RV Business

ELKHART, Ind. – Fogatti, a factory-based company focusing on RV appliance products, announced in a press release its participation in the Atlas Virtual Event on November 19-20, 2024. and an online seminar on Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. MST.

Click the link to join the online seminar: https://us02web.z0om.us/j/83158518968.

Fogatti provides solutions including the RV water heaters, RV air conditioners, kitchen appliances and portable camping appliances, all of which enhance comfort, convenience and safety for RV enthusiasts, the release stated.

Fogatti is offering an exclusive 5% discount on all RV InstaShower water heaters during the event. Customers who purchase more than five units of InstaShower Tankless Water Heaters will receive a free door frame at any size or color to match the water heater.

The post Fogatti Company to Exhibit RV Solutions at Atlas Virtual Show first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

OKLAHOMA CITY – OHI’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) wrapped up last week after delivering three days of remarkable networking, learning, and celebration. Held in Oklahoma City from Nov. 4-6, OHCE 2024 was the best yet, attracting over 1,000 industry professionals, more than 160 exhibitors, and 50-plus industry-leading speakers, creating a powerful platform for growth and connection.

Recognized as a “Top 50” trade show by Trade Show Magazine, OHCE®2024 lived up to its reputation with a focus on possibility-driven professional development and community building. Attendees gathered to explore innovative products and services on the expo floor, attend transformative education sessions, and build valuable connections across the Outdoor Hospitality Industry.

OHCE®2024 packed the schedule with events tailored for everyone. Attendees networked at various meet-ups, including campfire sessions grouped by park size, and connected at the memorable evening receptions: Camp OHI on Monday night and an a “Wednesday Night Fever” disco night, where the conference closed out in style. Awards were presented to outstanding parks and industry leaders on Tuesday, celebrating excellence across the industry.

Highlights from this year’s conference included an inspiring keynote from Vital Germaine, who invited attendees to kick off with some fun by donning clown noses as he shared insights on creativity and resilience. The expo floor was filled with cutting-edge technology and fresh ideas showcasing the industry’s future, while expert-led panels gave attendees actionable insights to elevate their businesses.

This year’s event was especially memorable for its community gathering events. OHI Young Professionals gathered for their annual meeting, furthering their industry involvement, while in-person “O-hi!” Coffee Conversations each morning allowed attendees to network over breakfast. The Newbook & OHI second annual Outdoor Hospitality Innovators Summit (OHIS) brought together industry changemakers, while puppy cuddling sessions added some fluffy joy to the expo floor.

“OHCE®2024 has been a truly exceptional experience for the entire outdoor hospitality community,” said David Basler, Chief Strategy Officer of OHI. “We’re proud to bring together such a passionate group of industry professionals, all committed to driving our field forward. We can’t wait to see how these connections and ideas shape the future of outdoor hospitality.”

OHCE®2024 also celebrated exciting partnerships and announcements. OHI joined forces with Spot2Nite to unveil the new GoCampingAmerica.com website, now featuring even more tools and services for campers and park owners alike. Campspot hosted attendees with a casino night and unveiled exciting updates, adding to the packed lineup of announcements. Hosted Buyer attendees enjoyed personalized meetings with exhibitors on the expo floor to explore ways to enhance their businesses.

As the conference closed, OHI hosted its Year in Review & the Year Ahead Annual Breakfast Meeting, where attendees heard from OHI President & CEO Paul Bambei and board members on the OHI’s financials and strategic vision for the year to come. Eight new board members were also sworn in during this meeting after their election by the OHI membership in early October.

OHCE®2024 has set the bar even higher for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, providing attendees with unmatched resources, opportunities, and inspiration. With such a successful gathering in Oklahoma City, OHI is already looking forward to next year.

And that next best year will start at OHCE®2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, November 10-12, 2025.  

The post OHCE 2024 Shines as ‘OHI’s Most Inspiring Conference Yet’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J. – Spacious Skies Campgrounds has announced dates and rates for winter campers at its eight campgrounds open year-round.

“Winter camping can be an extraordinary experience, and our winter guests tend to slow way down and enjoy the more relaxed pace of the season,” said Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds. “Monthly and seasonal rates are cheaper and help to simplify campers’ lives by reducing travel, set up and take down and booking.”

