LANSING, Mich. — Aftermarket air suspension manufacturer Air Lift Company is releasing a new LoadLifter 5000 kit for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma 4WD (with coil spring rear suspension only).
Air Lift air spring kits are designed to work with the vehicle’s existing coil spring suspension to level the vehicle properly. They put an end to squat and correct frequent issues while towing or hauling, including poor headlight aim, unresponsive steering, body roll, and bottoming out. Eliminating these issues allows users to tow or haul with safety and comfort.
The LoadLifter 5000 (PN 57386) for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma 4WD offers up to 5,000 lbs. of load-leveling capacity through double-bellow air springs paired with upper and lower roll plates and ultra-high-strength nylon end caps.
“From smaller half-ton trucks all the way up to 1-ton trucks and beyond, we see frequent issues with towing and hauling no matter the truck’s size,” said Cody Wolgamott, product marketing manager at Air Lift. “We offer products for hundreds of different vehicles to ensure we create a safer and more enjoyable towing experience for everyone, no matter what vehicle they have.”
At Air Lift, we stand behind the quality of our products. All our load support air spring kits come with an industry-exclusive limited lifetime warranty, covering the entire contents of the kit. We also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on load support air springs and on-board air compressor systems so our customers can make sure they’re happy with their purchase.
As the leader in air suspension products for over 75 years, Air Lift is committed to delivering quality load support products that fit, work, and last. To ensure the highest quality, longevity, and customer satisfaction, the key suspension components, including the air springs and all hardware, have all been torture-tested to 1 million cycles on our hydraulic test rig. With our warranty, a 60-day ride satisfaction guarantee, and a dedicated in-house customer service team, you can purchase this kit with peace of mind.
About Air Lift
Air Lift Company, founded in 1949, is a third-generation, family-owned suspension specialty company based in Lansing, Michigan. Air Lift products are available at retailers across the country and internationally. For more information or additional product photos, find Air Lift Company online at http://www.airliftcompany.com or call (800) 248-0892.
From May 9-11, 2025, All in Caravaning (AIC), China’s leading international trade fair for motorhomes and caravans, will be held at a brand new venue: the Shougang Convention & Exhibition Center in Beijing. This modern, state-of-the-art exhibition center impresses with its stylish ambiance and multifunctional facilities, offering the international caravaning industry an ideal stage for showcasing innovations and new products.
“We are delighted to have found the perfect location for All in Caravaning. This move will elevate the event to a new level of quality and lay the foundation for its successful development with modern formats. By relocating and revising the trade fair concept, we are responding to the needs of a dynamic industry and creating a platform that combines tradition with innovation. The new dates in May also coincide with the most pleasant travel season in Beijing, perfectly setting the stage for the peak season for all mobile leisure enthusiasts,” said Stefan Koschke, Global Head of Caravaning & Outdoor at Messe Düsseldorf.
AIC was established in 2012 as a spin-off of the renowned Caravan Salon Dusseldorf trade fair held annually in Düsseldorf, Germany sand has since firmly established itself as the only international caravaning trade fair in China approved by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. The move to the Shougang Convention & Exhibition Center underscores AIC’s ambition to be a global, professional and modern exhibition, offering a unique experience for both industry experts and caravaning enthusiasts.
AIC visitors can look forward to an impressive range of caravaning products, including motorhomes, caravans, campervans, base vehicles, accessories, conversion components, technical parts, outdoor equipment, tourism services and camping site facilities – all showcased by renowned national and international brands.
Due to the strong support of the Caravaning Industrie Verband e.V. (CIVD), the trade fair will be enhanced by several top-class international specialist conferences, providing the industry with a first-class platform for exchange and cooperation. AIC also benefits from its partnership with Caravan Salon Dusseldorf, the world’s leading trade fair for motorhomes and caravans.
For the first time, there will be a European Pavilion dedicated to exhibitors from the accessories sector. This premium presentation will promote global collaboration within the caravaning industry and serve as a bridge for intercultural dialogue and technological exchange.
The supporting program, with its diverse offerings for the entire family, will be significantly expanded. With a much larger outdoor area than before, visitors can look forward to an exciting program with many hands-on activities, fun and numerous highlights.
