Month: December 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.

Forest River Inc. is recalling two 2025 Cedar Creek CRT40RDE Fifth Wheel trailers. Undersized axles and tires may have been installed, which can lead to a tire detaching. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, “Wheels and Rims – Other Than Passenger Cars.” Dealers will replace axles and tires, free of charge. The two affected vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. Forest River’s customer service number is 1-260-593-4000. Forest River’s number for this recall is 20-1873.

Forest River Inc. is recalling 357 2024-2025 Viking and Clipper travel trailers. The fresh water holding tank support bracket may be the incorrect gauge and may break. Dealers will replace the support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 31. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-269-467-8283. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1870.

Brinkley RV (Brinkley) is recalling 466 2024-2025 Model Z Fifth Wheel trailers equipped with Curt Helux Pin Boxes. The pin box fasteners may have been improperly tightened. Dealers will tighten the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2024. Owners may contact Brinkley customer service at 1-574-501-4280. Brinkley’s number for this recall is REC-2405.

Winnebago Industries Inc. is recalling 632 2024-2025 Ekko travel trailers. The wheel bolts may not have been installed, allowing the spare tire to detach. Dealers will provide wheel bolts and wrench for installation, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 23. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 193.

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

AL-KO Vehicle Technology is rebranding its UK-based Bankside Patterson business to the trusted brand AL-KO, according to a release.

“For many years, AL-KO has been recognized as a leader and a strong and dependable brand within the transportation and mobility industry. During the past several years, AL-KO’s steady growth has added new teammates, new customers, and new product offerings. To reduce the complexity of AL-KO’s brand portfolio, we are rebranding Bankside Patterson to AL-KO. Merging our two brands will provide much needed clarity and make it easier for our customers and other stakeholders to navigate our product portfolio,” stated Harald Hiller, president and CEO AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group.

Established in 1959, Bankside Patterson Ltd., based in Brandesburton/UK, has been a leading manufacturer of holiday home, park home and park lodge chassis offering customized solutions for complex constructional requirements. Bankside Patterson’s products for the holiday home industry has expanded and differentiated AL-KO’s product offering into static chassis applications since the acquisition in 2019.

Peter Eustace, Managing Director of AL-KO UK, adds: “Customers expect their suppliers and partners to minimize efficiency losses and to increase effectiveness. A uniform brand and a consistent brand identity create trust and transparency. Furthermore, additional impetus and more momentum can be expected in the acquisition of new key accounts. We thank the loyal customers and other stakeholders as well as the staff of Bankside Patterson and look forward to continuing our long-lasting relationship.”

Changes have been starting with the website content. Over the coming weeks and months, you will notice updates, including new signage, business cards, order documentation and many other items like social media channels that will transition to the AL-KO logo and company name.

The post AL-KO Vehicle Technology Rebrands Bankside Patterson first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Valuations turned downward in the 3rd quarter, following a typical seasonal pattern,  according to J.D. Power’s 2024 3rd Quarter Market Insights Report. Aside from Camping Trailers and Truck Campers, values are similar to this time last year.

Looking at individual segments, the most recent 10 years of Standard Hitch trailer values averaged 5.8% lower in the September-October period compared to July-August, and 3.6% lower year-over-year. Fifth-wheel units averaged 4.8% lower in September-October compared to July-August, and 0.2% higher year-over-year.

In the Motorhome segment, Class A vehicles averaged 3.3% lower in September-October compared to July-August, and 1.7% higher year-over-year. Class C motorhomes averaged 4.4% lower in September-October compared to July-August, and 2.8% lower year-over-year.

Camping Trailer values were 7.9% lower in September-October compared to July-August and 10.9% lower year-over-year. Truck Campers averaged 4.0% lower in September-October compared to July-August and 5.8% lower year-over-year.

J.D. Powers’ second-half valuation declines are on pace with last year. Inventories and customer demand continue to move in the wrong direction, but market conditions are manageable at present.

J.D. Power is the largest publisher of the most market-reflective vehicle pricing and information available for new and used cars, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs and manufactured homes, offers in-depth shopping and research tools including a broad range of data, products and service and informational articles as well as tips and advice. J.D. Power also produces electronic products, mobile applications, raw data, web services, web-syndicated products and print guidebooks. 

