RV Business

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a new report that finds visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 resulted in a record high $55.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 415,400 jobs.  

“The Biden-Harris administration has made historic bipartisan investments to restore and enhance national parks across our nation,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “This report illustrates the significant economic benefits national parks provide to nearby communities and the U.S. economy, and the value of our work to safeguard these public lands in the wake of the climate crisis, upgrade visitor experiences and invest in park infrastructure and staff.”

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income, and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs. 

The latest report is informed by improved socioeconomic survey data enhancing the accuracy of spending estimates and helps the National Park Service learn more about park visitors.  

Results from the visitor spending effects report series are available online via an interactive tool. Users can view year-by-year trend data and explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value-added, and economic output effects by sector for national, state and local economies.  

The annual peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists from the National Park Service. Learn more about how NPS-managed lands and programs provide economic benefits at www.nps.gov. 

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Thetford LLC, a global leader in RV and marine sanitation solutions, announces the addition of Jordan Menz to the leadership team as Product Strategy Director. The announcement was made during a town hall meeting at the company’s headquarters in Ann Arbor.

In his new role, Menz will drive product innovation and lead new product launches, the release continued. With deep RV industry knowledge and strong connections, he will track industry trends and ensure customer needs shape future product plans. Menz will report directly to Mary Pouliot, executive vice president, Americas. He will be based in Elkhart, Ind., at the heart of the RV industry.

Menz joins Thetford from Dave Carter and Associates, where he served as product development director. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development and launch of products across 12 categories, building sourcing and development partnerships globally. His experience spans both the RV supplier and OEM sectors, having worked with Patrick Industries, Forest River, and Thor Motor Coach.

“Jordan’s expertise in product development and his deep connection to the RV industry make him a perfect fit for this role,” stated Pouliot. “We’re excited to have him bring his passion and strategic vision to Thetford as we continue to innovate and grow.”

Menz holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bethel University. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family and is proud to be a dedicated “girl dad.”

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thetford LLC is one of the world’s leading suppliers of sanitation products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. Thetford is a privately held company with manufacturing facilities in four nations.

The post Menz Joins Executive Leadership Team at Thetford-Norcold first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Black Book, which publishes a family of vehicle appraisal guides, has released the Black Book RV market commentary for September.

“The average values for Motorhomes and Towables sold at auction rose slightly last month.  Once again, the increase in Motorhomes was driven by an unusually high percentage of expensive Class As crossing the block.  The towable increase is likely due to their average age decreasing slightly.  As more new 2025 models arrive on dealer lots we expect used values to trend downward as we head into Fall,” reported Eric Lawrence, Black Book principal analyst – specialty markets.

“Taking a closer look at the markets, we see that the average selling price for motorized units was $70,356, which is up $1,600 (2.3%) from the previous month.  Towables came in at $19,311, up $254 (1.3%) from last month.  One year ago the average motorhome sold for $65,316 and the average towable unit brought $21,750.”

Auction volume was down: motorhomes decreased 10.2% while towables dropped 10.1%. 

The average age of motorhomes was eight years old (2016) and towables was five (2019).

The post Black Book: Wholesale RV Values Rise as Summer Wanes first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Priority One Financial Services, a full-service finance company for marine, RV, trailer and equipment dealers, will debut its Relaxation Station experience at the Forest River Dealer Expo, Sept. 23-26, which runs concurrent with the Elkhart RV Open House.

The Priority One Relaxation Station is a tropical oasis designed for dealers to find 15 minutes of relaxation during the Elkhart RV Dealer Open House event. At the Relaxation Station, dealers can schedule a complimentary massage with a trained massage therapist or stop in for a first-come-first-serve experience in a zero-gravity therapeutic massage chair.  

“We’re excited to provide a place for dealers to unplug during a demanding week,” said Nicole Armstrong, vice president of corporate initiatives. “Our last Relaxation Station was a smashing success – full capacity the entire week – so we knew we had to bring it to Elkhart.” 

The first Relaxation Station debuted at the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) Dealer Week in December 2023. Over 300 people visited the Relaxation Station in three days. 

To visit the Priority One Relaxation Station, head inside the building at the Forest River Expo, located just past the bar on the left. To reserve a 15-minute complimentary appointment with a massage therapist today, visit p1fs.com/relax. 

The post Priority One ‘Relaxation Station’ Set for FR’s Open House Expo first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Multiple trailers caught fire overnight at the Camping World RV Sales location along Rt. 356 in Westmoreland County, which is about 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, according to a report by KDKA, the CBS television affiliate based in Pittsburgh. The fires broke out just after 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the rear lot behind the building.  Allegheny Township Police Chief Daniel Uncapher tells KDKA that 14 campers were involved as well as one Mercedes-Benz van. 

