{"id":350354,"date":"2026-02-02T10:28:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.interactcp.com\/blog\/bishscom\/?p=350354"},"modified":"2026-03-05T14:58:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:58:40","slug":"rv-industry-trends-2026-what-show-season-new-tech-and-market-shifts-mean-for-buyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/rv-industry-trends-2026-what-show-season-new-tech-and-market-shifts-mean-for-buyers\/","title":{"rendered":"RV Industry Trends 2026: What Show Season Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Every year, RV show season gives us the first real clues about where the industry is headed. And if 2026 is shaping up to be anything, it\u2019s shaping up to be <strong>different, smarter, and more segmented<\/strong> than what we\u2019ve seen in years past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Our favorite expert, Josh the RV Nerd, recently shared a wide-ranging industry update from Bish\u2019s RV, covering everything from RV show sales trends and changing buyer behavior to new technology, used RV pricing, safety concerns, and even Honda entering the RV space. <br><br>Let\u2019s break down what actually matters, and what it means if you\u2019re thinking about buying, selling, or traveling in an RV this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"entry-content-asset\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Honda AND Costco RVs, ID Theft, &amp; More \u2022 RV Industry Update February 2026\" width=\"940\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8IFdzJa2JXc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"table-of-contents\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:23px\"><a href=\"#show\">RV Show Season<\/a><br><a href=\"#selling\">What&#8217;s Selling<\/a><br><a href=\"#costco\">Costco <\/a><br><a href=\"#identify\">Identify <\/a><br><a href=\"#honda\">Honda<\/a><br><a href=\"#safety\">Safety<\/a><br><a href=\"#workamping\">Workamping<\/a><br><a href=\"#tech\">New Tech<\/a><br><a href=\"#fuel\">Fuel Prices<\/a><br><a href=\"#2026\">2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"show\">RV Show Season: Fewer People, More Buyers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">One of the biggest indicators each year is the Tampa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/bishs-rv-shows\/\"><strong>RV Show<\/strong><\/a>. This year, ticket pre-sales were up over 40%, but actual attendance was down about 4% \u2014 however, we believe severe weather played into the decrease. Here\u2019s the interesting part, sales were strong and in many cases, they were better than last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"RV show entrance with welcome banners and luxury motorhomes on display\" class=\"wp-image-350356\" width=\"691\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Tampa-RV-Show-01-18-2023-2.jpg 1996w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This continues a trend we\u2019ve seen for a while now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Fewer people attending RV shows<\/li><li>But a higher percentage of those people are <strong>serious buyers<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"the-three-types-of-rv-show-attendees\" style=\"font-size:28px\">The Three Types of RV Show Attendees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Josh breaks RV show crowds into three groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li><strong>The \u201cNever Buyers\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Just there to look and dream.<\/li><li><strong>The \u201cSomeday Buyers\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 Learning, researching, 6 months to 6 years away.<\/li><li><strong>The \u201cToday Buyers\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 They\u2019re there to purchase.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">What\u2019s missing lately? That big middle group. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Because <strong>the internet now does most of the education<\/strong>. YouTube, reviews, walkthroughs, and forums mean buyers often show up already knowing exactly what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"a-shift-in-buying-patterns\" style=\"font-size:28px\">A Shift in Buying Patterns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Thursdays are becoming strong buying days (get in, buy, leave before crowds).<\/li><li>Fridays are softer.<\/li><li>Saturdays are still chaos.<\/li><li>Sundays are often \u201cdecision day\u201d for people coming back to finalize a deal.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"selling\">What\u2019s Selling (And What Isn\u2019t)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">One reason Tampa-style shows can look different year to year is the <strong>mix<\/strong>, not just the crowd. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/rvbusiness.com\/tampa-supershow-gives-industry-a-reason-for-optimism\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">RVBusiness<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 reporting from the 2026 SuperShow highlights strong performance across multiple brands and segments when dealers brought the right inventory for what buyers wanted<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">At recent shows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li><strong>Laminated, higher-end brands<\/strong> like Grand Design, Brinkley, Alliance, and Jayco did very well.<\/li><li><strong>Entry-level \u201cstick and tin\u201d family campers<\/strong> underperformed at shows.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">But here\u2019s the key, the entry-level RVs are still selling. Families just aren&#8217;t using RV shows to shop for them anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Instead, RV shows are increasingly becoming places to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Finalize higher-dollar decisions<\/li><li>Talk to factory reps<\/li><li>Get reassurance before writing a big check<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"costco\">Costco Selling RVs? Sort Of.