Rick Kessler

While yesterday (Jan. 17) was noteworthy in that the opening day of the Florida RV SuperShow, the annual industry event in Tampa, Fla., was marked by shoulder-to-shoulder crowds throughout most of the day, the buzz among the manufacturers, suppliers and dealers working the show was the news that morning that the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, […]

Featuring an all-new platform from Spartan Chassis Inc., Jayco Inc. has entered the diesel pusher market with the introduction of the Embark, a moderately short Class A coach that represents a significant step for both companies. With an MSRP between $275,000-$295,00, the Embark will debut with three floorplans between 37 and 39 feet long. The […]

After a jam-packed Monday (Jan. 15), RV industry executives look to wrap up the 2018 Leadership Conference today before giving way to the Florida RV SuperShow. Hosted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) at the Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel & Marina, the conference was to conclude with a board of directors meeting before most attendees […]

“Rova,” a consumer magazine covering the RV lifestyle, recently wrapped a successful first year of publication marked by a warm reception from its target audience that is mainly the next generation of RVers, said Editor-in-Chief Gemma Peckham. The highly stylized magazine has grown from an initial circulation of 30,000 issues to about 50,000, Peckham reported, […]

Thor Industries Inc. subsidiary Airstream Inc. showcased the Globetrotter 27FB at the Louisville Show, representing the first model in a new line of travel travelers. If the Globetrotter name sound familiar, it’s because the Jackson Center, Ohio-based manufacturer has used it in the past and, according to Vice President of Sales and Marketing Justin Humphreys, resurrecting the […]

Expansion plans are well underway for Nappanee, Ind.-based Newmar Corp., including a larger paint shop at its manufacturing complex as well as a new 50-bay customer service center on the east side of town.  Newmar is making a $5 million real property investment and a nearly $3 million personal property investment, according to a report by The Goshen […]

Dutchmen RV President Troy James, the new chairman of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Trade Show & Events committee, said he’s “excited at the opportunity” and chief among his priorities is how best to evolve the National RV Trade Show. James, who took over the committee’s chair upon the resignation of Jim Jacobs as […]

With representatives of the finalists and overall winner on hand, filming of the “2018 RVBusiness RV Of The Year Awards” show by “Rollin’ on TV” took place today (Jan. 9) at the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart, Ind. This is the third year that RVBusiness and “Rollin’ On TV” have partnered […]

Developed in response to mounting dealer requests over the years, Grand Design Recreational Vehicle Co. launched the Transcend, an introductory travel trailer line. The Transcend eventually will have up to eight floorplans, vary in length from 25 feet to 36 feet and offer dry weights from the high 5,000-pound to the mid-6,000-pound range. The MSRP will range from […]

Thor Motor Coach (TMC) revamped its Tuscany line of diesel pushers this year, including the new 40RT floorplan introduced during the 2017 Louisville Show. The $399,999 (MSRP) 40RT is a single rear axle diesel pusher with triple slideouts, extensive kitchen workspace and two large screen TVs. “This is a brand new 40-footer for us,” said Jon […]