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by Curt, a Lippert Brand.

The post Video: Fire Destroys RVs at Camping World Near Pittsburgh first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

HERSHEY, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association (PRVCA) will host the 55th Annual America’s Largest RV Show, Sept. 11-15, at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pa., according to a release.

America’s Largest RV Show, one of just two manufacturer shows in the country, will have nearly 1,500 RVs on display from 40 manufacturers. From the small pop-up campers and travel trailers to the large fifth-wheels and Class A motorhomes, the show has something for every RVer. All the RVs on display are new and include the 2025 model year with the newest designs, layout and technology.

The show will include several new manufacturers this year. Bontrager Outdoors, formerly Braxton Creek, will display its new line of travel trailers. Storyteller Overland will exhibit its off-grid ready Class B Vans and Class C Adventure Truck. Park models are back this year with Great Outdoor Cottages and Woodland Park each displaying two of their most recent models.

“We’re so excited to be back at the GIANT CenterSM for our 55th year,” said Heather Leach, PRVCA executive director. “We have an excellent selection of RVs, seminars and booth vendors. Consumers are sure to find something that interests them at the show and gets them excited about RVing.”

Nearly 200 booth vendors will be on hand to offer the newest products, accessories and services for RVers. There is also a wealth of information on campground and vacation destinations.

Industry professionals will present seminars with tips on buying an RV, maintenance, safety, travel, exploring Alaska and the national parks; full-timing, dry camping, RVing in retirement, maintenance, electricity, safety and more.

The show will feature expanded meet and greet opportunities with digital content creators. Consumers can meet their favorite social media influencers during the Meet and Greets set for Thursday – Saturday.

Starting Sept. 1, consumers can register to win a new 2025 Flagstaff Tent Camper, sponsored by Forest River and Keystone RV Center. The unit, worth more than $9,000, will be on display at the main entrance gate in front of the GIANT Center.

They can also register for a new product giveaway this year. Isotherm by Indel Webasto Marine is giving away a CRUISE 226L Refrigerator/Freezer and Blu Technology is giving away an Adventure Series RV Water Filtration System. Contest registration begins September 1. Visit the product sponsors to see the products on display.

The Scavenger Hunt through the America’s Largest RV Show app is back again this year. Attendees can use the app to scan QR codes at the designated sponsors located throughout the show. After they visit all the locations, they can enter the prize drawing for an Escapees RV Club RVers Online University access or a $50 Visa gift card, sponsored by Escapees RV Club. Everyone who finishes the scavenger hunt receives a sweet treat, while supplies last. 

There will be food trucks outside and Hershey vendors open inside the GIANT Center. They offer a variety of foods from standard burgers and fries to crab cakes and Mexican fare.

The show is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 11-14, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 15. Parking is free and children under 12 are free. For more information, visit largestRVshow.com. PRVCA reminds consumers to only buy tickets from the show website and not third-party websites.                                           

Sponsors

PRVCA thanks the 2024 Hershey America’s Largest RV Show sponsors: American Coach, Fleetwood RV, Holiday Rambler, Grand Design, Grech RV, Progressive, and The RV Shop, platinum sponsors. Alliance, Battle Born Batteries, Beckley’s RVs, Harvest Hosts, Jayco and Roadtrek, gold sponsors; Blu Technology, Ember RV, General RV Center, Keystone RV Company, Meyer’s RV, and Northern Lite, silver sponsors; and Adventure Caravans, Escapees RV Club, and Wilkins RV, bronze sponsors. Forest River and Keystone RV Center are the RV giveaway sponsors; and Indel Webasto Marine and Blu Technology, are product giveaway sponsors. Also, thanks to Brinkley RV, bag giveaway sponsors; and Progressive, transportation sponsor.

About PRVCA

The Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association represents nearly 400 RV dealers, manufacturers, campgrounds and affiliated members who are interested in expanding and improving the RV and camping industry in Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the show go back into the industry to support education. Visit prvca.org for more information.

The post Organizers Set for 55th Annual ‘America’s Largest RV Show’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From SylvanSport: Every VAST travel trailer is a hyper-engineered RV, offering luxurious residential spaces with integrated living systems and top-notch quality construction. SylvanSport’s roots are in the outdoor gear industry, giving us the perfect experience to create the ultimate outdoor adventure RV. At the heart of VAST is the ability to carry all of your toys without compromising comfort, amenities, or quality. And with innovative features not found anywhere else, VAST is resetting expectations of travel trailers. See specs, floor plans and more details: https://bit.ly/3wDGOBE

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by Curt, a Lippert Brand.

