Month: August 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the latest list of RV recalls compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Per strict NHTSA protocols, manufacturers will next notify its dealer partners of the recall notice. Each notice will include details of the affected vehicles as well as the appropriate remedy.

• Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling 443 2023-2024 Vista, Sunstar, and Adventurer motorhomes built on F53 chassis. The wiring may have been incorrectly routed, damaging the forward-facing camera wiring. Dealers will reroute the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 187.

• Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling six 2025 R-POD RPT203 travel trailers. The exterior griddle may be stowed while still connected to LP gas line. Dealers will relocate the hose connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119. Forest River’s number for this recall is 80-1829.

• Winnebago Towable (Winnebago) is recalling 210 2024-2025 Minnie travel trailers. The microwave may have been incorrectly connected to a 20 AMP breaker, allowing the wire to become overloaded. Dealers will replace the 20 AMP breaker with a 15 AMP breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-574-825-5250. Winnebago’s number for this recall is CAM0000037.

• Winnebago Towable (Winnebago) is recalling 1,201 2021-2024 Minnie, 2024-2025 Access, and 2021-2025 Voyage travel trailers. The countertop may have an incorrect standard outlet installed when there should be a GFCI protected outlet. Dealers will install a GFCI outlet, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-574-825-5250. Winnebago’s number for this recall is CAM0000038.

• Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling 25 2024-2025 Puma PUT39DBT travel trailers. The anti-siphon vent may have been installed backwards which can cause sewer gas to enter the vehicle. Dealers will replace the anti-siphon vent, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0588. Forest River’s number for this recall is 420-1832.

• Northern Lite Mfg (Northern Lite) is recalling 958 2022-2024 Truck Campers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat. Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed in June 2024. Owners may contact Northern Lite customer service at 1-250-765-3702.

• Escape Trailer is recalling 248 2024 Escape 17, 19, 21, 23, and 5.0 travel trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat. Dealers will cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, or remove the LED backlights, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Escape Trailer customer service at 1-604-703-1650.

The post NHTSA Releases its Most Recent Installment of RV Recalls first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – This Sept. 23-25, in conjunction with the Elkhart Dealer Open House, the RV/MH Hall of Fame will once again host the industry’s suppliers, offering an opportunity to show in front of the wholesale side of the industry, according to a release from the Hall of Fame.

To ensure participation in the 2024 show, all registrations and payments are required to be submitted by Aug. 31. Officials noted that if registration comes in after the deadline, they will do our best to accommodate, but they can not make any guarantees. Click here for registration information.

This event has been refered to as “The premiere supplier exhibition to show in front of dealers, manufacturers, and others.” For 2024, the Hall has once again expanded the show with the addition of a 36,000 square foot Eastern Wing that has been designed with this event specifically in mind. Indoor booths are still available as of August 13th, but you must act quickly to ensure your place in the show. Pre-registration for attendees of the show is up significantly over previous years.

“If you have not registered, please secure your spot as soon as possible because booth space is going quickly. Click here to visit the website for the brand new show layout, registration forms, and other information important for exhibitors,” the release stated.

 Standard booth price for 2024 is $3,500 per indoor booth and $2,500 per outdoor booth with specialty booths available upon request.

When submitting a registration, Show Director and Hall of Fame President Darryl Searer will assist in selecting a booth. For questions or help registering, contact Searer at 574-903-3850.

The post Last Call for Vendors at RV Hall of Fame Supplier Show first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

KOTZ, Germany – AL-KO Vehicle Technology will be presenting a wide range of technological innovations for the complete range of leisure vehicles and accessories at the Caravan Salon 2024 in Hall 14 A 03/ 01-03 as well as in the outdoor area 13-3, according to a posting on the company’s website.

Together with its subsidiary E&P, AL-KO is presenting the hydraulic levelling support system LevelVan for panel vans as a world first at the Caravan Salon 2024: An innovative carbon-aluminum-steel mix significantly reduces weight and allows more payload.

The precise, gentle and quiet, fully hydraulic levelling system LevelM Pro for motorhomes from AL-KO and E&P ensures that motorhomes are stable and secure with its intuitive operation. The high-quality electric motor technology, among other features, ensures leveling accuracy.

