Just as the RV space is always changing and evolving, so too is the gear that we take along with us on our adventures. Recently, there have been a lot of interesting new products to hit the market, making our time in the outdoors safer and more enjoyable. Here are a few RV and camping accessories that you may want to have on your radar.
Photo Credit: Gozney
Gozney Launches Portable Pizza Oven: Who says you can’t have great pizza while camping in a remote location? Certainly not Gozney, who just launched a new ultra-portable pizza oven. Dubbed the Tread, this gadget is lightweight, rugged, and comes with a revolutionary gas burner that delivers perfect, well-baked pizzas wherever you choose to wander. A suite of accessories—including a tote bag, a tripod stand, and a turning peel— add even more functionality and convenience. MSRP is $499. Visit gozney.com for more info. And for insights into how well the pizza oven performs in the wild, check out our thoughts at Wildsam.com.
Photo Credit: Renogy
Renogy Announces Super-Thin Solid-State Lithium Battery for RVs:Renogy is a company that specializes in making products and power systems specifically for off-grid camping. But recently, the company introduced one of its most innovative products yet, a new 12V 104A battery that uses solid-state technology to deliver better performance and energy storage in a safer, longer-lasting package that functions well across a wider range of temperatures. Perhaps even more impressive, the new power cell is incredibly thin—just 2.4″ tall—allowing it to fit into smaller spaces and freeing up room for additional batteries or other components. Watch for this new battery to become available for OEMs and consumers in the near future.
Photo Credit: Stellantis
Jeep Patents a Rooftop Tent:Rooftop tents are extremely popular with active outdoor enthusiasts and the overlanding crowd. Recently, Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, was issued a patent for a new rooftop tent model that offers some intriguing features that would definitely appeal to Jeep owners. For instance, the tent can be accessed from inside the vehicle via removable roof panels. When not in use, it also collapses down to a thin profile to reduce the impact on gas mileage or off-roading capabilities. It even includes solar panels to provide power to lights, recharge electronic devices, and run other equipment. No word if this will actually go into production, but it is an intriguing design. Click here to find out more.
Yakima Announces 2025 Lineup: Speaking of rooftop tents—and other camping gear—Yakima recently announced its full lineup of new products for 2025. The brand that specializes in helping us manage cargo and outdoor gear is bringing a number of exciting new products to market,including an updated version of its versatile StageTwo platform hitch bike rack, new sizes for its SkyBox cargo holders, and a new SkyPeak HD hardshell rooftop tent. For insights into all of these products, read this post from RV Business. Then head over to the Yakima website to learn more.
Photo Credit: Equator Advanced Appliances
Equator Announces New RV Refrigerator:Equator Advanced Appliances has released a new compact refrigerator designed specifically for the RV market. The RF 1216 Compact RV-Marine-Offgrid Refrigerator-Freezer runs on both 12V and 120V power, offers 1.4 cubic feet of storage space, and can maintain a temperature of 41°F to 59°F. The unit costs $579 and will begin shipping soon.
Australian RV Water Heater Comes Stateside:On-demand water heaters are all the rage in the RV industry, and now manufacturers have a new option to add to their rigs. The Duoetto Gen 3 water heater from Australian company Aus J Hot Water Solutions is now available in the US thanks to a partnership with SDG distributing in Elkhart. The 12V unit is efficient enough to run off battery and solar, has an optional remote control, and is compatible with integrated control systems like Firefly.
Photo Credit: Porsche
Porsche Launches New eBike Models: If you think it’s time you added an ebike to your RV—and you have some extra money to spend—Porsche has just released a brand-new model. The fifth-generation Porsche eBike Sport offers technical mountain biking performance and a smooth ride with a Fox Float 34 Performance Elite suspension fork with 120 millimeters of travel. A carbon frame offers stiff and responsive controls, while a 504Wh Shimano battery and 85Nm motor provide power. The bike doesn’t come cheap, though, starting at $10,920. It is a Porsche, after all.