The company operates eight winter-season campgrounds located in New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

One of the campgrounds, Spacious Skies Bear Den in Spruce Pine, N.C., was impacted by Hurricane Helene and is presently closed for repairs. It will reopen as soon as the repairs are completed.

Themed Weekends

Winter-season campgrounds all stage Themed Weekends throughout the winter, when staff create events and camper activities centered around a common theme. Upcoming themes include “Prehistoric Park,” “Music Mania,” “Gathering with Gratitude,” “Winterfest” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Rates and Dates

Here are the winter camping dates available at Spacious Skies Campgrounds. Follow the links for rate details. Rates do not include electricity, which is billed separately.

• Spacious Skies French Pond, Henniker, N.H. – Nov. 1, 2024 – May 1, 2025
• Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, Luray, Va. – Nov. 1, 2024 – April 17, 2025
• Spacious Skies Sandy Run, Fayetteville, N.C. – Oct. 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
• Spacious Skies Bear Den, Spruce Pine, N.C. – Nov. 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025
• Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, Monterey, Tenn. – Nov. 1, 2024 – April 3, 2025
• Spacious Skies Hidden Creek, Marion N.C. – Nov. 1, 2024 – April 10, 2025
• Spacious Skies Peach Haven, Gaffney, S.C. – Nov. 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025
• Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks, Savannah, Georgia – Oct. 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025

About Spacious Skies Campgrounds

Spacious Skies Campgrounds is a fast-growing owner and operator of RV campgrounds with RV, tent, cabin and glamping sites across 15 locations from Maine to Georgia. The company’s mission is to offer a fun, relaxing and authentic campground experience in destinations with abundant outdoor recreation and attractions. Spacious Skies Campgrounds is executing a regional growth strategy while at the same time improving amenities at all properties to provide guests consistent and reliable accommodations, service and access to the great outdoors. For more information, visit www.spaciousskiescampgrounds.com.

The post Spacious Skies Releases Dates, Rates for Winter Campers first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

AUSTIN, Texas,  – StorageDefender unveils its latest portfolio innovation with the introduction of RVDefender and MarineDefender, a pair of mobile smart solutions designed to enhance protection by monitoring RVs and boats both on and off storage properties. These first-to-market products provide comprehensive coverage, offering a new, high-value ancillary service that unlocks fresh revenue opportunities for self-storage facilities and RV & boat dealerships.

The Defender duo enables real-time monitoring and tracking, ensuring seamless mobile connectivity wherever the vehicle is stored or traveled. Building on the pioneering success of StorageDefender’s Smart Unit technology, RV and MarineDefender deliver peace of mind to customers and open a valuable revenue stream for operators.

Key Features of RVDefender and MarineDefender:

• 24/7 On-Premise & Off-Premise Monitoring: Added oversight and protection for RV and boat owners, whether the vehicle is stored on-site or in transit.
• SMS-Based Conversational Interface: Easy-to-use, text-based system that eliminates the need for mobile apps.
• VisualVerify Technology: Utilizes StorageDefender’s patent-pending technology for enhanced visual image authentication.
• Geo-Tracking: Tracks asset location, offering peace of mind and added protection against unauthorized movement.
• Web Management Portal Integration: Seamlessly integrates with StorageDefender’s 3rd generation management portal.
• Long Battery Life: Mobile smart device includes an intelligent battery management system that ensures long-lasting monitoring with minimal maintenance.

“By adding RV and MarineDefender, we continue to demonstrate our deep commitment to listening to our partners and advancing smart solutions for self-storage and beyond,” said Mark Cieri, CEO of StorageDefender. “With the unmatched capabilities of our new Defender products, facilities will be able to offer a premium service that not only enhances the customer experience but also drives new revenue opportunities for both enclosed storage spaces and parking spots.”

RVDefender and MarineDefender are sampling select partners in Q4 2024, with general availability planned for Q1 2025.

For the latest updates and information, visit www.storage-defender.com.

