Younger Buyers Shop RVs at South Bend Show

January 22, 2014 by RVBusiness · Leave a Comment

The 40th Valley RV & Camping Show that took place last weekend at the Century Center in South Bend. Ind., was similar to last year in all ways but one.

The South Bend Tribune reported that like last year, an estimated 25 to 30 RVs were sold. Once again, attendance was close to 4,000 for the three-day event.

But this time, one demographic certainly caught the eye of Matt Rose, director of recreation vehicles for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association/Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (IMHA/RVIC).

“The biggest thing I took away from the show is a lot of younger people and a lot of young families looking at and buying RVs, more so than ever,” Rose said. “It does seem to be a trend.”

It also was noticed by Matthew Troup, finance manager at Great Lakes RV Center in Elkhart, a dealership that was at the show.

“There’s definitely a lot of younger people getting into the market and making their first RV purchase,” Troup said.

It’s a trend that RV dealers and forecasters believe will help lead to the fifth straight year of increased sales. In the past, retired baby boomers were the main demographic that purchased RVs. That group still is tops, but younger purchasers are on the rise.

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