In the RV world, almost everyone is towing something. (About 4 out of 5 RVs sold in the nation are towables of one sort or another.) We’ve gathered some essential knowledge, answers to common questions and a few clutch products, so you can roll forth with confidence.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Tow Ratings: What You Need to Know
There’s no doubt about it: Towing thousands of pounds down the highway is a serious responsibility. There are potential dangers to you, your passengers and everyone else on the road. Fortunately, there’s a lot of information available as a built-in safeguard to the practice.
Tow ratings are provided by manufacturers to ensure that their vehicles are used properly and safely. Trying to tow a trailer (or dinghy vehicle we’ll cover dinghy towing in more depth in a later issue) that is too heavy or large for the tow vehicle can lead to expensive breakdowns, even dangerous failures.
Overloaded vehicles often have brake and automatic transmission failures, which can cost thousands of dollars and ruin trips. Plus, warranties may not cover damages caused by exceeding manufacturer limitations. If a vehicle and its load are not balanced and distributed correctly, uncontrollable swaying (fishtailing) and jackknifing can occur—potential liabilities to drivers.
All of which is to say: Knowledge is power here. Before buying a tow vehicle, motorhome or trailer, take the time to thoroughly read the brochures and/or check the specifications online. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Trailer tow ratings are typically higher for fifth-wheel trailers than for bumper-pull trailers. Do not confuse the two.
Tow ratings vary considerably between various option packages, engines, axle ratios and models. Take the time to look up your vehicle’s combination of features exactly.
Basically, what you’re trying to do is find the right, safe combination of tow vehicle and towed RV, fitting these various specs together into a viable package.
Several key acronyms are essential for towing safety:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable loaded weight of a given vehicle. That’s counting passengers,
cargo and fuel.
Gross axle weight rating (GAWR) is the maximum allowable weight for a particular axle to carry.
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is the maximum allowable weight for the combined vehicle and trailer.
Maximum tow rating is the most weight a tow vehicle may pull. A 2024 Toyota Tacoma, for example, is rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds though it’s not a good idea to literally max-out towing capacity. Better to aim for something like 80 percent of the factory tow-limit rating.
Maximum tongue weight is the most weight that can be applied to a particular conventional ball-type trailer hitch. Maximum pin weight is the most weight that may be applied to a fth-wheel hitch.
Photo Credit: Reese
Hitches
For a towable RV, choosing the right trailer hitch is essential. Many conventional hitch-type trailers put enough tongue weight on the tow vehicle that a weight-distribution hitch is needed. (Brands to look for: B&W, Curt, Draw-Tite and Reese.) These help move some of the hitch weight forward to the front axle, helping to balance the load and prevent rear-end sag. Ensure that you match the weight rating of the hitch bars to the tongue weight of the trailer.
Fifth-wheel hitches come in many types and ratings. Always use a hitch rated for more than your trailer weighs. Many pickup trucks today come with short beds, and some sort of sliding hitch is needed to allow the towing vehicle to make sharp turns without the front of the trailer corners hitting the back of the cab. The most convenient models can be adjusted remotely from the cab.
Another important thing to know is that the weakest link determines the strength of the “chain.” For example, if your tow vehicle has a maximum tow rating of 7,000 pounds, but has a hitch rated for only 5,000 pounds, your maximum towing capacity is limited to 5,000 pounds. Conversely, if your tow vehicle has a hitch rated for 10,000 pounds, but the vehicle tow rating is only 7,000 pounds, then you are limited to the lower number, in this case 7,000 pounds. Consult with your RV dealer or hitch installation shop for further information.
