What is the Current State of the Top 10 RV Manufacturers in the World?
The top 10 RV manufacturers in the world are contributing to a fast-growing growing industry that has witnessed growth for 8-straight years — increasing 200% in that span. The crowd for RV buyers is getting younger as the average age of RV owners has decreased to 45 in 2020, declining for 3 straight years. The biggest factor for an increase in younger people buying RVs is to due to the popularity of camping among younger people (41% of campers are millennials). The best RV brands are targeting these next generation of RV buyers when manufacturing recreational vehicles in 2020.
This fact sheet is to assist business professionals, investors, and everyday readers that are interested in gaining insights into the global RV industry including:
- Discover what are the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world in 2020?
- What is the best RV brand in the world?
- What are recreational vehicles?
- Global RV industry outlook 2020 — what’s are the growth projections in the industry by 2025?
- Who buys RVs? What’s the current landscape and best demographic?
- Connect with the best RV brands in the world on BizVibe.
BizVibe is already helping the top RV brands connect. Connect and track the latest news and insights from these companies.
Global RV Industry Outlook 2020
What are recreational vehicles? A recreational vehicle is often abbreviated as RV. A recreational vehicle is a motor vehicle or trailer which includes living quarters designed for accommodation. There are many types of motor vehicles including motorhomes, campervans, caravans (also known as travel trailers and camper trailers), fifth-wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers. The RV industry has grown for 8 straight years, growing 200% during that span. By 2025, sales of RVs will eclipse USD 75 billion.
Top RV Industry Trends Driving Growth
• The largest RV manufacturer in the world by revenue is Thor Industries
• The RV industry has steadily grown to record highs over the last eight years, hitting 504.6 thousand units shipped in 2017.
• The RV industry creates USD 50 billion in economic impact annually in the USA alone.
• The RV industry sales grew for 8 straight years. During these 8 years, the recreational vehicle industry has grown more than 200%.
• 40 million people in the United States go RV camping.
• Millennials make up approximately 41% of campers, despite being 31% of the general population.
• More than 9 million families in the USA report ownership of an RV.
• More than 100 RV manufacturers are currently active in the USA.
• Canada is the primary RV export destination for the USA with more than 90% of industry exports going north each year.
• An RV vacation can be over 60% cheaper than a traditional vacation.
• 1 out of every 5 RVs (20%) is classified as a “conventional travel trailer.”
Ranking the Top 10 RV Manufacturers in the World in 2020
The top 10 RV manufacturers in the world have been dominating the market for decades and are transitioning to a new age of market positioning — targeting a younger demographic. The best RV brands listed below are leading the way for the market and this is BizVibe’s ranking based on a variety of factors including innovation, revenue, and brand power. what is the best RV brand in the world? Read on to find out.
1. Forest River Inc.,
What is the best RV brand? Forest River ranks 1st on our list of the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world in 2020 and is the best RV brand in the world. Forest River Inc., is a US manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, utility trailers, pontoon boats, and buses. To date, Forest River has grown to over 90,000 members in its RV community group FROG (Forest River Owners’ Group). The company was founded in 1996 by Peter Liegl and the company mainly grew through acquisitions early on. Recently, the company acquired assets of Coachmen RV, a subsidiary of All American Group one of the other top RV manufacturers on this list. Forest River is currently headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, United States. Forest River currently has over 100 RV manufacturing plants — making it one of the largest RV manufacturers in the world in sheer capacity. In 2005, Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company.
- Founded: 1996
- Forest River Headquarters: Elkhart, Indiana, United States
- Forest River Number of Locations: 100
- Forest River Number of Employees: 11,000
Forest River RV Brands and Products
- Coachmen RV
- Dynamax luxury Class C and Super C Motorhomes
- East to West
- Forest River RV: Class A and C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, camping trailers, and destination trailers. Forest River range brands include Berkshire RDs, Charleston RDs, Legacy RDs, Georgetown Class As, FR3 Class As, Forester Class Cs, and Sunseeker Class Cs.
