As China’s supply chain faces high tariffs, the truck camper industry is facing a pivotal moment. From industry leaders to weekend warriors, everyone in the truck camper world should understand not just the risks—but also the opportunities—ahead. All hands on deck.

Take a close look at your truck camper and you’ll find China’s fingerprints just about everywhere. The microwave, the air conditioner, the water pump, the LED lights—even the cabinet hinges, plumbing fittings, fasteners, adhesives, and the lithium battery—likely came from Chinese factories.

This isn’t by accident. Over the past few decades, the entire RV industry—truck campers included—has built strong supply chains with Chinese-made parts and materials. China has offered an astonishing range of components at prices and production volumes few other countries could match. For manufacturers, this kept production costs manageable. For owners, it kept campers affordable and parts readily available.

But what happens if that link is strained, or even severed? Whether through the current tariffs, geopolitical tensions, or factory shutdowns, the possibility is increasingly real. If it happens, the effects will ripple across manufacturers, dealers, gear suppliers, and truck camper owners alike.

As much as this moment brings challenges, it also offers a chance to rethink, retool, and strengthen our industry for the long road ahead. The following explores how the truck camper marketplace survives and then thrives without China.

The Immediate Impact

The current 145% tariff on China-sourced goods—if it remains in place—represents one of the most serious tests the RV industry has faced. Make no mistake: this is a challenge that will stretch even the strongest truck camper manufacturers and dealers to their limits.

The fact is, RVs today rely heavily on Chinese components. Some of the most critical parts—wiring harnesses, solar panels, lithium batteries, LED lighting, and circuit boards—are especially vulnerable. Outside China, global capacity for these items isn’t sufficient enough to meet current demand.

Truck camper manufacturers will likely have to pass some of these increases along to dealers and consumers. This raises a serious concern: as higher-cost materials and components are incorporated, the final product risks pricing out the average consumer. However, with foresight and strategic choices, there are ways to keep truck campers both attainable and reliable.

Alternative Suppliers

Fortunately, there are several suppliers that already offer significantly lower exposure to Chinese materials and manufacturing, making them safer bets for truck camper builders looking to diversify their supply chains. Zamp Solar, based in Oregon, produces solar panels domestically using U.S.-sourced cells, offering a level of control and traceability that’s hard to find elsewhere in the solar industry.

In the lithium battery space, Battle Born Batteries, part of Dragonfly Energy in Nevada, assembles their battery systems in the U.S. with increasing domestic content, giving RV manufacturers a much-needed alternative—though it’s worth noting that the global lithium supply chain, like many raw materials, still has some unavoidable Chinese inputs.

When it comes to electronics and controls, several U.S. companies are providing solutions designed specifically for RV applications. Command Electronics and TecNiq, both operating out of Michigan, manufacture RV and marine-grade lighting with North American assembly.

For control systems, Firefly Integrations in Indiana, SilverLeaf Electronics in Oregon, and Precision Circuits Inc. in Illinois all design and build power management and monitoring systems for RV builders, keeping production stateside even if some individual electronic components are globally sourced.

Structural and interior components also offer promising non-China options. Better Life Technology manufactures rugged, slip-resistant flooring in the U.S., while Shaw Floors produces RV-compatible flooring products through its extensive domestic operations.

For molded plastics, Elkhart Plastics—right in the heart of the RV manufacturing hub of Indiana—has long served RV builders with tanks and other essential molded components. Steele Rubber Products and Trim-Lok, both U.S.-based, supply seals and gaskets commonly used in RVs, and MJB Wood Group, part of Boise Cascade, provides interior paneling and wood components from domestic sources.

For hardware and cabinetry fittings, Hafele America and Sugatsune America offer premium hardware solutions through their U.S. operations. While both are part of larger global companies, they maintain strong North American supply chains and serve the RV industry directly, providing a safer alternative to Asia-heavy hardware suppliers.

In the truck camper gear space, Torklift International manufactures bumpers, RV step systems, hitches, tie-downs, and turnbuckles at their Royal City, Washington facility using U.S.-sourced steel and aluminum. Roadmaster Inc. builds sway bars, tow bars, and braking systems in Vancouver, Washington. Hellwig Products produces rear sway bars and helper springs in Visalia, California. Rieco-Titan Products manufactures camper jacks and accessories in Frankfort, Illinois. While some materials and parts are likely sourced internationally, we have visited each of these factories and witnessed their products being made.

Collectively, these companies represent the safest segment of the current supply landscape—manufacturers already operating in the U.S. or with a strong regional presence, and who understand the needs of RV-sized builders. While no supply chain is entirely free from global raw material influence, this group gives truck camper manufacturers a foundation of lower-risk partners as they work toward greater independence from China.

Lessons from the Pandemic

We’ve seen a version of this story before. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RV manufacturers faced supply shortages that forced them to seek out new suppliers and substitute materials—often under immense pressure.

The industry learned valuable lessons during the pandemic, including how finding a new part is only the beginning. The solution often requires rethinking designs, layouts, and engineering. For example, electrical systems were reworked for alternative inverters, cabinetry was reshaped for different appliances, and plumbing systems were adapted for new fittings.

The process was complex and not without its frustrations. However, manufacturers who adapted during the pandemic are now better prepared for supply disruptions. Those hard-won lessons position the industry to respond more swiftly and effectively to today’s challenges with China.

Builders with diversified supply chains—including partners in Mexico, Vietnam, India, and North America—have a critical head start. However, even for them, the road ahead likely demands hard choices, quick pivots, and significant investment. Supplier diversification takes time, and time is in short supply.

What Consumers Can Do

Truck camper owners also have an important role. Preventive maintenance matters more than ever: it’s wise to stock up on essentials like lighting fixtures, fasteners, fuses, and adhesives while they’re readily available. Build good relationships with local service centers and trusted technicians.

Owners can also favor retrofit-friendly gear, choosing modular systems and widely available components over brand-specific setups. And don’t underestimate the power of community: forums, rallies, and peer networks often uncover creative solutions well before the industry catches up.

For buyers shopping for a new camper, this is a perfect time to do your homework. Look for builders committed to serviceability and supply chain resilience. These are the brands most likely to deliver not just a camper today, but dependable support for years to come.

No Sugarcoating It: The Hard Road Ahead

While the industry has weathered supply crises before, this moment carries a different weight. For many manufacturers and dealers, the combination of steep tariffs, limited alternatives, and tight timelines presents not just a challenge, but a direct threat. Solutions are out there, but they require capital, innovation, and—perhaps most importantly—time. In an industry where just one missing part can halt production, the margin for error is slim.

By confronting this reality head-on and making bold, decisive moves, the truck camper marketplace can chart a path through even these rough waters. The silver lining is the opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient truck camper industry—one where parts are easier to find, repairs are simpler, and designs are tougher and more reliable.

Yes, there are challenges ahead. But there’s also a real opportunity for manufacturers who innovate, dealers who stay close to their customers, and owners who prepare and adapt. Together, we can weather the storm and shape a better, more self-reliant future for the truck camper industry and community—without China.