The post J.D. Power: RV Valuations See Seasonal Slide in Q3 Report first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – On Dec. 3 – “Giving Tuesday” – take the opportunity to make a meaningful, tax-deductible year-end contribution to the Mike Molino RV Learning Center, states a press release from the organization. At this time of the year, tax-deductible contributions help enhance continuing education, industry-leading best practices, enhance employee retention, and foster outstanding customer satisfaction across the RV industry.

Earlier this year, Wave Express, one of North America’s largest RV transporters, pledged $100,000 to the RV Learning Center to provide funding at a critical time of increasing demand for its fixed operations educational programs that serve front-line dealer personnel. With continued industry support, that momentum can continue in 2025.

A new program, the RV Dealership Employee Emergency Relief Program, was also established in 2024 thanks to the support of the Ron & Lisa Fenech Family Foundation.  The program provides financial assistance to RV dealership employees experiencing hardship due to natural disasters and other catastrophic events that lead to major expense or loss of income.

Throughout the past year, the RV Learning Center expanded its reach and assisted hundreds of dealership staff by generating new, substantive educational content and achieving new heights of professional development across and throughout the RVDA membership.

Among other 2024 highlights:

• Four online fixed operations training courses including the newest for Warranty Administrators are available — with a fifth course for Service Managers coming in the first quarter of 2025.
• More than 1,000 professionals have been trained using the RV Learning Center online courses and a record number of individuals have downloaded the RV Fixed Operations Today Mobile App which includes free readiness test to help prepare staff for certification.
• Established the Jaime Pais Legacy Fund to honor the late RV industry executive from Protective Asset Protection who passed away in 2024.  

For complete information on RV Learning Center programs, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com or watch a video here. To support industry education for front-line RV dealership employees and make a year-end contribution to the RV Learning Center, click here.

The RV Learning Center is a tax-exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

The post Molino RV Learning Center Seeks Support on ‘Giving Tuesday’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Knaus Tabbert AG announced key leadership changes on Nov. 22 as part of its strategic plan to secure a sustainable and profitable future, according to a release from the European RV manufacturer. Wim de Pundert, a significant shareholder and current member of the supervisory board, has been appointed as the new CEO and CFO, effective immediately. Additionally, Radim Ševčík has been named Financial Director, reporting directly to the new CFO. Radim brings extensive financial expertise, having worked with firms such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Merrill Lynch, and most recently serving as investment officer for HTP Investments for the past four years.

Following those announcements, Knaus Tabbert AG issued a release to provide further details on the investigation by the public prosecutor and updates regarding the most recent decision by the Supervisory Board.

The Supervisory Board has been informed that two individuals within the company are currently subject to the ongoing investigation. As a result, the Supervisory Board has decided to terminate the contracts of Chief Operating Officer Werner Vaterl and Chief Sales Officer Gerd Adamietzki with immediate effect. Their direct reports will temporarily assume their operating responsibilities.

Regarding the investigation, the release continued, Knaus Tabbert is fully cooperating with the authorities. It is essential to emphasize that the company itself is currently not accused of any wrongdoing and is instead an injured party that has incurred damages. The extent of these damages remains under evaluation. We ask for your understanding that we are unable to provide any further information at early stage of the investigation.

This decision comes during a period of significant transformation. As noted earlier, Wim de Pundert has taken on the dual role of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, marking a change of direction in the company’s journey. In alignment with these changes, we have already initiated efforts to further strengthen our leadership team. This unexpected event will accelerate these efforts.

“We have initiated an internal review to identify any underlying causes that may have contributed to this situation. We are committed to implementing additional measures to prevent similar issues in the future, including the enhancement of internal processes and controls,” the release stated. “While this development is undoubtedly a challenge, it reaffirms our commitment to driving meaningful change within Knaus Tabbert and advancing the company’s strategic goals. We remain dedicated to shaping a robust and resilient organization, equipped to deliver on its vision for the future.”

The post Knaus Tabbert Makes Leadership Changes Amid Investigation first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is from the RVDA of Canada.

