Recreational vehicle manufacturers offer an array of products that provide accommodations ranging from hard-side tents to custom recreational vehicles rivaling sumptuous hotels. You can’t help but notice the big rigs trundling down the highway, but you can choose from a variety of camper vans and non-motorized trailers.

While the motor homes may catch consumers’ imaginations, towable RVs, which comprise nearly 80% of the market, may better fit their budgets. Here again, recreational vehicle manufacturers market an assortment of products from folding campers to 40 foot long trailers. It’s easier to visualize the right mix to showcase on your franchise floor by keeping three basic size categories in mind:

1. Lightweight folding campers for quick getaways

2. Large-scale trailers for longer-term vacations

3. Full-size recreational vehicles to take up residence in

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a broad overview of RV manufacturer products by type and weight

RV manufacturers categorize their wares both by type and by weight. Take time to understand how the manufacturers define weight. They report ratings one of two ways: actual weight, the measured weight of the RV (which may be averaged or estimated rather than an actual measurement), and the rating, which is the limit placed on the RV-the maximum allowed weight it can handle.

I recommend: Check out the quick reference page from the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) for a one-page summary of the types of RVs, both towable and motorized. Peruse the A-Z glossary of terms on the Changin’ Gears site.

Research RV manufacturers online for travel trailers

All things considered, travel trailers offer the biggest bang for the buck, with all the amenities of full-sized motorcoaches without the added expense of an engine. Just plant your trailer at the destination then use the transport vehicle to get around and see the sights. Travel trailers have fixed sides and can be up to 40 feet in length. Fifth-wheel trailers have part of the body that extends over the bed of a pick-up truck, attaching to the bed with a special hitch. Others, called toy haulers, have garage space in the rear for ATVs or motorcycles.

I recommend: Gulf Stream markets itself as the fastest growing RV manufacturer of luxury towables: trailers, fifth wheels and toy haulers. Since 1969, NuWa Industries has focused on fifth-wheel innovation, taking credit for the slide out or “glide room” concept and as one of four manufacturers who created the Fifth Wheel concept.

Contact RV manufacturers for your own true home away from home

RV manufacturers can categorize a self-propelled motor home in one of three classifications. Builders typically custom build Class A motor homes on a commercial truck or bus chassis; some are even passenger bus conversions. Class B motor home manufacturers either start from scratch, building a custom body onto a full-size van chassis (called coach-built) or raise the roof on a passenger van (a conversion). RV manufacturing companies of Class C camper vans cut away the back of a full-size van or the bed of a pickup truck and build a custom cab body onto the chassis. You can distinguish a Class C from a Class B by size (they're usually larger) and sometimes by a protruding cab-over profile with a bunk bed.

I recommend: Motorhome Central's website offers Class A, B and C motor home information and useful tips on each. Monaco Coach manufactures the Beaver brand of Class A motor coaches. Coach House produces luxury Class B RVs, nearly Class C in size. Coachmen Industries produces the Georgie Boy brand Maverick Class C RV.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before checking out RV dealers for a trailer, match the right towing vehicle to the trailer. Your van or truck not only has to pull the weight of the RV, but the tow bar and rear suspension needs to handle the 'tongue' or 'pin' weight, anywhere from 10% to 25% of the Gross Trailer Weight.

Recreational vehicles (RVs) usually fall into two categories: motorized and towable. Motorized RVs include everything from million-dollar custom diesel pushers to conversion vans while towable RVs are trailers.

RV manufacturers are fairly specialized, so you need to know what type of RV you want before you start your search.

1. Class A RVs, the crème de la crème of species, are on a specially designed RV chassis, range anywhere from 26 to 45 feet long and offer a great deal of luxury and convenience.

2. Class B RVs, or conversion vans, are on a standard van body and offer basic amenities.

3. Class C mini motor homes are on a truck chassis with an attached cab. Class Cs drive more like a car, but with lengths up to 30 feet, and offer many of the same amenities as the higher class. Four-wheel drive is a common option on these rigs.

