RV Business

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Cummins Inc. broke ground Tuesday on a $70 million expansion of its Olympic facility in Columbus, according to a report by Inside Indiana Business. The powertrain manufacturer says the effort will result in the creation of a small number of jobs.

The expansion will add 86,000 square feet to the building at 3540 W 450 S, known as OLY, and include the installation of new advanced testing equipment, Cummins said in a letter to city officials.

“The investment is essential to the future of the company and our Destination Zero strategy, which includes developing and testing internal combustion engines and powertrains powered by diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and other fuels,” Cummins said in the letter. The expansion will be designed for future development and expansion of testing capability in the future.”

Click here to read the full report by Inside Indiana Business.

The post Cummins Reports $70 Million Expansion to Testing Facility first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

OLD FORT, N.C. – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the recipients of its Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Program, a targeted effort to aid the restoration of outdoor recreation assets in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Each of the selected grantees plays a critical role in restoring the trails, access points, and outdoor infrastructure that are essential to their communities’ economic recovery, resiliency and continued connection to the outdoors and its myriad benefits. In total, 189 grantees applied for grants between $1-10,000 requesting over $1.75 million in funds, the release continued. These grants are made possible through generous funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and The VF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of VF Corporation, the parent company of brands including The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Smartwool and Altra.  

“Outdoor recreation is at the heart of so many communities in these areas, driving local economics, supporting public health, and serving as a source of resilience,” said Cassie Elrod, Program and Administrative Director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “These communities were hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and we are proud to stand with the local leaders and volunteers on the ground who are restoring the spaces that connect people to nature and provide economic opportunity.” 

The importance of these recovery efforts is underscored by recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which shows that outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in these regions:  

• Florida: $57.8 billion generated by outdoor recreation  

• Georgia: $18.5 billion generated by outdoor recreation 

• North Carolina: $16.2 billion generated by outdoor recreation  

• South Carolina: $8.6 billion generated by outdoor recreation 

• Tennessee: $13 billion generated by outdoor recreation 

Along with today’s announcement, ORR will continue to spotlight for federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sector partners the need for continued recovery and reinvestment in Helene-impacted outdoor recreation economies, and also invite visitors to enjoy the countless high-quality trails, rivers, parks, lakes, and campgrounds that have already been restored and serve as the backbone of the region’s identity and economic success.   

ORR’s Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Recipients

CAMP GRIER, located in Old Fort, North Carolina, has been actively working to restore trails, trailheads, and parking areas on public lands in McDowell County resulting from Hurricane Helene. Funding will be used to build an alternative access point to Gateway Trails and continue to support volunteer workdays needed to restore outdoor recreation infrastructure in the area.  

“On behalf of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce we’d like to extend our gratitude to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and their partners for this award. The outdoor recreation business sector continues to grow in Old Fort and McDowell County and this award will ensure that our businesses can continue to rely on recreation users coming to the region as they work to recover from Hurricane Helene,” said Kim Effler, Director, McDowell Chamber of Commerce.  

KEEP ASHE BEAUTIFUL has been concentrating on cleaning trash and debris from the most traveled routes along the New River in Ashe County, North Carolina. These segments of the river are heavily relied upon and support local outfitters renting canoes, kayaks, and tubes for recreational purposes.  

“The important work that Keep Ashe Beautiful has done in our community is nothing short of amazing.  The drive and passion with which they serve results in widespread improvement and community involvement.  Our outdoor recreation offerings are a critical part of our tourism-based economy. This generous grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable will significantly impact Keep Ashe Beautiful’s ability to successfully execute the Clean River 2025 initiative and is very much appreciated. 

The annual economic impact of spending on outdoor recreation trips that include the New River in Ashe County is $51.7 million in economic activity, 552 full-time equivalent jobs, and $21.1 million in labor income.  So, the Clean River 2025 project of Keep Ashe Beautiful is ensuring the health, ease of use, and beauty of this most valuable natural resource,” said Kitty Honeycutt, Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce. 

