The U.S. RV industry recorded another decline in wholesale shipments in August 2026, with manufacturers shipping 23,599 RVs, down 16.4% from the same month last year.
Through the first eight months of 2026, total RV shipments reached 207,191 units, representing a 14.2% decline compared with the 241,550 units shipped during the same period in 2025, according to the latest data from the RV Industry Association (RVIA). RVIA
The August results show that the slowdown remains concentrated in several major RV categories, particularly travel trailers, fifth wheels and Type A motorhomes. At the same time, some smaller categories and certain motorhome segments have continued to show stronger performance.
Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels Remain Under Pressure
Towable RVs continue to account for the majority of industry shipments, but the segment recorded another significant year-over-year decline in August.
Travel trailer shipments totaled 16,253 units, down from 19,311 in August 2025. That represents a decline of approximately 15.8%.
Fifth-wheel shipments fell even more sharply. Manufacturers shipped 3,901 fifth wheels during August, compared with 5,136 a year earlier, a decline of roughly 24%. RVIA
The year-to-date picture is similar. Through August, travel trailer shipments were down about 15.7%, while fifth-wheel shipments declined approximately 20.1% compared with the same period in 2025.
Not every towable category declined, however. Truck campers and folding camping trailers showed year-over-year increases during August, although their smaller shipment volumes mean they have a limited effect on the overall market.
August RV Shipments by Category
The chart below compares August 2025 and August 2026 shipments across several major RV categories.
| Category | Aug 2025 | Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Trailers | 19,311 | 16,253 |
| Fifth Wheels | 5,136 | 3,901 |
| Type A Motorhomes | 618 | 441 |
| Type B Motorhomes | 783 | 707 |
| Type C Motorhomes | 1,781 | 1,661 |
| Park Model RVs | 400 | 423 |
Motorhome Performance Is More Mixed
Motorhome shipments also declined in August, with manufacturers shipping 2,809 units, down 11.7% from August 2025.
Type A motorhomes experienced the largest decline within the motorhome segment. August shipments fell to 441 units, compared with 618 units in August 2025.
Type B van campers declined to 707 units, while Type C motorhomes totaled 1,661 units during the month. RVIA
The year-to-date picture, however, is more encouraging for motorhomes overall. Through August, motorhome shipments were higher than the same period in 2025, helped by stronger Type B and Type C volumes.
That contrast is important: a weaker August does not necessarily mean every RV category is experiencing the same trend over the full year.
Park Model RVs Continue to Stand Out
Park Model RVs continued to move differently from most of the broader market.
Manufacturers shipped 423 Park Model RVs in August, up from 400 units during August 2025.
The segment has also posted growth on a year-to-date basis, making Park Model RVs one of the areas that continues to show positive shipment momentum while conventional towables remain under pressure.
What the Shipment Numbers Mean
The latest numbers suggest that manufacturers are continuing to operate in a more cautious wholesale environment.
However, it is important to distinguish RV shipments from retail RV sales.
RVIA’s monthly shipment report measures units shipped by manufacturers. It does not represent the number of RVs purchased by consumers during the month.
That distinction matters when interpreting the 16.4% decline. Lower manufacturer shipments can reflect changes in production, dealer inventory levels, ordering patterns and broader market conditions rather than directly representing a 16.4% decline in consumer purchases.
For dealers and manufacturers, the continued decline in travel trailer and fifth-wheel shipments will be particularly important to watch as the industry moves toward the final months of 2026.
What It Could Mean for RV Buyers
For consumers, shipment data is only one part of the larger RV market picture.
Buyers should also pay attention to dealer inventory, manufacturer incentives, discounts, financing rates and the availability of specific models.
A decline in wholesale shipments does not automatically mean that every RV model will become cheaper. Inventory levels can vary significantly between manufacturers, dealers, RV types and geographic markets.
For shoppers considering a new RV, the current market may therefore be worth watching closely rather than relying on industry-wide shipment numbers alone.
RV Industry Heads Toward the End of 2026
With 207,191 RVs shipped through August, the industry remains below last year’s pace.
The next several months should provide a clearer indication of whether shipment activity begins to stabilize or whether the current decline continues into the end of the year.
The RV industry is also moving into an important period as manufacturers and dealers prepare for the 2027 model year, making upcoming shipment reports particularly relevant for tracking production and inventory trends.
RVPS Insights will continue following RVIA shipment data and other indicators of the RV market to help readers understand what the numbers mean for manufacturers, dealers and RV buyers.
August 2026 RV Market at a Glance
- 23,599 — Total RV shipments in August
- 16.4% — Year-over-year decline in August shipments
- 207,191 — Total shipments through August 2026
- 14.2% — Year-to-date decline
- 16,253 — Travel trailers shipped in August
- 3,901 — Fifth wheels shipped in August
- 2,809 — Motorhomes shipped in August
- 423 — Park Model RVs shipped in August
Source: RV Industry Association, August 2026 RV Shipment Report. RVIA shipment figures represent wholesale shipments from manufacturers and should not be interpreted as direct retail sales to consumers.