The post StorageDefender Launches Mobile Smart Solution for RVs first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

MESA, Ariz., – Backstock announces two new partnerships with Zodiak Transportation and Logistics Solutions (Zodiak TLS) as the company’s preferred U.S. transportation provider and Transport KMC as its preferred Canadian transportation provider. Zodiak TLS and Transport KMC provide the highest level of quality service and communication for all of your towables and drive away needs, wherever the location, according to a release.

Backstock is streamlining their website for viewers’ ease as they will be adding Zodiak TLS and Transport KMC “Quick Quote” buttons so customers can take advantage of efficient one-stop shopping and shipping across the country and into Canada. These buttons will connect you directly to Zodiak TLS or Transport KMC for a transportation quote on any unit that you are considering purchasing.

” I couldn’t be more excited to partner with two companies that mirror our values on customer service and our passion to serve this industry. If our dealers use this portal the way we believe they will, it will pay for their already low monthly Backstock subscription and put money back in their pockets to help offset costs in these tougher times for the industry,” said Ryan Beckmann at Dealer Backstock.

CEO of Zodiak TLS, Kristin Plautz added…. ” Zodiak TLS is honored to be a part of this amazing venture. Being a women owned business, we do things a bit differently and focus on customer service. Any customer purchasing through DealerBackstock, will receive a level of client relations so that they feel like an exclusive customer from the moment they are connected to one of our sales team until the moment the unit is delivered on premise. We want our integrity levels to shine and represent DealerBackstock in the highest way possible so that customers keep coming back for more.”

Beckmann recently announced the partnerships at an ORVDA meeting and it was met with rave reviews.

All Backstock customers that move units through the portal will receive a customer loyalty rebate from Backstock. To receive more information, please reach out to [email protected].

The post Dealer Backstock Announces 2 Two Strategic Partnerships first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

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.

Outdoors RV Manufacturing (Outdoors RV) is recalling 340 2025 20BD, 21MKS, 21RWS, 23BCS, 24KRS, 250RDS, 250RKS, 25DVS, 260KRS, and F28RKS travel trailers. The cooktop flame may invert when the stove and furnace are operated at the same time. Dealers will install a panel to separate the furnace and cooktop, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2024. Owners may contact Outdoors RV at 1-541-962-1866 ext. 222.

Forest River, Inc (Forest River) is recalling six 2025 East to West Alta travel trailer vehicles. The inverter may be incorrectly wired to constant “hot” on the second battery, causing the wire to be unprotected from the battery. Dealers will rewire the inverter to the breaker side of the second battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 11, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-264-6664. Forest River’s number for this recall is 501-1859.

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling 288 2025 Vibe and Cedar Creek travel trailer vehicles. The stove may detach from the cabinet. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 11, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314 for Vibe owners, or 260-593-4000 for Cedar Creek owners. Forest River’s number for this recall is 59-1860.

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling 5,313 2020-2024 Winnebago View and Navion recreational vehicles equipped with certain Lippert Metallarte door assemblies. The door assembly may have been manufactured with incorrect window adhesion, causing the window to loosen or detached. Remedy is under development at this time. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 191.

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling 11,982 2014-2018 Sightseer, Itasca Sunova, 2016-2025 Forza, Vista, and Itasca/Winnebago Sunstar, 2015-2025 Adventurer, 2015-2024 Commercial Vehicle, 2015-2028 Itasca Suncruiser, and 2016-2017 Itasca Solei recreational vehicles. The hood bracket adhesive may have been incorrectly applied which can allow the bracket to detach. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 192.

KZRV, L.P (KZRV) is recalling 14 2025 Sportsmen 303QBSE travel trailers. The driver’s side door slide-out actuator is located too close to the tires, which can cause the actuator to contact the tire. Dealers will install taller equalizer suspension components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact KZRP customer service at 1-800-768-4016. KZRV’s number for this recall is KZ-2024-001.

Jayco Inc. (Jayco) is recalling eight 2024 North Point and Pinnacle travel trailers equipped with certain GE air conditioners. The air conditioner soft start device may fail and overheat. The remedy is currently under development. As an interim measure, owners should have the ICM870-16A-BH5400 soft start removed from their air conditioner. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 3, 2025. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901615.

