Breaking News

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Amid cold temperatures, the Ohio RV Supershow, presented by Progressive, officially got underway Wednesday at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Featuring about 450 RVs on display from 10 northeast Ohio RV dealers as well as a host of campground and supplier exhibitors, the show runs through Sunday and is hosted by the Great Lakes Recreational Vehicle Association (GLRVA), a non-profit organization comprised of 11 RV Dealers in Northeast Ohio spanning throughout eight Northeast Ohio counties.

“This is the perfect time for RV enthusiasts to find great deals and discover new products,” said Amy Saffle, executive director of the Great Lakes RV Association. “With our newly expanded vendor area, consumers will have access to an incredible selection of gadgets, supplies, campgrounds and essential RV equipment. Don’t miss the exciting daily seminars/talks with Cleveland’s own legendary Jeff and Patti Kinzbach as they share fun tips and advice on their RV journeys across the country.”

Of course, the RV industry has its eyes set on key consumer shows over the next few months, looking for any sign the retail market is on its way to a rebound, with the Ohio RV Supershow among those events.

Jason Hershberger, a Forest River general manager overseeing the Wildcat and Cardinal fifth-wheel lines, said everyone is hoping the Ohio Supershow continues the momentum started at a few other shows, including the South Texas RV Supersale in San Antonio where he said the partnering dealership, Ron Hoover, doubled its sales expectations.

“We also had reps down in Greensboro, and they had an excellent show down there as well,” Hershberger told RVBusiness. “It’s really too early to tell here, but there’s high hopes for the Cleveland show this year. This gives us a chance to sit back and look at production levels for the spring, because this show, if it’s strong, usually the six or seven following weekends are all strong as well.”

The post Slideshow: Ohio RV Supershow Officially Underway in Cleveland first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There was a slight year-over-year decrease in the monthly retail registration data in November 2024, as recorded by Statistical Surveys Inc., the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based subsidiary of Trader Interactive that monitors retail and consumer data for the RV industry.

There were 19,854 retail registrations in November 2024, which is a 3.1% decrease compared to the 20,490 total in November 2023, according to Statistical Surveys Inc. Year to date, there were 338,760 retail registrations in 2024, which is an 7.6% decrease versus the 366,793 total for the same period in 2023.

For comparison, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported 23,573 wholesale shipments in November 2024 and 310,580 units shipped the first 11 months of 2024.

United States

Travel Trailers – 12,239 units in November 2024 (compared to 12,465 units in November 2023; a 1.8% year-over-year decrease). Market share leaders: Forest River Inc. (41.4%), THOR Industries Inc. (34.9%), Grand Design RV Co. (8.1%).

Fifth-Wheels – 3,694 (3,861; -4.3%). Market share leaders: THOR (37.1%), Forest River (40.1%), Grand Design (16.9%).

Camping Trailers – 166 (258; -35.7%). Market share leaders: Forest River (48.2%), Aliner (21.7%), Purple Line LLC (10.2%).

Park Models – 235 (196; +19.9%). Market share leaders: Skyline Champion (22.1%), Cavco Industries (28.9%), Kropf Mfg. Co. Inc. (10.6%).

Class A – 560 (624; -10.3%). Market share leaders: THOR (46.4%), Forest River (16.4%), REV Recreation group (15.7%).

Class C – 1,141 (1,152; -1.0%). Market share leaders: THOR (46.8%), Forest River (24.9%), Winnebago Motorized (11.9%).

Class B – 619 (726; -14.7%). Market share leaders: THOR (46.4%), Winnebago Motorized (20.7%), Forest River (10.8%).

Canada

Travel Trailers – 787 units in November 2024 (compared to 784 units in November 2023; a 0.4% year-over-year decrease). Market share leaders: THOR Industries Inc. (35.1%), Forest River Inc. (33.8%), Grand Design RV Co. (9.4%).

Fifth-Wheels – 191 (195; -2.1%). Market share leaders: THOR (40.3%), Grand Design (28.8%), Forest River (14.7%).

Camping Trailers – 17 (22; -22.7%). Market share leaders: Forest River (82.4%), Aliner, Purple Line LLC and MDC USA (5.9%).

