RV industry hopes for more Canadian road trippers amid tariff uncertainty


Canadian recreational vehicle dealers say they are concerned about the threat of tariffs in their industry, but they are cautiously optimistic that travelers can have a renewed interest in exploring Canada in a recreational vehicle.

The vast majority of RV in Canada are produced in the United States, mainly in Elkhart and its surroundings, Ind.

Until now, vehicles have been saved from the automotive rates of 25 percent of the United States and the equivalent reprisals of Canada, says Shane Accrvenish, president of the Canadian Association of Recreational Vehicles. But, he says, distributors have been storing units just in case.

“[We’ve] Certainly our fingers were crossed because we will not be beaten … it would greatly affect our industry with these rates, if they come, “Avenish told Shelley Joyce, host of CBC’s Daybreak Kamloop.

Recreational vehicles and trailers are seen on the beach of Banks Spanish Banks of Vancouver. Campists and motorhomes, which are made mainly in the US. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Accurvenish says they want more RV to be manufactured in Canada, but the answer is not so simple.

“It is a competitive advantage that the United States has,” he said. “Elkhart is what is called the world capital of RV. They have a workforce, they have a supply chain. They have manufacturers directly within a radius of approximately 150 miles.”

Allison Blouin of Fraserway RV in Kamloops, BC, agrees that the future is not clear. She points out that the RV in the US and Canada use Canadian wood and some Canadian steel, which means that US manufacturers could also be affected.

“I don’t know exactly where the price points will end,” he said.

Blouin adds that there is optimism in the industry, since they have seen an increase in the interest of Canadians looking to travel within their own country in the midst of a commercial war.

“The RV industry, I think, will benefit from that,” he said.

A woman with short blond hair and a green sweater smiles.
Allison Blouin says that the future of the RV market in Canada is murky given the current trade war with the United States (CBC)

“Our rear patio is huge. We are anticipating that people who wish to spend their money at home and who want to support local communities, local businesses.”

Blouin says that his company, which also rents RVS, is doing many business with travelers from Europe and the United States.

Accvenish says he is listening to the owners of Canadian recreational vehicles who are looking to travel further in Canada.

“I was in a pogton [N.B.] RV Show a couple of weeks ago and more people told me about making those longer trips they have not made in the past, “he said.” People want to enjoy Canada and take recreational vehicles throughout the country. “

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Currently, recreational vehicles (RV) and motorhomes are not subject to 25 percent counter-tarifa in US cars. Shelley Joyce del CBC talks about making a road trip from Canada, that many industry experts expect to become common.

Kamloops RV inhabitant to skip us

There has been an increase in Canadians who choose to stay local for their vacations in recent months.

Karl Willms, 80, is a Kamloop artist who has traveled the world with his wife and his sketchbook, but never before had a road trip through Canada.

That is something that the graphic novelist and the sketch artist plans to make, instead of his usual trip that involves six months in Mexico after a tortuous journey from the USA.

An older man dressed in blue jeans and a casual jacket with buttons is seen to the side panels of a large white rolling house.
Karl Willms is seen doing maintenance work in its 2018 RV, called ‘White Fang’. The artist has passed through three recreational vehicles due to the amount of trips he does throughout the world. (Shelley Joyce/CBC)

“We are planning to go through Canada, due to the situation in the south, we decided to sponsor our own country,” he said.

Willllms says he plans to stay as south in Canada as possible with his RV, nicknamed “White Fang.”

“If they are the gravel roads, what is fine,” said the artist. “I am very interested in the small city of Canada.

“The cities of the meadows that I love are cities with a main street, a Chinese restaurant, a bank and a pharmacy, you know, and there are still many of those cities.”

A man turns a book with illustrations of a man with a black hat and a building with a bound architecture.
Karl Willms says he likes to spend time drawing in small villages, he often leads to a relaxed pace to enjoy the views and make an observation of birds. (Shelley Joyce/CBC)



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