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

SUMNER, Texas – Load Trail, located in Sumner, Texas, and Cross Trailers, Elkhart, Ind., two leaders in the trailer manufacturing industry known for quality and innovation, announced a joint acquisition of Stealth Trailers, a prominent name in the enclosed trailer market. This acquisition combines expertise and expands both companies’ product offerings, further solidifying their commitment to providing versatile and reliable solutions for customers across North America.

Stealth Trailers has a well-earned reputation for innovative designs in the enclosed trailer segment, making it an ideal addition to Load Trail’s and Cross Trailers’ existing lineups. “We’re thrilled to welcome Stealth Trailers into the family,” said Jake Thiessen, CEO of Load Trail. “This acquisition allows us to offer even more value to our customers, with a broader range of products that meet the diverse needs of the trailer market.”

Kelly Rose, former owner of Stealth Trailers, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition: “This partnership brings together companies that value quality and innovation as much as we do at Stealth. I’m confident that with Load Trail and Cross Trailers, Stealth’s legacy of excellence will continue to grow, bringing even more cutting-edge solutions to our loyal customers.”

This strategic move underscores the shared vision of Load Trail and Cross Trailers to be the preferred choice for trailer solutions across multiple categories. The acquisition of Stealth Trailers enables both companies to enhance their product portfolios, providing more variety for dealers and end-users alike.

For further details on the acquisition and the expanded product offerings, please visit www.stealthtrailer.com or contact [email protected].

The post Load Trail, Cross Trailers Together Acquire Stealth Trailers first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – RV dealers are expected to begin gathering today at the Paris Las Vegas as registration begins for the RV Dealers Association’s annual Convention/Expo.

The schedule is fairly light, with both the U.S. and Canadian boards of delegates holding their annual meetings before an evening dedicated to vendor networking events.

The event gets going full stride on Tuesday with educational workshops beginning, the keynote speaker addressing the group and the Expo hall opening as well as a number of Partners of Progress meetings.

New to the Convention/Expo this year is a designated Fixed Operations Day on Wednesday with a number of educational sessions set specifically for fixed ops professionals.

The program closes out Friday morning.

The 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo is sponsored by RVDA of U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center. 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.

Schedule at a Glance

Monday, Nov. 11

•   9:00 am –  5:30 pm   Registration Desk Open
• 11:30 am – 2:30 pm RVDA of America Board of Delegates/Board of Directors meeting
• 10:00 pm –  5:00 pm RVDA of Canada Board of Directors lunch and meeting
•   3:30 pm –  7:30 pm Open for private/vendor networking events

 Tuesday, Nov. 12

•   7:30 am –  7:00 pm   Registration Desk Open
•   8:00 am – 11:45 pm  RVDA Leadership Development Course: “Giving Feedback,” additional fee
•   8:15 am –  2:15 pm Tracked Education Workshops / Vendor Training +Plus
•   8:15 am –  2:15 pm Partners of Progress Meetings
• 12:00 pm –   1:30 pm  Spotlight on Excellence Luncheon (by invitation only)
•   2:30 pm –   3:30 pm  Keynote, sponsored by Wells Fargo Inventory Finance
•   3:30 pm –   7:00 pm  Expo Hall opens with Happy Hour on the Expo Hall Floor
•   7:00 pm –   9:00 pm  RVDA of Canada Reception (by invitation only)
•   7:00 pm –   9:00 pm  40 Under 40 Recognition Event (RV PRO) (by invitation only)

Wednesday, Nov. 13

•   8:30 am –  5:30 pm   Registration Desk Open
•   9:00 am –  9:45 am RVDA of America Annual Meeting
•   9:00 am –  9:45 am RVDA of Canada Annual Meeting
•   9:00 am –  4:00 pm Tracked Education Workshops / Vendor Training +Plus
• 10:00 am –  5:15 pm   Partners of Progress meetings
• 11:00 am –  3:00 pm Expo Open (lunch served at noon)
•   2:00 pm –  4:00 pm Super Lawyers Supersession
•   5:30 pm –  7:30 pm   RVBusiness Top 50 Dealers Awards Reception

Thursday, Nov. 14

•   8:00 am –  9:00 am Early Riser Fixed Operations Workshops/Vendor Training +Plus
•   8:30 am –  4:30 pm   Registration Desk Open
•   8:30 am – 11:30 am  Expo Open (brunch served at 9 am)
•  11:00 am – 5:00 pm Tracked Education Workshops/Vendor Training +Plus
•   5:30 pm –  7:30 pm   Open for Private Networking Events

Friday, Nov. 15

•   8:00 am – 9:30 am Fixed Ops Online Training and Certification with Tony Yerman

The post RV Dealers Convention/Expo Kicks Off Today in Las Vegas first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The full article can be found in the November/December issue of RVBusiness, the print edition of which should be arriving in subscribers’ mailboxes this week. Click here to read the digital edition.