CAROLINA CLIMBERS’ COALITION employs trail stewards and leverages community volunteer power to clear fallen trees, rebuild trails, and restoring safe access to the Pace Cliffs Trail in Polk County, NC, the Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trails in Rutherford County, NC, and the Pumpkintown Trail in Pickens County, SC – areas all needing extensive rehabilitation following Hurricane Helene.  

“We’re thrilled to learn that the Carolina Climbers Coalition has received a grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable to support relief efforts in Pickens County. The Pumpkintown Trail has suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene and recent wildfires. This funding will play a vital role in restoring the area and ensuring a safer, more enjoyable experience for visitors to our outdoor attractions,” said Tyler Merck, Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Pickens County, SC. 

The post Outdoor Rec Roundtable Awards Post-Helene Micro-Grants  first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ELKHART, Ind. – The RV/MH Hall of Fame will once again host many of the industry’s most prominent supplier companies during the 2025 Hall of Fame RV Supplier Show, according to a press release.

“As of the third week of May, the Hall of Fame RV Supplier’s Show is quickly approaching a sold-out status,” said Ryan Szklarek, executive vice president. “If your company is interested in participating, it is imperative that you register and submit payment as soon as possible to guarantee your booth space. This event provides a premiere platform for the industry’s leading suppliers to showcase their latest products and innovations to representatives from the largest O.E.M. and Dealership companies.”

The Hall of Fame offers the capacity to host nearly 350 booths all within one building, and we also have a limited amount of outdoor space available.

“We continually strive to enhance the experience for our customers each year,” Szklarek added. “Providing first-class treatment is a priority, and we believe that elements such as dedicated hospitality/refreshment areas, all-inclusive fixed pricing and our beautiful building/show floor contribute significantly to this.”

Projected show dates and times are Sept. 22-24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Click here to register, or contact [email protected] to secure space.

The post 2025 Hall of Fame Supplier Show Still Taking Registrations first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US fell sharply by 1.0% in April 2025 to 99.4 (2016=100), after declining by 0.8% in March (revised downward from the –0.7% originally reported). The LEI declined by 2.0% in the six-month period ending April 2025, the same rate of decline as over the previous six months (April–October 2024).

“The U.S. LEI registered its largest monthly decline since March 2023, when many feared the US was headed into recession, which did not ultimately materialize,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board. “Most components of the index deteriorated. Notably, consumers’ expectations have become continuously more pessimistic each month since January 2025, while the contribution of building permits and average working hours in manufacturing turned negative in April. Widespread weaknesses were also present when looking at six-month trends among the LEI’s components, resulting in a warning signal for growth. However, while the six-month growth rate of the LEI went deeper into negative territory, it did not fall enough to trigger the recession signal. The Conference Board currently forecasts US real GDP to grow by 1.6% in 2025, down from 2.8% in 2024, with the bulk of the impact of tariffs likely to hit the economy in Q3.”

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the US inched up by 0.1% in April 2025 to 114.8 (2016=100), after a 0.3% increase in March. The CEI rose by 1.1% over the six-month period between October 2024 and April 2025, slightly up from its 0.9% growth over the previous six months. The CEI’s four component indicators—payroll employment, personal income less transfer payments, manufacturing and trade sales, and industrial production—are included among the data used to determine recessions in the US. Industrial production, while little changed compared to the previous month, was the weakest contributor to the index in April.

The Conference Board Lagging Economic Index (LAG) for the US increased by 0.3% to 119.3 (2016=100) in April 2025, after a 0.1% decrease in March. The LAG’s six-month growth rate was also positive at 0.8% between October 2024 and April 2025—a reversal of its 0.8% decline over the previous six months (April–October 2024).

The LEI fell for the fifth consecutive month in April

Weakness across nearly all of the LEI’s 10 components fueled April’s decline

Click here to read the full report.

The post Conference Board Leading Economic Index Plunged in April first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation: Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) remembers and honors Dennis Rostenbach, a valued team member, mentor and friend. This short video offers a few lighthearted outtakes and heartfelt moments that show the joy Dennis brought to those who worked alongside him. Dennis was a proud Marine, a skilled technician, and a passionate builder whose contributions extended far beyond the workplace. His legacy lives on through the people he inspired and the lives he touched. In memory of Dennis Rostenbach (1963–2025)

The post Freightliner Posts Tribute to the Late Dennis Rostenbach first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Matt Foxcroft and Wil Knowles of Matt’s RV Reviews and Liquified RV provide a walk-0through tour of the Forest River Impression 44STAY, a 44-foot, 13,829-pound (UVW) destination fifth-wheel.

