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Recreational vehicle (RV) ownership is changing. Younger families looking to spend more days on the road and even work while away are now considering buying an RV. And as consumers continue to carefully weigh benefits against costs, manufacturers must prioritize durable, highly functional RV designs.
To cater to new buyer demographics and remain competitive despite rising material costs, RV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component suppliers may need to adjust their production processes. Learn what industry experts expect in the coming camping season and how manufacturers can use new technology to adapt.
Challenges Facing RV Manufacturers
Adapting to the Next Generation of RV Owners
The 2025 RVIA survey found significant shifts in RV ownership and use:
- Thirty-six percent of owners are first-time buyers.
- The percentage of families buying RVs has increased, and the average age of an RV owner has dropped from 53 (in 2021) to 49.
- RV owners are spending twice as many days RV-ing compared to 2021.
- Many RV owners who work from home also work in their RVs.
The new, younger cohort buying RVs uses them more often and may prioritize family-friendly designs with space for work. Unlike previous generations of RV owners, the latest cohort may not expect to spend time on perennial maintenance.
New generations have been entering the design and manufacturing side of the RV industry as well. Engaging these folks will help RV manufacturers adapt.
“In the past two or three years,” says Jon Cordell, EternaBond® Sales Engineer at H.B. Fuller, “There’s been a revolutionary change in RV design, the options included, and the overall approach because you’re seeing a generational change in the designers and the buyers.”
Building Resilience During Continued Market Instability
RV manufacturers must also deal with continued market volatility. In 2025, US tariffs impacted component and material sourcing for RV manufacturers. Market research firm Kentley Insights estimated the cost of tariffs for RV manufacturers at $520 million, a severe impact compared with other industries.
Tariffs and chronic manufacturing issues, such as logistics challenges and workforce shortages, continue to impact RV OEMs and component suppliers. Reducing manufacturing complexity and increasing efficiency can help companies thrive despite these challenging circumstances.
How RV Adhesives and Sealants Can Help Manufacturers Meet Challenges
Introducing RV sealant tape and panel lamination adhesive technology helps OEMs and suppliers efficiently manufacture durable vehicles that appeal to new buyers.
EternaBond® Dry Technology System Simplifies Production
The patented EternaBond Dry Technology System (DTS) by H.B. Fuller is shifting the traditional approach to RV manufacturing. It’s a single product in tape form that replaces the multi-step process of inserting screws through holes and then applying liquid sealant. DTS forms a watertight seal between seams, joints, and roof and side components.
DTS eliminates leak paths. The sealant system also drastically decreases consumer maintenance by reducing the need to replace or repair sealant once or twice a year. Manufacturers using the technology have been able to offer customers extended warranties because the solution creates significantly drier, more durable vehicles. Unlike conventional sealants, the EternaBond used in DTS does not degrade over time or with use.
“EternaBond builds adhesion when pressure is applied or when wetted into the substrate,” says Cordell. “When it’s pushed into the substrate, it grabs on and never stops grabbing. Its best day is the last day you use it.”
Panel Lamination Technology Improves Production Speed and Throughput
In RV panel lamination, adhesives are used for:
- Laminating vinyl and paper to the flat panels lining interior walls
- Attaching interior panels to walls
- Building complete walls by bonding fiberglass, substrates, wall frames, and interior panels
Both interior and exterior panels require high-performance, durable adhesives that withstand temperature fluctuations and the wear and tear of RV use. H.B. Fuller tests panel lamination adhesive technology in -80°F (-62°C) to 180°F (82°C) environments. Passing these tests ensures that adhesives perform as intended and, for interior panel adhesives, do not off-gas under extreme heat, which can cause bubbling and lead to scrap.
Panel lamination technology can help OEMs and suppliers meet challenges by improving production efficiency. Using adhesives, companies can create an entire side wall in minutes.
H.B. Fuller adhesives also have high green strength, meaning they form a strong bond before curing is complete. Workers can complete production steps without waiting days for panels to cure, further increasing efficiency.
“The big advantage to this technology is speed and throughput,” says Luke Scott, RV Business Manager at H.B. Fuller. “Panel lamination adhesives are easy to apply, easy to use, and the glue has a very high green strength.”
Chemical engineers can adapt panel lamination adhesive formulations to production requirements. For example, some manufacturers may want a longer working time, how long an adhesive remains movable after application, whereas others may need a quick-drying adhesive.
Differentiate with Adhesive and Sealant Technology
Implementing DTS and panel lamination products in RV production can help manufacturers and suppliers meet industry challenges.
| RV Manufacturing Challenge | Adhesive and Sealant Technology Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Sealant loses integrity over time, increasing the risk of damaging leaks. It must be replaced or repaired in spring and fall. | DTS eliminates leak paths and the risk of degraded sealant allowing leaks, keeping RVs dry. EternaBond maintains its hold and doesn’t require maintenance. |
| Environmental exposure (ultraviolet light, dirt, and dust) affects the quality and look of sealant. | The product is applied between layers and is therefore virtually invisible. It is resistant to thermal shock, ultraviolet light, and weathering. | |
| RV exterior and interiors must stay intact and appealing year after year, despite temperature fluctuations. | Engineers formulate panel lamination adhesives, including Rakoll® 3404UV and Swift®Lock 9053, to continue to perform under extreme temperatures. | |
| Production | Drilling holes, screwing in gaskets, and applying sealant slow RV production. | Replacing traditional processes with a single technique saves time, labor, and material costs. |
| Manufacturers must wait for sealants and adhesives to dry before proceeding to the next step. | DTS does not require cure time, and panel lamination adhesives with high green strength allow the work to continue without delay. | |
| Factories carefully monitor production workers' exposure to hazardous materials in sealants and must comply with volatile organic compound (VOC) rules governing liquid sealants. | DTS eliminates hazardous sealant products, easing restrictions while keeping workers safe. It also reduces VOC use, simplifying navigation of emissions-control mandates. | |
| Consumer Appeal | Warranty claims cost RV manufacturers money. | DTS reduces the financial burden of warranty claims due to leaks and resulting structural damage. |
| Consumers look for fresh designs. | DTS allows new ways to attach components, enabling higher ceilings and sleeker designs. | |
Make Change Your Competitive Advantage with Adhesive and Sealant Technology
RV manufacturing processes must evolve to keep pace with industry changes. Using innovative technologies, including EternaBond DTS and panel lamination adhesives, can reduce manufacturing complexity, improve vehicle durability, and expand design possibilities.
When you are ready, our experts are on hand to help you determine which adhesive and sealant technologies best meet your RV manufacturing challenges.
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