On September 6, 2025, Shannon Pinto, Vice President of Statistical Surveys (SSI), joined dealers at the Florida RV Trade Association’s Annual Conference. During the event, he highlighted how peeling back the layers of data reveals hidden trends, opportunities, and competitive advantages that dealers can unlock by leveraging market-specific insights.
Like every state, Florida has its own distinct dynamics. As Pinto explains:
“In Florida, even when the national picture looks flat, the market tells a different story. Dealers here have opportunities that simply don’t exist anywhere else in the country.”
This article combines pre-purchase data from RV Trader, which captures the behavior of more than six million high-intent shoppers each month, with post-purchase registration data from SSI, collected from DMVs nationwide. Together, these insights provide a complete view of the RV buyer journey, from the initial search to the final purchase. Offering dealers a clearer picture of the opportunities available in the Florida market.
A Snapshot of the National RV Market
Coming out of the COVID years, the RV industry is starting to show early signs of recovery. Just this June, SSI data showed RV registrations up 0.89% year-over-year. However, with consumers facing ongoing economic uncertainty, the path forward is expected to remain uncertain.
Shopper behavior tells a more complex story than up or down. In the pre-owned market, searches are up an average of 77% month-over-month compared to 2024. By contrast, searches for new RVs have held relatively steady year-over-year. At first glance, you might expect rising pre-owned interest to translate into higher registrations. Instead, registrations are down across all categories nationally, with the exception of Class B units, which have grown 9% year-to-date.
This disconnect is a reminder of why it’s critical to dig into the data and identify the pockets of opportunity that can drive growth, even in a challenging environment.
Zeroing in On Florida
Florida plays an outsized role in the RV industry. Within the 12-state Southeast region, it accounts for 27.5% of registrations and ranks #3 nationally, behind only Texas and California. The Southeast overall drives nearly one-quarter of U.S. RV sales, positioning Florida as a true regional powerhouse.
What sets Florida apart are its seasonal registration patterns. Nationally, June is the busiest month for RV purchases. In Florida, however, registrations consistently spike in March, June, and October, a trend observed for several years, including during the pandemic. These peaks align with the arrival of “snowbirds” in the winter months and surges in tourism during spring and summer, giving Dealers in Florida the opportunity to take advantage of spikes in sales only in their market.
The Customer Journey In Florida
The state also differs in how consumers shop and ultimately what they purchase. Nationally, travel trailers represent nearly 50% of searches and about 70% of registrations. In Florida, searches are more balanced: travel trailers make up only 30%, while motorized models (Class A, B, and C) account for roughly 50% combined. Even so, travel trailers still hold the largest share of registrations. This gap between search activity and purchases raises an important question for dealers: how can you be part of that decision-making process and influence buyers before they choose?
That broader shopper interest carries into sales. Florida consistently outperforms both the Southeast and national averages in motorized RV registrations, while trailing slightly in travel trailers.
Pre-owned performance remains strong. Nationally, used RV sales often trail new units, but in Florida the pre-owned market keeps pace with new registrations. Class B units are the exception, with 8% growth nationwide compared to 22% growth year-to-date in Florida. Tracking these differences at the category level is key to identifying where real opportunities exist.
Inventory turnover offers another perspective. Looking at both sales growth and how quickly units move helps dealers measure their position in the market. Across the country, the average RV stays on a lot for 786 days. In Florida, travel trailers sell faster, averaging just 479 days. Dealers who measure their performance against these benchmarks can find ways to lower carrying costs and manage inventory more efficiently.
Shifting Demographics
Over the past decade, Hispanic RV ownership has grown by 4%, and registrations among households earning $250,000+ have risen more than 10%. Dealers who align with these demographic shifts through bilingual staff, targeted marketing, and premium inventory strategies are well positioned for long-term growth.
Key Takeaways for Dealers
In today’s RV market, success comes from being proactive rather than waiting for the market to decide your next move. Dealers who understand their local market, and know how to leverage its unique dynamics, are the ones who gain customers and grow market share.
Florida is a prime example. With its year-round RV climate, strong RV culture, and shifting demographics, the state offers dealers unique opportunities to capitalize on and strengthen their position.
RV Trader and Statistical Surveys deliver a complete view of the RV market, combining pre-purchase shopper insights from over 11 million monthly visitors with more than 65 years of trusted post-purchase registration data to help dealers and manufacturers uncover opportunities and drive growth.
For more information, contact marketing@statisticalsurveys.com.