The post OEM Showcase: SylvanSport Features VAST Travel Trailer first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

CALGARY, Alberta, – Origen RV Accessories, makers of RV SnapPad, announces the launch of its two latest products, which are now available to the public: SnapJack QD and StakPad.

SnapJack QD is the latest in the SnapJack line of products made by SnapPad, which includes enhanced replacement metal feet for scissor jacks and stabilizers, with many additional replacement options coming in the future under the SnapJack lineup, according to a release.

When discussing the future of SnapJack products and the launch of QD, Devon Wilson, CEO at RV SnapPad, said, “We’ve seen great success with our first SnapJack product, titled SnapJack SJ for scissor jacks, and are excited to release more products that allow SnapPads to be installed on leveling jacks or stabilizers that wouldn’t normally be compatible.”

Along with the recent launch of SnapJack QD, SnapPad has also recently released their newest product, dubbed StakPad, a non-permanent jack pad; the first of its kind for the company.

Mark Selanders, R&D Lead at RV SnapPad, said, “We spent years designing the StakPad. Stacker design has not advanced in decades, and we wanted to change that with a product that could handle the conditions, situations, and loads that a modern RV can encounter. StakPad’s revolutionary hybrid construction combines our tried-and-true recycled crumb rubber for grip and durability and a highly engineered HDPE component for strength and weight reduction. It’s bigger, stronger and better overall.”

SnapPad has begun selling both products to the public on their website to US and Canadian customers and plans a retail expansion in early 2025. Dealers or distributors interested in carrying the products can contact SnapPad via their website or by calling 1-866-923-9538.

The RVBusiness Featured Video is sponsored by Curt, a Lippert Brand.

The post Origen RV Accessories Introduces SnapJack QD, StakPad first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – Ron Wheeler, CEO, and Annie Wheeler-Rusch, account and social media director of Wheeler Advertising will deliver education workshops aimed at making a good dealership even better at the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo.

At noon on Nov. 12, Ron Wheeler will host “Leads, Leads, Leads: What You Need to Know to Create More Leads” in the business innovation track.

Learning objectives for this education workshop include:

• What it takes to create a lead
• Which activities deliver the best results
• How to budget for the results you’d like

In this workshop, leaders of all sizes and types of dealerships will get a first-hand look at data provided from 50 dealerships on what it takes to generate a lead.

Then, at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13, Annie Wheeler-Rusch further assists the mom-and-pop shops as she hosts the workshop “How to Build the Perfect Family-Owned Dealership Brand” in the business innovation education track.

Learning objectives in this education workshop include:

• How building a brand will maximize your advertising spent
• How to bring it to life in all areas of your dealership
• How each step builds upon the next step
• The 16 steps to branding your dealership

Dealers will leave with a clear path on how to brand their dealership and maximize its exposure.

About the RV Dealers Convention/Expo

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.

To register for the 2024 RV Dealers Convention/Expo click here. Regular updates will be posted on the convention website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

The event is sponsored by RVDA of the U.S., RVDA of Canada, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center.

Companies interested in partnership, sponsorship, exhibiting, and Vendor Training +Plus opportunities can contact Julie Newhouse at (703) 364-5518 or email [email protected].  

The post Wheeler Advertising to Focus on Lead Generation, Branding first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

China has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest market for recreational vehicles, after Australia, the European Union and North America, according to a report by Yicaiglobal.com. This growth is driven by the rising popularity of unique travel experiences, with glamping, or glamorous camping, becoming a significant trend.

Some 14,365 RVs were sold in China last year, according to the latest data.

“China’s RV industry is developing quickly as RV culture becomes more popular and consumer demand for personalized tourism grows,” Gao Wei, boss of a RV assembling company based in eastern Zhejiang province, told Yicai. “And it will also usher in broader development prospects.”

“To many people RVs are still a luxury and are out of reach,” Gao said. “But actually, there are quite a few affordable RVs on the market in China now.”

Priced at around CNY300,000 (USD42,135) each, Class C RVs, which come equipped with beds, ovens, refrigerators, sofas, bathrooms, televisions and stereo equipment, are the best-selling mobile homes on the Chinese market at present, Gao said. Class B RVs are cheaper at CNY200,000 each, and caravans with lower specifications cost even less.

But a lack of suitable campsites in China is holding back the development of the country’s RV market. Even Guangdong, the province with the most RV sales, only has around 20 decent campsites, which is not enough to meet the demand of RV travelers both in terms of numbers and quality.

Click here to read the full report by Yicaiglobal.com.

The post China Now Said to be the World’s Fourth Biggest RV Market first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.