A camper with a truck fitted with the new CURT CrossWing fifth-wheel hitch.

“Innovation is a huge focus for us,” he said. “We talk, think and breathe innovation both in products and in processes. We actually are out there discovering the problems that our consumers are facing so we can brainstorm and collaborate as a team to come up with solutions.

“Another part of our growth is expanding into different channels of our markets,” added Bauer. “We are selling our products through distributors, installers, retailers, online and continuing to keep up with new applications. There are so many vehicles and makes and models today that we simply must stay on top and trying to be first in the market.”

Gahre Scudder, product manager at Husky Towing, an NTP-STAG company based in Elkhart, said its business also experienced the COVID camping surge in business over the past few years.

“This created a large demand in everything from weight-distribution systems and fifth-wheel hitches to smaller accessories such as receiver ball mounts and hitch/trailer locks,” said Scudder, adding that customers are upgrading both brand new units as well as RVs they’ve owned for many years.

“They are buying equipment for their new RV, as well as preexisting RV owners upgrading their equipment with a more-powerful electric jack, a new fifth-wheel hitch, or a new weight-distributing unit with more features than their existing unit,” he stated. “Service parts have also been great sellers for routine maintenance that always takes place at this time of year.”

Mike Hesse, CEO of the Pender, Neb.-based Blue Ox, one of the oldest and most well-known brands in tow bars, base plates, brakes for towable and motorized RVs, said his company is using this boom opportunity to grow its product offerings.

“Our brand has continued to grow and develop as a company,” he said. “So, we started launching more weight-distribution hitches for travel trailers. That’s becoming very large — actually, our largest market segment. We continue to grab market share with our premium weight-distribution hitches that are priced extremely cost-effective. Having a product that’s just a little better, that’s priced very economically, does well in this marketplace.”

Hesse said Blue Ox also will shortly be launching a fifth-wheel hitch.

“We’re really in the process of ramping up production as our company moves into the future,” he reported. “We will further develop our core products but continue to develop new products that we’re marketing to the RV industry. It’s an exciting time at Blue Ox and we continue to grow our little plant and our little company, which isn’t so little anymore.”

Others voiced similar upbeat attitudes.

“We’ve had the blessing, as have most of the RV industry, of having more business than we know what to do with,” said David Robinson, vice president of Roadmaster, another prominent producer of a wide range of towing products based in the Pacific Northwest with three facilities totaling more than 250,000 square feet. Among the company’s more recent products is a new universal tow bar adapter — which allows a Demco or CURT tow bar to pin onto late-model Roadmaster base plates — and a “smart” diode kit that solves lighting issues with Jeeps.

Made in America
It’s one thing for an RVer to go online and find the product that best suits his or her needs. It can be something else entirely when they set out to purchase it only to discover it’s backordered due to the continuing bottlenecks in the supply chain that began during the pandemic and have yet to abate. For many hitches-and-towable product manufacturers and suppliers, “Made in the USA” has become not just a slogan but rather a solution.

MORryde, for example, manufactures the vast majority of its products in house, according to Enfield. “This has helped us deal with many of the supply chain issues. We do have some suppliers who are stretched thin. However, we have worked with them to overcome any blips or issues,” he said.

“Our efforts have been to keep jobs here in America,” added Roadmaster’s Robinson. “It has been complicated by supply chain issues. We make the vast majority of what we produce from scratch — but if you can’t buy some of your raw materials, it doesn’t matter if you can make 49 out of 50 of the ingredients, if you don’t have the 50th one it causes delays. That has been part of our challenge: to get in front of the demand curve. We are slowly catching up — but we still have a decent backlog of orders to fulfill.”

The biggest challenge for Roadmaster and many others, according to Robinson, is circuit board-related parts — and the rising cost of manufacturing.

Roadmaster’s Smart Diode Kit solves lighting issues with certain late-model Jeeps equipped with LED lighting and vehicle-proximity sensors.

“A circuit board might have 100 pieces and parts on it and some of these components just aren’t available,” he explained. “So, then you have to spend $10 to $1,000 to redesign your board and find new parts that will do the same thing. We’ve got one circuit board that had a part that used to cost us 86 cents. We’re having to pay $15 per part today.”

