Are You Maximizing Your Member Benefits? Dive-In To Association Research

Did you know the RV Industry Association releases a multitude of RV industry data each year? Several studies, market data and analyses are released throughout the year that can assist in some of your biggest decisions – and it’s all exclusive to members!

Are your products meeting the demands of potential RV consumers? Are you looking at what the next generation of RV consumer wants and adapting? What is the impact of the RV industry in my state? Whether you are a manufacturer, supplier, aftermarket supplier or a dealer, the research that we generate can help you with your bottom line.

Here are some of our studies if you haven’t checked them out already:

Insight on gauging market conditions

Beyond providing wholesale shipment data each month, we provide forecasts and analysis quarterly in our publication, Road Signs. While monthly market data provides shipment information, the information in Road Signs forecasts growth, sales projects and popular trends. One of the most regularly referenced categories of research are the market reports. These monthly, quarterly and annually produced reports provide historic data and future predictions on the direction of growth in the RV Industry.

• Monthly Market Reports – Our market reports provide the results of our monthly research on the trends and conditions of the RV market. The data collected, provided confidentially by member manufacturer companies, allows the industry to see the trends in growth and expansion, normalization or declines in the market. These reports provide a snapshot into the health of the industry and allows suppliers, dealers and manufacturers the opportunity to adjust and react based on the trends they are seeing in the market. 
• Road Signs is distributed on a quarterly basis and is contains data from Dr. Richard Curtain, an RV market expert out of the University of Michigan. This report provides insight into the current market conditions, what can be expected over the next few months and the factors contributing to the current market realities. An annual Road Signs report also provides predictions for the upcoming year and explains some of the main market conditions contributing to the growth, levelling or decline anticipated in the industry. These reports can be seen as both a benchmarking tool and a temperature check of the RV industry as a whole.
• Industry Profile – The industry profile, produced annually, pulls all the information from the previous year together in a way that highlights the most pertinent findings. All monthly, quarterly and consumer trends data are pulled into on analysis of year over year comparisons. Detailed shipment data at the regional and state level can be found, shipment information by RV type, a consolidated summary of the year’s collected data and ownership trends.
• Lenders Experience Survey - The Survey of Lenders’ Experiences details the results of the RV Industry Association’s annual nationwide survey of financial institutions concerning their RV lending portfolios. The report provides an in-depth look at key data from both the wholesale and retail indirect RV lending markets and illustrates the attitude that financial institutions have toward RV lending as well as the averages in the market over the past year.

Tools to talk to your lawmakers

Learn how to influence policies that are important to your business and to the RV industry. When you take part in any local outreach such as inviting your representatives to your facility, meeting with them in Washington, D.C., or trying to influence decision-making in your county or town, having the hard facts about the RV industry’s economic impact is extremely valuable. The association has a wealth of economic impact that can help you make your case and demonstrate how important the RV industry and outdoor recreation industry are to the American and local economies.

• Economic Impact – There are nearly 23,000 RV-related businesses in the U.S. which is why the association’s economic impact study is one of our most powerful pieces of research that can move the industry forward. The study measures the impact that the RV economy has on jobs, wages, taxes and spending. It has proven useful in helping RV Caucus members recognize and explain the impact of the industry and has enabled the association to push favorable legislation at the federal and local levels. Members may use an interactive tool that allows them to see the economic impact of the RV industry in their states, congressional districts and nationally. The overall economic impact of the RV industry is and astounding $50 Billion and we now how the data to back up the vital role that our members have to the growth of the American economy. Use the interactive economic contributions map to view the economic impact the RV industry has in your state or congressional district. This study was completed in 2015. An updated version of the study will be published in 2019.
• Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) – As a result of our advocacy efforts, the Department of Commerce measured the impact of outdoor recreation economy for the first time ever in 2018 showing that outdoor recreation is 22 percent of U.S. GDP. This research provides the industry as seat at the table when working with lawmakers to improve experiences for RV consumers and improve the business environment for the RV industry.

Insight into the mind of the consumer

From updating your model types and interior designs for the next generation of consumer to incorporating more technology into RVs, the association’s consumer related research is a wealth of information into the mind of the consumer. From millennials, Gen Xers to Baby Boomers, our research gives you a look into the desires and expectations of your current and potential customers.

• Vacation Cost Comparison Study – Go RVing regularly conducts a study every few years that compare the costs of conventional vacations to RV vacations. A common point of feedback among consumers interested in the RV lifestyle who haven’t made the final leap, is fear that the costs of RV ownership are too high. When compared to other types of traditional vacations, RVing comes in at a lower cost. The methodology incorporates fuel prices, size of the traveling party, type of vacation, and type of RV. The information is obviously valuable to Go RVing’s efforts and when talking to consumers at experiential events; but is also used by our dealer partners as a selling point when attempting to move potential RVers into the category of RV owners.
• Aftermarket Parts and Accessories Study – This is our newest study and reveals consumer behaviors after an RV has been purchased. So much of our research studies the path to RV ownership but this study examines consumer preferences based on age, length of RV ownership, and desired shopping experience.
• Future-Ready Project – Big data is a big buzzword, and cultivating the right data is a lofty undertaking. In 2017 Go RVing took aggressive steps to conduct research that will better prepare all of us for what lies ahead. Our future ready project (still rolling out) helps us understand the American millennial consumer and their perceptions about owning and using RVs, as well as market and consumer trends impacting their behavior. Knowing as much as we can about future customers helps inform our business decisions and drives continued success. Look for more information and insights at RVX: The RV Experience March 12 – 14, 2019 in Salt Lake City.
• Consumer of the Future – Authentically connecting with consumers is an integral part of the Go RVing marketing strategy. They teamed up with a company that uses machine learning to analyze the best ways to reach potential RV consumes. The Future-Ready Project examines behavior and RV ownership potential, but the Consumer of the Future study looks at how we reach these people in their space and make conversions to the RV lifestyle. For any company looking to make more of an impression with their brand identity, the study’s results have built a valuable inventory of some new ways to start thinking about reaching those future RV consumers.
• Go RVing’s 2018 RV Owners Insights Survey – Go RVing rolls out this owner’s survey annually to help anticipate the consumer RV travel and the external impacts on their behaviors. The study looks at fuel costs, number of people who will travel in an RV, reasons for RV travel and overall impressions of the RV lifestyle.

The RV Industry Association is committed to providing applicable and insightful resources to its members and incorporates new findings as the market demands. Our purpose, as your association, is to empower members with the best tools available and we’re dedicated to providing the most credible and up to date industry data to help you with your business decisions.