One of the key attractions at AIC 2025 will be the debut of the “Outdoor Life Culture Festival”. This area will encompass a wide range of themes, including motorhome travel and camping, new mobile lifestyles, outdoor leisure and entertainment, outdoor sports experiences and culinary delights from motorhome kitchens – creating a unique outdoor experience for attendees.
Another highlight at AIC 2025 will be the new Caravan Center. For the first time, a specially designed camping area around the exhibition center will be created. During the trade fair, this area will serve as a vibrant community hub, offering a variety of exciting interactive activities.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at All in Caravaning 2025, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: [email protected]; Visit www.aicshow.com and www.mdna.com.
About Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
As one of the Asian subsidiaries of “Messe Düsseldorf for Asia” (MDfA), established in 2009, Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai (MDS) is committed to introducing industry leading trade fairs to China and providing Chinese and international customers with superior exhibition services. MDS is successfully organizing 13 leading trade fairs and conferences in China, covering a broad range of industries including printing, packaging, wire and tube, plastics, medical devices, rehabilitation, retail, safety and health, wine & spirits and caravanning. With a workforce of 60+ fulltime employees, the company’s headquarters is located in Shanghai with a branch office in Beijing. For more information about MDS: www.mds.cn
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally, according to an Associated Press report.
In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration.
What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What kind of economy is Trump inheriting?
A: It is objectively a strong economy. But that doesn’t mean the man in the street agrees. If you look just at the growth numbers, they’ve been strong, and the unemployment rate’s pretty low. But consumer confidence remains muted. Although the inflation rate has come down, the level of prices remains much higher than it used to be. That was obviously weighing on consumer sentiment.
Q: What will be the economic priorities for Trump?
A: There’s a lot to do on fiscal policy in terms of just extending the original Trump tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of 2025. The debt outlook is approaching 100% of GDP and is on track to be 120% of GDP within another decade. Extending the expiring tax cuts is about avoiding fiscal tightening, not introducing additional stimulus into the economy. We’re not convinced we’ll see further stimulus.
Sales rose this year during the holiday shopping season even as Americans wrestled with elevated prices for many groceries and other necessities, according to new data cited in a report by the Associated Press.
Holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, outpacing the 3.1% increase from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. The last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending.
This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Mastercard Economics Institute, said the holiday shopping season “revealed a consumer who is willing and able to spend but driven by a search for value” as seen by concentrated online spending during the biggest promotional periods.
Sales growth was higher than the 3.2% increase Mastercard SpendingPulse had projected this fall. The data released Thursday excludes the automotive industry and is not adjusted for inflation.
Clothing sales rose 3.6%, with most of the growth being fueled by online shopping. Spending on restaurants, and sales of electronics and jewelry also grew. Online sales jumped 6.7% from a year ago and in-person spending rose 2.9%.
Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity and economists carefully monitor how Americans use their money, particularly during the holidays, to gauge how they’re feeling financially.
From Fleetwood RV: Check Out the All-New Blacked-Out Discovery LXE (710 Black Rim Option) — Available Now at FleetwoodRV.com! Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Decatur, Ind., painting facility as Fleetwood RV’s paint director showcases a freshly painted blacked-out Discovery LXE.
NEW YORK — Octane (Octane Lending, Inc.), the “fintech” – a term meaning a financial firm utilizing innovative technology that the company says is revolutionizing the buying experience for major recreational purchases – announced that it has closed a $125.76 million securitization (OCTL 2024-RVM1). The notes will be collateralized by a pool of retail installment loans issued through Octane’s in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial, Inc. that are secured by new and used recreational vehicles (RVs), powerboats, and pontoon hybrids.
This is Octane’s first transaction under its new RV/Marine shelf, denoted with the “RVM” ticker. Octane has completed 14 asset-backed securitizations since launching its program in December 2019, including OCTL 2024-1, OCTL 2024-2, and OCTL 2024-3 in 2024. In the company’s last six powersports ABS transactions, RV and marine loans comprised approximately 1.35% or less of the pool.
OCTL 2024-RVM1 consists of five classes of fixed-rate notes: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E, which Standard & Poor’s (S&P)* rated as AAA, AA, A, BBB, and BB respectively, in a private offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ATLAS SP Securities acted as lead manager and structuring agent, with Truist Securities serving as joint bookrunner, and J.P. Morgan Securities and Mizuho serving as co-managers.