Bear Musgrave, vice president of San Antonio-based Pressure Systems International and Truck Systems Technologies (TST) is one lucky Texan. Musgrave got nervous during the onslaught of the supply chain crisis and went to his company’s board of directors with hat in hand.

“On the RV side of our business we do only one thing and that is tire pressure monitoring systems,” he stated. “So, we are a ‘one-trick-pony’ (company) — and these things are selling hot. We got way ahead of the supply chain problems and, I have to tell you, we did it by luck. I got nervous and asked our corporate board to approve a huge storing of our inventory — and they rubber stamped it. We got way ahead of the curve. Had we not have done that, to meet the model changeover demand now, there’s no way we would have make it. We are working on inventory that we will need in about nine months.”

Blue Ox is dealing with supply chain pain with increased manufacturing, but also labor-reducing automation of processes on its assembly lines.

“One thing that has allowed Blue Ox to grow over the last several years has been our ability to adapt to the challenging supply chain that’s out there,” explained Hesse. “And we’ve been able to do that through automation. But what we also did is implement a massive plant expansion.

“Phase one of that plant expansion was completed earlier this year,” he said, explaining that phase one was developing the company’s own machine shop. “We do purchase, but we build quite a bit of components in house,” he said. “A tow bar takes 30-plus components to build. If we don’t have one of those components, we’re not building tow bars. So, we built our own machine shop so that we can build many products in house so we don’t have supply issues.

“We’ve been able to stay ahead of that curve,” he continued, “and that’s where our lead times have been significantly less compared to the competition. We’ve been able to mass produce because of our automation versus the competition, which really relies solely on labor-driven technologies.”

Given the number of new RVers, creating a safe towing experience is a must.

Hesse said the new plant expansion should be completed in January, and 2023 will include a new E-coating and paint system that will be online for all of its products.

For his part, Scudder said purchases planned well ahead of time seem to be working out for Husky brands.

“Anticipating a stock order rush to refill empty warehouses of both distributors and retail stores, we tried to get ahead by strategically analyzing our sales history and demands and placing orders earlier, in order to take advantage of the lull at the manufacturing facilities,” reported Scudder.

“Our team worked diligently to align production schedules with our shipping outlets, to try to secure the containers and ship space that we needed to have a continuous flow of product. It is not to say that there were not bumps in the road or delays, but overall, our strategy has worked out well and we are sitting in a good inventory position as a result,” he said.

And, as Roadmaster’s Robinson noted, today’s motorhomes and trailer owners don’t have the tolerance for “driving a barge down the road” that was once the norm.

“They won’t tolerate constantly trying to keep it between the lines,” he stated. “Those are the kinds of things that we ‘fix’ with our anti-sway bars and our steering stabilizers. I think the younger crowd isn’t as accepting…they aren’t as forgiving about how poorly they handle.”

That, of course, isn’t a detriment. As the products on the following pages reveal, the demand for quality products — combined with each company’s drive to innovate — has resulted in a wealth of new components helping to enhance the towing experience and, as a consequence, the overall RV lifestyle.

Designed for towing improvement over the standard equalizer and conventional leaf springs, MORryde’s CRE3000 Suspension System uses MORryde’s proprietary rubber spring technology to cushion and absorb road shock. The unique design increases wheel travel, allowing for 3 inches of suspension travel. The CRE3000 is compatible with units that have up to an 8,000-pound GAWR and easily bolts on to existing frame hangers. To complete the smooth towing experience, create peace of mind with MORryde’s Heavy-Duty Shackle Kit. This kit offers trailer owners an upgrade over the conventional attaching leaf spring shackle kit. Included are ½-inch-thick shackle brackets instead of the stock ¼-inch shackles, bronze bushings instead of plastic and grease-able bolts instead of standard non-grease-able bolts.
morryde.com

The bucking and bouncing commonly experienced when towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel is often caused by a lack of shock absorbers. Roadmaster’s Comfort Ride shock system solves these problems and helps improve stability and braking performance with an engineered solution that bolts in place with common hand tools. Patented, adjustable mounting brackets allow the heavy-duty, nitrogen-charged shock absorbers to be mounted nearly vertically, where they have the leverage to limit up-and-down motion on both compression and rebound. Designed for tandem axle trailers, Comfort Ride shock systems are available for 2 3/8-, 3- or 3.5-inch axle diameters.
roadmasterinc.com