- Travel Trailer and Fifth Wheel Model lines: Blue Ridge Fifth Wheels (FWs), Cardinal FWs, Cedar Creek FW & Travel Trailers (TTs), Cherokee FW & TTs, Evo TTs, Flagstaff FW & TTs, Salem FW & TTs, Wildwood FW & TTs, Riverstone FWs, Rockwood FW & TTs, R-Pod TTs, Sabre FWs, Sandpiper FW & TTs, Sierra FW & TTs, Surveyor FW & TTs, Vibe TTs, and Wildcat FW & TTs.
- Palomino brand: Top 10 manufacturers of both travel trailers and fifth wheels.
- Shasta RV
2. Oliver Travel Trailers
Oliver Travel Trailers ranks number 2 on our list of the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world in 2020. Oliver Travel Trailers manufactures and sells factory outlet direct high-quality fiberglass travel trailers and is known for making some of the best travel trailers on the market. Oliver Travel Trailers is located in Hohenwald Tennessee and its Legacy Elite brand of travel trailers are considered some of the best RV brands in the world as of 2020. How much do Oliver travel trailers cost? Typically, an Oliver Travel Trailer is custom built to its new owner’s specifications, with $48,900 being the typical base price.
- Founded: 2007
- Oliver Travel Trailers Headquarters: Hohenwald, Tennessee, USA
Oliver Travel Trailers RV Brands and Products
- Luxury Fiberglass Travel Trailers
- Campers
- RVs
- Legacy Elite
- Legacy Elite II
3. Thor Industries
Ranking 3rd on this list of the best RV brands is Thor Industries, an American manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) that sells towable and motorized RVs through its subsidiaries brands including Airstream, Heartland RV, Jayco, Livin Lite RV, and others. Thor Industries brought in revenues of USD 7.25 billion last year – making it one of the largest RV manufacturers in the world in terms of annual revenues in 2020. The company’s headquarters are currently in Elkhart, Indiana and has RV manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Oregon.
The company started in 1980 and expanded into the RV manufacturing market in 1991, by acquiring Indiana-based Dutchmen. Later on, the company went on to acquire more companies and built its presence as one of the top ten RV manufacturers in the world.
- Founded: 1980
- Thor Industries Headquarters: Elkhart, Indiana, United States
- Thor Industries Total Revenue: USD 7.25 billion
- Thor Industries Number of Employees: 17,800
Thor Industries RV Brands, Products and Subsidiaries
- Airstream: Manufacturer of travel trailers and motor homes, known for its distinctive all-aluminum models. Models including the Flying Cloud, Classic, Nest, International Signature, and Basecamp.
- Heartland RV: Heartland RV is an Elkhart, Indiana-based manufacturer of fifth wheels and travel trailers. Brands including the BigHorn line, Sundance, and Cyclone models.
- Hymer: German manufacturer of RVs based in Bad Waldsee.
- Dutchmen: Manufacturer of RVs based in Goshen, Indiana. Previously the 2nd largest manufacturer of travel trailers and fifth wheels in the United States in the 1990s, with brands like the Aerolite, Coleman, Denali, Kodiak, and Aspen Trail.
- Jayco: RV manufacturer based in Middlebury, Indiana. Jayco manufactures a variety of fold-down camping trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes, toy haulers, and other travel trailers.
- Keystone RV
- Thor Motor Coach
4. Coachmen RV
Coachmen RV is one of the most recognized RV manufacturers in the world and has been in the game for over 50 years. Recent accomplishments include selling over 600,000 RV units to date. Coachmen is under the ownership of Forest River Inc., and its current best RV models include the Pursuit, Freelander, Prism, and Leprechaun. Additionally, Coachmen builds diesel model RVs like the Sportscoach and gas models such as the Encore, Mirada, and Pursuit. Coachmen RV is located in Middlebury, Indiana with a primary manufacturing facility occupying over 220 acres serving as dedicated manufacturing facilities for Coachmen branded Class A Motorhomes, Class B Motorhomes, Class C Motorhomes, Fifth Wheels, and Travel Trailers.