Park Models – 1 (4; -75%). Market share leader: Woodland Park (100%).

Class A – 38 (31; +22.6%). Market share leaders: THOR (52.6%), Forest River (18.4%), Newmar Corp. (13.2%).

Class C – 53 (56; -5.4%). Market share leaders: Forest River (45.3%), THOR (30.2%), Winnebago Motorized (15.1%).

Class B – 42 (35; +20%). Market share leaders: THOR (54.8%), Pleasure Way Industries (23.8%), Winnebago Motorized (14.3%).

The post SSI: Retail Registrations See Slight Decrease in November 2024 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

“RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), this week celebrates it’s eighth anniversary. In it’s weekly release previewing the show, hosts Bob DiPietro and John Zagami noted the following:

“It all started on Wednesday Feb. 14, 2018 when John and Bob took to the airwaves with a new Internet show that was created over drinks at the bar on a little white napkin.  John came to the industry as an experienced RVer after retiring from a career in radio advertising sales and some local television shows in Springfield and Worcester, Massachusetts.  Bob, also an experienced RVer, began writing, speaking and consulting in the RV industry in 1996, while building one of the most respected document conversion companies in the Northeast.  His RV hobby became his passion after leaving the corporate world in 2013.

“So here we are launching our eighth season of RVing in New England, the industry’s only LIVE online talk show.  We press a button at 7PM and again at 8PM ET and we have no idea what is going to come out of our mouths, or the guest(s) or our incredible fans – who are really the starts of the show.

In fact, we have no idea what we will talk about tonight.  It should be fun though, we took two weeks off to spend some quality time with our families.  A lot has happened in the last two weeks in the RV and Outdoor Hospitality industries.  So, between us and the fans, we will have plenty to talk about . . . we just don’t know what it will be!”

The post ‘RVing in New England’ Celebrating its Eighth Anniversary first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following release was issued by OHI, the national association representing private campground owners.

At OHI, we understand the importance of providing our members with tangible benefits, and our music licensing program is no exception. Our team has negotiated discounts that substantially lower the regular rack card license rates, effectively easing the financial commitment for your park.

Beyond the financial advantages is an even more valuable proposition – when you choose to license through OHI, you shield your park from the inconvenience of unsolicited communications or unwarranted pressure from a PRO (performing rights organization) throughout the entirety of the licensed calendar year.  

Music licensing is an integral part of ensuring your business is legally covered under US Copyright Law. When it comes to music licensing, each PRO represents a different group of songwriters, composers, and publishers, so being licensed by all four PROs allows a business to be fully covered.  The OHI Music License Program covers all four PROs—ASCAP and BMI, SESAC and GMR.  

Why act now? Through OHI’s Music Licensing Program, members can save significantly on licensing costs while ensuring legal coverage for the use of copyrighted music at their businesses. Additionally, if you held a music license through OHI for 2024, accessing your 2025 invoice is easy. Simply log in to your OHI member portal and click ‘My Invoices’ to find your invoice and complete your payment. New to OHI’s discounted music licensing program and seeking coverage? Click here. 

“Music licensing doesn’t have to be complicated or costly,” said David Basler, OHI’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Our program simplifies the process while providing unmatched savings and peace of mind. We’re proud to offer our members a solution that supports their operations and protects their businesses.” 

To check pricing, read the FAQ or just to learn more about the OHI music licensing program visit ohi.org/Music.  

Got questions or need to make changes to your licensing coverage or site counts for 2025? Reach out to us by emailing us at [email protected] or give us a ring at 303-681- 0401. We’re happy to answer any questions you have, or just provide some really good music recommendations. 

The post OHI Touts ‘Best-in-Industry’ Music Licensing Rates for 2025 first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The RV industry thrives on passion and relationships and few have demonstrated these qualities better than Jerry Cole, who retired at the end of 2024 after more than 30 years in the business, according to a release.

Cole’s career reflects “dedication, resilience and the importance of building meaningful connections,” the release continued.