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209-1024x199.png\" alt=\"Family camping beside an RV at sunset with dog and outdoor gear\" class=\"wp-image-350357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209-1024x199.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209-300x58.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209-768x150.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209-1536x299.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153209.png 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Costco is not operating as an RV dealer here. The program is effectively an <strong>RV discount\/lead funnel<\/strong> through the Costco Auto Program that routes to Camping World inventory and pricing rules. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.costcoauto.com\/cw\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com&amp;cmpc=1\">Costco\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> own pages describe the offer as <strong>Camping World\u2019s Lowest Advertised Price<\/strong> plus an additional Costco member discount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"the-reality\">The reality:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Costco is <strong>not<\/strong> an RV dealer.<\/li><li>The program is fulfilled through Camping World.<\/li><li>It\u2019s similar to Costco\u2019s car-buying program.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"pros\">Pros:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Simple, convenient, fixed pricing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"cons\">Cons:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>\u201cLowest advertised price\u201d does <strong>not<\/strong> always mean lowest possible price<\/li><li>No real consultation on:<ul><li>Towing<\/li><li>Payload<\/li><li>Setup<\/li><li>Service strategy<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size\"><p>RVs are too complex for most buyers to treat like cookie cutter purchase. \u201cLowest advertised price\u201d is not the same as \u201clowest possible out-the-door deal,\u201d and a one-click mindset doesn&#8217;t offer the most RV-specific parts of buying&#8230;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/how-long-of-a-trailer-can-you-tow-wheelbase-trailer-length-real-towing-safety-rules\/\"> <strong>towing match<\/strong><\/a><strong>, payload, hitch setup, service expectations, and ownership readiness<\/strong>. Costco\u2019s program is optimized for simplicity, but RV ownership is optimized for preparation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"identity-theft-public-wi-fi-a-bigger-rv-problem-than-people-think\">Identity Theft + Public Wi-Fi: A Bigger RV Problem Than People Think<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As more RVers work from the road, the use of campground and public Wi-Fi use rises, which can increase exposure to scams, insecure networks, or hackable hotspots. The FTC advises treating public Wi-Fi as potentially insecure and avoiding sensitive activities unless you\u2019re confident the connection is protected (and even then, caution is warranted).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Road-tested best practice:<\/strong><br>If you\u2019re full-timing or remote working, consider your internet like a safety system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Use a personal hotspot\/cellular router or Starlink for sensitive logins<\/li><li>Turn off auto-join for unknown networks<\/li><li>Save banking, payroll, and account resets for trusted connections<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">With more people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Working remotely<\/li><li>Traveling full-time<\/li><li>Using campground Wi-Fi<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u2026identity theft is becoming a real issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"simple-rule\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Simple Rule:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Don\u2019t do banking or sensitive logins on public Wi-Fi.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Better options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Your own cellular hotspot<\/li><li>Starlink<\/li><li>Secure personal connections<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"honda\">Honda Is Entering the RV World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This isn\u2019t rumor anymore, Honda has an official <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/automobiles.honda.com\/future-vehicles\/base-station?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Base Station Prototype<\/a><\/strong> travel trailer initiative, positioned as a lightweight, modular, tech-forward concept aimed at making camping more accessible (and notably towable by compact SUVs like the CR-V).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-123526.png\" alt=\"Compact camper trailer with pop-up roof towed by SUV at lakeside campsite at sunset\" class=\"wp-image-350358\" width=\"708\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-123526.png 944w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-123526-300x154.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-123526-768x394.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Key ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>All-electric<\/li><li>Lithium, inverter, solar standard<\/li><li>Pop-top roof<\/li><li>Fits in a garage<\/li><li>Designed for CR-Vs and similar vehicles<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size\"><p>This could be the beginning of a much bigger shift \u2013 similar to how Japanese brands reshaped the auto industry decades ago.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"safety\">Safety: Touchscreens + Towing = Real Risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ace.aaa.com\/automotive\/advocacy\/visual-mental-distractions-study.