The ‘proactive’ semi-active chassis COMFORT DRIVE for motorhomes automatically adapts to the road surface. It reacts to manoeuvres such as braking, accelerating or cornering and compensates for bumpy roads by automatically adjusting the shock absorbers. On long journeys, the chassis provides a particularly comfortable and smooth driving experience.

SAWIKO, the specialist in carrier systems and towbars, has the right solution for every requirement when it comes to safely transporting bicycles, e-bikes and scooters in comfort. The focus is on ergonomics: the light bracket on the VELO and LIGERO now folds up automatically, just like the TRIGO-VAN rear carrier for panel vans. A newly designed light bracket on the LIGERO reduces the net weight by 5 kg and is more compact than ever before.

Modular seating and sleeping systems for camper vans with a focus on comfort, functionality and safety come to the fore with seating specialist Aguti. Numerous seat layouts can be achieved inside the van thanks to the 2- or 3-seater sleeping benches and the swiveling, ergonomic GIS-Light single seat, in combination with the MAXRAIL system and vehicle-specific swivel bases for original seats. The range has recently been expanded with the new swivel base for the Volkswagen T7.

With the PROSAFE wheel clamp for caravans, the company offers professional anti-theft protection. Designed for a wide range of caravans, the immobilizer fits 13- to 17-inch wheels with standard steel or aluminum rims. A mixture of hard-wearing materials form a multilayer structure to make the clamp tremendously robust.

For the first time, the Group and its subsidiaries from the electronics sector will be sharing a stand: CBE, Nordelettronica and Toptron, combined under AL-KO Vehicle Technology Electronics.

They will be exhibiting a wide range of customized solutions to meet leisure vehicles’ growing energy requirements, such as photovoltaic modules for independent power supply or extremely quiet and efficient battery charging solutions. The ONDA gateway provides comprehensive networking in leisure vehicles. It connects a variety of functions and devices on board via Bluetooth, cloud and app, such as the displays for the indoor and outdoor temperature, the water level in the tanks, and the battery charge level, as well as switching on the lights or the water pump plus vehicle leveling.

The post AL-KO at Caravan Salon: More Comfort, Safety, Connectivity first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The “Camper Report Show” is a weekly feature of Camper Report, which is part of the RV LIFE family of RVing websites that provide RV forums, RV trip planning tools and mobile apps, and one of the largest campground databases around. Co-hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro – RV industry veterans in their own right – the Camper Report Show has partnered with RVBusiness by providing RV industry insider information supplied exclusively by RVB.

This week we get get to see how a pro BBQ champion handles an RV cookout. See what’s in stock at Bayley’s Camping Resort! Bob also shares a blast from the past in an interview with Don Clark from the early days of Grand Design RV. Subscribe to Camper Report: https://bit.ly/CamperReportYT

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by Curt, a Lippert Brand.

The post ‘Camper Report’ Goes Back in Time with GDRV’s Don Clark first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – The RV Component Exposition announces Platinum and Gold Sponsors for the event designed to connect RV component suppliers and OEMs, which is set for 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, Oct. 23-25, at the Michiana Event Center (MEC) in Shipshewana

Platinum Sponsors include Home Matrix, MJ Finishing LLC, Linkswell, Stellar Industries, and Heartland Mattress.

Gold Sponsors include Automated Products International LLC, Slabaugh Metal Fab, A&M Woodworking, and Rock Run Industries.

The RV Component Exposition features various suppliers showcasing their capabilities and new components made from wood, steel, aluminum, and plastics. The event is an opportunity to broaden supply chain contacts and get insight into the capabilities of various component suppliers.

“The RV Component Exposition is committed to elevating product quality and strengthening the overall RV manufacturing landscape. By bringing everybody together, this event aims to create a thriving ecosystem that drives the industry forward,” says Brandon Esh of Rock Run Industries, the event organizer.

You can register online for free before the event at rvcomponent.com. For more information, contact Brandon Esh at [email protected] or call 260-361-0414.

The post October’s RV Component Expo Announces Event Sponsors first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The RVDA announced that Brown & Brown Insurance has increased its partnership to the silver level for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo.

The Convention/Expo will take place Nov. 11-15 at Paris Las Vegas and is sponsored by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. 