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) from Truck System Technologies (TST), San Antonio, Texas, can help protect you from tire-related issues with real-time pressure and temperature monitoring. But what about the often-forgotten spare tire? TST’s new Spare Air kit allows you to easily check your spare tire air pressure and add air when needed without dismounting the spare or crawling underneath your vehicle. You can even add a TPMS sensor to monitor your spare in real time. Works on towables and tow vehicles! Spare Air is Made in the USA and comes with everything needed to give your spare the attention it deserves, including a 6-foot sealed hose, knurled valve stem and bulkhead fittings and stainless-steel mounting bracket with hardware.
tsttruck.com

The Avail is a versatile, premium motorhome mount tow bar with patented, non-binding latches that quickly disconnect even in the most rugged terrain. The legs are 2 inches longer than most standard tow bars, making it easier to maneuver around obstacles, and allows for smoother tracking of the towed vehicle. Offset triple lugs make for easy attachment to the towed vehicle’s baseplate and rubber boots protect the tow bar legs from debris. The Avail does not have a centering pin, making it easy to stow — and it stores while attached to the hitch receiver. With a gross towing weight of 10,000 pounds, the Avail is available in two models, to fit a 2-inch or 2 ½-inch receiver.
blueox.com

The Husky Super Brute is an easy-to-use electric tongue jack with a 5,000-pound capacity and 18-inch stroke, with a 6-inch drop-down leg that conveniently operates with a included remote control. The jack is weather-protected, backlit and employs soft-trigger switches. A UV- and water-resistant cover keeps the Super Brute safe from the elements. This jack also features three high-output LED lights for enhanced visibility during hookup, and a low-friction ball-screw design that draws less amperage, creates less heat, reduces noise and increases motor and jack life.
huskytow.com

The Echo line of brake controllers is a top choice for modern, powerful braking. Its Bluetooth capabilities equip it for convenience and functionality, while balancing state-if-the-art controller technology and reliability. The CURT Echo controllers are industry-first products, providing an entirely new towing experience while synching with an Apple or Android smart device to turn it into a wireless brake controller interface. The mobile version (#51180) provides a compact, portable design allowing for easy transfer from one vehicle3 to another, while the under-dash model (#51190) provides a low-profile, traditional mounting solution.
curtmfg.com

The #2600 SuperLite Single Point (1P) Attachment is a lightweight, fifth-wheel hitch designed for any OE or aftermarket undermount gooseneck towing system and is unlike any other hitch of its kind on the market today, officials stated. Made of strong, American steel — while still only weighing 64 pounds — PullRite converted the fifth-wheel trailer’s king pin to a ball and turned the hitch plate into a funnel, making it the easiest hitch on the market to hook up. Totally visible from the cab, drivers simply drop the trailer’s converted ball anywhere on the diameter of the funnel and lower their trailer. The Remote Latch system locks/unlocks the ball into funnel and keeps the driver out of the bed and there are no secondary locking devices to engage.
pullrite.com

Dexter’s Tow Assist system provides advanced safety features, giving you the confidence to tow safely and securely. As the first system to provide ABS and sway mitigation features to electric brakes, Tow Assist is revolutionary. The ABS feature eliminates tire lock-up while on slippery surfaces or during panic stops, always keeping your trailer under control. The sway mitigation feature significantly reduces the likelihood of losing control during unpredictable road conditions, sudden lane changes, or evasive maneuvers through the braking system. The Tow Assist system was developed in partnership with Bosch, a leader in automotive safety technology, bringing proven intelligence and reliable functionality to the trailer towing market.
dexteraxle.com

Leave rough towing behind with the MORryde Rubber Pin Box. This pin box system utilizes a unique rubber shear spring that works to absorb towing shock and reduce back-and-forth chucking and jerking. With 3 inches of front-to-back and 1.5 inches side-to-side travel, this pin box provides a cushioned sensation over uneven roads along with jerk-free starts and stops — resulting in a smoother, more comfortable in-cab ride. The Rubber Pin Box replaces most stock pin boxes and installs in about an hour on most fifth wheels.
morryde.com