4. Trailers are designed to be towed behind a passenger vehicle and include conventional travel, fifth-wheel, camping and specialty trailers, and truck campers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy factory direct from the RV manufacturer

Buying your new RV directly from the RV manufacturer ensures an unprecedented level of knowledge and expertise and usually a large cash savings! Dealing directly with RV manufacturers is also a good option for purchasing custom recreational vehicles. RV shows are a great way to explore the RVs and still deal directly with the manufacturers.

I recommend: The RV Buyer’s Guide lists recreational vehicle manufacturers online divided by Class. Go RVing maintains a complete list of RV shows in every region of the country.

Kick the tires and lie in the beds at your local RV dealer

RV Dealers carry a wide variety of motor home manufacturers and RV trailer manufacturers. You can compare makes, models and amenities to make a comfortable, informed decision. Just like any vehicle, be aware of dealer mark-up and be prepared to negotiate for the best price.

I recommend: With nearly 3,000 RV dealers in the U.S., go online to find the dealers nearest you. While online, check out RV comparisons before you buy.

Slash prices with RV wholesalers

RV wholesalers were the traditional link between the manufacturers and the dealers. Now, with the freedom of the Internet, customers can go to wholesalers direct and cash in on the wholesalers buying power; think Costco for motor homes and trailers. Watch out, though, while some buyers are singing praise, others are left with damaged goods and less than attentive customer service. Also, most warranty work will need to be contracted through a local business. Still, for several thousands of dollars in savings, many buyers are willing to take the risk.

I recommend: Find RV wholesalers online at RV Wholesalers. Check out what RV owners and enthusiasts have to say about their experiences on the RV.net forums.

This $14 billion industry comprises fewer than 150 recreational vehicle manufacturers, including builders of motorhomes, travel trailers and truck campers. Get to know this industry as more baby boomers release pent-up demand for economic travel options with purchases and rentals.

Collect revenue either from tourism or direct product sales, as market research studies report RV family trips are less expensive than other vacations studied, even with the cost of RV ownership and fuel. This frees up money otherwise spent on airfare, hotels and restaurants. Learn about the industry from three perspectives:

1. Get the most recent industry news about RV manufacturers

2. Learn more about recreational vehicles with product reviews

3. Understand the draw of camps and parks through destination previews

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

See the big picture from the RV manufacturer perspective

While fewer than one in ten U.S. households own an RV, the typical owner is a married homeowner under 50 years old-a highly desirable target audience. Get a handle on this relatively compact industry with a couple of key links.

I recommend: As the primary trade association for the industry, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) membership comprises about 98% of all RVs manufactured in the United States. Their site provides market data, promotes the industry and provides inspection and education program for members. The primary trade magazine for the industry, RV Trade Digest reports on the business news and events for the industry.

Find out what typical customers of recreational vehicle dealers look to buy

With fewer than 1,500 recreational vehicles to choose from, narrow down the recommended models to home in on where consumers will most likely spend their budget when it's time to buy or upgrade their RV.

I recommend: The RV Consumer Group rates RVs and gives down-to-earth explanations of common industry terms and provides other free information on motorhome news, customer needs and more. A coalition of RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers and campgrounds developed the Go RVing site where dealers can get the latest information on the industry through blogs, a newsletter and an Industry Only section just for dealers, campground operators and state associations.

Map out where all those camper vans are headed

Campers have over 16,000 campgrounds to settle on, from bare lots to golf resorts and health spas. Typical amenities include swimming pools, game rooms, playgrounds and snack bars. Find out more about the public and private campgrounds in your area and develop a strategy to locate and capture tourist dollars.

I recommend: TrailBlazer magazine's website offers a directory to Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds around the U.S, along with membership news and subscription to Trailblazer. Find a new park and review parks through consumer blogs, newsletter information and more at The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) GoCampingAmerica.com site.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  RV manufacturing companies, RV dealers and component suppliers don't have the lock on revenue. Companies catering to custom recreational vehicles can generate income by refurbishing or upgrading current RV's.