Priority RV Network, Pre-Pair Announce New Partnership

ATLANTA, Ga. – Priority RV Network (PRVN), America’s largest RV service network, has officially partnered with Pre-Pair, a technology company specializing in automating the dealership finance process from desking to funding. This partnership will provide PRVN’s nationwide network of dealers with advanced tools to streamline workflows, enhance customer experience, and increase profitability from finance and insurance (F&I) operations, according to a release.

Stephanie Alderman

Through this collaboration, dealers will gain access to Pre-Pair’s intuitive platform, which simplifies the credit application journey-from first pencil to lender selection for faster and more accurate deal structuring. Pre-Pair also supports PRVN dealers with helpful tools and resources such as a quick-look national bank finance guide, designed to help newer finance managers structure deals and better support Priority RV Network’s national bank partners.

 “We built Pre-Pair to simplify and modernize the financing process for dealerships — and partnering with Priority RV Network allows us to do exactly that at scale,” said Stephanie Alderman, CEO of Pre-Pair. “Their dealers are among the most respected in the industry, and we’re excited to support them with tools that help them maximize their finance revenue while maximizing the best experience possible for their customers.”

Nicole Schantz

“Our mission is to provide Priority RV Network dealers with best-in-class partners that help them grow,” said PRVN Executive Director Nicole Schantz. “Pre-Pair’s technology delivers exactly what our members need — streamlined processes, powerful automation, and an easier path to financing for customers. We’re excited to bring this to the network.” 

Key features of the Pre-Pair platform include:

  • Quoting & Desking: Real-time quoting, credit pulls via 700Credit, and optimized deal structuring—all in one place
  • CRM & Website Integration: All leads are automatically sent to the CRM and sales team
  • Lender Selection & Push to Systems: Easily compare lenders and push applications directly into systems like AppOne and CUDL
  • Funding Support: Auto-populated checklists, document uploads, and lender data aggregation
  • Coming Soon: Integrations with DealerTrack, Rollick, MenuMetric, and more

Both organizations are committed to helping RV dealerships succeed by removing friction in the finance process and empowering sales and F&I teams with tools that increase profitability and efficiency.

About Pre-Pair

Pre-Pair is a dealership technology platform that automates the end-to-end finance process—from desking to funding. By integrating quoting, lender selection, seamlessly embedded credit data from 700Credit, and downstream system integrations into a single workflow, Pre-Pair helps dealerships optimize every deal and maximize F&I revenue.

About Priority RV Network

Priority RV Network is America’s largest RV service network, with over 160 premier locations nationwide. PRVN provides unmatched benefits to both dealers and RV customers, offering its members exclusive access to service programs, training, and innovative partner solutions designed to drive dealership profitability and enhance the RV ownership experience.

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THOR Partner Harbinger Begins Production of EV Chassis

LOS ANGELES – Harbinger, a leading medium-duty electric vehicle manufacturer, Tuesday (April 8) announced it has achieved the official start of production (SOP) for its American-made electric vehicles, and has manufactured more than 100 units for customers. First in line customers and dealers for these vehicles include THOR Industries, the world’s largest recreational vehicle manufacturer, ETHERO Truck + EnergyBruckner’s Truck, and more. The company has reached this production milestone just four years after it was founded in February 2021, according to a release.

“Our ability to design and move our vehicle into production this quickly is a testament to the creativity and diligence of our world-class team,” said John Harris, co-founder and CEO of Harbinger. “Completing production of 100 chassis is an important achievement for Harbinger. We chose to announce the start of production only after reaching this milestone to highlight that we are producing vehicles at a volume and scale that is truly impactful for our customers and the industry.” 

Harbinger manufactures its electric vehicle platform, also known as a stripped chassis, in Garden Grove, California. The chassis is designed specifically for medium-duty vehicles, such as walk-in vans, box trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), delivery vans, emergency and disaster response vehicles and more. The chassis includes all major vehicle systems, including the electric drivetrain, high voltage (HV) battery system, steering, brakes, and more. Notably, Harbinger is the only truck manufacturer building electric drivetrain systems in-house. The company’s vertically integrated manufacturing approach keeps production costs low for its superior quality EV product. Once Harbinger assembles its electric stripped chassis, a dealer or customer works with a third party to upfit the chassis with a commercial or specialty body, which is the standard practice in the medium-duty industry.

