FREELTON, Ontario — The Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) announced that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has implemented long anticipated updates to the province’s licensing requirements for motorhome operators, according to a release.

Effective July 1, 2025, updated regulatory changes will be reflected across Drive Test files on Ontario.ca and the MTO’s official communications channels. These changes align Ontario’s licensing requirements with most other Canadian jurisdictions, simplifying the process for RV consumers and reducing unnecessary barriers to operating a motorhome safely and legally.

“We are excited about the introduction of an RV-specific license. Eliminating the requirement for a commercial license to operate motorhomes over 11000 kilograms simplifies the process for both dealers and customers. It makes RV travel more accessible and approachable without compromising safety,” said Amy Verwey, general manager, Owasco RV Centre, Bowmanville, ON.

“The introduction of a motorhome-specific license addresses a longstanding regulatory gap,” said Chris McKee, General Sales Manager & Co-Owner at The Hitch House. “The previous framework placed an undue burden on both consumers and industry staff, applying commercial training standards to non-commercial vehicles. This change creates a more appropriate and accessible pathway for Ontarians to operate motorhomes safely and legally.

“We would also like to thank everyone at the ORVDA for their contributions, with special appreciation to Shane Devenish, president of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association,” McKee added.

The licensing change follows focused advocacy and collaboration between ORVDA’s Government Relations Committee and the Ministry of Transportation. The new framework enhances regulatory clarity while supporting the continued growth of Ontario’s RV industry.

“We are extremely grateful to Minister Sarkaria and his team at the Ministry of Transportation for their sustained collaboration with our industry. Over many months, their team collaborated closely with us to help design an online learning module that not only enhances road safety but also removes long-standing licensing barriers for motorhome owners. This is a meaningful and much-needed change for our sector,” said Shane Devenish, ORVDA Government Relations Committee.

The post Ontario Motorhome Operators Obtain Licensing Victory first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FREELTON, Ontario — The Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) announced that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has implemented long anticipated updates to the province’s licensing requirements for motorhome operators, according to a release.

Effective July 1, 2025, updated regulatory changes will be reflected across Drive Test files on Ontario.ca and the MTO’s official communications channels. These changes align Ontario’s licensing requirements with most other Canadian jurisdictions, simplifying the process for RV consumers and reducing unnecessary barriers to operating a motorhome safely and legally.

“We are excited about the introduction of an RV-specific license. Eliminating the requirement for a commercial license to operate motorhomes over 11000 kilograms simplifies the process for both dealers and customers. It makes RV travel more accessible and approachable without compromising safety,” said Amy Verwey, general manager, Owasco RV Centre, Bowmanville, ON.

“The introduction of a motorhome-specific license addresses a longstanding regulatory gap,” said Chris McKee, General Sales Manager & Co-Owner at The Hitch House. “The previous framework placed an undue burden on both consumers and industry staff, applying commercial training standards to non-commercial vehicles. This change creates a more appropriate and accessible pathway for Ontarians to operate motorhomes safely and legally.

“We would also like to thank everyone at the ORVDA for their contributions, with special appreciation to Shane Devenish, president of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association,” McKee added.

The licensing change follows focused advocacy and collaboration between ORVDA’s Government Relations Committee and the Ministry of Transportation. The new framework enhances regulatory clarity while supporting the continued growth of Ontario’s RV industry.

“We are extremely grateful to Minister Sarkaria and his team at the Ministry of Transportation for their sustained collaboration with our industry. Over many months, their team collaborated closely with us to help design an online learning module that not only enhances road safety but also removes long-standing licensing barriers for motorhome owners. This is a meaningful and much-needed change for our sector,” said Shane Devenish, ORVDA Government Relations Committee.

The post Ontario Motorhome Operators Obtain Licensing Victory first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

CHICAGO — Thousand Trails campgrounds and Encore RV resorts, which provide vacationers the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in top camping and resort destinations across the nation, announced that 55 of their properties received the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award. Of the 55, four were first-time winners, including trendy hotspots Emerald Isle RV Resort off the coast of North Carolina and Whippoorwill Campground near Ocean City, New Jersey.

An additional dozen locations earned the award for at least five consecutive years, with Thousand Trails’ Whalers Rest (OR), Oakzanita Springs (CA), Hershey (PA), and Gettysburg Farm (PA) each taking home the honor for an impressive 10^th year in a row. Thousand Trails Orlando, the popular central Florida destination, continued its extraordinary streak, receiving the Tripadvisor recognition for the 11^th consecutive year.

Tripadvisor collects customer reviews, ratings, and saves shared by travelers across the globe and uses the information to spotlight top destinations with the Travelers’ Choice award. Travelers’ Choice recognizes businesses that earn consistently great reviews and according to Tripadvisor, only about 10% of businesses listed on the site receive a Travelers’ Choice award.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see 55 of our campground resorts honored with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award, a recognition that reflects the amazing experiences our guests enjoy every day,” said Pat Zamora, vice president of marketing for Thousand Trails and Encore. “It’s a tribute to the dedication of our on-site teams, whose hard work and attention to customer service make it possible for our guests to create unforgettable memories during their stays.”

Guests can visit ThousandTrails.com to book RV sites, tent sites, and a range of unique rental accommodations, including yurts, cabins, cottages, tiny houses and even tiny container houses, with a variety of features and amenities to complement every vacation.

