A surge in first-time buyers and younger demographics is reshaping the market landscape. Demand for affordable, versatile towable units for personal getaways is exceptionally strong, pushing manufacturers to innovate with new features and layouts.
Chicago, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global recreational vehicle market size was valued at US$ 62.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 168.3 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.55% during the forecast period 2025–2033.
The fundamental health of the recreational vehicle market is exceptionally strong, with key metrics from 2024 indicating that consumer demand is a powerful driver of sales. Total recreational vehicle registrations for the full year 2024 reached a significant 356,518 units. In contrast, the total number of recreational vehicles manufactured during the same period was 333,733 units. This differential demonstrates a market where retail absorption is high, creating a net reduction in dealer inventory of 22,785 units and underscoring the intensity of consumer purchasing activity.
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Projections for 2025 show that the industry is preparing to meet this continued high demand. The lower-end forecast for total recreational vehicle shipments in 2025 is projected at 374,200 units. More optimistically, the higher-end forecast anticipates that total shipments could reach 408,600 units. The existing base for this demand is substantial; the number of US households that owned a recreational vehicle in 2024 stood at 11.2 million. By July 2024, the market had already recorded approximately 189,000 recreational vehicle sales, confirming a sustained pace of consumer acquisition.
Key Findings in Recreational Vehicle Market
| Market Forecast (2033) | US$ 168.3 billion |
| CAGR | 11.55% |
| Largest Region (2024) | North America (Largest) |
| By Type | Towable RVs (Largest) |
| By Type | Personal (71%) |
| Top Drivers |
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| Top Trends |
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| Top Challenges |
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Emerging Consumer Demographics Signal a Youthful and Expanding Future Market
A significant demographic shift is a core driver of new demand within the recreational vehicle market. The median age of recreational vehicle owners is projected to be 49 years old in 2025, a figure that points to a younger and more active ownership base than in previous eras. More strikingly, the median age of a first-time recreational vehicle buyer in 2024 is just 32 years old. This infusion of younger buyers is creating a long-term demand pipeline, with a substantial 9.6 million households reporting their intention to purchase a recreational vehicle within the next five years.
The broader interest in ownership further quantifies future market potential, with an estimated 16.9 million households expressing a strong interest in acquiring a recreational vehicle as of 2025. This demand translates into high usage rates and cultural relevance. The number of regular recreational vehicle travelers in the United States is estimated at 40 million people. These owners utilize their vehicles for a median of 30 days annually. The lifestyle’s appeal is amplified digitally, with the #vanlife hashtag being used approximately 6 million times on Instagram, fueling interest among a global audience.
Class B Vehicle Sales Underscore Shifting Preferences in a Competitive Market
An analysis of segment-specific sales reveals where consumer demand is concentrating within the recreational vehicle market. The Class B motorhome segment, consisting of compact camper vans, has become a focal point of this demand, with total sales in 2024 amounting to 10,514 units. For perspective, this sales volume exceeded that of the larger Class A motorhome category, which recorded 8,744 units sold. The versatile Class C motorhome category remained a strong performer, with 20,699 units sold during the same period.
Despite the strong performance of motorhomes, towable units continue to represent the largest portion of the recreational vehicle market by volume. Travel trailers were the leading category, with an exceptional 245,648 units sold in 2024. The large fifth-wheel category also demonstrated significant demand, accounting for 61,318 units sold. Niche segments also showed steady activity, with Park Model recreational vehicles, often used for long-term stays, seeing 2,996 unit sales, while sales of pop-up campers reached 5,217 units in 2024.
Strategic Product Innovation is a Direct Response to Evolving Consumer Demands In Recreational Vehicle Market
Leading manufacturers are aligning their product development directly with specific consumer demands to gain a competitive edge. Thor Motor Coach, a key market player, initiated updates across 8 of its Class B models for the 2024 model year. A significant launch was the new Tranquility 24C model, built on a 170-inch wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter chassis to meet demand for premium platforms. The company also introduced a new 25.7 floor plan for its 2024 Axis and Vegas models to offer greater layout variety.
Technological enhancements are focused on addressing the demand for greater autonomy and comfort. An optional 200-watt solar charging system is now offered on the 2024 Thor Delano and Tiburon models, catering to off-grid travel demand in the recreational vehicle market. These same models can now be equipped with a powerful 15,000 BTU air conditioner. In a direct response to the need for independent power, the 2024 Thor Sequence and Tellaro models now include a standard 2.8kW generator. Finally, Thor’s 2024 Vegas models are available with 2 new distinct HD-MAX exterior graphics packages to meet demand for personalization.
Infrastructure Investment Directly Correlates with Growth in Recreational Vehicle Ownership
The surge in recreational vehicle ownership is creating powerful demand for supporting infrastructure, which the campground industry is actively developing. A total of 5,716 new campsites are being added across North America between 2024 and early 2026. A significant portion of this growth comes from the construction of 31 entirely new campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada. These new properties alone will contribute 4,146 new campsites, expanding the network of available destinations for travelers.
