The RV industry’s attention has shifted to northern Indiana this week as the 2026 Elkhart RV Open House gets underway.
The event, which runs primarily from September 28 through September 30, brings RV manufacturers, dealers and suppliers together across the Elkhart area for one of the industry’s most important annual product events. Manufacturers are displaying thousands of RVs, including new 2027 model-year units and newly introduced floorplans.
Unlike a traditional consumer RV show, the Elkhart Open House is heavily focused on the dealer and industry side of the business. Dealers get an early opportunity to walk through upcoming products, evaluate new floorplans and features, and make decisions about the products they may carry.
New 2027 RVs Take Center Stage
One of the biggest attractions this year is the number of new 2027 models being shown to dealers.
Forest River, for example, is displaying hundreds of units at its Elkhart-area facilities. The company is also highlighting new floorplans, including updates to its Wolf Pack toy hauler lineup. Forest River product manager Jerry Sell told RVBusiness that the company has approximately five new floorplans that dealers had not previously seen.
The event is also giving dealers an opportunity to see new products from other major manufacturers.
THOR Industries, Winnebago and its Grand Design and Newmar subsidiaries are among the major manufacturers participating around Elkhart. Their displays give dealers an early look at upcoming product changes across multiple RV segments.
A Look at Where the RV Industry Is Heading
The timing of the Open House is particularly interesting for the RV industry.
RV shipments have been under pressure in 2026. According to the latest RV Industry Association data, manufacturers shipped 23,599 RVs in August, down 16.4% from August 2025, while year-to-date shipments were down 14.2%.
Against that backdrop, the Open House provides manufacturers with an important opportunity to show dealers what they believe can attract buyers in the next model year.
The focus isn’t simply on adding more RVs. Manufacturers are introducing changes to floorplans, amenities, technology, exterior designs and overall product value.
Elkhart Remains the Center of the RV Industry
The importance of Elkhart goes beyond this week’s event.
Northern Indiana remains one of the most important manufacturing centers for the North American RV industry, and the Open House has evolved into a major annual gathering for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers.
The event also runs alongside the Hall of Fame RV Supplier Show, which brings component and equipment suppliers together at the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The 2026 supplier event includes more than 250 booths from a broad range of companies.
This creates an opportunity to see not only the RVs themselves, but also some of the technologies and components that will influence future RV products.
What Buyers Should Watch
Although the main Open House audience is dealers, the products introduced here can provide an early indication of what consumers may see on dealership lots in the coming months.
For RV shoppers, some of the areas worth watching include:
- New 2027 floorplans
- Lightweight RV designs
- Updated toy haulers
- Improved electrical and lithium systems
- Solar and energy-management technology
- New connectivity features
- Changes in interior layouts
- More flexible living and storage spaces
- Pricing and value changes
One example is the growing emphasis on RV electrical technology. Suppliers at the accompanying show are highlighting developments involving lithium batteries, solar systems, power conversion and integrated electrical architecture.
What Comes Next
The 2026 Elkhart RV Open House runs through the end of September, with some manufacturers extending their displays into October for dealers.
For the RV industry, the event provides an early look at the products manufacturers hope will drive the next selling cycle.
For consumers, the more important question will be how these 2027 RVs translate into dealership inventory, pricing and availability over the coming months.
As more manufacturers reveal their new models and specifications, the Elkhart Open House should provide plenty of clues about where RV design and technology are heading next.
RVPS Insights will continue following the new 2027 RV products and industry developments coming out of Elkhart.
