Canadian RV Shipments Decline 14.7% in Q2 2025 Amid Trade Policy Uncertainty

The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) reported that RV wholesale shipments to Canada for the second quarter ending June 30, 2025, totaled 7,867 units, representing a 14.7% decrease from the 9,221 units recorded in Q2 2024. Despite this quarterly decline, year-to-date wholesale shipments as of June 30 stand at 17,852 units, showing a 3.2% increase from 17,307 units during the same period in 2024.

According to Statistical Surveys data via the RVDA of Canada, retail sales reached 13,129 units in the quarter, resulting in a significant drawdown of dealer inventories, particularly in the motorized segment. The quarterly decline was primarily driven by two key factors: many Canadian RV dealers pulled forward Q1 orders to anticipate proposed countermeasure tariffs announced by the federal government, which boosted first-quarter wholesale activity and created a softer Q2 performance. Additionally, Canada's counter-tariffs on motorhomes were in place from April through June, weighing more heavily on motorized shipments and deepening the year-over-year decline in that segment.

Shane Devenish, President of CRVA, stated that "The data tells a clear story: Canadian consumers remain engaged, but Q2 was shaped by policy timing rather than demand. Retail outpaced wholesale while dealer inventories liquidated—especially in motorized. The RV Industry needs stable, reciprocal trade conditions to support dealers, manufacturers, and customers as we head into the future." These countermeasures have since been lifted, and Canada currently applies no tariffs on RVs imported from the United States.

CRVA reiterated its long-standing position that tariff-free, reciprocal trade across North America is essential for a healthy RV ecosystem. Current U.S. tariff policies on Canadian-built units continue to create uncertainty and unfair disadvantages for Canadian manufacturers exporting to the United States, while Canada has eliminated tariffs on RVs arriving from the U.S. Devenish added that "We're asking both governments to restore balance. A level playing field will protect jobs, improve consumer choice, and sustain the tourism and outdoor economies that RVing supports in communities across Canada and the United States."

The RV industry's significance extends beyond manufacturing and sales, supporting campgrounds, dealers, service technicians, suppliers, and tourism businesses in every province and territory. With over 2.1 million Canadian households owning an RV, RV travel represents one of the most affordable ways to explore the country—often costing up to 50% less than traditional fly-and-stay vacations. A 2023 economic impact summary revealed that the Canadian RV industry contributes $16.1 billion to Canada's GDP, generates $7.6 billion in taxes, and employs 141,000 Canadians.

Canadians are showing a renewed passion for traveling within their own country, with surveys indicating that nearly two-thirds of vacationers plan to stay in Canada, and a growing number are choosing RVs as their preferred way to explore. This surge in domestic RV travel not only underscores the affordability and flexibility of the lifestyle but also highlights the vital role the RV industry plays in supporting tourism, campgrounds, and local economies from coast to coast. The industry's call for stable trade conditions reflects the broader economic importance of maintaining a healthy recreational vehicle market across North America.