He began his career in March 1992 with Fleetwood Motor in Decatur, Ind. As the company’s first home-based outside sales rep trainee, Cole embraced an innovative sales model that soon gained traction across the industry. At 32, with two children and a third on the way, Cole sought stability in a growing industry. Fleetwood’s reputation and its alignment with the booming RV market made it a perfect fit.

After leaving Fleetwood in 1998, Cole worked in luxury RV bus retail with Featherlite, connecting with a variety of unique clients. In 1999, he joined Dutchmen, where he took on a challenging southeastern territory. Despite initial skepticism from dealers accustomed to frequent sales rep turnover, Cole’s determination and relationship-focused approach turned the territory into a top performer.

In 2010, Cole joined Coachmen Catalina, returning to familiar territory that once again needed revitalization. His efforts to rebuild the dealer network and strengthen relationships earned him the nickname “Jerry Catalina Cole.” Over the last decade, he consistently ranked as a top sales performer, reflecting his tireless work ethic and commitment.

Throughout his career, said Cole, he appreciated the support of mentors like Rich Florea, Steve Paul, John Babcock, and Michael Gaeddert. Reflecting on his journey, he credits his success to the teamwork and camaraderie of his colleagues.

“The best part is the people,” he said. “Things can go wrong, but it’s always an adventure to work together and make it right.”

Cole chose to remain in sales rather than pursue management, finding joy in direct connections with dealers and customers. His approach to work allowed him to build a successful career while staying present for his family.

As he begins his retirement, Cole faces a new challenge: battling a rare form of cancer. True to his nature, he approaches this fight with strength and grace, surrounded by the support of family, friends and former colleagues. Their encouragement is a testament to the lasting relationships he built throughout his career.

The post Coachmen RV’s Jerry Cole Retires After 30 Years in Industry first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FAIRFAX, Va. – The RV Dealers Association (RVDA) has added a text line to its new Help Desk & Solution Center, designed to provide a wide range of assistance to dealer members, according a release. The text line is: (227) 254-8890.  

The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center provides support for a variety of topics such as:

• RVDA member benefits/services
• Manufacturer and supplier questions
• Human resources
• Compliance obligations
• Insurance issues
• Consumer dispute resolution
• Industry/RV consumer data
• Dealership operations

The program, administered by RVDA staff, will offer help and resources to assist RV dealers. In more complex business-related cases, the dealer inquiry will be forwarded to Better Vantage Point, RVDA’s endorsed Dispute and Risk Management provider, who will contact the dealer and provide customized, expert support of up to one hour at no charge to help resolve the inquiry.

Members can submit a request to the Help Desk & Solution Center using a confidential contact form using the four options listed below:

• RVDA website: RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center
• Email: [email protected]
• Text: (227) 254-8890.  
• Phone: (703) 591-7130, ext. 113 

All submissions are confidential to RVDA staff and Better Vantage Point and will not be shared beyond those necessary to provide assistance. The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center is a member-only service, and all dealer inquiries will be handled in accordance with RVDA’s commitment to supporting its members.

DISCLAIMERS
The RVDA Help Desk & Solution Center provides general business advice and guidance to RVDA members. This service is not a substitute for legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. The information and assistance provided, whether by RVDA staff or by Better Vantage Point, LLC (BVP), is non-legal in nature. Dealers are encouraged to independently review any advice or suggestions provided and to consult with their own legal counsel or professional advisors as may be necessary.

Better Vantage Point, LLC, as an independent contractor, provides advice and recommendations that do not necessarily reflect the views or input of RVDA. RVDA expressly disclaims any liability for direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages that may arise from reliance on the advice or recommendations provided through the Help Desk & Solution Center. Dealers are solely responsible for decisions made based on the information or guidance provided.

About RVDA

RVDA is the national association representing RV dealers, service centers, and related businesses. RVDA works to promote the interests of its members by providing education, advocacy, and member services designed to foster a strong RV marketplace. For more information, click here.

About Better Vantage Point

Better Vantage Point delivers a robust governance, risk, and compliance program to protect and shelter dealership assets.  With 30+ years as a dealership owner, and almost 100 years in the family dealership business, Tom Kline and Better Vantage Point help great dealers excel even further by relentlessly uncovering exposures and then tirelessly safeguarding to prevent problems before they occur. Tom Kline, Lead Consultant & Founder, is also the author of the recently released book Tuck The Octopus: A Better Vantage Point For Dealership Risk And Compliance. For more information about Better Vantage Point, click here. 

