Tom Schaeffer's Reports Strongest Pennsylvania RV Market in 3 Years

Shoemakersville, PA – Pennsylvania RV buyers currently enjoy the best purchasing conditions since 2022, benefiting from low used vehicle values and stable dealer inventories following three years of market volatility. Tom Schaeffer's Camping and Travel Center reports a 40% surge in foot traffic from first-time buyers and upgraders.

Industry data confirms this trend: used RV sales rose 1% year-over-year, and online searches for "travel trailers near me" jumped 14%, indicating strong consumer interest despite a 4.67% decline in new unit sales. Pennsylvania is a major RV market, ranking among the top five shipment destinations and hosting 99 manufacturing facilities, second only to Indiana, Ohio, and Texas.

Why Timing Favors Buyers Right Now

The RV Industry Association projects 2025 shipments between 320,400 and 353,500 units, representing controlled growth following pandemic-era overproduction. Travel trailers sold 245,648 units in 2024, maintaining dominance despite an overall 6.9% sales decline. This combination creates leverage for buyers who delayed purchases during the 2021-2022 price surge.

Interest rates remain elevated but show signs of stabilizing. Motorized RV sales dropped 10.5% year-over-year due to financing costs, while more affordable towables declined only 4%. Dealers adapting to this environment now offer extended loan terms through specialized RV lenders who recognize that recreational vehicles maintain stronger resale value than most consumer goods. Repayment schedules extending 15 to 20 years make monthly payments manageable, and qualifying buyers may deduct RV loan interest as a second mortgage.

Seasonal patterns also influence value. Late fall and winter represent optimal buying periods as dealerships reduce inventory ahead of spring demand surges. Buyers negotiating during these shoulder months typically secure 8-12% better pricing compared to peak summer competition.

65 Years of Family-Owned Expertise

Tom Schaeffer's, a family-owned business in Shoemakersville, is Pennsylvania's largest RV dealer, with 15 acres of inventory including brands like Grand Design, Winnebago, and Keystone. Focused on treating customers like family, the dealership addresses the top buyer concern of service reliability, crucial with 500,000 Americans living in RVs. They offer 22 service bays, expert technicians, a paint booth, and a parts department stocking over 5,000 components, from awnings to axle assemblies, to ensure fast, local maintenance without online ordering delays.

Regional Advantages Pennsylvania Buyers Overlook

Shoemakersville's location provides strategic access to diverse camping destinations within 90 minutes. Berks County sits centrally between Lancaster's Amish farmlands, Hershey's family attractions, and Gettysburg's historical sites. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park offer 500 miles of trails within three hours, while closer campgrounds like Robin Hill and Blue Rocks Family Campground provide full-hookup sites year-round.

This concentration of destinations supports four-season RV usage rather than limiting travel to summer months. Pennsylvania buyers who maximize their vehicle's utility across spring maple syrup harvests, summer lakeside camping, autumn foliage tours, and winter activities at regional resorts realize better return on investment compared to those restricting use to 12 weekend trips annually.

First-Time Buyers Reshape Market Demographics

The median age of new RV purchasers dropped to 33 years in 2022, reflecting demographic shifts that favor dealers stocking entry-level travel trailers and lightweight towables. These younger buyers prioritize affordability, technology integration, and versatile floorplans over premium luxury features that dominated previous generations' preferences.

RV sales in Shoemakersville reflect this national trend. Compact units under 25 feet and travel trailers priced below $35,000 now account for 60% of dealership traffic, compared to 40% three years ago. Dealers who adapted inventory to match these preferences report stronger turnover rates and customer satisfaction scores.

Market Outlook Through 2026

Analysts project continued stabilization with potential interest rate reductions improving financing accessibility. The RV Industry Association forecasts 332,400 to 366,100 unit shipments for 2026, representing gradual recovery. Used RV values will likely follow new pricing trends upward as spring demand increases, meaning current conditions favor immediate buyers over waiting strategies.

Tom Schaeffer's RV Superstore invites prospective buyers to explore current inventory and discuss financing options aligned with individual circumstances. The dealership's staff provides guidance on vehicle selection, towing capacity matching, storage solutions, and long-term ownership considerations without pressure tactics that characterize some competitors.

About Tom Schaeffer's RV Superstore

Tom Schaeffer's RV Superstore has served southeastern Pennsylvania as a Pennsylvania RV superstore and the region's largest recreational vehicle dealer for over 65 years. The family-owned business operates from 15 acres in Shoemakersville, offering new and pre-owned RVs from leading manufacturers, including Grand Design, Winnebago, Forest River, Keystone, Thor, and Heartland. The dealership provides comprehensive parts inventory, a 22-bay service center, state-of-the-art paint facilities, and experienced financing professionals. For more information about current inventory or to schedule an appointment, contact Tom Schaeffer's camping center at (610) 562-3071.

Contact Information:

Tom Schaeffer's RV Superstore

1236 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA, United States, Pennsylvania
Shoemakersville, PA 19555
United States

Public Relations
(610) 562-3071
https://www.tomschaeffers.com/