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">AAA<\/a> <\/strong>studies have found that interacting with in-vehicle tech, whether voice-based or touchscreen, can create high visual and cognitive demand, which is exactly what you don\u2019t want while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"655\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153949.png\" alt=\"Infographic gauge showing distracted driving risk levels from low to very high, with texting and navigation rated highest\" class=\"wp-image-350359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153949.png 655w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-153949-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Modern vehicles are filled with touchscreens controlling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Climate<\/li><li>Navigation<\/li><li>Entertainment<\/li><li>Settings<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Studies show this leads to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Slower reaction times<\/li><li>More swerving<\/li><li>Erratic braking<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Now add <strong>8,000\u201312,000 pounds of trailer behind you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Adaptive cruise control<\/li><li>Lane keep assist<\/li><li>And set things up <strong>before<\/strong> you drive.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Actionable towing takeaway:<\/strong><br>Before you roll, set navigation, climate, music, and trailer monitoring. If you\u2019re making changes, do it stopped. \u201cJust a second\u201d becomes a big deal when you\u2019ve got thousands of pounds behind you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"workamping\">Workamping Is Changing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Camping has grown significantly since 2019, and <a href=\"https:\/\/koa.com\/north-american-camping-report\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"><strong>KOA\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> reporting points to demographic and lifestyle shifts&#8230; more campers, more younger households, and more people blending travel with work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Traditionally, campground hosts and workers skewed older. That\u2019s changing fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Now we\u2019re seeing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Younger families<\/li><li>Remote-working parents<\/li><li>Kids and teens helping out at campgrounds<\/li><li>Longer seasons, more flexible staffing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size\"><p>Campground culture is getting younger, more mobile, and more family-based.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"tech\">New Tech: A\/C Units That Also Heat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Heat strips and add-on electric heating for RV A\/C systems have been around, but they\u2019re getting more attention because they can reduce propane dependence in shoulder season and \u201ctake the chill off\u201d without firing the furnace. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/furrion.com\/\">Furrion\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> own heat strip kits describe that exact use case and the typical temperature band where this helps most. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/furrion.com\/\">Furrion\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> new <strong>Chill Cube<\/strong> systems now offer electric heat integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"331\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242-1024x331.png\" alt=\"Furrion Chill RV AC heat strip installation kit for electronic air conditioner systems\" class=\"wp-image-350360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242-1024x331.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242-768x248.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242-1536x496.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154242.png 1555w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">If an RV can deliver comfortable electric heat through existing systems, some shoppers care less about having a visible \u201cfireplace feature\u201d and more about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Could replace fireplaces<\/li><li>Could eliminate the need to upgrade from 30A to 50A service<\/li><li>Uses existing ducting<\/li><li>Saves space<\/li><li>Simplifies wiring<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The big question: Do you want the <em>look<\/em> of a fireplace, or just efficient electric heat? The ambiance is nice, but comfort and efficiency wins arguments in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"fuel\">Fuel Prices: A Little Good News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Fuel isn\u2019t everything, but it absolutely influences how far people feel comfortable traveling and how often they say \u201cyes\u201d to longer trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">AAA reported that early 2026 brought the <strong>lowest national average gas price since 2021<\/strong>, explicitly noting the last comparable low point as March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"602\" height=\"322\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154448.png\" alt=\"Person pumping gasoline into vehicle at fuel station\" class=\"wp-image-350361 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154448.png 602w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-29-154448-300x160.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Gas and diesel prices are the lowest they\u2019ve been since around 2021 (on average).