The post OEM Showcase: All-New Forest River Impression 44STAY first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From nuCamp: Take a journey through nuCamp’s history — from humble beginnings in a small garage to becoming the world’s largest teardrop trailer manufacturer. Hear the story of Joe Mullet, an Amish man from Sugarcreek, Ohio, who discovered teardrop trailers and launched a business with nothing more than a hand-drawn cardboard pattern. Discover how his vision for something new grew into a lasting legacy of craftsmanship, community, and care.

The post Video: Joe Mullet Reflects on nuCamp 20th Anniversary first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. – Sunset Park RV announced in a press release the newest addition to our sales team, Josh Treat, who joins as a regional sales manager for the central U.S., from Arizona to Minnesota, along with central Canada. Treat brings valuable experience from his time within the industry and a passion for connecting dealers with innovative, lightweight RV solutions. He can be reached at [email protected].

Josh joins a strong and seasoned team of Regional Sales Managers:

• Dan Ebey – Midwest, the Virginias, and Ontario – [email protected]
• Vasi Costin – Western U.S. and Canada – [email protected]
• Tim Depoy – Eastern U.S., Quebec, and Eastern Canada – [email protected]
• Tarynn Schmucker – Maine and New Hampshire – [email protected]

Together, this team is led by Jason Howard, vice president of sales, and is well-positioned to help dealers face the challenges of rising costs in today’s market. Sunset Park RV remains committed to delivering competitively priced, lightweight entry-level units packed with amenities — often exceeding what’s available in more expensive models, the release stated.

“I was honestly surprised to realize we’re quickly approaching our 25,000th trailer. Sunset has always focused on quiet, steady growth, making small waves rather than big splashes in the RV world. At the end of the day, when we lay our heads down at night, we can rest easy knowing we’ve done our best for our customers—both our dealers and the campers who trust us,” said Howard. “As any Sunset Park RV owner can tell you, some of the happiest campers in the wild are rolling with us!”

Sunset Park RV, based in Shipshewana, Ind., manufactures lightweight, feature-packed travel trailers designed for adventurers and families alike. With a focus on quality, innovation, and affordability, we continue to provide RVers with the tools they need to explore the outdoors in comfort and style.

For information on Sunset Park, its dealer partners, or the full line of small, lightweight trailers, please visit www.sunsettrailers.com.  If you are interested in becoming a dealer, please send an email to [email protected].

The post Sunset Park RV Welcomes Josh Treat to its Sales Team first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), representing the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy made up of over 110,000 businesses, issued the following statement on the successful removal of a provision in budget reconciliation that would have sold off hundreds of thousands of acres of America’s public lands and waters.  

Just before midnight on May 7, members of the House of Representatives Natural Resource Committee added an amendment to a sprawling budget bill that would have forced the sale or transfer of some 540,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada. The provision caused an uproar among public land advocates who said it would clear a path for more public land sell-offs during future budget negotiations.

In a letter sent earlier this week to House Speaker Mike Johnson, ORR emphasized the critical importance of keeping public lands selloff out of this legislation.

 “At a time when the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry is facing significant headwinds, keeping public lands public is a bipartisan, pro-business solution and we are pleased that an amendment that would have sold off public lands and waters was stripped from the budget reconciliation package advancing in Congress.,” ORR President Jessica Turner.

“Keeping public lands and waters open and accessible to all Americans is a business imperative that ensures economic growth, job creation, public health benefits from more time outsides, and attracts investment in gateway communities that depend on these lands for their livelihoods,” she continued. “We commend leaders like Public Lands Caucus co-founders Representatives Zinke and Vasquez and other bipartisan members for leading this effort in the House.   
  