The RVDA of Canada mourns the loss of Eldo Kunz, a beloved figure and tireless advocate for the RV industry. Eldo passed away on November 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of service, innovation, and community spirit.

A Passion for the RV Industry

Eldo Kunz’s journey from humble beginnings in Manitoba to becoming a trailblazer in the RV industry is a testament to his passion and determination. His early love for mechanics and engineering set the foundation for a career that spanned the automotive and recreational vehicle industries, where he quickly earned respect as a leader and innovator.

As an avid outdoorsman and camper, the RV industry was a natural fit for Eldo. In 1976, he and his wife, Betty, founded Hi-Way RV Land, combining their skills and dedication to build a thriving business. Eldo’s influence extended far beyond his company. He served on the RVDA of BC board and led as RVDA of Canada President from 1989 to 1990. He played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry, including helping to develop the Recreation Vehicle Technician apprenticeship program at Okanagan College and serving on the Trade Advisory Committee to the Provincial Apprenticeship Board.

His vision and dedication ensured that the industry would continue to thrive for generations to come.

A Legacy of Service and Community

Eldo’s commitment to community service was a defining aspect of his life. He was an active member of the Kinsmen Club, the Rotary Club of Langley, and K40. A devout Lutheran, Eldo was instrumental in establishing Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, where he served as Chairman of the church board and remained a dedicated member for over 50 years. His volunteerism also extended to the BC Vintage Truck Museum and cancer fundraising events such as Relay for Life.

Known for his kindness, humour, and love of storytelling, Eldo left behind a remarkable legacy of service and community involvement. He was celebrated for his reliability, honesty, and dependability, as well as his infectious laugh, love of music, patience, and generosity in sharing his knowledge and skills. Eldo’s warmth and storytelling ability made him a cherished presence in every community he touched.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Eldo’s family and friends. His profound contributions to the RV industry and his unwavering commitment to service will be remembered and appreciated for years to come.

The post Eldo Kunz, Past Chairman of RVDA of Canada, Has Passed first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) is set to host its second annual Campground Vendor Showcase at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich., from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. the day before the opening of the 59th Annual Detroit RV & Camping Show on Jan. 28.

Campground owners and their guests will meet with quality vendors, learn about changes in camper demographics, and enjoy a happy hour with other friends in the industry, according to MARVAC officials.

Last year, the event hosted 13 vendors and had over 40 registered park owners.

Vendors still have a chance to register for the event and/or sponsor the event.

Booth prices for the event sit at $199 for members and $399 for non-members. with discounts available for those participating in the Detroit RV & Camping Show.

To register as a vendor, click here. 

To register for a sponsorship, click here. 

For campground owners/operators who want to attend the event, the cost to register is $24 (up to four attendees) for MARVAC members and $49 for non-MARVAC members.

To register as an attendee, click here. 

To learn more about the event, click here. 

The post MARVAC Set to Host Campground Vendor Showcase Jan. 28 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in November to 111.7, up 2.1 points from 109.6 in October. The Present Situation Index — based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions — increased by 4.8 points to 140.9. The Expectations Index — based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions — ticked up 0.4 points to 92.3, well above the threshold of 80 that usually signals a recession ahead. The cutoff date for preliminary results was Nov. 18.

“Consumer confidence continued to improve in November and reached the top of the range that has prevailed over the past two years,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. “November’s increase was mainly driven by more positive consumer assessments of the present situation, particularly regarding the labor market. Compared to October, consumers were also substantially more optimistic about future job availability, which reached its highest level in almost three years. Meanwhile, consumers’ expectations about future business conditions were unchanged and they were slightly less positive about future income.”

Among age groups, November’s gains were led by a large jump in confidence for consumers under 35 years old. Meanwhile, confidence among consumers aged 35 to 54 declined slightly after surging last month. All income groups reported higher confidence except those at the very top (earning over $125K) and bottom (earning less than $15K). On a six-month moving average basis, householders aged under 35 and those earning over $100K remained the most confident.

