Month: August 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reaching a price point last seen on March 6, the national average for a gallon of gas fell six cents to $3.38 since last week. Meanwhile, the national average for L2 commercial electricity has held steady for a month.

“The clouds of war overseas are less dark at the moment and the Atlantic is quiet now too, which is taking pressure off of oil prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “More retail locations east of the Rockies are selling gas below $3 a gallon.  Will this trend continue through the end of the year? Stay tuned.”

With an estimated 1.2 million AAA members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA lists the kilowatt-per-hour cost for Level 2 (L2) commercial charging by state.

Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station is 34 cents.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand crept higher last week from 9.04 million b/d to 9.19. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 222.2 to 220.6 million barrels, but gasoline production increased, averaging 9.8 million daily. Mild gasoline demand, steady supply, and low oil costs may cause pump prices to slide further.   

Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.38, 12 cents less than a month ago and 47 cents less than a year ago.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell by $1.24 to settle at $71.93 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 4.6 million barrels from the previous week. At 426.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($4.65), California ($4.59), Washington ($4.19), Nevada ($3.95), Oregon ($3.83), Alaska ($3.75), Illinois ($3.73), Washington, D.C. ($3.64), Idaho ($3.58), and Utah ($3.57)

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.93), Oklahoma ($2.98), Tennessee ($2.99), Texas ($3.00), Louisiana ($3.03), South Carolina ($3.03), Alabama ($3.04), Arkansas ($3.07), Kansas ($3.10), and Missouri ($3.11).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (25 cents), Texas (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Wisconsin (29 cents,) Michigan (30 cents), Vermont (30 cents) and North Dakota (30 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), South Dakota (43 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), South Carolina (41 cents), Montana (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Alaska (40 cents) and Tennessee (40 cents).

Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.

The post AAA: Fuel Pump Prices Plunge, But Plug-In Prices Persist first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reaching a price point last seen on March 6, the national average for a gallon of gas fell six cents to $3.38 since last week. Meanwhile, the national average for L2 commercial electricity has held steady for a month.

“The clouds of war overseas are less dark at the moment and the Atlantic is quiet now too, which is taking pressure off of oil prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “More retail locations east of the Rockies are selling gas below $3 a gallon.  Will this trend continue through the end of the year? Stay tuned.”

With an estimated 1.2 million AAA members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA lists the kilowatt-per-hour cost for Level 2 (L2) commercial charging by state.

Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at an L2 commercial charging station is 34 cents.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand crept higher last week from 9.04 million b/d to 9.19. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 222.2 to 220.6 million barrels, but gasoline production increased, averaging 9.8 million daily. Mild gasoline demand, steady supply, and low oil costs may cause pump prices to slide further.   

Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.38, 12 cents less than a month ago and 47 cents less than a year ago.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell by $1.24 to settle at $71.93 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 4.6 million barrels from the previous week. At 426.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Quick Gas and Electricity Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($4.65), California ($4.59), Washington ($4.19), Nevada ($3.95), Oregon ($3.83), Alaska ($3.75), Illinois ($3.73), Washington, D.C. ($3.64), Idaho ($3.58), and Utah ($3.57)

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.93), Oklahoma ($2.98), Tennessee ($2.99), Texas ($3.00), Louisiana ($3.03), South Carolina ($3.03), Alabama ($3.04), Arkansas ($3.07), Kansas ($3.10), and Missouri ($3.11).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (21 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (25 cents), Texas (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Wisconsin (29 cents,) Michigan (30 cents), Vermont (30 cents) and North Dakota (30 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for L2 commercial charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), South Dakota (43 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), South Carolina (41 cents), Montana (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), Alaska (40 cents) and Tennessee (40 cents).

Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA TripTik Travel planner.

The post AAA: Fuel Pump Prices Plunge, But Plug-In Prices Persist first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Headrest Safe Company, innovators of the ultimate discreet vehicle safe storage system, is proud to announce it has joined the RV Industry Association (RVIA), the leading trade voice of the RV industry, representing over 500 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers who, together produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States, and approximately 60% of RVs produced worldwide.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership,” said Louis Tuck, COO/CFO of The Headrest Safe Company, LLC. “With this key partnership, RV owners will now have access to a safe and secure way to travel and store their firearms and valuables while on their next great adventure.”

The RVIA is committed to promoting exploration, adventure and responsible recreation, while advocating for innovation and conservation in their business practices. As an association, they encourage and promote sustainability, diversity, safety and the many community activities of their member companies.