Dexter’s Nev-R-Adjust helps keep any trailer safe by automatically adjusting electric drum brakes, since brake adjustment is critical to safe trailering. The Nev-R-Adjust feature ensures proper brake adjustment by rotating the adjuster assembly, closing the gap caused by lining wear. For years, trailer brakes have been manually adjusted, unknowingly causing users to drive with poorly adjusted brakes. With Dexter’s made-in-Indiana Nev-R-Adjust, drivers can be assured with quality products keeping them out of harm’s way. Helping them stop with confidence, Dexter’s Nev-R-Adjust brakes help reduce stopping distance.
dexteraxle.com

The Nighthawk by Roadmaster, Inc. is the world’s first illuminated tow bar. In addition to increased safety and visibility, the American-made Nighthawk offers a tow rating of up to 8,000 pounds and incorporates internal channels for the included power cord and safety cables. Non-binding, solid stainless-steel inner arms are the longest ever produced, and are housed inside a sleek, matte-finish powder-coated body with built-in LED lights. Weighing in at just 35 pounds, Nighthawk is available to fit Roadmaster, Blue Ox or Demco baseplates.
roadmasterinc.com

Experience the ultimate in sway control and weight distribution. The Dual Cam II high-performance system continually works to ensure the highest level of towing safety — the stronger the sway force, the more the system works to stop it. The unique design utilizes proactive sway control, forcing the trailer to stay in a straight line behind the tow vehicle. The Dual Cam II, available in both 6,000-pound and 8,000-pound capacities, is easy to install and offers broad application coverage to work with the most popular trailer frames. It also features no-drill installation, no U-bolts to interfere with A-frame-mounted items and reduced noise when traveling.
reeseprod.com

The Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 is Camco’s most user-friendly weight-distribution hitch, with premium adaptive sway control. With other sway-control hitches, turning can be an even bigger hassle than usual because the sway control “locks” the trailer straight. With the ReCurve R6, the hitch will control sway for normal driving — but when turning, the sway control will automatically disengage, making maneuvering smoother and easier. In fact, it can be turned off completely in dangerous or icy conditions. Top-loading spring bars give it added ground clearance, and the streamlined design creates a sleek look while making the hitch and trailer move as one.
camco.net/home

Get your truck bed back with the REESE Goose Box. The box provides air-ride gooseneck towing for fifth-wheel RVs — and reportedly performs so well it is the only product of its type that does not void the warranty on Lippert frames (the leading manufacturer of fifth-wheel frames for OEMs). Designed for RV comfort and dual-purpose trucks, the REESE Goose Box system was crafted to reduce stress between the truck and RV.
reeseprod.com

Stromberg Carlson’s JET-3755 electric tongue jack is rated for 3,500 pounds with built-in motor protection to guard your investment. It has 18 inches of travel with an additional 5-inch drop-down leg. The JET-3755 includes a built-in level and two separate LED lights for easy nighttime hookups. A removable 5.5-inch diameter footpad prevents sinking into gravel or soft ground. Backed by a limited two-year warranty.
strombergcarlson.com

Roadmaster’s InvisiBrake is a fully automatic, progressive braking system that uses the electrical connections already in place on the towed vehicle to activate its brake system whenever the motorhome brakes are applied. When the driver steps on the motorhome’s brake pedal, InvisiBrake immediately engages the dinghy’s brake system, then applies increasing brake pressure until the adjustable user-selected setting is attained. The compact main controller can be placed almost anywhere in the main cabin or trunk. InvisiBrake also trickle-charges the dinghy vehicle’s battery while towing and energizes the power brake system, so it’s not working against a “dead” brake pedal. A two-stage monitor includes LEDs for visual reference of braking activity, as well as an audible alert if the dinghy’s brakes have been activated for an excessive period.
roadmasterinc.com

Horizon Global Corporation launched in late July its Hidden Hitch series by Draw-Tite. Available for more than 20 popular vehicles across car brands, the Hidden Hitch receiver mounts behind a vehicle’s rear fascia, so it stays “hidden,” allowing the vehicle to maintain its original appearance. When ready to tow, simply attach the removable receiver, secure a hitch accessory or ball mount, and go. Each Hidden Hitch trailer hitch features a custom design to fit each vehicle specific make and model allowing for a superior fit and a concealed, no-drill installation. The design ― which does not interfere with ground clearance ― allows for mounting of cargo carriers, bike racks, and ball mounts for light-duty towing (up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds maximum hitch weight).
hiddenhitch.com