“From the moment Harbinger was founded, we took a deliberate approach to building a scalable production foundation,” said Gilbert Passin, chief production officer of Harbinger. “A lot of the experience that helped shape Harbinger’s manufacturing processes came from the experience our team brought from other EV manufacturers and automotive brands. We learned what didn’t work elsewhere, and we adopted what worked best.”

Harbinger recently conducted extensive vehicle testing in Arizona and New Zealand, and videos of its testing programs can be seen HERE. The company also recently announced an order book of 4,690 vehicle orders, valued at approximately $500 million, and a $100 million Series B funding round, which will help the company scale up beyond the start of production. The funds will help to accelerate Harbinger’s growth and increase volume production capacity to meet demand for its purpose-built electric platform. To support its continued growth, Harbinger aims to hire an additional 100 employees in 2025.

About Harbinger

Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs. Leveraging a foundation of proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies designed specifically for commercial and specialty vehicles, Harbinger is bringing a first-of-its-kind EV platform to market, priced at acquisition parity to traditional diesel vehicles. Harbinger: Familiar Form. Revolutionary Foundation.

To learn more about Harbinger, please visit www.harbingermotors.com. You can find the company press kit HERE.

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THOR Partner Harbinger Begins Production of EV Chassis

LOS ANGELES – Harbinger, a leading medium-duty electric vehicle manufacturer, Tuesday (April 8) announced it has achieved the official start of production (SOP) for its American-made electric vehicles, and has manufactured more than 100 units for customers. First in line customers and dealers for these vehicles include THOR Industries, the world’s largest recreational vehicle manufacturer, ETHERO Truck + EnergyBruckner’s Truck, and more. The company has reached this production milestone just four years after it was founded in February 2021, according to a release.

“Our ability to design and move our vehicle into production this quickly is a testament to the creativity and diligence of our world-class team,” said John Harris, co-founder and CEO of Harbinger. “Completing production of 100 chassis is an important achievement for Harbinger. We chose to announce the start of production only after reaching this milestone to highlight that we are producing vehicles at a volume and scale that is truly impactful for our customers and the industry.” 

Harbinger manufactures its electric vehicle platform, also known as a stripped chassis, in Garden Grove, California. The chassis is designed specifically for medium-duty vehicles, such as walk-in vans, box trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), delivery vans, emergency and disaster response vehicles and more. The chassis includes all major vehicle systems, including the electric drivetrain, high voltage (HV) battery system, steering, brakes, and more. Notably, Harbinger is the only truck manufacturer building electric drivetrain systems in-house. The company’s vertically integrated manufacturing approach keeps production costs low for its superior quality EV product. Once Harbinger assembles its electric stripped chassis, a dealer or customer works with a third party to upfit the chassis with a commercial or specialty body, which is the standard practice in the medium-duty industry.

“From the moment Harbinger was founded, we took a deliberate approach to building a scalable production foundation,” said Gilbert Passin, chief production officer of Harbinger. “A lot of the experience that helped shape Harbinger’s manufacturing processes came from the experience our team brought from other EV manufacturers and automotive brands. We learned what didn’t work elsewhere, and we adopted what worked best.”

Harbinger recently conducted extensive vehicle testing in Arizona and New Zealand, and videos of its testing programs can be seen HERE. The company also recently announced an order book of 4,690 vehicle orders, valued at approximately $500 million, and a $100 million Series B funding round, which will help the company scale up beyond the start of production. The funds will help to accelerate Harbinger’s growth and increase volume production capacity to meet demand for its purpose-built electric platform. To support its continued growth, Harbinger aims to hire an additional 100 employees in 2025.

About Harbinger

Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs. Leveraging a foundation of proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies designed specifically for commercial and specialty vehicles, Harbinger is bringing a first-of-its-kind EV platform to market, priced at acquisition parity to traditional diesel vehicles. Harbinger: Familiar Form. Revolutionary Foundation.

To learn more about Harbinger, please visit www.harbingermotors.com. You can find the company press kit HERE.

