Tariffs and RV Price Hikes: What to Expect in 2025

This week on the RV Podcast:

• We talk about Tariffs and RV Price Hikes: A Big RV Dealer tells us what to Expect in 2025
• How to Make Sure Nothing Breaks on Your First Big RV Trip of the New Season
• In Mike & Jen’s storytime, we share the story of The Gray Dream: Our First RV.
• Our Sweepstakes is Back! Find out what Waggle has for you.
• All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 542 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

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RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – RV Price Hikes – Tariffs

On April 2, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nations around the world, massively impacting global trade. A base 10% tariff on a number of countries goes into effect April 5, and higher tariffs on “worst” offenders such as China go into effect April 9.

What does this mean for the RV Industry? 

To help us better understand, our guest today is Mike Coyle, COO of Kunes Auto & RV Group's RV Division. Kunes has 12 RV dealerships across the Midwest with inventory spanning major brands. 

We urge you to watch or listen to the conversation with one of the players above. But for those who prefer text, here is a synopsis:

In this interview, Coyle emphasizes that while most RVs are American-made, many components—such as electronics and specialty parts—are imported and could be affected by tariffs, potentially leading to slight cost increases and production delays.

Coyle anticipates modest price hikes for new model year 2026 RVs, estimating increases in the range of 3–6%. However, he clarifies that these have not yet materialized and are still under discussion among manufacturers. Current inventory, particularly 2025 models, is not subject to these potential increases, making it a favorable time for consumers to purchase.

Despite concerns in the media about market downturns and rising costs, Coyle remains optimistic. He notes that consumer sentiment may be more influenced by fear and speculation than by actual market conditions. So far, Kunes RV has not seen a drop in demand; in fact, 2025 has been strong, with sales growth continuing through the early months.

Coyle also points out that most RV dealerships, including Kunes RV with its 40+ locations, are well-prepared with inventory and are focused on customer care and competitive pricing. While he hasn’t yet seen consumers rushing in to beat the potential tariff-related price hikes, he suggests it may become a smart marketing angle for some dealers.

Looking at the broader picture, Coyle believes it’s currently a buyer’s market. After a few tough years for the industry—particularly following the COVID-era demand surge and subsequent inventory challenges—dealers are motivated to move inventory. This makes it an ideal time for consumers to buy or trade in, especially before any possible cost increases hit.

Finally, he advises RV owners to get their vehicles serviced early in the season to avoid potential delays caused by parts shortages, which could be exacerbated by the new tariffs.

In summary, while some component price increases and minor delays are likely, he contends the RV industry remains resilient. The American-made nature of RVs offers some insulation from broader tariff impacts, and now is a good time for consumers to take advantage of existing inventory and favorable market conditions.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

Ever wonder how to prepare your RV for a long journey to ensure (as best you can) that nothing breaks along the way? 

We had a great discussion on this topic in our private RVLifestyle Community both in a post and in a LIVE around our virtual Community Campfire. There were many recommendations but three stood out that I wanted to share with you in case you are preparing for a long journey, too.

First: Take your rig into a mechanic who specializes in RVs, and get a full-system check. 

Second: Do your own personal inspection, checking everything – your roof, your slides, tire pressure, windshield cleaner fluid, water connection for possible leaks, etc. 

Third and my favorite: Do a shake down camping trip for one night at a park near your home.

By living in your rig for one night hopefully anything else that needs attention will be obvious and you can address it before you head out on your journey.

Then finally, don't be surprised if something does go wrong. We all know that no matter how much we prepare, something can still happen.

But by taking these steps before your big trip you can hopefully save yourself a preventable headache.

This discussion happened in our private membership-only community which has to be the friendliest group of RVers you'd ever meet!

We also still have our RVLifestyle Facebook Group, where Bek wrote: I'd love to see how everyone sets up their outdoor space when camping – I'm looking for ideas.

This was such a fun post to go through and she received hundreds of responses, and many, many pictures.

Here are some things everyone seems to have:

1. Outdoor rugs of all sorts of sizes and designs neatly placed outside the RV's door. (Great for reducing dirt!)

2. Camping chairs on the rug, or near the campfire rim. (Important to be comfortable!)

3. Picnic table covers of all colors and designs. (Use it as a design element that helps keep the table clean.)

Now some outdoor spaces had way more than this. We're talking screened tents, separate awnings, dog fences, fancy lights and more.

But isn't that what makes camping so great? There is something for everyone- the minimalist to the person who brings everything but the kitchen sink.

What about you? How do you set up your outside camping space? Let us know in the comments.

We have an invitation for you: An invitation to Have Fun, Make Friends, and Find Adventure by joining us at RVCommunity.com, our private online community created exclusively for RV enthusiasts, away from the noise and nastiness of public social media.

We truly believe the journey is always better together!

