.

• Higher interest rates and inflation make for good “RV bubble” stories.
• Dealers adjusting inventory sounds scary if you don’t understand how cyclical RV sales work.
• And comparing today’s steady growth to the pandemic spike is unfair; 2020–21 was an anomaly, not the baseline.

The reality? RV life has gone from a temporary escape to a long-term lifestyle. Families, retirees, and digital nomads aren’t buying rigs for weekend getaways; they’re building their lives around the road.

That’s the shift Jayco and the rest of the industry are responding to.

💬 About That Viral Video…

You’ve probably seen that viral video making the rounds, the one predicting doom for the RV industry. I’m not linking it here because it’s pure clickbait, not journalism.

But if you’re curious what’s being said and want to talk about the facts instead of the fluff, send me a quick email or message me through my contact page. I’m happy to share the details without giving it more clicks than it deserves.

🧭 What It Means for You

If you’re dreaming about full-time RV life, wondering whether it’s the “right time” to buy, or worrying that the industry’s tanking…breathe easy.

• The market is stable.
• The brands are strong.
• The lifestyle isn’t going anywhere.

RV life isn’t a fad. It’s freedom. It’s flexibility. And it’s here to stay.

🏁 Final Word: Don’t Believe Every Headline

Next time someone tells you “the RV industry is going under,” show them the RVIA data, the THOR Industries report, and the Quality Circle Award.

Then smile and say:

“Funny…my home on wheels is still rolling just fine.”

Because it is.
And so is Jayco.
And so is the entire RV lifestyle.

✉️ Have Questions or Heard Another Wild Rumor?

Email me anytime at mary@lifeintherv.com or reach out through my contact page.
I’ll give you the real story, no clickbait, no hype, just facts from life on the road.

If you’ve been dreaming about RV life but don’t know where to start…
You’ll want to be on the list for what’s coming next.

👉 Learn more about the GPS to Full-Time RV Living Coaching Program.

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