- Founded: 1964
- Coachmen RV Headquarters: Middlebury, Indiana
Coachmen RV Brands and Products
- Motorhomes: Class A, B, and C Motorhomes with models including The Pursuit, Mirada, Encore, Mirada Select, Prism, and more.
- Travel Trailers: Models including Freedom Express Liberty Edition, Freedom Express Ultra Lite, Freedom Express Select.
- Fifth Wheelers.
- Toy Haulers.
- Campers
- Destination Trailers
5. Entegra Coach
Ranking 5th on BizVibe’s list of the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world in 2020 is Entegra Coach, a member of the Jayco family since 2008 and known for manufacturing some of the best luxury motorhomes. In addition to diesel Class A coaches, Entegra Coach has since expanded to manufacturing gas Class A and Class C RVs. The company is currently headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, and the companies main offerings are a variety of different motorhomes and RVs.
- Founded: 2008
- Entegra Coach Headquarters: Middlebury, Indiana, USA
Entegra Coach Brands and Products
- Luxury Diesel Motorhomes: Reatta, Reatta XL, Aspire, Anthem, Cornerstone.
- Gas Class A Motorhomes: Vision, Vision XL, Emblem.
- Class C Motorhomes: Odyssey, Esteem, Qwest, Accolade.
6. Newmar
Newmar Corporation ranks 6th on this list of the best RV brands. Founded in 1968, Newmar is currently headquartered in Nappanee, Indiana, United Staes. Newmar is mainly known for manufacturing and selling gas, diesel, and luxury motorhomes. The company has been in the game for over 50 years and owes its popularity to its founders who were RV enthusiasts themselves. The company is known for strong branding and promoting the RV lifestyle to its consumers to generate interest for the RV brand. Newmar is known as one of the best RV brands according to its customers.
- Founded: 1968
- Newmar Headquarters: Nappanee, Indiana, USA
Newmar RV Brands and Products
- The Newmar Luxury Lineup: King Aire, Essex, London Aire, Mountain Aire, New Aire.
- The Newmar Diesel Lineup: Dutch Star, Ventana, Kountry Star.
- The Newmar Gas Lineup: Canyon Star, Bay Star, Bay Star Sport.
- The Newmar Super C Lineup: Supreme Aire, Super Star.
7. Jayco
7th on BizVibe’s list of the 10 best RV manufacturers is Jayco, a subsidiary of Thor Industries. Jayco deserves its listing due to immense quality and best in class awards for manufacturing Recreation Vehicles that consumers love. Headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, its 3,200-person workforce is notable for manufacturing fold-down camping trailers, conventional travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, and motorhomes (Class A and C). In the past, the RV manufacturer won many awards including the Motorhome Silver Award in 2015 and the 2015 RVDA Titan Award.
- Founded: 1968
- Jayco Headquarters: Middlebury, Indiana, USA
- Jayco Number of Employees: 3,200
Jayco RV Brands and Products
- Travel Trailer: Hummingbird, Jay Feather, White Hawk, Jay Flight, and more.
- Fifth Wheel: Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel, North Point, and more.
- Toy Hauler: Octane Super Lite, Talon Platinum, and more.
- Class C: Redhawk, Redhawk SE, Greyhawk, and more.
- Class A: Alante, Precept, and more.
8. Tiffin Motorhomes
Headquartered in Red Bay, Alabama, Tiffin Motorhomes is 8th on this top 10 RV manufacturers list. Tiffin is one of the industry leaders in quality and service for both Class A and Class C coaches. The company is known for its reputation for making high-quality RVs. Tiffin’s luxury Class A and C motorhomes lead the industry in manufacturing and sales across multiples segments.
- Founded: 1972
- Tiffin Headquarters: Red Bay, Alabama
9. Airstream
Ranking 9th on this list of the top 10 RV manufactures in the world in 2020 is Airstream, notable for their distinctive rounded shape and aluminum build. Airstream is an American brand of travel trailers that employs over 800 people and can be dated back to the 1920s — making the company one of the oldest RV manufacturers in the business. The company is now a subsidiary of Thor Industries.