“We are excited to build on our successful ABS track record by issuing our first securitization wholly backed by RV- and marine-collateral, which was extremely well received by the market,” said Steven Fernald, President and Chief Financial Officer at Octane. “Thanks to the strong interest from a large number of new investors as well as our existing, long-term investor partners, we are well positioned to continue to meaningfully grow our business in 2025 and beyond.”
Octane entered the RV market in 2022, doubled originations in 2023, and is on track once again to double its RV originations year-over-year in 2024. Octane first began financing pontoons in 2022 and entered the broader marine market this fall.
Octane continues to maintain a diverse capital markets strategy. In addition to completing more than $4 billion of asset-backed securitizations to date, the company surpassed $5B in aggregate originations in September 2024 and has announced or completed over $1 billion of whole loan sales since December 2023, including with large asset managers, alternative asset managers, and credit unions, while maintaining approximately $1 billion in revolving debt capacity. Earlier this year, Octane completed its Series E funding round, bringing its total equity funding raised since inception to $242 million.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
*The full analysis for S&P’s ratings, including any updates, which you should review and understand, is available on spglobal.com and can be accessed here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The latest issue of RV Today magazine is now available. Here’s the Publisher’s Note from Demian Ross.
I can’t believe 2025 is here, but I’m actually really excited about it!
As a true ambassador for this lifestyle (even though I don’t dance on TikTok—I promise you do not want to see that), I am very passionate about the RV lifestyle and just being outdoors in general.
We launched RV Today back in 2021 to introduce the hobby/lifestyle of RVing to as many people as we can. So far, we have reached more than 1 million people, and for some, this is their first stop to find out about RVs and how to get the most out of their RV. I personally want to thank you for subscribing and reading on a regular basis.
I am also shocked by how well print has been selling year over year! It’s starting to become pretty obvious that people want to disconnect from their devices, and magazines and books are a great way to do that.
Let’s hope that we can all get outdoors and on the road more this year. I encourage you to invite people you know who have never experienced RVing or camping and introduce them to these unique experiences.
There’s a phrase I’ve been hearing—experiences over things—and what I think people forget is sometimes it takes things (like an RV) to go out and have these truly unique experiences.
I have a challenge for both myself and you this year. When you are in the middle of a “pinch me” moment, like an amazing experience or a gorgeous view, don’t pull out your phone and take a picture or video. Just be present. Take a moment to engrave it in your memory. Make it a core memory, not one that requires a social network to remind you a few years from now that you experienced it.
I hope you have a great 2025, and I hope to see you on the road!
MIDDELBURY, Ind. — Firefly Integrations will host a Firefly Multiplex Training & Troubleshooting session on Jan. 7 in Denver, Colo., the first session of the company’s 2025 Training Academy schedule offering enhanced training programs for RV technicians across the U.S. and Canada in 2025.
Classes in 2025 will run for six hours, up from four hours, providing technicians with deeper insights and more hands-on practice. Participants earn six hours toward RVTI Level 3 certification, advancing their professional qualifications.
Technicians will gain an in-depth understanding of communication protocols essential to modern RV systems; learn skills to test, diagnose, and resolve system issues effectively; as well as proven methods to tackle the most common issues faced by RV owners.
What is this thing “Quartzsite?” For any RVer who has looked at a map, it’s a small town in Arizona. Very small. According to the Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce, Quartzsite is a small town in the Arizona desert off I-10 that is surrounded by BLM land, only about 17 miles from the southern California border and 100 miles from Mexico.
While normally a quiet desert community during the summer, it starts filling up in October with winter RV snowbirds seeking to avoid snow shovels and heating bills. The local population swells from as little as 3,000 to over 2 million.
The weather is a huge draw as well with daytime temps often in the 70s. There are thousands of acres of open, flat land, 11,000 acres of which are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) but there are also 70 RV parks in the area.
Tyson Wells is a 25-acre outdoor show with 2.2 miles of aisle frontage with vendors putting up tents filled with anything from wood carvings to tools you didn’t know you’d need to water filters, RV parts and more. It’s a flea market of super size that knows the audience is out there in an RV.
There is also a vendor who sets up a very large tent that is as large as some grocery stores and stocked almost as well. Many of the provisions are canned and shelf-stable, but there is a selection of fresh items as well.
But the main stage is the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show which is a nine-day extravaganza of RV and home goods under what quite literally is a giant circus tent with an atmosphere to match.
