Caravan production on a roll

According to the latest statistics compiled by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, overall RV production was up 5.1 per cent (to 15,812) to the end of September, compared to the same period last year.

Demand for traditional caravans remains strong, with that segment comprising more than half, or 8884, of all RV production so far in 2014.

The pop-top sector also remains healthy at 3247 (or 20 per cent overall) while camper and tent trailers, comprised 2923 units, or 18 per cent overall.

However, the homegrown motorhome sector continues to struggle, with 717 Class A, B and C motorhomes and campervans produced (4.5 per cent overall). In the same period just 31 fifth-wheelers and 10 slide-ons were built.

All up, towable RVs totalled 15,095 (or 95 per cent overall), compared to 715 motorised RVs.

The latest figures put the Australian RV industry on track for an annual total of around 21,000, depending on final quarter production.

Australian RV production has eclipsed 20,000 every year since 2010, with a peak of 22,083 in 2011. Before then you have to go back to 1980 for the last time annual production reached 20,000.

The number of RVs registered across Australia has also increased by 21.6 per cent since 2008, from 414,469 to 528,869.

“The strength of the caravanning and camping industry in Australia is undeniable,” said Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO, Stuart Lamont, although it's clear some sectors -- and manufacturers -- are doing better than others...