The post RVDA’s New Help Desk & Solution Center Adds Text Line first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

From a $13,000 modern tent trailer to a $500,000 luxury “home on wheels” and everything in between, the 2025 RV Adventure Show and Sale will feature the latest recreational vehicles at Calgary’s BMO Centre, according to a report by the Calgary Herald. 

Running from Jan. 23-26, the event offers something for everyone, including daily Superdogs performances, contests, destination booths and expert advice for RV enthusiasts at all levels. 

“It will be the biggest and best Calgary show ever,” says Brandon Urban, operations manager of Western RV group and board member of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association of Alberta (RVDA). 

Not only will 11 different dealers be showcasing over 400 vehicle units at the show, its debut at the new BMO Centre also means an expansive 350,000 sq. ft. of display and marketplace space — 80,000 sq. ft. larger than previous years. 

Click here to read the full report by the Calgary Herald. 

The post Calgary Dealers Pumped for ’25 RV Adventure Show & Sale first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — A top policymaker at the U.S. Federal Reserve said Wednesday that he still supports cutting interest rates this year, despite elevated inflation and the prospect of widespread tariffs under the incoming Trump administration, according to an Associated Press report.

Christopher Waller, an influential member of the Fed’s board of governors, said he expects inflation will move closer to the Fed’s 2% target in the coming months. And in some of the first comments by a Fed official specifically about tariffs, he said that greater import duties likely won’t push up inflation this year.

“My bottom-line message is that I believe more cuts will be appropriate,” Waller said in Paris at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

“If, as I expect, tariffs do not have a significant or persistent effect on inflation, they are unlikely to affect my view,” Waller added.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Fed Official Backs New Rate Cuts Even if Tariffs Materialize first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Pat Pontius and Denyse Pontius, co-owners of Century Chemical, join Rick Kessler and Chris Cieto of RVBusiness for this episode of SupplySide Showcase to talk about the latest events for the company, which is celebrating its 99th year of operations in 2025.

The post SupplySide Showcase: Catching Up with Century Chemical first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

SYRACUSE, Ind. — Parts of southern Elkhart County are in the process of being annexed into the town of Syracuse, according to reporting by Dani Messick for The Goshen News.

The Elkhart County Commissioners gave consent at the Monday (Jan. 6) meeting for the town to annex property adjacent to C.R. 29 and County Line Road, but indicated that it’s going to take time.

In mid-August the Elkhart County Commissioners approved a zone map change for the 45-acre North Trace RV Resort. Plans ultimately call for a 230-space campground at the location with the first third of capacity planned for phase one.

Steve Showalter, owner of Showalter RV in nearby Nappanee, Ind., who’s initiating the development, told the board when introducing the plan last year that the park is meant to meet the need for a high-quality campground that can accommodate larger RVs. He said there’s a potential client base of people who want a “higher-end, resort-style experience” in the northern Indiana lake resort area that Elkhart County is lacking.

Elkhart County attorney Steve Olsen said a stipulation of the annexation is that the entire area must be annexed all at once so it is contiguous, but it means that some properties nearby must also be annexed.

The annexation is in support of a new high-end RV resort in Benton Township near Lake Wawasee called North Trace RV Resort.

Located near Country Meadows Manufactured Home Community, the location of the proposed RV park is about 45 acres and is expected to include about 60% camper spaces, and 40% stormwater retention, open space, or other use.

Plans for the first 80 spots in a “higher-end” RV park north of Syracuse can move forward after a detailed plan was approved, according to reporting by the Elkhart Truth.

In mid-August the Elkhart County Commissioners approved a zone map change for the 45-acre North Trace RV Resort. Plans ultimately call for a 230-space campground at the location with the first third of capacity planned for phase one.

Click here to read the full report by The Goshen News.

The post Dealer’s Luxury RV Resort Moves Forward in Northern Indiana first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.