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KOA ’25 Report: 11M New Camping Households Since 2019

Toby O’Rourke

Camping has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the influx of new and experienced outdoor enthusiasts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these changes, one thing remains clear: camping remains an affordable travel option. This insight comes from a new report by Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA). The Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, released today, highlights the industry’s resilience, even amid economic uncertainty, according to a press release.

“Today, one-in-four leisure travelers consider themselves campers,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in participation over the past five years. While camping was down slightly year-over-year, we anticipate a resurgence in returning travelers to camping this year, with 72% of campers believing camping is the most cost-effective travel option.”

KOA Report 2025 2
Camping Preference by Household

Key findings from the report highlight generational differences, camping preferences, the financial impacts of camping on local communities, and similarities between pre-pandemic campers in 2019 and campers today. Among other noteworthy insights, the report also provides an in-depth analysis of traveler sentiment toward the economy and 2025 traveler intentions.

An Evolution & Reset of the Industry

  • Over 11 million new households camped in 2024 compared to 2019, creating a very noticeable evolution in camping participation.
  • New campers accounted for approximately 5% of all campers in 2024, mirroring the percentage seen in 2019. These campers are younger and prefer locations that offer a variety of amenities and services, leaning toward private campgrounds and glamping resorts over more rustic camping spots.
  • Campers are attracted to closer, more flexible escapes, with 62% choosing weekend getaways and 44% staying closer to home.
  • Nostalgia is driving campers back to the basics. 26% of campers want to reconnect with family traditions such as making s’mores and telling campfire stories.

Camping & the Economy

  • Camping spending reached $61 billion in 2024, injecting vital resources into local economies.
  • Daily spending rose to $200 per day per household, up $43 from 2023. Glampers and Gen Z spend the most, averaging $251 and $266 per day.
  • 8-in-10 campers say rising travel costs have impacted their trips, but instead of canceling plans, they choose to prioritize low-cost activities like campfires, hiking and nature walks.
  • 65% of campers plan to spend the same or more on travel than last year. Canadians are feeling the least optimistic, with 31% saying they plan to spend less, compared to 24% of Americans.

Sought-After Travel Experiences

  • Campers and leisure travelers alike are focusing on experiences that enhance their overall well-being, expressing a desire to slow down and be fully present in the moment.
  • Experiencing wellness by water is a top travel trend, with 57% of campers and 53% of leisure travelers citing that walking on a beach or relaxing near a body of water helps their overall well-being.
  • Solo camping is on the rise, with 1-in-5 campers taking their first solo trip in 2024. Gen Z and Millennials are most interested in solo trips this year.
  • Camping is seen as a multi-generational activity. One-third of all campers feel camping with kids is more relaxing than participating in other forms of travel, and 22% are camping with extended family members.

“This year’s report highlights a dynamic reset in the camping landscape, where new generations and experienced campers alike are embracing a more flexible, experience-driven approach to outdoor travel,” said O’Rourke. “With increased interest in amenities, service, wellness and family bonding, camping is evolving into a diverse and accessible option for all travelers. Despite economic pressures, it’s clear that the outdoor hospitality industry provides significant value for personal well-being and contributes positively to local communities, ensuring its continued strength and resilience.”

To view the full 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, visit KOA.com.

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Northern Wholesale Supply Names Augst as Head of Sales

Adam Augst

LINO LAKES, Minn. – Northern Wholesale Supply (NWS) announces the appointment of Adam Augst as the new Head of Sales, effective immediately. With over a decade of extensive experience in the powersports and marine industries, Augst brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success to NWS, accordingto a release, positioning the organization and its valued dealer network for growth and performance.

Augst joins NWS with a robust background in network and dealer development, sales, and international business leadership. Most notably, he previously spearheaded the international business portfolio for a multi-billion-dollar global specialty vehicle manufacturer where he successfully commercialized products through dealer and distribution channels. His hands-on approach, working directly with dealers, has equipped him with deep insights into fostering strong partnerships and driving sales and operational excellence, the release continued.

