Strong Foundations & a Clear Road Ahead for RVIA

While 2025 was not the recovery year we had all hoped for, it was a year that reinforced the strength and unity of our industry. Despite persistent headwinds — economic uncertainty, tariff flip-flops and rising input costs — the RV Industry Association (RVIA) remained focused on its foundational mission: defending and growing the industry.

Our core programs in advocacy and standards continue to be the bedrock of our association. We recently completed our 2025 Member Survey, and the feedback confirmed strong confidence: members view the association as a trusted, effective advocate. This year, the Government Affairs team delivered significant federal advocacy successes that will have a lasting impact.

• Tariffs and Fair Trade: The team secured major wins on de minimis exemption reform, which phases out the loophole for all countries starting July 1, 2027. This step toward strengthening fair trade closes the de minimis loophole, leveling the playing field for American manufacturers. Our members cited tariffs as the No. 1 immediate business concern, reinforcing the necessity of this work.
• Dealer Floorplan Fix: Working with our dealer partners and congressional champions, we successfully secured a fix to the 2017 tax cuts, enabling all RV dealers to fully deduct the interest on floorplan loans for nonmotorized towable trailers. This is significant progress on an issue the industry has been working on since the inadvertent error removed floorplan deductibility back in 2017. This legislative fix for towable RVs, which account for 88% of all RV sales, is a massive win for the industry. Additionally, the bill extended the 2017 tax cuts.

Our latest forecast projects the industry is on pace to ship 337,000 units by the end of 2025, a small but important gain over the 332,000 units shipped in 2024. More importantly, ITR Economics is projecting further growth in 2026. This optimism is supported by a recent Federal Reserve interest rate adjustment, which, while still high, is a move in the right direction, and one we hope will lead to stabilized and improved consumer confidence.

Further, our research continues to show that consumers are excited about living an active outdoor lifestyle, and outdoor participation is increasing. An estimated 28 million Americans, a 33% increase from last year, plan to travel by RV this winter. And unlike some of our competitive discretionary categories, RVers are getting younger. Millennials and Gen Z are driving the future of RV travel, with Gen Z (35%) and millennials (32%) showing the highest RV purchase consideration for 2026.

We conducted strategic planning, where our volunteer leadership helped us establish clear priorities for near- and long-term action. Key themes and focus for the next five years are:

• Defend the Industry: Continuing strong advocacy efforts on tariffs, trade and regulatory policy.
• Prioritizing Standards: Keeping our standards updated is vital as new technology enters the market.
• Grow the Future: Attracting new market entrants and improving the consumer experience across all touchpoints.

The foundation is strong, and the unity between manufacturers and dealers has never been greater. Our relationship with other important segments, like campgrounds, also continues to build. As we enter 2026, we encourage members to get involved; the association has over 30 committees that span many different areas. Your feedback and active involvement not only drive our direction but allow you to make a broader impact on our industry.

By placing members first in every decision, the RVIA is well prepared to navigate challenges and drive the industry forward into a promising 2026.