- Founded: 1920
- Airstream Headquarters: Jackson Center, Ohio, USA
10. Winnebago Industries
Rounding out BizVibe’s list of the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world in 2020 is Winnebago Industries, Inc, an American manufacturer of motorhomes, a type of recreational vehicle (RV), in the United States. It is based in Forest City, Iowa. The company currently sells and manufactures Class A, Class C, and Class B motorhomes; as well as fifth wheelers, travel trailers, toy haulers, and buses.
- Founded: 1958
- Winnebago Headquarters: Forest City, Iowa, USA
- Winnebago Total Revenue: USD 945.2 million
- Winnebago Number of Employees: 2,850
This is BizVibe’s list of the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world ranked by its placement, popularity, and brand power in the global RV industry. The best RV brands have paved the way for the next generation of motorhomes and recreational vehicles. We are seeing a younger demographic owning motor homes with the average age of RV ownership dropping to 45 and going down for 3 years in a row. This is the time to get into the RV business.
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Complete List of the Best RV Brands in the World 2020
Here is a complete list of the 55 best RV brands and all models, types, and class of RVs they manufacture.
Manufacturer |
Class A |
Class B |
Class C |
Travel Trailer |
5th wheel |
| Adria Mobil | X | X | X | X | |
| Airstream | X | ||||
| Auto-Sleepers | X | X | X | ||
| Auto-Trail | X | X | |||
| Bailey of Bristol | |||||
| Beaver Motorcoach Corporation | |||||
| Bedford Dormobile | X | X | |||
| Caravans International | X | ||||
| Caraboat | |||||
| Chausson | X | ||||
| Coachman Caravans | |||||
| Cosalt | X | ||||
| Cortez Motor Home | |||||
| Elddis | X | ||||
| The Explorer Group | X | ||||
| Fendt Caravan | |||||
| Fleetwood Enterprises | X | X | |||
| Forest River RV | X | X | X | ||
| Giottiline | |||||
| GMC motorhome | X | ||||
| Grand River RV | X | ||||
| Gulfstream Coach | |||||
| Heartland Recreational Vehicles | X | ||||
| Holdsworth Motorhomes | X | ||||
| Holiday Rambler | X | X | X | ||
| Hymer | X | X | X | X | |
| Jayco, Inc | X | X | X | X | |
| Jurgens Ci Caravans | |||||
| Keystone RV | X | X | |||
| Livin Lite RV | |||||
| Martin Walter of Folkestone | |||||
| Mauck Special Vehicles | |||||
| Millennium Luxury Coaches | |||||
| Mini Wildgoose | |||||
| Monaco Coach Corporation | X | ||||
| REV Group | |||||
| Safari Motorcoach Corporation | |||||
| Safari Trek Motorhome | |||||
| SEA Group | |||||
| Shasta | X | ||||
| Sportsmobile | X | ||||
| Swift Leisure | X | X | X | X | |
| Thor Motor Coach | X | X | X | ||
| Tonke | |||||
| Toppola | |||||
| Travco | X | ||||
| Triple E Recreational Vehicles | X | X | |||
| Tuscany Luxury Motorhomes | X | ||||
| Vixen (RV) | X | ||||
| Volkswagen Westfalia Camper | |||||
| Wanderlodge | X | ||||
| Westfalia | X | ||||
| Winnebago Era | X | ||||
| Winnebago | X | X | X | X | X |
| Xplorer Motorhomes | X |
- The top 10 RV manufacturers such as Winnebago, Jayco, and Thor Motor Coach manufacture all types of recreational vehicles.
The Future of the RV Industry
Looking past 2020, the future of the RV industry is targeting millennials. By 2025, sales of RVs will eclipse USD 75 billion. With millennials making up the largest group of campers, expect the top 10 RV manufacturers in the world like Forest River, Thor Industries, and Winnebago to target consumers between 30 and 45 going forward. The best RV brands in 2020 and beyond and shifting their focus and messaging to reach the next generation of buyers.