In his new role, Augst will oversee NWS’s wholesale sales and customer service divisions, ensuring a seamless and elevated experience for dealers and customers alike. His leadership is expected to propel NWS and its dealer network to new heights, strengthening its position as a leader in the industry.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Adam to the NWS family,” said Chad Smith, CEO of Northern Wholesale Supply. “His extensive experience and dynamic leadership style make him the perfect fit to guide our wholesale sales strategy. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our company and our dealers as we work together to achieve new levels of success.”

Northern Wholesale Supply remains committed to delivering top-tier products and support to its dealer network, the release continued, and Augst’s appointment underscores that dedication. Dealers and industry partners can expect enhanced collaboration and innovative strategies under his direction.

About Northern Wholesale Supply

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Northern Wholesale Supply, LLC (NWS) is a trusted leader in the distribution of RV, marine, and powersport parts and accessories. With a catalog of over 30,000 products, including proprietary brands such as Extreme Max, Boat Lift Boss, and Ultra Legs, NWS serves customers across North America with innovative solutions and exceptional service.

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Video: Check Out this Rare Revcon Trailblazer Motorhome

From Ambition Strikes: With only 67 ever made, we truly can’t believe we found a Revcon Trailblazer. We’re a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we learn how to build a home, run heavy equipment and turn this place into our dream property!

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Meyer Distributing Announces Crossdock in El Paso, Texas

JASPER, Ind. – Meyer Distributing Inc., a leader in automotive specialty products marketing and distribution, announced the addition of its El Paso, Texas crossdock. The crossdock will have a direct feed from Meyer’s Arlington, Texas, distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories, crash and collision, 4×4/Off-Road, RV, and trailer parts in the region, according to a release.

“Meyer has significantly expanded its inventory in trailer parts and accessories,” stated Jason Hagen, Meyer’s Category Sales Manager for Trailer and Towing. “We’ve got you covered from axles to hubs to bearings to lighting and everything in between. Give our dedicated Trailer and Towing specialists a call today at 1-800-299-4063!”

“The El Paso, TX dock will connect Meyer’s full logistics capabilities to one of the last remaining pockets of underserved populations in the U.S.,” stated Jeff Braun, CEO of Meyer. “El Paso will go from twice a week delivery, 2nd day service to next day service in the morning.  It will be a significant improvement to the customer experience.  Any manufacturers looking for help moving product from El Paso to the Dallas-Fort Worth region should reach out to their respective Meyer buyer and let us help reduce your shipping costs.”

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Burgum’s Order to Maintain NPS Access Draws Praise, Fire

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on April 3 released an Order that aims to ensure national parks remain open and accessible. While the action was met with praise from a number of outlets – including the RV Industry Association (RVIA) – others have criticized the move, calling it “micromanagement at its worst.”

“This is a major step forward in protecting campground access and availability,” according to an RVIA News & Insights report. “The RV Industry Association and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable have been advocating for keeping parks and campgrounds open and staffed, and this order recognizes campgrounds as a key asset.”

Keeping National Park Service campgrounds open and accessible was a request from RVIA during a recent discussion with Burgum, the report continued.

The order requires any closures or reductions in operating hours, seasons, or visitor services, including trails and campgrounds, to be reviewed by the NPS Director and the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks before any action is taken by individual park units. This helps safeguard against sudden closures, RVIA stated in its report.

The Secretary’s Order also states that “the Department shall take action to ensure that the National Park Service is properly staffed to support the operating hours and needs of each park unit.” Continued investment in the National Park Service workforce will ensure this order’s true success.

“In addition to ensuring parks remain open,” RVIA’s report continued, “proper staffing and funding are crucial to keeping the parks and campgrounds running safely and smoothly. For RVers, this Secretary’s Order, coupled with proper staffing and resources is critical. Adequate resources help safeguard against unexpected closures, giving the National Park Service staff the tools they need to safely open and operate parks and campgrounds and RVing families more certainty as they plan their trips. It helps ensure their summer visits won’t be cancelled at the last minute, which is especially important for park visitors coordinating travel logistics and campsite reservations. “

However, Burgum’s order was met with criticism from groups such as the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a nonpartisan group that includes some 1.6 million members and supporters working together to “protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations.”

Secretary Burgum’s order states that to “ensure visitor access and satisfaction, any closures or reductions to operating hours, seasons, or any visitor services (including trails and campgrounds), in whole or in part, must be reviewed by the NPS Director and the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks prior to any reduction action by the individual park units.”