The show goes nine days – Jan. 18-26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (3 p.m. closing day) at 700 S. Central Blvd., Quartzsite, Ariz. Among its appeal are the latest gadgets for those looking for upgrades to their RVs as well as simply learning more about the RV lifestyle with workshops and seminars. Attendance at the event is free for spectators, as is parking. Located just off Interstate 10, 125 miles west of Phoenix and just 20 miles from the California border, this sleepy little town plays host to an RV extravaganza that started in 1982.
Kimmy King, right, with her late father Kenny King.
The tent that houses the event has grown again this year to 650 feet in length with show promoter Kimmy King describing it as being 40 feet longer than last year.
“We had a big jump – exhibitor participation is up this year,” she told RVBusiness.
While some have said that this isn’t really an RV show, per se, that’s only part of the story. “There’s a little bit of everything because the show is a little bit of everyone,” King said.
The event is a destination, a huge rock and mineral show and an exceptional people-watching venue. Attendees will be able to walk through hundreds of new and pre-owned RV models and there will be over a dozen, fully-staffed RV service bays offering repairs and service plus immediate installation of many of the items exhibited and sold at the show.
It’s also a selling show – last year Lectric eBike company sold containers of bicycles with a test track set-up for demonstration rides.
The big tent is surround by additional exhibitors including food, Internet connectivity and a smaller seminar tent. The seminars have proven to be quite popular with this reporter’s company being in charge of the tent and presenters like Mike Sokol and Todd Hensen. There will also be a meet and greet of some of the more notable RV Content Creators who attend the show at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24.
History of the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show
The big tent event was the brainchild of Kenny King who was selling RV awnings at the time. Quartzsite was already a gathering for RVers and, on the drive back to his home in Southern California ,Kenny told his wife, “I can put on an RV show there.”
From that inspiration the show grew with Kenny partnering with Mal Mallory.
“Mal really set up the grounds to have the show. Kenny was the front of house, Mal was the kitchen,” said Kimmy King, Kenny’s daughter.
Founder Kenny King remarked that the property that the show was on came with a surprise – a good source of water. In 2015 the King family bought out Mallory.
Kimmy got her degree in Criminal Justice but started helping around the office. At the same time she took on more responsibilities at the business until, in 2018, she was running the show while Kenny could be the face of the operation, which he enjoyed. In 2021, Kenny passed away, leaving Kimmy with full responsibility for the operation. Her first solo year included a rain storm and huge winds, both of which are very unusual for the show. Oh, and this was the same year Covid was part of the landscape.
Curt Curtis of RV Country
More highlights of the show
Those who don’t already have an RV, or might be interested in an upgrade, should know that RV Country, a dealership with 14 locations in the Western U.S., is back again with over 250 RVs on display. From small trailers to huge towables and motorized rigs according to Curt Curtis. Part of the appeal of the show is the choice of RVs, with pricing Curtis describes as show pricing.
“We’re probably more aggressive than normal here just to accommodate interest rates,” noted Curtis in describing the price structure. “The snowbirds are arriving daily.”
On opening days there will also be live music this year with popular full-time RV duo The Border Hookups performing on Saturday and the Heber Ridge Duo on Sunday.
Camping in Quartzsite
With all that open land there are a huge number of groups who gather in Quartzsite with interests of all sorts. Bands of people with the same brand of RV, people with similar interests, old friends and a variety of RV associations all stake out their corners of the open land and gather to rekindle friendships. Yes, there is even a portion of the desert carved out for those who prefer to limit their attire to what they were born with.
One of the big collections of campers are followers of Bob Wells and participate in the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. Wells gained fame on YouTube for his videos advocating Cheap RV Living, his channel’s name. He was also featured in the movie Nomadland which reflected a lot of the Wells’ followers.
In fact the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is a gathering of nomads who trade tips on living a low-cost lifestyle in everything from cars to RVs. Now organized by the Homes On Wheels Alliance, which seeks to provide resources for these followers, their gathering is a very popular event unto itself. There is a specific gathering for women followers only from Jan. 8-10 and then for the entirety of the organization from January 11-16.
A good number of these followers attend the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show to find work throughout the year and the number of opportunities in the tent rewards many with plentiful employment opportunities.
Quartzsite is a truly unusual place for so many reasons, but many of the people who go to escape winter’s chill find a camaraderie and lifestyle that draws them back year after year.