“We are honored that Brown & Brown is such a strong backer of our event that its leaders chose to become a silver partner for this year’s Convention/Expo,” said Convention/Expo Committee Chair Chris Andro, Hemlock Hill RV Sales in Southington, CT. “Supporting our premiere event and taking care of our dealers’ insurance needs are just two examples of how Brown & Brown supports our industry as a whole.”

“As the RV industry seeks to bounce back from a couple of challenging years, it is important for dealers to come together to share new ideas, review programs and training options,” said Shawn Moran, President of RV F&I Division for Brown & Brown Insurance. “On top of the educational opportunities offered at the Convention/Expo, those features make it an essential event of the year. Come see our team at booth #501.”

The convention allows North America’s top dealership personnel to forge valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential business partners in the Expo. Dealership professionals can expand their network and gain insights from the best in the RV industry. 

The dealer-organized RVDA Convention will provide an in-depth look into the current sales landscape. Attendees will have access to valuable resources to optimize all departments within a dealership, including fixed operations.

To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Companies interested in partnership, sponsorship, exhibiting, and Vendor Training +Plus opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at 703-364-5518 or email [email protected].  

The post Brown & Brown Now Silver Partner for RVDA Convention/Expo  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Campers Inn RV announces it is the official RV sponsor for the 2024 Field & Stream Music Fest Oct. 4-6.

This festival is like no other, participants can enjoy outdoor activities like night archery, mountain biking, hiking, bass fishing and more. Plus, experiences such as guided off road tours, a cornhole tournament, bull riding and more all while enjoying some of country music’s top acts.

Campers Inn RV Mobile Medics will be onsite to help with all your camping needs! Our team will be onsite October 3rd-6^{th to} keep attendees camping smoothly as you enjoy the festivities. People can also take advantage of exclusive mobile repair specials! Once registered you will be contacted by one of Campers Inn’s representatives to discuss repairs and appointment times. Appointments are provided on a first come, first served basis.

Any RV necessities that are needed while at the festival can also be bought from our on-site pop-up shop. The mobile parts & accessories store will have everything from toilet paper, adapters and more.

As the Official RV Partner of the Field & Stream Music Fest, Campers Inn RV is also giving away tickets to loyal customers. If you don’t win tickets, you can still receive discounted tickets. Just use the promo code CAMPERSINN for 10% off.  . 

This year’s festival features more than 30 musical acts including Eric Church, Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Riley Green, Campers Inn RV Brand Ambassador Larry Fleet and many more.

About Campers Inn RV

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Campers Inn RV was established in 1966 and has grown to become the nation’s largest family-operated dealership group with 36 locations throughout the East Coast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. In 2010 and consecutively since 2014, Campers Inn RV has been selected as one of RVBusiness Magazine’s Top50 Dealers in North America and was named a Top 5 Blue Ribbon Award winner in 2022 marking the fourth time Campers Inn RV has earned this prestigious honor. For more information about Campers Inn RV, visit www.campersinn.com or find Campers Inn RV on Facebook

The post Campers Inn RV Sponsoring 2024 Field & Stream Festival first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

GOSHEN, Ind. – Grand Design RV celebrates a decade of community with the 10th annual Grand Design National Owners Rally, which opens today and runs through Aug. 30 at the Elkhart County 4- H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Ind. As one of the largest RV rallies in the RV Capital of the World, this milestone event will bring together 628 registered RVs and approximately 1,400 attendees for five unforgettable days, according to a release.

“Our owners are the heart and soul of Grand Design, and the National Owners Rally is our way of celebrating them,” said Don Clark, president, CEO, and co-founder of Grand Design RV. “We created Grand Design to break the mold in the RV industry, focusing on quality, service, innovation, and, most importantly, our relationship with our owners. This event is a tribute to that commitment, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this special time with our Grand Design family, just down the road from our campus.”

This year’s rally promises to be the most exciting yet, the release continued, with activities designed to engage and inspire. Whether learning from industry experts, exploring the latest innovations, or enjoying the company of fellow Grand Design enthusiasts, the rally offers something for everyone. A highlight will be the exclusive, owner-facing launch of Lineage — Grand Design’s expansion into the motorized RV market.