And at RVCommunity.com you’re connecting with RVers who share your passions—from boondocking under the stars to swapping campfire recipes, capturing stunning landscapes through your camera lens, or even traveling with your four-legged co-pilots. With over two dozen special interest RV groups, there’s a space for everyone. Best of all? No ads. No distractions. Just real conversations and genuine friendships.

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Plus, you’ll get direct access and coaching from us—with regular livestreams, instant chat, and meetups, both regional and national. Here, you’re not just joining a community—you’re becoming part of an RV family.

Come check us out at RVCommunity.com for more information. 

We’re all about three things. Having Fun. Making Friends and Finding Adventure. That's how we live every day in the RV Lifestyle Community because life's greatest moments happen when you dare to explore. 

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: Our RV has a water filter inside where the water comes into the coach. Should we still put an inline filter at the outdoor spigot as well? – Jody and Britany

ANSWER: Whether you should add an inline filter at the outdoor spigot depends on a few factors, but in general, it’s not strictly necessary if your RV already has a good water filter installed where the water enters the coach. That internal filter is likely designed to handle the bulk of the purification, removing sediment, contaminants, and possibly even bacteria or odors, depending on its specs. However, adding an inline filter at the spigot can provide an extra layer of protection and might be worth considering based on your specific situation.

The internal filter’s effectiveness hinges on its quality and maintenance—check its micron rating and what it’s rated to remove (e.g., sediment, chlorine, heavy metals). If it’s a high-quality, well-maintained system, it’s probably sufficient for most campground or municipal water sources. But if you’re boondocking, hooking up to questionable well water, or dealing with older campground plumbing that might introduce rust or debris, an inline filter at the spigot could catch larger particles before they even reach your internal system. This can extend the life of your onboard filter by reducing its workload.

MIKE & JEN'S STORYTIME – The Gray Dream: Mike & Jen's First RV Adventure

MIKE: You know, looking back at how we got our first campervan still makes me laugh. It was 2012, and we'd been dreaming about hitting the road for years.

JEN: Well, you were dreaming more than I was! I was actually pretty skeptical at first. I gave Mike one year – then if we didn't like the RV lifestyle, we would sell it. But after our first trip, I was completely hooked!

MIKE: It's true! We'd spend our weekends scrolling through RV websites, with me imagining all the places we could go. It was almost an obsession.

JEN: Then remember when Nick invited us to see his Roadtrek in the church parking lot? That was the turning point for me.

MIKE: Oh absolutely! The moment we stepped into his campervan, we both knew we had to have one. It was compact but had everything we needed—kitchen, bathroom, sleeping space. Perfect for the two of us.

JEN: But finding one? That was the hard part. In 2012, these things were like gold. Everyone wanted the freedom of the open road without the hassle of towing a trailer.

MIKE: We called every dealer within a hundred miles. Nothing. Then finally, that small local dealer said they occasionally got used ones.

JEN: That waitlist though! They made us put down $1,000 just to be on it. Sight unseen! For a used vehicle they didn't even have yet!

MIKE: I remember you saying, “This is crazy. We're paying to maybe have the chance to buy something someday?” But we were hooked. We wanted one! Besides, they promised the deposit would be applied to the purchase price if we took the RV, or refunded if we didn't.

JEN: Then that call came, what, three weeks later?

MIKE: Yup! They'd gotten a 2008 Roadtrek RS Adventurous on trade-in. And it was gray—really sleek looking!

JEN: Gray like Mike's hair would be after trying to figure out all those dashboard buttons! But it had that Mercedes Sprinter diesel engine which we knew would last forever.

MIKE: The kicker was we only had half an hour to decide. They had three other couples from the waitlist coming to see it that same day.

JEN: I still remember us frantically Googling the specs while driving over there. Twin rear beds that could convert to a king. Only 55,000 miles on it. Decent condition.

MIKE: When we pulled into the lot and saw it sitting there in the sunshine—that beautiful gray metal gleaming—I knew we were going to buy it.

JEN: We didn't even negotiate much. Just bit the bullet and signed the papers.

MIKE: Best impulsive decision we ever made! That Roadtrek took us to thirty-eight states.

JEN: Remember our first trip? We didn't even know how to properly hook up the water at the campground. It took Mike three tries.

MIKE: But we learned! And that was the first of a half dozen more RVs we've had as we upgraded and experimented.

JEN: You know, if there's a moral to our story, it's that sometimes the best adventures begin with a leap of faith.

MIKE: And a $1,000 non-refundable deposit! But seriously, I think the lesson is that when something feels right, even if the circumstances seem rushed or imperfect, trust your gut.

JEN: That's true. We could have waited for the “perfect” RV at the “perfect” price, but then we'd have missed out on all those years of memories.

MIKE: Life doesn't give you perfect conditions to make big decisions. Sometimes you just have half an hour to change your life.

JEN: And sometimes, the gray Roadtrek you buy in a hurry ends up taking you exactly where you need to go.