RV & Camper Prices vs Inflation

[anume]

Results for the RV Industry Association’s June 2024 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 25,308 units, an increase of 5.0% compared to the 24,095 units shipped in June 2023. The RVIA data on their website shows increased units shipped each month during 2024 compared to the same months in 2023. So there's more inventory and the manufactures are not slowing down.

This higher or increasing manufacturing volume trend is interesting to think about in comparison to the decreased registrations and sales data I noted last month. I've also read that RV loan underwriting volume is down. It would seem anecdotally that more units combined with decreasing sales will put downward pressure on prices, both new and used.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Been eyeing the boat market due to my lake house plan to get a sense of Whats going on. The larger 25-29ft bow riders are starting to get dumped on the market. Many have been on the market for a month or more already. I haven’t noticed pricing drops just yet. But inventory is climbing in the used market and thats what I’m eyeing.

27ft sea ray i/0 bow rider running the 8.2gm v8. Is likely my target but the house comes first and thats still tbd

Housing market stalled here, I think. A 3000 sq foot residence with 3 beds and 3 baths, plus bonus rooms (den, craft room), heated 2 car garage and workbench, 4 or 5 fireplaces, sitting on an even acre, asking just over half a million bucks has been sitting for 2 months over the summertime. During COVID, that would have been snatched up at 550 to 600, maybe even before the first open house.

Anecdotal to be sure. But the more of these anecdotes you see, the more they become statistics, the more it becomes data.

 

[anume]

What price discounts are you seeing, if any, from dealers or sellers? Did you recently get a discount on a unit or are prices staying elevated? Are prices coming down back to pre pandemic levels or...?

I see advertised discounts in the 20 to 30 percent or more range from dealers on big brands or some kind of cash discount from smaller manufacturers. Are these just normal end of the summer sales or something bigger than historical norms in your opinion?

 

[tirod3]

It's not greedy businesses. It's the money itself that is broken https://www.usdebtclock.org/

And if you actually keep track of prices you pay for food, housing, energy - the stuff everyday people actually need every day, you know CPI is completely faked

This is just a start. Best advice right now is to be debt free as quickly as possible.

Since I retired, and have looked into how to stretch money as far as possible, with skills I can use. Building my own RV makes more sense than paying more than I did for the house I own. Inflation is THAT bad over the last twenty five years.

However, with ingenuity, skills, and a sense of structural design, someone can put $3-5000 into a off road capable trailer and enjoy it. Many are building their own and getting out into the wild as they can, discovering a lot of state parks or off season sites otherwise crushed by the public.

One way to do it is to buy commodity resources for the best cost per dollar, and don't chase the trends that influencers are pushing because of paid corporate sponsors. It's like taking a trip to dive in Bermuda, and discovering the price of one expensive Swiss watch would buy the tickets, lodging, tanks and related SCUBA gear, plus a capable DIVE computer and Japanese DIVE watch that would survive you, and still have money left over. Add diamonds and you might have the budget to buy the dive boat, too.

Avoid the hype.

 

[Ozarker]

It's clear that most have no idea of late 20th and early 21st century economic theory, but they adopt the hearsay spouted off by political pundits from their tribe.



Asking the question, what social factors influence inflation, Copilot provides this-
Consumer Behavior: Increased consumer spending can lead to higher demand for goods and services.

1. Labor Market Dynamics: Tight labor markets and wage pressures can drive up costs for businesses, which often pass these costs onto consumers in the form of higher prices2. This is particularly evident when there are labor shortages or increased bargaining power among workers.
2. Social Inflation: This can lead to higher costs for businesses, which may then increase prices to cover these expenses.
3. Public Sentiment and Expectations: Inflation can also be influenced by public sentiment and expectations.

These social influences, combined with economic factors, create a complex environment that can drive inflation.
Let’s focus on other social influences that contribute to inflation:

1. Consumer Confidence: When consumers feel optimistic about the economy, they tend to spend more, which can drive up demand and prices.
2. Cultural Trends: Shifts in cultural preferences, such as increased demand for sustainable products, can lead to higher prices for these goods due to limited supply and higher production costs.
3. Population Growth: An increasing population can lead to higher demand for housing, food, and other essentials, pushing prices up.
4. Technological Advancements: While technology can reduce costs, it can also create new demand for products and services, influencing prices.
5. Global Events: Social and political events worldwide, such as conflicts or trade agreements, can impact supply chains and prices.

Now, my comments; If you paid $28,000.00 for an $18,000.00 toy, you contributed to this inflation.

Is it price gouging when, within a short period of time, most participating in an economy raise their prices?

You can thank your local billionaire and Wall Street for kick starting the post Covid greed. It was not necessary, it was devised and implemented by financial strings, not so much by political strings; but I suspect Lenoard Leo is at the table with the billionaires. The economy is a weapon for power and the middle-class is losing.

 

[gator70]

The US dollar lost 22,5 % of its buying power in three years.

Nice for those that have 3% mortgages.

DUH, everything cost more now.

 

[Gravelette]

We're probably stuck with the 20% inflation from COVID, hard to see anyone actually lowering prices. On the other hand, inflation is down to about 2.5% and the economy is strong by all measures. There are over 7 million dead from COVID and it could have been much worse. It's unfortunate we have short memories and don't realize how lucky we've been.

 

[gator70]

We're probably stuck with the 20% inflation from COVID, hard to see anyone actually lowering prices. On the other hand, inflation is down to about 2.5% and the economy is strong by all measures. There are over 7 million dead from COVID and it could have been much worse. It's unfortunate we have short memories and don't realize how lucky we've been.

Inflation did not come from Covid.

 

[Ozarker]

...... There are over 7 million dead from COVID and it could have been much worse.

Yes, but it could have been much, much, much better too!

 

[Ozarker]

Biggest RV dealer in my neck of the woods is Wilder RV, they have been running TV ads which is unusual, showing prices being slashed by $10,000.00+

Granted, some seem to be a hail sale and minor damage, some is clearing inventory.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Yes, but it could have been much, much, much better too!

Yes i agree if there was not so much mis information out there less folks would have died!

 

[Todd n Natalie]

Inflation did not come from Covid.

But greed did. Prices rose insanely during the covid / chip shortage years. MSRP on 2024 F150 similar to my 2022 is 15K higher. That's one example. RV's went nuts too. They've come back down to reality. But, vehicles have not yet.

 

[rruff]

But greed did.

Not greed... money printing. It makes $ worth less... not very complicated.

 

[Todd n Natalie]

Not greed... money printing. It makes $ worth less... not very complicated.

IMO the money printing created the ability to be greedier. Prices for everything went through the roof during covid.

 

[chet6.7]

It's inflation and greed.