“Organizing the National Owners Rally is a labor of love,” said Bob Perciaccante, Wagon Master for the Grand Design National Rally. “This year, we’ve expanded activities to create even more opportunities for connection, learning, and fun. We’ve also placed a strong emphasis on community service, with initiatives like the Red Cross blood drive and volunteer projects to support local causes.”

A hallmark of the rally is its focus on giving back. This year, attendees can participate in projects to beautify the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds and support charitable organizations such as The United States Honor Network, Band of Brothers Outdoors, and Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center. The goal is to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $30,000.

Grand Design’s commitment to owner satisfaction will be on full display, with numerous team members present and fully accessible throughout the event. Additionally, the company’s Service Response Team (SRT) will be on site to assist owners with service, repairs, and educational sessions, ensuring that everyone leaves the rally with a deeper connection to their RV and the Grand Design community.

“Our owners are more than just customers; they are our greatest advocates and partners in this journey,” added Clark. “This rally is about our owners—past, present, and future. We’re here to ensure that every attendee has an experience that exceeds their expectations and strengthens their bond with Grand Design.”

As Grand Design celebrates this milestone, officials said they are eager to share the stories of our long-time owners who have journeyed with the company over the years. These stories will be featured throughout the event, the release added, highlighting the unique experiences that make Grand Design more than just a brand — it’s a family.

The post Grand Design Celebrating 10 Years at National Rally this Week first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

LOVELAND, Colo. – The Second Overland Mountain West Expo this past weekend continued to show more of the odd – such as Jeeps and Subarus with popup campers on top – but there was quite a bit more of the practical vehicles meant to get people as far off the road as they want to go exploring.

There even was a trailer meant to go rock crawling behind a Jeep if somebody was daring enough to give that a try.

There were some familiar names like Winnebago and nuCamp at The Ranch Events Center, but there also were plenty of underdogs who may have been familiar to the Overland enthusiasts, but not so much to RV dealers.

With so many to choose from, RVBusiness decided to turn the spotlight on some of those underdogs and the possibly unexpected features they offer to their owners to help them get away.

In no particular order, here’s a glimpse at some offroad vehicles on display at the show on Friday.

Sasquatch Xpedition Camper

These tough little trailers that have more sleeping space than they have any right to are built in southwest Colorado, although a new facility is being built in northwest New Mexico to provide greater manufacturing capability. They are all aluminum except the axles, making for a lightweight towing at 1,900 pounds. Keeping with the lightweight theme, but with a nod toward the needs of somebody in the backcountry, Sasquatch has 36 gallons of freshwater capability. Power is not a concern, as a large solar panel on top of the popup rooftop tent provides energy as well as two portable solar panels located in the Squatch Box on the back of the trailer. The panels feed power into four Redarc Alpha 150 batteries as well as the Redarc inverter on board. Kass Kremer of Sasquatch said the company has a small dealer contingent, but is seeking to grow.

Timber Leaf

Made in Grand Junction, Colo., the Timber Leaf models are teardrops all the way, but with the standard popup tent on top of the trailers. The models on display – the Kestrel, Pika and Classic – are 15 feet tip to tail with the inside of the trailer made up mostly of a full-sized mattress. In the rear on the outside is a galley under a lid that opens to reveal plenty of storage and food prep space. Co-owner Tom Pesek said the company is more than 10 years old and Timberleaf Serial No. 1 is still on the road and was recently sold. The new owner brought it in for a few upgrades, but the base of the trailer is still in good condition.

Turtleback

Turtleback is the ideal name for the product. In essence it is a small storage trailer that can be equipped with most anything your imagination can come up with. Standard, the trailers, built in Gallatin, Tenn., come with the ubiquitous popup camper on top and a hot water filtration unit holding 21 gallons of fresh water. They also come with a single Redarc lithium battery with an option for a second and a 2000-watt Xantrex inverter. A Redarc solar panel is mounted on the tent. Design Engineer Jake Reveal said the company has a limited dealer base, but is hoping to grow it.

