Table of Contents Show
If you’re not a fan of big businesses, we’ve got some bad news for you. Despite how it may appear, four massive brands dominate the RV industry.
These parent companies are responsible for manufacturing a vast majority of recreational vehicles.
Today, we’ll introduce you to the four biggest RV Manufacturers in the game. If you own an RV, there’s a good chance one of these brands had something to do with it.
Let’s get started!
What Are The Big Four RV Manufacturers?
The big four RV manufacturers are a dominant force in the industry. While they don’t produce 100% of all recreational vehicles, it’s close. If you look around the next time you’re in a campground, you’ll likely spot the fruits of their labor.
Thor
Thor started in 1980 when Wade Thompson and Peter Orthwein acquired Airstream, an iconic and struggling brand. They turned things around the company and have repeated the process time and time again when purchasing company after company.
Over the last 40 years, they’ve become the largest RV manufacturer in the world. Thor is a recognizable name, and so are many of its brands. They own 17 North American RV brands and 14 other North American companies. However, they also own 16 European caravan brands and five European companies.
They’re responsible for producing practically every type of camper, from small travel trailers to massive Class A motorhomes. Such a diversified portfolio enables them to withstand the ebbs and flows of the RV industry.
One of their most recent acquisitions was of the brand Airxcel in September 2021. The company makes various RV parts and accessories. This purchase was mainly in response to the supply shortage that many manufacturers were experiencing starting in 2020. It gave them more control of their supply chain and to be aware of bottlenecks in the system.
Pro Tip: Check out how Thor Buys RVillage, Then Shuts it Down for more information on how Thor does business.
Forest River, Inc.
With approximately 38% market share, Forest River, Inc. is the second largest RV manufacturer in the United States. The brand started in 1996 and expanded into the marine and motorhome industries by 1998.
Much like Thor, Forest River multiplied due to acquiring other brands. Through these acquisitions, they can serve a wide variety of customers.
Today, they have multiple manufacturing facilities all over North America. They produce just about every type of recreational vehicle you can imagine. Their lineup consists of everything from pop-up campers to massive motorhomes. Additionally, they have park models, destination trailers, cargo trailers, commercial vehicles, buses, pontoons, and even mobile restroom trailers.
Winnebago Industries
John K. Hanson started Winnebago Industries in 1958 as Modernistic Industries in Forest City, Iowa, with only 17 employees. Their 15-foot Aljo trailers were a hot-ticket item. People liked what they saw and the ease of use.
In 1960, the name changed to Winnebago Industries as a tribute to a nearby river. They launched their icon Winnebago motorhome in the late 1960s and went public in the 1970s.
Like many other successful brands, they grew their position in the industry through acquisitions. Their most notable acquisitions were the 2016 purchase of Grand Design RV and in 2019 when they bought Newmark Corporation. Although, their Winnebago line remains their bread and butter.
They’ve got a long history and positive reputation in the RV community. Many respect them for their commitment to quality and innovation across their recreational vehicles.
REV Group
While REV Group may be the smallest of the big four, that doesn’t mean they’re one to overlook. Since 2010, they’ve designed various specialty vehicles in the emergency, commercial, and recreational industries. Their website claims they have over 210,000 vehicles in service today.
It united several of the most trusted brands in various segments under one umbrella. Brands like Spartan Emergency Response joined with Fleetwood RV, American Coach, and Monaco Coach. The brands were able to combine resources and industry relationships to fuel their growth across multiple sectors. In total, REV Group has 24 brands under its umbrella.
With their wide net, REV Group produces campers, emergency vehicles, buses, and more. This provides stability as they can easily adjust production and emphasis based on the market conditions and demand.
Independent Manufacturers
While the big four may maintain most of the RV market, you can still find many independent manufacturers. Unfortunately, independent manufacturers often have limited resources, smaller distribution and service networks, and aren’t as recognizable. Regardless, that doesn’t mean you should overlook them.
Independent manufacturers have a distinct advantage over more prominent brands. Because there’s less red tape and corporate workers in the way, it’s often easier to work directly with these manufacturers. You may be able to make adjustments to the build or add certain features to help the rig better fit your needs.
Is There a Monopoly in the RV Industry?
No, there’s not a monopoly in the RV industry. That’s because a monopoly is when there’s only a single manufacturer. Despite this, Thor and Forest River own 80% of the market, so it’s more of an oligopoly. As smaller companies attract customers, many of the big four will buy them out and take over to squeeze every penny out of the brand.
Did one of the big four manufacture your RV?