Manufacturing — in any industry — is usually fueled by a new player coming in with the professed ability to produce and deliver a product faster, cheaper or better than anything else available. Those that score the proverbial “hat trick” by meeting all three objectives tend to find quick acceptance; even hitting two of three often gives companies a foothold.

Focusing on just one, though, is a gamble — which makes the performance of Brinkley RV all the more impressive.

Established less than three years ago by a handful of veteran industry executives who have collectively spend decades in the RV industry — Nate Goldenberg, Micah Stanley, Ryan Thwaits and Bill and Ron Fenech — the startup was founded upon neither speed nor cost. Instead, it was intent upon building “better” — combining new concepts coupled with a drive towards eliminating many of the design drawbacks the partners were all too familiar with while working at other RV companies.

That intent was encapsulated first in Brinkley RV’s Model Z fifth-wheel, which earned a spot among finalists for the RVBusiness 2023 RV of the Year, and again last year, when it’s Model G fifth-wheel toy hauler was one of just 10 RVs considered for the 2024 honor. And since no startup company had previously witnessed its first two models ranked among the RV industry’s best, it’s a safe bet that none has ever followed up in quite the manner Brinkley has with its Model I travel trailer.

The Brinkley RV Model I travel trailer is, by wide acclaim among the RVBusiness staff, the 2025 RV of the Year.

“Until now, our focus has been fifth-wheels and higher-end trailers; this gets us into the ‘meat’ of the market, allowing an average buyer to get into a Brinkley,” said Thwaits, who led the Model I’s design team. “Because of the way we build our product and the quality of the equipment we use, we’re never going to be the cheapest, but it serves as our ‘entry level’ product for campers that want to get into a lightweight or have had a laminated trailer and want to step up to one with nicer amenities.”

The post RVBusiness Names Brinkley Model I the 2025 RV of the Year first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

PHOENIX – Cove Communities announced today that the organization appointed James R. Goldman as Chief Executive Officer on Sept. 29. Goldman joins Cove with more than 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and expertise in niche real estate sectors including manufactured housing communities.

Most recently, Mr. Goldman served as Chief Executive Officer of Goldman & Company, a real estate advisory company serving family offices, institutional investors, and real estate owner/ operators in the manufactured housing community, RV resort, marina, and parking sectors. From 2003 until mid-2018, Mr. Goldman served as Vice Chair (since 2009) and Chief Investment Officer of Green Courte Partners. Green Courte’s portfolio company in the manufactured housing community sector, American Land Lease, owned 59 communities with over 19,000 home sites when it combined with Sun Communities in 2014.

“At the conclusion of an extensive search process, we are extremely excited for Jim to join the Cove Leadership team as Chief Executive Officer. Jim’s extensive experience within the manufactured housing community sector, combined with his acquisitions, operations, capital markets, and strategic planning expertise, will be greatly valued as Cove positions itself for future internal and external growth,” said Murray McCabe, Managing Partner of Montgomery Street Partners (“MSP”). MSP is Cove’s General Partner.

Prior to his career in real estate private equity, Mr. Goldman served as an investment banker with Alex. Brown & Sons, PaineWebber, and others; a corporate & securities and tax attorney with Piper & Marbury (now DLA Piper); and a certified public accountant with Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).

Mr. Goldman attended the University of Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Old Dominion University, and earned a Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School.

Cove was founded in 2017 to acquire and operate a best-in-class portfolio of manufactured housing communities and RV resorts. Since its founding, Cove has aggregated a portfolio comprised of 38 properties with over 13,000 sites in the United States and Canada.

The post Cove Communities Names New CEO to Bolster Growth first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.