Before the recession, RVs had a heck of a run, with sales increasing steadily for 25 straight years. When the economy collapsed, however, it became apparent that the RV was one luxury many consumers could go without during hard times. Sales dipped 33% in 2008, and then dropped another 40% in 2009. Apparently, the economy has stabilized enough for people to feel comfortable again about dropping decent money on a large piece of recreational equipment. Courtesy of the Baltimore Sun, the RV association says sales increased 4% last year and are expected to rise another 6% in 2012. This doesn’t mean that loads of consumers are paying six figures for luxury motor homes, however. Such vehicles are a tiny part of the market. Roughly 90% of RVs are trailers that need to be towed and are sold for an average of $35,000.