“We believe there may be instances in which small, targeted leases, exchanges or sale-purchase models are in the public’s and recreationists’ interest—and we will work with Congresswoman Maloy and Amodei to better understand their constituents’ needs and find common ground solutions, but reconciliation legislation did not allow for appropriate mechanisms to protect recreation access, funding, or public input or allow revenue generated to stay in local communities for conservation and recreation access,” Turner said.

“Congress avoided setting a dangerous precedent that lands can be sold anytime the U.S. Treasury needs a budget ‘pay-for’ and threatening outdoor recreation businesses and rural communities alike that need certainty, access, and long-term infrastructure. We will continue our work with the Trump Administration, Republicans and Democrats standing up for America’s best return on investment – our public lands and waters,” she concluded.  

Other Statements

“The public lands sell-off provision would have set a dangerous precedent that would open the door to the further disposal of public lands without public input, and could eventually lead to widespread sale or transfer of public lands all across the nation. The existing law that has governed land stewardship for nearly 50 years already allows for appropriate sales and transfers under limited, well-defined circumstances. A separate law requires that money raised from those sales go right back into land stewardship. This provision would have undermined all of that,” said David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation.

“In recent weeks, hunters, anglers, conservationists, recreationists, and rural community leaders have expressed outrage at this proposal,” Willms continued. “Thank you to Rep. Ryan Zinke and his colleagues who listened to their constituents and worked with House leaders to eliminate the provision from the budget reconciliation bill. We urge all members of Congress to refrain from similar attacks on America’s public lands.”

“The American people have spoken loud and clear – our public lands should not be for sale. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle were right to throw this proposal in the trash can, but a bad bill is still a bad bill. As written, Donald Trump’s reconciliation package is a giveaway to corporate polluters that would make it easier for billionaires to drill, mine, and log the public lands that belong to all Americans, from the Arctic Refuge to the desert landscapes of the southwest. We will continue to work to keep the ‘public’ in public lands and make sure that big corporations pay their fair share,” said Athan Manuel, director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program.

Background

• Letter to House Speaker Johnson (05-20-2025)  

• Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Applauds Formation of Bipartisan House Public Lands Caucus (05-07-2025)  

• The $1.2 Trillion Outdoor Recreation Economy Depends on Keeping Public Lands Public and Accessible (04-04-2025)   

The post Public Lands Sell Off Removed from House Budget Bill first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – Dustin Kaehr, the founder of the Think. Lead. Live. Group, will present “Discovering Your Leadership Brand and Increasing Your Impact” as RVDA’s special session on leadership development. This half-day course is offered in conjunction with the 2025 RV Dealers Convention/Expo for an additional $124 fee and has been made possible by Gulf Stream Coach for ten consecutive years.

Dealers can register for the RVDA Convention/Expo and this course through the convention website. With attendance for the course capped at 50 dealership professionals, early registration is encouraged. To view a preview of this course, click here.

This half‐day deep-dive course is designed for leaders who want to gain clarity, focus, and authenticity in their leadership. Through an engaging mix of self-reflection, assessments, and strategic exercises, participants will define their personal leadership brand and leave with actionable insights to enhance their leadership effectiveness. This highly interactive and transformational half-day course will help leaders move from uncertainty to clarity, ensuring they lead with authenticity, confidence, and purpose.

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Gain deep self-awareness of their leadership style, values, and natural tendencies.
• Have a set of personal leadership philosophies that serve as a guide for decision-making and influence.
• Clearly define their core leadership values and understand how to align them with their daily actions.
• Discover how their MBTI type affects their leadership approach, communication, and team engagement.
• Walk away with a customized action plan for increasing their leadership effectiveness and impact. 

“We believe the RVDA Leadership Development Course at the Convention/Expo offers invaluable opportunities for the industry’s rising talent to hone their skills,” said Phil Sarvari, President of Gulf Stream Coach. “Gulf Stream Coach is pleased to play a role in their growth.”

The Leadership Development Course is scheduled for 8 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, during the 2025 RV Dealers Convention/Expo. The convention/expo will take place Nov. 10-14 at Paris Las Vegas.

The post RVDA Convention/Expo Course Enhances Leadership Skills first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.