The RVIA works with federal and state lawmakers and regulators to pursue a favorable business environment for its members, is the leading source of research, data, and analysis about the RV industry, and seeks to grow and expand the RV consumer market while cultivating a positive experience for current RVers through its “Go RVing” program. For more information on the RVIA “click here”.

For more information about The Headrest Safe and all their products, please visit: www.theheadrestsafe.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.

The post Headrest Safe Company Joins the RV Industry Association first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Truck Camper Magazine conducted a Fuel Generator vs. Lithium System survey in which 778 truck campers responded.

The Magazine notes, “This past July we conducted the 2024 Big Battery Poll and discovered a strong preference for lithium batteries (57.9 percent) versus AGM (8.0 percent), and lead acid (2.4 percent). We also learned that truck campers want big battery banks: 400 Ah (26.3 percent), 600 Ah (13. percent), and even 1,000 Ah or more (14.7 percent).

“All of this left us wondering—what about fuel generators versus the more advanced solar-lithium-inverter systems? If truck campers want big lithium battery systems and inverters, are fuel generators still relevant?

“The short answer is yes. Even with the advances in solar-lithium-inverter systems, there are applications and environments where a fuel generator is superior. For example, a fuel generator can reliably run an air conditioner all day, day after day after day, as long as you keep adding fuel. Solar-lithium-inverter systems are not there yet. Furthermore, solar-lithium-inverter systems do not operate well in extreme cold, or the overcast, short-day winter weather in which that extreme cold occurs,” according to Truck Camper Magazine.

Click here to see the complete survey report.

The post ‘Truck Camper Magazine’ Conducts Fuel vs. Lithium Survey first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – TRA Certification, Inc. announced in a press release that General Coach Canada has achieved the prestigious Emerald Green Certification for innovative and sustainable recreational vehicles. This certification applies to their wide range of products, including travel trailers, truck campers, theatrical trailers, office trailers and washrooms. “General Coach Canada has so elegantly matched sustainability and style,” said Mandy Leazenby, President of TRA Certification.

With a strong commitment to resource efficiency, energy conservation, and sustainability, General Coach is setting a new standard with their product lines. As these Canadian units make their debut into the United States, dealers have a unique opportunity to be the first to bring them to market.

General Coach Canada’s manufacturing process is focused on waste reduction and reduced environmental impact. The company utilizes recycled materials and ensures that components are cut to size by suppliers to minimize waste. Jigs are employed to further reduce excess, with scraps repurposed for other uses.

Certified units are equipped with LED lighting, ductless HVAC systems, and solar panels. High-efficiency appliances, including convection cooktops, water heaters, furnaces, televisions, and refrigerators, contribute to the overall reduction in energy consumption, making these RVs both environmentally friendly and cost-effective for consumers.

Water conservation is another key aspect of General Coach Canada’s design philosophy. The vehicles feature water-efficient bath and kitchen fixtures, along with instant or combination water heater/furnace systems that significantly reduce water waste.

Recognizing the importance of a healthy living environment, General Coach Canada has made quality a top priority in the construction of their units, along with thoughtfully designed layouts for peace of mind. These choices create a cleaner, healthier, and more organized interior atmosphere—qualities highly valued by RV owners.

Founded in 1950, General Coach Canada has a rich history of crafting high-quality recreational vehicles and has now grown to offer an expansive range of products, including park model trailers, rental cabins, mobile homes, and specialized commercial units. With a reputation for excellence, General Coach Canada provides industry-leading warranties and exceptional customer service.

For more information about General Coach Canada and their products, visit www.generalcoachcanada.com.

The post Canadian OEM Certified Green, to Debut Units at Open House first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Freight trains in Canada were expected to roll again soon after the government forced a contract dispute into arbitration Thursday, averting potentially dire economic consequences for businesses and consumers across the country and in the U.S., according to a CBS News report.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the decision to order the arbitration between the country’s two major freight railroads — Canadian National and CPKC — and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, the union representing nearly 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers.

MacKinnon’s announcement came moments after The Associated Press broke the news publicly, citing an official familiar with the situation who was not allowed to speak publicly before the announcement.

Click here to reas the full CBS News report

The post Canadian Government Steps In to End Freight Train Shutdown first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

 JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — With the Federal Reserve considered certain to start cutting its benchmark interest rate next month, Chair Jerome Powell’s highly anticipated speech Friday this morning (Aug. 23) at an economic conference will be closely watched for any hints about how many additional rate cuts might be in the pipeline, according to an Associated Press report.

Powell is expected to say the Fed has become more confident that inflation is nearing its 2% target, more than two years after it hit a painful four-decade high. Yet the Fed chair may take an overall cautious approach in his remarks at an annual conference of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Economists note that forthcoming economic data, including a monthly jobs report on Sept. 6, will help determine the size of future Fed rate cuts — whether a typical quarter-point cut or a more aggressive half-point drop — and how fast they occur.

