In a recent episode of RVBusiness Capitol Talk, our own Dave Craig, General Manager at Kenda Tire and Vice President of Americana Tire & Wheel, shared insights on Kenda’s growth, its commitment to the RV industry, and the importance of tire safety for consumers.
Craig began by reflecting on Kenda’s history, noting that the company was founded in 1962 in Taiwan and has since grown into a $1.4 billion global organization. Today, Kenda operates across Asia, the United States, and Europe, with U.S. headquarters in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The company’s product portfolio is wide-ranging, covering passenger and light truck tires, bicycles, powersports, lawn and garden equipment, trailers, and wheels. “A good chance if you walk into your garage today, you’ll find something with Kenda on it,” Craig explained.
Within the RV industry, Kenda maintains a strong presence through its Elkhart, Indiana facility, which employs about 150 people and positions the company close to many RV manufacturers. Kenda supports the industry not just with tires, but also through integrated wheel and assembly solutions, with well-known trailer brands such as Loadstar and Carrier.
A major theme of the conversation was tire safety. Craig highlighted that many trailer owners only use their RVs a few times a year, making regular tire maintenance essential. He encouraged owners to visually inspect their tires before trips, keep them clean, maintain proper air pressure, and pay close attention to load ratings. Using the correct trailer tires is critical, he emphasized, because they are designed with stiffer sidewalls for straight-line towing—something passenger or light truck tires are not built to handle. Proper inflation, he added, is the single most important factor in preventing blowouts, which remain one of the most serious risks for RV owners.
Craig also discussed the role of research and development in advancing tire technology. At Kenda’s technical center in Akron, Ohio, engineers are constantly working on new materials, tread designs, and compounds to improve performance. He noted the industry-wide shift from bias-ply to radial trailer tires, which run cooler and last longer, making them better suited to today’s consumers who are traveling farther and more frequently with their RVs.
Looking ahead, Craig acknowledged the softer RV market but said Kenda continues to see growth opportunities in related segments such as marine and cargo trailers. He stressed that Kenda is committed to reinvesting heavily in its facilities and technology, ensuring that every Kenda tire is designed, manufactured, and distributed under strict company oversight. Partnerships with OEMs remain central, as Kenda strives to deliver consistent quality, innovation, and customer support across the board.
Craig closed by emphasizing Kenda’s long-standing commitment to the RV and trailer industry: “We’ve been around a long time, and we continue to grow because we believe in this segment. From R&D to manufacturing to distribution, we control the process end-to-end to make sure our customers get the best.”