NPCA believes this order not only creates more unnecessary roadblocks for parks staff but will also endanger park resources and visitors, according to a release.

There are more than 430 national park sites across the country, each overseen by a superintendent or manager responsible for daily operations. Decisions about closures or changes in hours aren’t made lightly. These decisions are based on staffing levels, weather, maintenance needs and other park-specific challenges. But under this new order, superintendents would need approval before acting, even when visitor safety or resource protection is on the line. Forcing park superintendents and managers to wait on political sign-off could delay critical decisions and potentially violate the Organic Act. Peak visitation season is upon us and millions of people are traveling to our national parks. When lives and irreplaceable places are on the line, there’s no time to waste.

Kristen Brengel

“This is yet another attempt by the administration to sideline the expertise of dedicated park staff. It’s micromanagement at its worst, creating more red tape when park staff are already stretched dangerously thin and dealing with peak visitation season. This order is reckless and out of touch,” stated Kristen Brengel, SVP of Government Affairs for NPCA.

“Park mangers know their parks better than anyone,” she continued. “They have been trusted to make short- and long-term decisions to protect visitors and safeguard our most irreplaceable natural and historic treasures. The administration is now tying their hands and forcing them to jump through bureaucratic hoops just to close a trail, campground or visitor center they believe poses a risk or can’t be staffed.

“Years of understaffing and underfunding have already forced many parks to scale back visitor center hours and visitor services. And in a matter of weeks, the administration has made a bad situation worse, pushing out hundreds more park staff and piling on obstacles that prevent park staff from doing their jobs. They are setting the Park Service up for failure,” she said.

“This ill-conceived policy flies in the face of responsible management of national parks, risking both visitor safety and the very resources the Park Service was created and is mandated to protect. That’s why NPCA is urging Secretary Burgum to immediately retract this order for the protection of our parks and the millions who visit them,” Brengel concluded.

For more information, visit www.npca.org.

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Media Reports Paint Negative Picture for RV Industry

Michael Hicks

Trump’s Trade War, Recession will Batter the RV Industry

A Ball State University economist says President Trump’s trade war with Canada and Mexico will cause economic pain all over North America, and it will especially hurt the Elkhart area’s RV industry, according to a report by WVPE, a public radio station based in Elkhart and South bend, Ind.

Ball State economist Michael Hicks says about a third of the parts used to make cars and RVs in the U.S. are imported, so making them will now cost more because of retaliatory tariffs.

“This is a big cost shock to producers of RVs and other auto parts and so that’s going to immediately affect the price of RVs, which were just beginning to recover,” Hicks says.

Hicks says those higher prices will reduce demand for RVs on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, and that will be worsened if a recession takes hold, as is widely expected, since RVs are such a discretionary item for consumers.

Click here to read the full report by WVPE.

Trump tariffs add disruption, volatility to wobbly RV market

Southwestern Ontario recreational vehicle dealerships are bracing for the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war on the industry, according to a report by The London Free Press, a newspaper based in southwestern Ontario.  

Trump’s tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel and Ottawa’s reciprocal measures have been a wildcard for area RV dealers, at a time when they are usually busy preparing for the summer travel season.  

“It’s another potential economic blow that would drive up prices, hurt Canadian consumers and put more small businesses at risk across the province,” said Natalie Conway, executive director of the Ontario Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association that represents 170 dealerships.  

Click here to read the full report by The London Free Press.

Cambridge camper van and RV company Roadtrek lays off staff amid U.S. tariffs

A camper van and RV company in Cambridge, Ont., has issued temporary lay off notices to its entire plant in wake of U.S. tariffs on the auto industry, according to a report by CTV News.

As of Monday, around 80 employees at Roadtrek Inc. are out of work, according to Unifor Local 1106.

CTV News obtained a letter issued to employees on Friday that confirmed the company was making job cuts linked to the trade war.

“Due to changes to North American trade agreements and tariffs and subsequent influences to our business, which are beyond our control, we regret to inform you that Roadtrek Inc. has been forced to reduce production output,” the letter reads.

Click here to read the full report by CTV News.

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