RV industry rebounding

American families appear ready to hitch up their trailers and tow the RV industry out of the ditch it entered last year because of the Great Recession. Sales plunged, plants closed and thousands of jobs were cut as orders for recreational vehicles dropped to their lowest level since 1991. Now RV makers such as Winnebago are starting to turn profits and have begun to hire. And dealers are ordering more RVs for their showrooms. This year, shipments of RVs ranging from entry-level pop-ups to spacious motor homes are expected to hit their highest level since 2007, when the economic downturn began. The upswing is a sign that somewhat looser credit, stable fuel prices and improved consumer confidence are inspiring Americans to shop for RVs. Typical RV buyers are people between 35 and 54 with disposable income. They’re starting to buy again, say industry leaders and dealers who convened at a trade show in Louisville this week. But a growing share of RV sales comes from families choosing less-expensive, towable RVs, including folding camping trailers, or pop-ups. Those towables are relatively small and cost a fraction of the price of amenity-filled motor homes favored by older travelers.