RV Market Forecast 2026: Inventory Aging, Pricing Discipline & Dealer Profit

As 2025 comes to a close, the U.S. RV industry is not facing a demand collapse. It’s facing a pricing and inventory discipline problem.
For RV dealers across the United States, this year delivered a clear message:
Inventory still sells, but only when pricing, timing, and market velocity are aligned.

With 2026 and early 2027 RV models entering dealer pipelines, the lessons from 2025 are now shaping how smart dealerships must approach RV pricing strategy, inventory aging, and cash flow management going forward.

Data Note

Insights in this article are based on analysis of various RV listings and sales transactions across the U.S. over the last 12 months, spanning new and used inventory across all major RV categories.

What Really Happened in the U.S. RV Market in 2025

From the outside, 2025 felt slow.
From the data, it was uneven and unforgiving.

According to nationwide RV listing and sales trends:

• New RVs averaged 195 days to sell
• Used RVs sold faster, averaging 117 days on lot
• Nearly 50% of all RV inventory sat beyond 90 days
• More than $6.48 billion in RV inventory remained tied up on dealer lots
• At roughly 1% monthly carrying cost, this created $778+ million in annual floorplan losses for U.S. dealers

This was not caused by disappearing RV buyers.
It was caused by inventory aging faster than pricing strategies adjusted.

Pricing Became the Real Demand Filter

One of the clearest lessons from the 2025 RV market is that buyers are still active, but far less forgiving.

Market data shows:

• 19% of RV inventory sold within the first 30 days
• Another 32% sold between 31–90 days
• Over 50% of RVs moved at a healthy pace, when priced correctly

Once a unit missed the market early:

• Shopper perception shifted
• Lead volume dropped
• Discounts became reactive instead of strategic
• Margin erosion accelerated

2026 Takeaway for RV Dealers: 

Pricing can no longer be set once and revisited later.

In 2026, RV pricing must evolve dynamically based on:

• Days on lot
• Competitive listings
• Regional demand
• Model-year exposure

What Dynamic Pricing Means in Practice

Dynamic pricing does not mean constant discounting or giving up control. It means reviewing inventory performance on a defined cadence (weekly or bi-weekly), monitoring comparable listings within your competitive radius, and triggering structured price evaluations at key aging points such as 30, 60, and 75 days on lot.

Dealers always retain full control over the final price. Data and technology can recommend adjustments based on market conditions, but changes should move through an internal approval mechanism. The goal is not automatic discounting, it is faster, data-informed decision-making before inventory becomes stale.

The 90-Day Rule Defined RV Dealer Profitability in 2025

If 2025 established one hard rule for U.S. RV dealerships, it was this:
Once an RV crosses 90 days on lot, it becomes a financial liability.

After Day 90:

• Floorplan interest compounds
• Depreciation accelerates
• Gross margins collapse

In 2025 alone, RV inventory aged beyond 90 days cost U.S. dealers nearly $65 million per month in carrying expenses.

2026 Strategy Shift

Top-performing RV dealers now treat Day 90 as an action trigger, not a waiting point.
Pricing adjustments must happen before inventory becomes stale, not after. 

Why Used RV Inventory Outperformed New RVs

Used RVs sold 67% faster than new units in 2025, highlighting a major shift in buyer behavior.

This doesn’t mean new RV demand disappeared.
It means buyers became far more value-driven and price-aware.

What This Means for 2026:

1. Used RV inventory will remain a velocity anchor
2. New RVs must be stocked intentionally
3. Overbuying new units without a clear turnover plan increases risk
4. Model-year aging is now a real pricing penalty

New RVs will sell in 2026, but only when pricing accuracy and inventory discipline are in place from Day 1.

The 2025 Model Year Became the Industry’s Pressure Point

By late 2025:

• Over $3.77 billion in 2025 RV models remained unsold
• Average age exceeded 7 months
  2026 models drew buyer attention
  2027 production loomed

As model years stacked up, “new but aged” inventory lost value daily.

Dealers felt pressure from buyers demanding discounts, lenders tightening floorplan terms, and OEM incentives undercutting older units.

Lesson RV Dealers must take for 2026 is that the model-year exposure must be managed proactively. Waiting turns depreciation into a forced loss.

Geography Played a Bigger Role Than Expected

Where RV inventory sat mattered just as much as what it was.

• Florida maintained strong RV sales velocity despite high inventory levels, supported by year-round demand and seasonal population flow.
• Texas, Utah, and Colorado absorbed inventory faster than national averages, likely driven by strong outdoor recreation demand and pricing alignment with local competition.
• States like South Dakota, Maryland, and North Dakota showed extended aging and weaker demand, reflecting tighter regional buyer pools and slower pricing adjustments.

Dealers who:

• Monitor regional RV demand
• Adjust pricing by market
• Transfer inventory across states
• Align stocking with proven demand corridors

…can dramatically improve turn rates and cash flow.

RV Market Forecast 2026: What U.S. RV Dealers Should Prepare For

The RV market entering 2026 will not reward patience, it will reward speed and discipline.

Dealers who succeed will:

1. Adjust pricing early
2. Enforce strict aging policies
3. Balance new and used RV inventory
4. Align stocking with real market velocity
5. Act before inventory becomes a problem

Those who wait for seasonal demand or delay hard decisions will continue absorbing unnecessary floorplan costs. 

Final Outlook for U.S. RV Dealers

2025 was a warning.
2026 will test execution.

For U.S. RV dealerships, success next year will not be defined by lot size, OEM allocations, or brand mix alone. It will be defined by inventory turn speed, pricing accuracy, aging control, and market awareness.

In 2026, the RV dealers who act early will lead the market.

2026 Action Checklist for RV Dealers

As you plan for 2026, ask:

• Are we reviewing pricing on a consistent weekly cadence?
• Do we have structured aging triggers at 30, 60, and 75 days?
• Are we managing model-year exposure before new inventory arrives?
• Is our new vs. used mix aligned with real market velocity?
• Are we pricing based on local competition rather than broad averages?
• Can pricing adjustments move through our approval process quickly?

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