Overland Explorer Vehicles

Take a Ford F350 chassis and add a large box camper. Fill that camper with creature comfort features and you’ve got yourself Overland Explorer. Different models feature different sized camper shells, but on display was a compact camper with four actuators to lift a section of the top, creating a sleeping area that can easily be unzipped to provide ventilation and 360-degree views. The model has a queen bed, a full kitchen set that runs off of gas and three storage compartments underneath. Build in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, it sleeps four with a poptop tent, has a 38-gallon freshwater capacity and 16-gallon gray water. Overland’s Arnold Baker said the company largely appeals to the off-road crowd. He said the company currently has nine dealers.

BRS Offroad

BRS has been manufacturing in the U.S. for three years after founder Ben Sutter moved the company from Australia to Hohenwald, Tenn. The new Sherpa Gen 3 is an aluminum teardrop, but the shape is somewhat different and eye-catching. It has a plate aluminum frame and independent suspension with an option to upgrade to a Terraform suspension. Power is supplied from a 12-vold, 20-amp-hour Battle Born battery system. A 270-degree awning provides plenty of shade. The inside of the trailer includes the large bed as well as an entertainment system that includes speakers inside and in the door. The 35-gallon water capacity provides more water than many offroad models. Dealer Josh Brown, who is the son of BRS’ owner showed the rear kitchen area, which includes a Dometic refrigerator, but provides pull-out drawers for a cooktop and storage areas for supplies.

Grounded

How far can you go to get away and how far would you be comfortable going if your vehicle was electrically powered? Grounded is making a name off its latest developments. CEO Sam Shapiro boasts that the Class B van officially can run 250 miles on a single charge. Some testers have achieved 300 miles in the Grounded van by traveling at slower speeds. Either way, solar panels on the roof charge while the vehicle is moving. That would not provide a significant amount of power, but a long-term stop using the panels would provide a charge. Currently Grounded is building the Zevo 400 and Zevo 600. Grounded is based in Detroit.

Trail Trailer

Trail Trailers are about as rugged and spartan as can be. The basic product is a small cargo trailer with plenty of places. While most choose to add a popup tent on top to provide a sleeping space, there are other options. Wade Pierson, engineering manager, said the independent suspension and 750-pound dry weight mean the vehicle could easily be towed behind a rock-climbing Jeep if the owner chose to do so. The solar batter power kid allows for lights to be installed on the trailer. It also includes electric brakes. Trail Trailers are built in Logan, Utah.

Storyteller Overland

Probably the best-known in RV circles of the offroad brands, Storyteller Overland had a trio of rugged vehicles on display under the GXV brand. The GXV Hilt and GXV Next have a mostly RV feel to them. Built on the Ram 5500 chassis, the pair have a go-anywhere, do-anything look to them. But it’s the GXV Epic – think the urban assault vehicle from “Stripes” – that probably got most of the attention. Checking in at 12-feet, 3-inches high on a Kenworth K370 chassis, the Epic has more of a can’t-be-stopped vibe. On the inside, it features a queen bed and large skylight. A front dinette that easily seats four converts into a full bed. A 15K BTU Truma Avanta Comfort A/C unit and Aqua-Hot hydronic heat system keep the temperature right for any season. On the power side, the Epic comes with an 18 kwh, 24-volt Mastervolt Power System, 4500-watt inverter, 1980 watts of solar power and an Onan QD 6000-watt diesel generator. Storyteller Overland is located in Birmingham, Ala.

The post Overland Expo Shows the Possibilities of Getting Way Away first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Results for the RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) July 2024 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 24,116 units, an increase of 17.5% compared to the 20,520 units shipped in July 2023.

Wholesale shipments have had a year-over-year increase for nine consecutive months, going back to November 2023.

“July’s shipments continue this year’s moderate year over year gains,” said RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby. “As the summer comes to a close and kids head back to school, 27 million Americans are planning to go RVing this fall to take in some of the best weather and enjoy outdoor experiences with family and friends.”

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month up 21.8% from last July with 21,560 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month down (-9.4%) compared to the same month last year with 2,556 units.

To date, RVs are up 9.4% compared to the same timeframe last year with 202,712 units shipped through July. Park Model RVs finished July down (-13.8%) compared to the same month last year, with 337 wholesale shipments.

The post RVIA: Wholesale Shipments Up 17.5% in July, Topping 24,000 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.