What’s REALLY Happening in the RV Market Right Now? (2026 Update)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:41 — 68.2MB)

If you’ve been watching the RV market lately, you’ve probably noticed things feel a little different.
Inventory is shifting. Prices are stabilizing. And there’s a lot of mixed messaging about whether now is a good time to buy, sell, or wait.

But before we even hit the main topic, this episode starts with a couple of real-world conversations from the road and the campground that set the stage for everything happening in the industry right now.

Pre-Show Conversations

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Changes

Sean shares his recent experience at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and what he’s seeing on the ground.

We talk about:

The evolving feel of Fort Wilderness
Ongoing updates and construction
The upcoming Lakeshore Lodge and how it could reshape the campground experience

It’s a great real-world example of how even iconic campgrounds are evolving to meet changing traveler expectations.

Hanging Out with James from The Fit RV

We also talk about a recent visit and YouTube video collaboration that Kenny did with James from The Fit RV. James gave Kenny a shop tour as Kenny interviewed him on what it takes to build a shop at your home and how he uses his shop to create products such as the Americanizer.

👉 Shop tour video: https://www.thefitrv.com/blog/tour-the-fit-rv-shop-or-just-hang-out-for-an-hour/

In This Episode

Once we jump in, we break down what’s actually happening across the RV industry in 2026. No hype. No doom and gloom. Just a clear look at the trends shaping the market right now.

We cover:

The latest RV shipment numbers and what they really mean
Why motorhomes and towables are moving in different directions
What major manufacturers like Winnebago Industries, Thor Industries, and REV Group are seeing
How campgrounds and camping styles are evolving
The growing divide between younger and older RVers
What all of this means if you’re thinking about buying or already own an RV

Key Takeaways

The RV market is not crashing, but it is rebalancing after the COVID boom
Motorhomes are holding stronger than towables, especially at higher price points
Manufacturers are shifting toward a lower volume, higher margin strategy
Camping demand remains strong, but how people camp is changing
Younger campers are driving growth in glamping and high-end RV resorts, while older RVers tend to stick with more traditional and budget-conscious travel

A Shift in Camping Culture

One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is how different generations approach camping.

Younger travelers are more focused on the experience. They’re choosing visually appealing destinations, upgraded campgrounds, and higher-end RV resorts that are easy to share on social media.

Meanwhile, many longtime RVers are sticking with a more traditional approach, focusing on value, simplicity, and familiarity.

Camping isn’t just about getting away anymore. For a lot of people, it’s about how that experience looks and feels.