Roadmaster’s Anti-Sway Bar kits offer a remarkable improvement in handling and control. Featuring a solid steel, 1-5/8” one-piece induction forged bar, these kits are easy to bolt in place — in most cases with just 8 bolts. The larger diameter results in increased tension that dramatically reduces sway — up to 90% more resistance than stock sway bars. Crafted in the USA, these kits include all necessary mounting brackets, hardware, and urethane bushings for long-lasting, squeak-free operation. Roadmaster Anti-Sway Bars allow for a planted, lower center-of-gravity feel in motorhomes and trucks for a truly car-like ride.
roadmasterinc.com

The CURT dual-output connector #57015 is designed to be a perfect OEM replacement, combining a 4-way flat and 7-way RV blade into a single socket. This allows users to select either trailer plug type. It features a USCAR base to quickly and easily connect to a standard USCAR plug (see application info to verify fitment with your vehicle). Once plugged into the USCAR socket, it provides a connection for the taillights, turn signals, brake lights, backup or reverse lights, electric trailer brakes, a 12-volt battery and the ground wire. It also features spring-loaded dust covers, pre-greased terminals and a rubber gasket — all to ensure a reliable connection for the road ahead.
curtmfg.com

TrackPro, the first weight-distribution hitch to use Sway Management Technology, provides a smooth, premium ride under all road conditions at a competitive price. The caster is built into the adjustment-free hitch head to work in tandem with the sway bars to constantly push the trailer to the center of the tow vehicle, and spring steel bars augment the suspensions of the trailer and tow vehicle. Four models are available, based upon gross hitch weight: BXW0650 (600 pounds); BXW0850 (800 pounds); BXW1050 (1,000 pounds); and BXW1350 (1,300 pounds). Spring bars are interchangeable for trailers with differing hitch weights. Gross towing weight is 13,000 pounds. Hitch ball is included.
blueox.com

This 30K hitch (#16230) is engineered to provide industry-leading fifth-wheel capacity with ergonomic operation. Some of its advanced features include a self-resetting handle, multi-directional head, one-pin head removal and strategic grip points for easier mobility. PowerRide is designed for ease of use while having the capability to tow the largest fifth-wheel trailers. The sophisticated handle self-resets after uncoupling the fifth wheel, making it ready to couple again, without an extra step. Installing the PowerRide and relocating it for storage is easy: The head assembly is attached with a single pin, allowing you to quickly dismantle the hitch into smaller, lighter-weight components for easier handling, and installation requires no welding or fabrication. PowerRide can be mounted into industry-standard rails or in select OEM puck system platforms.
curtmfg.com

The Husky Fifth-Wheel Wedge is a simple but reliable way to allow a Husky fifth-wheel hitch to be used with a rotating fifth-wheel pin box. A rotating pin box mounts to the front of the trailer, replacing the factory pin box, and when used with a fifth-wheel wedge it provides a new pivot point for the kingpin — and a shorter turning radius for the fifth-wheel trailer. To keep the pin box from swiveling in its fifth wheel mounting location, a fifth-wheel wedge inserts into the hitch saddle, locking the pin box into place. This Fifth-Wheel Wedge is designed to fit Husky 16KW and 26KW fifth wheels and accommodates the Sidewinder pin box.
huskytow.com

Made of micro-cellular polyurethane, Trailer SumoSprings are designed to remove swap, hop and vibration. Requiring zero maintenance, this “airless air spring” increases overall driver control and ride comfort when towing. By being able to adjust the density of the nitrogen bubbles within the urethane, SuperSprings also is able to formulate the product for different applications. Presently, SumoSprings are available in two densities for towable applications: “Blue” SumoSprings are designed for trailers with gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, while “Black” springs are for GAWRs of 5,000 to 8,500 pounds. Kits also are available for over-axle and under-axle leaf-spring locations and can be installed in about 30 minutes.
superspringsinternational.com

Truck System Technologies (TST), San Antonio, Texas, offers a two- or four-sensor Tow Pack, which can help protect your towed vehicle from tire-related issues. Compatible with any existing TST system, these cap sensors work with metal or rubber valve stems and provide peace of mind with real-time pressure and temperature monitoring. TST cap sensors are engineered to operate in temperatures from -40 degrees F to 176 degrees F, and offersd battery life of 1 to 1 ½ years before needing replacement. Mix and match to make sure all your vehicles, trailers and toys are protected.
www.TSTtruck.com