Peterson added: “The proportion of consumers anticipating a recession over the next 12 months fell further in November and was the lowest since we first asked the question in July 2022. Consumers’ assessments of their Family’s Current Financial Situation fell slightly but optimism for their finances over the next six months reached a new high. (These measures are not included in calculating the Consumer Confidence Index®).”

Consumers became even more optimistic about the stock market: 56.4% of consumers expected stock prices to increase over the year ahead, another record high for this measure. Only 21.3% expected stock prices to decline. The share of consumers expecting higher interest rates over the next 12 months declined to 43.6%. The share expecting lower rates increased to 34.6%, the highest since April 2020.

Meanwhile, average 12-month inflation expectations declined from 5.3% last month to 4.9% in November, the lowest since March 2020. In addition, references to inflation and prices declined in write-in responses, as attention and focus shifted to the US November elections. However, elevated prices remain top of mind: In a special question about concerns and hopes for 2025, consumers overwhelmingly selected higher prices as their top concern and lower prices as their top wish for the new year; this was true across all income and age groups. That same question found higher taxes, wars and conflict, and social unrest are other major—although less acute—concerns for consumers. Meanwhile, household finances completed the top of consumers’ wish list for 2025, including being able to save more money, paying lower taxes, and paying off debt.

On a six-month moving average basis, purchasing plans for homes stalled in November, while purchasing plans for autos were up slightly. When asked about plans to buy more durable goods or services over the next six months, consumers continued to express a slightly greater preference for purchasing goods. In addition, more consumers expressed uncertainty about future purchases. Consumer buying plans for most appliances and electronics were down. Regarding services, consumers’ priorities were little changed, but they planned to spend a bit less in most categories going forward, except for travel and health care.

Write-in responses about politics, including the November elections, surged to above 2020 levels but were below 2016 levels.

The post U.S. Consumer Confidence Improved Again in November first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is hosting a critical webinar on the latest developments concerning the (California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

During the webinar, participants will hear the latest on the regulation and the industry’s discussion with CARB. Webinar presenters will be RVIA Director of State Affairs Mike Ochs, and Jason Rano, RVIA’s vice president of Government Affairs.

In 2025, California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, aimed at promoting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), will create a near-total “ban” on motorhome sales in the state, as well as in additional states that follow the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations. While the regulation does not specifically ban motorhome sales, the ACT regulation mandates manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to sell an increasing percentage of ZEVs each year. This has led chassis manufacturers to halt sales of traditional internal combustion engine chassis for motorhomes in California, stemming from the lack of ZEV chassis suitable for motorhomes.

Click here to register for this webinar, which is open to RVIA members only.

CARB Advanced Clean Truck Regulation Update
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: 10 AM ET

Click here for further background on this issue.

The post Tomorrow: Calif. Clean Trucks Regulation Update Webinar first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) reports that RV wholesale shipments into Canada for the 3rd quarter, ending Sept. 30, totaled 5,552 units compared to 4,459 units in 2023, representing an increase of 24.5% year over year.

In addition, according data from Statistical Surveys Inc., the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based sub subsidiary of Trader Interactive that monitors retail and consumer data for the RV industry, RVDA of Canada reported that retail activity during the 3rd quarter totaled 10,826 units and when compared to the wholesale shipment figure of 5,552 units. Canadian RV Dealer Inventory levels significantly decreased during the period which would be considered normal historically.

The positive trend for the quarter contributed to a YTD shipment increase of 15.1%, or 22,860 units YTD, in 2024 vs. 19,865 units in 2023. Lower borrowing costs have made RV ownership more accessible, further fueling demand.

Fall RV shows across Canada attracted substantial consumer interest, facilitated dealer-consumer connections, and generated increased sales, providing a boost to the industry.

Looking ahead to the 4th quarter, officials anticipate continued steady demand as dealers replenish inventory to meet end-of-year and stocking for early RV shows in the new year.

With continued consumer interest, favorable financing conditions and the positive momentum seen from Fall RV shows across Canada, the Canadian RV industry is well-positioned for more growth in 2025.

Please contact CRVA or RVDA of Canada should you need any further information.

Click here to download the full report.

The post CRVA Reports Q3, YTD Wholesale Shipments into Canada first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.