Snow may have covered the entrance to the 50th annual London RV Show in Ontario, but inside, attendees had their sights set on sunnier days and open roads. This year’s show, however, wasn’t just about browsing the latest models—it was also about bracing for potential price hikes.
A proposed 25% tariff on U.S.-made RVs and trailers has sent ripples through the industry, leaving dealers and buyers scrambling for solutions.
A Costly Concern for Buyers and Dealers
For Canadian buyers, purchasing an American-made RV is already a significant investment due to the 40% exchange rate increase. Adding an additional 25% tariff could push costs to an unsustainable level.
“It’s definitely going to increase costs,” one attendee noted. “A 25% hike on top of an already expensive purchase is a big deal.”
The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has led many dealers to take preemptive action. Andy Thompson of Canam RV revealed that his company canceled $3 million in U.S. orders when the first tariff threat emerged.
He wasn’t alone—several other dealers, including Don Ferguson of RV World in St. Thomas, have halted U.S. imports until there’s more clarity.
“We’ve told our manufacturers that if the tariffs come in, don’t ship us any product that they apply to,” Ferguson explained. “Our dollar is weak enough as it is.”
HOT TIP
Before heading north of the border, be sure to read You Can’t Enter Canada if You have a DUI to avoid wasting your time.
Buyers Rushing to Beat the Price Hike
Despite the looming uncertainty, Ferguson noted that sales at the show remained strong, with buyers eager to secure their RVs before tariffs potentially drive prices higher.
For some, the solution is to buy Canadian, but the domestic market offers limited options. While some RVs are proudly labeled as “Made in Canada,” they represent only 5% of the total industry nationwide—far from enough to meet demand.
Meanwhile, on the U.S. side, the impact of these tariffs could be just as severe. 12% of U.S.-built RVs are sold to Canada, and losing that market could force American manufacturers into significant financial losses.
“You can’t take 12% of sales away from any company and not see them go from profit to loss,” Thompson emphasized.
What’s Next for Canadian RV Buyers?
For many show attendees, buying Canadian is becoming a more attractive option, despite the limited selection.
“We’d be looking at Canadian-made options, definitely,” one potential buyer shared. “But price is still a concern.”
As the industry awaits a final decision on the tariffs, both dealers and buyers are left hoping for a resolution that keeps RVing affordable and accessible.
For now, the only certainty is that if the tariffs go into effect, the cost of hitting the road could become a lot steeper.
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