RVDA Member Survey Reflects Optimism for the Future;
Identifies Challenges to Growth

Edited by RVDA Staff

More than 60 percent of RV dealers believe their dealerships will be better off in the next 3 to 5 years with 28 percent saying business will be “about the same” according to an RVDA member survey conducted in the first quarter of 2024. Nearly 68 percent of RVDA member dealers say that growth will occur by adding sales volume to their current location.





The survey asked dealers to identify significant opportunities to improve their business. Top reasons for future growth cited include:
  • Retaining new RV customers
  • Continued growth in fixed operations (service and parts)
  • Improved efficiency through employee training
  • Influx of younger buyers
  • Increasing interest in outdoor lifestyles

Dealers also identified several significant challenges to the business, which include:

  • High Repair Event Cycle Times (RECT)
  • Product quality
  • Affordability due to high interest rates
  • Dealer profitability
  • Finding qualified staff
  • Warranty claims
  • Lack of access to quality campgrounds

Industry Issues
The top public policy issue identified in the survey is getting Congress to restore full deductibility of floor plan interest for travel trailers, which is one of RVDA’s biggest legislative priorities.

The improvement in overall RV manufacturer support for dealers over the past five years was split. One-third of respondents said manufacturers were doing a better job, one-third said it was about the same, and one-third said it was worse.

High Interest in Education and Training
Dealers participating in the survey expressed significant support (72 percent) for selected staff to attend in-person training or online training through the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.

Larger dealers cited participation in 20 Groups as one of the primary reasons for success and an excellent source for best practices, industry trends and other valuable business-related information.

The RVDA Convention/Expo remains highly popular (75+percent). Top reasons for attending cited by dealers include:

  • Finding valuable information
  • Networking with industry and dealer peers
  • Attending education and workshop training sessions.

About 6 in 10 dealers surveyed attended the convention over the past 3 years. For non-attendees, RVDA needs to better demonstrate and promote the value/ROI of the event.

The RVDA Board of Directors reviewed the results of the member survey at its March meeting and the results will be used to inform and develop the association’s programs, plan, and budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1.

Dealer Survey Demographics
A majority (59 percent) of respondents were either RV dealer owners or general managers with only a single dealership. About 60 percent of the dealers who responded have one RV dealership location, 23 percent have 2 to 4 locations, 9 percent have between 5-9 locations and 8 percent have 10+ locations.

Methodology
RVDA distributed the survey to all RVDA dealer members through email and the results were tabulated by David Spader at NCM. Of the nearly 1,100 dealers who received the survey, the response rate was just over 220 dealers or approximately 21 percent – which is consistent with association industry survey benchmarks.