RV industry sees good year ahead.

After three years of declines, the RV industry rebounded in 2010 with a 47.7 percent gain in shipments. As of November, the year's total shipments reached 224,000 units.

This month, retail shows are beginning across the country, and manufacturers and dealers are trying to gauge if Curtain's prediction for a year of gains will come true.

“If I can go by my two days of sales, we are up compared to last year,” said Joe Weider, operations manager for General RV Center in North Canton, Ohio.

Weider's sales staff was at the RV show in Cleveland, the biggest indoor sales event in the country. “My crystal ball says we should have a pretty good year.”

Phil Sarvari, executive vice president of Gulf Stream Coach in Nappanee, said the year's sales will depend on consumers' attitudes.

“As long as people feel good and they know they are going to have jobs, they will be willing to spend,” Sarvari said.

Motor home sales dipped drastically when the recession began, and since it has ended the RV segment has continued to struggle. In 2010, Class A luxury motor coaches averaged about 1,000 units shipped each month. The Class C motor homes averaged even less. But if manufacturers offer a quality product, Jacobs said there are buyers wanting them.

Miller is getting ready for the upcoming RV show in South Bend. He plans to take 24 units and his son Justin will help with sales. Miller has added units from Forest River's Rockwood line made in Millersburg. He also has Dutchmen and CrossRoads products.