<br><br>EV charging rates have stayed surprisingly flat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This could mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>More people traveling farther<\/li><li>More road trips<\/li><li>More flexibility in trip planning<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"used\">The Used RV Market Is Finally\u2026 Normal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">After the chaos of pandemic-era pricing, the market has been settling. Even industry-facing coverage heading into 2026 describes improved balance and a more stable posture versus the volatility <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/rv-pro.com\/features\/rv-market-momentum-builds-toward-2026\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">RV<\/a><\/strong> buyers felt in prior years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">After years of chaos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Used RV values are stabilizing<\/li><li>Supply is a little high<\/li><li>Dealers are taking in lots of trades during show season<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-this-means-for-buyers\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What This Means for Buyers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">There may be a <strong>sweet spot<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Right after show season<\/li><li>Before peak summer demand<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Dealers may be more flexible to move used inventory and free up cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Prices usually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Dip in spring<\/li><li>Rise into summer<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Show season tends to bring in trade-ins, which can temporarily swell used inventory. When dealers have more cash tied up in used units, you can sometimes see more willingness to move them, especially in the window after spring shows and before peak summer demand fully ramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" id=\"2026\">What 2026 \u201cFeels Like\u201d So Far<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/iStock-2233610936.jpg\" alt=\"Long road through green forest with large 2026 painted on asphalt and earlier years fading ahead, \" class=\"wp-image-350364\" width=\"543\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/iStock-2233610936.jpg 724w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2026\/01\/iStock-2233610936-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In other words, 2026 isn\u2019t shaping up to be a chaotic or uncertain year for RVing, it\u2019s a more informed one. Buyers are showing up with clearer expectations, the market is settling into something far more predictable, and technology is continuing to push the ownership experience forward. <br><br>Put all these signals together, and 2026 looks like a year where:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Buyers are more educated before they ever step on a lot<\/li><li>Convenience funnels (like Costco-style programs) will grow, but won\u2019t replace real RV guidance<\/li><li>Used values are stabilizing, making timing and selection more predictable<\/li><li>Tech is accelerating (and safety discipline matters more than ever)<\/li><li>Camping lifestyles continue expanding into work + longer stays<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">For shoppers who take the time to understand their needs, focus on safety and long-term value, and lean into real guidance over shortcuts, this could be one of the smartest and most confident years to step into RV ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"545\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2024\/09\/brooke_erickson.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-342962 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2024\/09\/brooke_erickson.jpg 545w, https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/504\/2024\/09\/brooke_erickson-255x300.jpg 255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#005568;font-size:18px\">Written By: Brooke Erickson<br><em>Some say I am a writer, I like to say I am a storyteller<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_counters\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:2px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_c=new Array(\"twitter\",\"facebook_like\",\"google\",\"pinterest\");var hupso_counters_lang = \"en_US\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_c=\"\";var hupso_title_c=\"RV Industry Trends 2026: What Show Season Revealed\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/counters.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year, RV show season gives us the first real clues about where the industry is headed. And if 2026 is shaping up to be anything, it\u2019s shaping up to be different, smarter, and more segmented than what we\u2019ve seen &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/rv-industry-trends-2026-what-show-season-new-tech-and-market-shifts-mean-for-buyers\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_counters\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/dot.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:2px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_c=new Array(\"twitter\",\"facebook_like\",\"google\",\"pinterest\");var hupso_counters_lang = \"en_US\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_c=\"\";var hupso_title_c=\"RV Industry Trends 2026: What Show Season Revealed\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/counters.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1075,"featured_media":350365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[365],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350354"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1075"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350354"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":350837,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350354\/revisions\/350837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/350365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=350354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bishs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=350354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}