Market question

driving down the road.... or at a campground and someone is using it....

must be over 100 here in this campground. all with out of town plates.:)

can not count mine... as its Not a 5th wheel or a toy hauler..
but I do wish I had one.

afidel wrote:

DrewE wrote:
The two sources of information I can think of that might be helpful would be statistics that the RVIA undoubtedly collects and keeps as to the number of RVs sold by member companies each year (which may not be publicly available) and the various states registration records (which also may not be publicly available, at least not readily). I suspect most states don't differentiate between fifth wheel non-toy-hauler RVs and fifth wheel toy-hauler RVs. Some probably don't differentiate between fifth-wheel RVs and travel trailers, and perhaps a few wouldn't between RVs and other trailers under some circumstances. At least for trailers over 10,000 pounds, there presumably would have to be different registration classes for RVs and non-RVs since the former require a CDL under some circumstances (depending on the combined weight with the tow vehicle).

I don't believe any state requires a CDL for a personal RV, some require a class certification for heavier vehicles but that's not the same as a CDL. I know Ohio doesn't require a certification and if the trailer is for personal usage they just classify it as a trailer, I had misread the section of the law and took my weight paperwork in with me but they said they didn't need it (downside is you also can't get a perpetual plate for a personal trailer, have to pay the registration fee every year, think I'm going to register it in Michigan which gives perpetual plates for less than 2 years of Ohio fees at my trailers weight)

You're right. CDL requirements are determined by the federal government and RVs are specifically exempt. I mistyped above; I meant to say that sometimes non-RV trailers over 10,000 pounds require a CDL. (Specifically, if the sum of the registered weights of the tow vehicle and trailer exceed 26,000 pounds). Somewhat perversely, the lighter the tow vehicle is, the heavier the trailer may be without needing a CDL.

Thanks for pointing out my mistake.

Like ON the road today, Super Bowl Sunday?
Or in general.....lol

DrewE wrote:
The two sources of information I can think of that might be helpful would be statistics that the RVIA undoubtedly collects and keeps as to the number of RVs sold by member companies each year (which may not be publicly available) and the various states registration records (which also may not be publicly available, at least not readily). I suspect most states don't differentiate between fifth wheel non-toy-hauler RVs and fifth wheel toy-hauler RVs. Some probably don't differentiate between fifth-wheel RVs and travel trailers, and perhaps a few wouldn't between RVs and other trailers under some circumstances. At least for trailers over 10,000 pounds, there presumably would have to be different registration classes for RVs and non-RVs since the former require a CDL under some circumstances (depending on the combined weight with the tow vehicle).

I don't believe any state requires a CDL for a personal RV, some require a class certification for heavier vehicles but that's not the same as a CDL. I know Ohio doesn't require a certification and if the trailer is for personal usage they just classify it as a trailer, I had misread the section of the law and took my weight paperwork in with me but they said they didn't need it (downside is you also can't get a perpetual plate for a personal trailer, have to pay the registration fee every year, think I'm going to register it in Michigan which gives perpetual plates for less than 2 years of Ohio fees at my trailers weight)

Maybe you could start a poll here and ask members what type of rv they own.

Freh46 wrote:
I'm seeking information that would indicate how many 5th wheel RV units and toy haulers might be on the road today. Can anyone point me to a reliable source?

Did you check the last 2 censuses ( long forms) as a start up? Wont give you personal info yet you'll find a plethora of info to make a business person happy.

I didn't see any so you have to subtract that from the three above.

RVIA has a market data section on their website. They issue the data plates so they have to know how many.

The two sources of information I can think of that might be helpful would be statistics that the RVIA undoubtedly collects and keeps as to the number of RVs sold by member companies each year (which may not be publicly available) and the various states registration records (which also may not be publicly available, at least not readily). I suspect most states don't differentiate between fifth wheel non-toy-hauler RVs and fifth wheel toy-hauler RVs. Some probably don't differentiate between fifth-wheel RVs and travel trailers, and perhaps a few wouldn't between RVs and other trailers under some circumstances. At least for trailers over 10,000 pounds, there presumably would have to be different registration classes for RVs and non-RVs since the former require a CDL under some circumstances (depending on the combined weight with the tow vehicle).

Mine is still winterized but hope to be on the road soon as the weather allows.