In addition to new builds, 36 existing parks are undergoing significant expansions, which will add a further 1,570 new campsites to the inventory. This reflects strong confidence from current operators in sustained demand. Industry leader Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is playing a pivotal role in this expansion, having added 15 new campgrounds to its network in 2024. The 2024 KOA expansion introduced 1,500 new recreational vehicle, tent, and cabin sites, directly addressing the need for more accommodation options.
A Strong Financial Environment is Facilitating Consumer Access and Market Growth
The financial sector provides a solid foundation for the recreational vehicle market, enabling consumer purchasing power and funding commercial growth. The total dollar volume of recreational vehicle wholesale loans in 2024 exceeded US$ 15.5 billion, indicating robust dealer activity. In the consumer space, the total dollar amount of indirect recreational vehicle loans funded in 2024 surpassed US$ 11.5 billion. This high volume of lending demonstrates that consumers have confident access to the capital required for these major purchases.
The average financed amount for a new recreational vehicle purchase in 2024 was US$ 61,891, with the average for used recreational vehicles standing at a similar US$ 56,313. In total, reporting institutions processed over 200,000 retail indirect loans in 2024. This financial support extends to infrastructure, where KOA’s design services team created over 1,400 plans for new or improved site layouts in the past year. Looking forward, KOA plans to open 3 new campgrounds in 2025, which will feature an additional 470 sites.
Major Capital Injections are Funding the Next Generation of RV Destinations
Significant capital investment is flowing into the development of new, amenity-rich destinations, reflecting strong investor confidence in the future of the recreational vehicle market. The estimated project cost for the new Roundabout Oxford RV and Water Resort, opening in 2025, is US$ 22 million. In Texas, a major recreational vehicle park is set to receive US$ 12 million in infrastructure upgrades starting in 2025. Demonstrating the high valuation of prime properties, the Camp Venice RV Resort in Sarasota County was acquired in a 2025 transaction for US$ 14 million.
These new projects are being developed on a large scale to meet high-capacity demand. The new Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Loudon, Tennessee, scheduled for an early 2025 opening, will feature 173 recreational vehicle sites. The same development will also include 55 cabins. In Florida, the new Encore Tranquility Lakes development spans a vast 200 acres. Upon completion, the Encore Tranquility Lakes resort is planned to offer 502 full-hookup recreational vehicle sites, accommodating a large volume of travelers.
New Campground Openings Reflect Strategic Expansion into High-Demand Travel Regions Across Recreational Vehicle Market
The nationwide expansion of travel infrastructure is evident in the specific new parks that launched in 2024, targeting regions with growing demand. The Horseshoe Bend / Crown Lake KOA Holiday in Arkansas opened with 91 sites. In Ohio, the Calcutta / West Point KOA Journey launched with 71 sites. Meanwhile, the new Carbondale / Crystal River KOA Holiday in Colorado now provides 72 sites for travelers. These openings represent a strategic effort to build capacity in popular tourism corridors.
This focused expansion continued across the country’s recreational vehicle market. The Cave Junction KOA Journey in Oregon opened with 66 sites, while the Franklin Furnace / Ohio River KOA Journey in Ohio added another 53 sites. For 2025, the new Turtle Creek RV Park is scheduled to open in the spring with 50 full hookup sites. In Arkansas, another new development, the Mountain Point RV Park, will provide 165 sites, significantly boosting the region’s ability to host recreational vehicle travelers.
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Existing Campgrounds are Upgrading to Meet Evolving Consumer and Market Needs
In addition to new builds, existing campgrounds are making substantial investments to meet immediate demand and evolving preferences. In Bremen, Georgia, a major campground expansion is adding 250 recreational vehicle sites and 71 new cabins. Similarly, a Jellystone Park in Massachusetts recently installed 83 new cabins and added 41 new recreational vehicle sites as part of its 2024 upgrades. Another Jellystone Park in Illinois enhanced its facilities by adding over 40 new pull-through recreational vehicle sites.
These enhancements are occurring nationwide. A campground in Benzonia, Michigan, will add 48 recreational vehicle sites this year, and a Jellystone location in Michigan is adding 30 new cabins for 2024. The scale of these projects in the recreational vehicle market is considerable; the Roundabout Oxford Resort is being developed on an 85-acre property, while the proposed Diamond Shores campground in South Carolina involves a nearly 35-acre site planned for 94 recreational vehicle spaces and 23 cabins. Finally, the Wild Adventures theme park in Georgia is building a campground with an initial 50 sites and 10 tent sites opening in late 2024, although urban policies like Los Angeles extending parking bans to 30 additional streets present regional challenges.
Recreational Vehicle Market Major Players:
- ALINER (Columbia Northwest, Inc.)
- Dethleffs GmbH & Co. KG
- Forest River Inc.
- Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.
- Hymer GmbH & Co. KG
- Northwood Manufacturing
- REV Recreation Group
- Swift Group Limited
- Thor Industries Inc.
- Trigona SA
- Winnebago Industries Inc.
Key Market Segmentation:
By Type
- Motorhomes
- Towable RVs
By Application
- Personal
- Commercial
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East and Africa
- South America
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