“We think he will seek to dampen expectations of (a half-point cut) as well as reiterate that the Fed is data-dependent and does not make decisions in advance,” Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, wrote in a research note.

Powell’s speech comes as the central bank is moving toward achieving a much sought-after “soft landing,” in which its rate hikes — 11 of them in 2022 and 2023 — manage to curb inflation without causing a recession. Inflation was just 2.5% in July, according to the Fed’s preferred measure, having tumbled from a 7.1% peak two years ago.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report

The post Fed Chair Powell Could Signal Rate Cuts in Speech Today first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – Uncover the secrets of today’s RV buyer with Go RVing’s all-new RV Owner Demographic Profile during a workshop at this year’s RV Dealer Convention/Expo. The convention is scheduled for Nov. 11-15 at Paris Las Vegas.

The groundbreaking research will revolutionize how dealers understand and engage with their customers. The workshop will be conducted by Go RVing’s Jeremy Greene, senior director of marketing communications, and Monika Geraci, director of public relations and communications.

During the event, attendees will discover the changing face of RVing. The speakers will discuss the latest on demographic trends shaping the industry, including insights into the hearts and minds of first-time and seasoned RVers.

Learning objectives include:

• Drive Engagement & Conversions: Learn how Go RVing is turning data into dynamic campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences across various marketing channels.
• Localize Your Success: Walk away with actionable strategies for RV dealers to apply this research directly to their businesses, boosting sales and building lasting customer relationships.

About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo

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.  

The event is sponsored by RVDA of the U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.

Companies interested in partnership and sponsorship opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].  

The post Go RVing Plans Demographic Workshop at Dealer Convention first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WHITBY Ont. – Timbren Industries, a leader in suspension products, announced in a press release, the opening of a new warehouse facility in Goshen, Ind. This strategic location in Elkhart County will enhance Timbren’s ability to serve its growing customer base and deliver products more efficiently across the U.S.

Located in the heart of the RV manufacturing industry, Goshen was selected for its strategic importance in supporting Timbren’s expanding operations. The new warehouse will significantly reduce shipping times and improve overall service for customers throughout the U.S., ensuring that Timbren’s high-quality suspension products reach their destinations quickly and reliably, according to the release.

While the new Goshen warehouse will serve as Timbren’s primary distribution point for the U.S., all Timbren products will continue to be proudly manufactured in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, as they always have been. This new facility is designed to enhance distribution without changing the manufacturing processes that have made Timbren a trusted name for over 57 years.

“As Timbren continues to grow, it is essential that we take the necessary steps to support our U.S. customers.” said Andrew Hodgson, Executive Vice President of Timbren Industries. “This new facility in Goshen is a key part of our commitment to moving forward and doing everything we can to assist and support our customers. We are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings and look forward to serving our customers even better.”

The opening of the Goshen warehouse marks another milestone in Timbren’s ongoing mission to provide top-tier products and services to its customers. By positioning itself closer to the RV industry’s hub, Timbren is well-equipped to meet the demands of its expanding customer base and continue its legacy of excellence in suspension technology, the release stated.

The post Timbren Expands Operations with Goshen, Ind., Warehouse first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – Celebrate Women’s Equality Day alongside some of the most respected names in the industry. The RV Women’s Alliance (RVWA), RV Industry Association (RVIA), RV Technical Institute (RVTI), and RV Dealers Association (RVDA) announce a special event dedicated to honoring and furthering women’s equality within the industry.

The event will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 26, at the RV Technical Institute, 3333 Middlebury St., Elkhart, Ind., according to a release.

This event is not just open to industry individual, but also invites anyone interested in exploring the industry to join.

RSVP Here!  It’s a free event thanks to sponsor, Camping World.

Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of this inspirational evening!

The celebration will include:

• Food Truck: Enjoy Mexican food at its best.
• Drinks: Refreshments to toast to progress and unity.
• Networking:  A fantastic opportunity to connect with industry people.
• Tours of the RV Technical Institute: Gain an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the pivotal training centers in the industry.

About Women’s Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This empowering day, celebrated annually on August 26th, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey toward gender equality. It serves as a reminder of the strides made in achieving women’s rights and underscores the continued efforts needed to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of women throughout history and those making waves within the industry today. The united efforts of RVWA, RVIA, RVTI, and RVDA underscore our collective commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where equality is at the forefront.

The post Celebrate Women’s Equality Day with Industry Associations first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.