Here’s an excellent look at the current state of the RV industry from Josh Winters of Bish’s RV. In our minds, Josh is the most honest voice in the industry who can explain what is going on, and how it affects RVers and RV buyers.
We do not always believe the sugar-coated reports issued by the RV Industry Association, which are generally mumbo-jumbo to promote sales. We do believe Josh.
We used artificial intelligence to transcribe and sum up Josh’s comments from the video at the end of this post. We recommend, however, that you watch the video. Josh is a likable guy and very entertaining.
And so… according to Josh
The April 2026 RV picture looks cautious from almost every angle. Shipments are still slipping, retail sales are down, and higher fuel costs are adding pressure as camping season starts to ramp up.
Still, the news is not all bad. The market looks more stable than it did a year or two ago, and a few changes could matter a lot for shoppers, owners, and campgrounds this summer.
Shipments are still sliding, and dealers are reacting
Early 2026 has brought more of the same—shipments keep sliding year over year. A few small segments, like truck campers and some Class B and Class C units, have ticked up a bit. However, those gains come after long declines, so they do not change the bigger picture.
That is why many dealers are expected to stock a greatest-hits lineup this season. Popular models should be easy to find, while oddball or rare floor plans may be scarce or custom-order only. Some stores may not want to special-order at all, which leaves shoppers sorting through what is already on the ground.
The RV Industry Association (RVIA) sounds hopeful, but the pressure points remain
RVIA is still projecting a slight shipment increase for the year, but Josh has doubts. The tone here is more cautious. Gas prices jumped fast, and the Federal Reserve has said it is not lowering interest rates anytime soon, even if it is also not raising them right now.
For buyers, that means affordability has not improved the way many expected. For dealers, it means a careful inventory plan still makes the most sense.
Retail sales are down, but the market looks steadier
Retail sales, meaning RVs sold to actual customers, are down about 14.5% from last year. Motorized units have taken a bigger hit than towables, and the Class A segment remains the weakest part of the market.
Consolidation keeps reshaping familiar brands
That calmer market has not stopped consolidation. One of the clearest examples is Heartland being folded under the Jayco umbrella, alongside Highland Ridge and Starcraft. Those brands were once far more distinct. Now, the pressure to simplify production is making more models look like close sisters.
Heartland now means two different things
For shoppers, that creates one useful rule: Ask when the RV was built and who built it. There are now two generations of Heartland products in the market: the older Thor-era Heartland units and the newer Jayco-managed versions carrying familiar names like Prowler, North Trail, Sundance, and Bighorn.
The good news is that warranty coverage did not disappear in the transition because Thor still stands behind those earlier units. That also means dealers may be eager to move remaining older stock.
Fuel prices could raise costs far beyond the pump
Fuel prices jumped about a dollar in roughly a month and are pushing toward a $4 national average. In some places, especially California, prices are much higher. That hurts RV travel, but it also raises the cost of nearly everything else because so many goods move by truck.
Watch for fuel surcharges on new deliveries
One issue to watch is the return of the so-called temporary fuel surcharge on RV deliveries. Those fees tend to flow from transport companies to manufacturers, then to dealers, and finally to the buyer.
There is one important catch. If an RV is already in stock, it was shipped before any new surcharge took effect. The DOT sticker on the front driver-side corner can help confirm the build date, so owners and shoppers have a way to push back if a dealer tries to reprice old inventory.
Elsewhere, Forest River is seeing a quiet changing of the guard as several senior leaders retire or move on. That may not bring fast changes, but newer leadership could shape products and strategy over the next few years.
Campgrounds are also recovering from the reservation mess of the pandemic years. The share of campers using all the days they book has climbed past 70%, up from roughly half in 2022 and 2023. That suggests fewer no-shows and a better shot at finding open sites that are truly open.
New equipment and housing pressure are colliding
ASA Electronics is updating its Advent Air systems with refreshed 13.5K and 15.5K BTU units, Bluetooth controls, and backward compatibility with many existing setups. The standout detail is the reported 0.7% warranty rate, which is the kind of number owners notice when summer heat hits.
At the same time, housing pressure is pushing more people toward RV living. Nevada County, California, has proposed rules that would allow RV residence on private property. That may spread, but the warning stays the same, RVs are not houses. Many “full-time” claims are more marketing than construction reality, so long-term living still demands constant maintenance and realistic expectations.
Tariff refunds could be huge, and a few bright spots stood out
A recent U.S. Court of International Trade ruling could lead to refunds for tariffs found unconstitutional, with estimates landing between $130 billion and $175 billion. Since the RV industry depends heavily on imported parts, that could matter. Still, appeals seem likely, and there is little reason to expect that money to land in consumer pockets.
The strongest takeaway from April is not growth. It is restraint. Dealers are buying carefully, shoppers are watching costs closely, and the whole RV business is moving with more caution than confidence.
And now, here’s Josh, who explains more than the highlights we have noted above.
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