To qualify for the Travelers’ Choice award, businesses must maintain an overall Tripadvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, receive a minimum number of reviews in the 12-month period in which the data was analyzed, and be listed on Tripadvisor for at least one year.

About Thousand Trails and Encore

Thousand Trails campgrounds and Encore RV resorts are part of a network of more than 220 RV resorts and campgrounds across North America comprising over 90,000 sites. Thousand Trails, Encore, and their affiliates offer RV and outdoor recreation enthusiasts opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in top vacation destinations, complemented with resort-style amenities. For more information, visit ThousandTrails.com.

The post Tripadvisor Honors Thousand Trails, Encore RV Resorts first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

In this episode of OEM Showcase On Location, Rick Kessler of RVBusiness is at Winnebago Towables in Middlebury, Ind., where Grant Smith provides a walk-through tour of the all-new Thrive travel trailer.

This episode of OEM Showcase On Location is sponsored by H.B. Fuller.

The post OEM Showcase: Winnebago’s New Thrive Travel Trailer first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

In this episode of OEM Showcase On Location, Rick Kessler of RVBusiness is at Winnebago Towables in Middlebury, Ind., where Grant Smith provides a walk-through tour of the all-new Thrive travel trailer.

This episode of OEM Showcase On Location is sponsored by H.B. Fuller.

The post OEM Showcase: Winnebago’s New Thrive Travel Trailer first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

“RVing in New England,” the weekly Facebook Live show hosted by Bob Zagami and John DiPietro of the New England RV Dealers Association (NERVDA), tonight talks about the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend.

The show airs at 7 p.m. tonight. 

The post ‘RVing in New England’ to Highlight the Holiday Weekend first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Marc and Tricia Leach of Keep Your Daydream go behind the scenes for a factory tour of the Zip Dee production facility in Oak Grove, Ill.

From Keep Your Daydream: Did you know the founder of Zip Dee Awnings’s last name is Duda? We recently had the chance to visit Zip Dee Awnings, a company that’s been handcrafting awnings for nearly 60 years. What made this visit extra special was getting a full factory tour — not from a guide, but from Nate Webb, Zip Dee’s president, who rolled up on a Segway and personally installed our awning. In this episode, we go behind the scenes to look at how these legendary awnings are made and pick up a few tips along the way. Whether you already have a Zip Dee awning or just love seeing how quality gear is built, this one’s worth watching.

The post Check Out this Behind-the-Scenes Look at Zip Dee Awnings first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Marc and Tricia Leach of Keep Your Daydream go behind the scenes for a factory tour of the Zip Dee production facility in Oak Grove, Ill.

From Keep Your Daydream: Did you know the founder of Zip Dee Awnings’s last name is Duda? We recently had the chance to visit Zip Dee Awnings, a company that’s been handcrafting awnings for nearly 60 years. What made this visit extra special was getting a full factory tour — not from a guide, but from Nate Webb, Zip Dee’s president, who rolled up on a Segway and personally installed our awning. In this episode, we go behind the scenes to look at how these legendary awnings are made and pick up a few tips along the way. Whether you already have a Zip Dee awning or just love seeing how quality gear is built, this one’s worth watching.

The post Check Out this Behind-the-Scenes Look at Zip Dee Awnings first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

Marc and Tricia Leach of Keep Your Daydream go behind the scenes for a factory tour of the Zip Dee production facility in Oak Grove, Ill.

From Keep Your Daydream: Did you know the founder of Zip Dee Awnings’s last name is Duda? We recently had the chance to visit Zip Dee Awnings, a company that’s been handcrafting awnings for nearly 60 years. What made this visit extra special was getting a full factory tour — not from a guide, but from Nate Webb, Zip Dee’s president, who rolled up on a Segway and personally installed our awning. In this episode, we go behind the scenes to look at how these legendary awnings are made and pick up a few tips along the way. Whether you already have a Zip Dee awning or just love seeing how quality gear is built, this one’s worth watching.

The post Check Out this Behind-the-Scenes Look at Zip Dee Awnings first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BROOKFIELD, Wis. – REV Group, Inc. (NYSE:REVG), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles, announces in a press release that Linas Polteraitis has been promoted to chief supply chain officer. He joined REV Group in September 2023 as the vice president of supply chain. Polteraitis will continue reporting to Mark Skonieczny, CEO and president, REV Group. 

“Linas has been instrumental in strengthening REV’s procurement and supply chain operations,” said Mark Skonieczny, CEO of REV Group. “Over the course of his tenure, he has built a high-performing team and fostered strong supplier partnerships. He has proven himself to be a strategic and results-oriented leader, and we are delighted to promote Linas to our Chief Supply Chain Officer.”  

Prior to joining REV Group, Polteraitis was senior director, supply chain at Otis Worldwide, where he led various strategic initiatives and transformations to generate increased sales and profitability. Before that, he was vice president, purchasing – direct materials at Adient; supply chain management director – Americas at Aptiv; and various progressive leadership roles in purchasing at ZF TRW, DMAX, Ltd., General Motors Corporation, and Isuzu Motors America. 

With many career highlights and recognitions, Polteraitis received the CEO Award at Otis Worldwide for his activities related to COVID-19 and Global Supply Chain disruption mitigation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University.

The post REV Group Names Polteraitis as Chief Supply Chain Officer first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.