Photo Credit: RVi Brake
Brake Controls
Most RV trailers come with electric brakes (hydraulic “surge” brakes are typically found on boat trailers and rental cargo trailers). If you have electric trailer brakes, you will need a brake control. Many newer tow vehicles come with them from the factory. If not, you will need to purchase one. (Names to know: Tekonsha, Hopkins, Redarc, Curt and Reese.) I strongly recommend choosing a “proportional” control, which matches trailer braking application to the tow vehicle’s rate of deceleration, rather than a so-called time-based unit that ramps up trailer brake force over time.
Towing Q&A: Answers to a Few Common Questions
Photo Credit: Ford
Single vs. Double Axle
Q: I’ve towed double-axle travel trailers for many years with load levelers and a three-quarter-ton truck. No issues. I’ve seen a lot of the West. I’m downsizing to a new Chevy Colorado pickup and thinking that a single-axle travel trailer may give me a lot of porpoising bounce. Is that true? How would load levelers work in that case? I’m looking for the best ride in my travels and getting the most trailer for my new weight restriction.
—Lee Smith, Twain Harte, CA
A: Keep in mind that a Colorado pickup is actually similar in size and tow rating to older American full-size pickups, particularly so-called half tons. It’s not a mini-truck. The 2025 Colorado offers a range of towing ratings based on options. If you have lightweight towing needs, the WT and LT trims are rated up to 3,500 pounds. The TurboMax engine provides an impressive tow rating of 7,700 pounds—the highest for any midsize pickup truck. I would say there are more concerns with single-axle trailers swaying or fishtailing under certain driving conditions, compared to multi-axle trailers. I recommend using at least a friction-type sway control to ensure straight-line tracking.
Porpoising is more a function of the types of suspension on the trailer and tow vehicle. For example, rubber torsion axles respond to bumps differently than leaf-sprung axles Spring rates and travel, tire types and capacity vs. load weight all affect ride quality. Longer leaf springs provide more wheel travel over bumps, and therefore can provide a more stable ride. Overly stiff tires or over-inflation also can cause a bouncy ride. Another big factor is that some trailers don’t come with shock absorbers (however, aftermarket retrofit kits are readily available to remedy this).
You mention “load levelers.” There are many types, including air-bag type springs, added leaf type “helper” springs, etc. These can be used to level the ride height. But for ride quality and safe towing, make sure the trailer weight is balanced and not too heavy or light on the hitch weight. It should be around 10-12 percent of total trailer weight. Use a truck scale to measure axle and hitch weights. If your truck sags in back due to hitch weight, consider using a weight-distribution type hitch with spring bars matched to the tongue weight. This moves hitch weight forward so it is shared with the front axle, which helps stabilize the vehicle and improve ride. Load levelers don’t shift weight forward.
Photo Credit: Jeff Johnston
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Q: I owned a 2020 travel trailer with a factory-installed tire-pressure monitoring system. I would pressurize my 14-inch tires to 62 PSI. On one summer trip, with temps in the 90s, a one-year-old tire suffered a blowout. Before the mishap, the TPMS indicated 68 PSI—and 142 degrees (The other tires showed similar pressure, but were at least 10 degrees cooler.) After that, I kept the cold pressure to 60 PSI.
In 2024, I traded that RV for a newer trailer, with a newer version of the TPMS installed. I keep cold pressure for my 15-inch Goodyears at 60 PSI. But as with my previous trailer, one tire runs 10 degrees hotter than the others, with higher tire pressure on hot days. This makes me nervous. The TPMS sensors are clamped to the inner wheel rim. Is it possible that the trailer brake adjustment for the hotter wheel is too tight?
—Duane Humlicek, Burlington, KS
A: Unfortunately, tire failures are all too common on RV trailers. Often, but certainly not always, the cause is low-quality imported tires that fail, seemingly, for no reason. There are other causes—overloading, under-inflation, curb or pothole impacts, misalignment, road debris and—of course—nails and other sharp hazards. Many times, blowouts are caused by continuing to drive when punctures have reduced inflation pressure, but the cause goes undetected. I recommend all RVers use tire pressure monitoring systems.
Now, to your specific question: I would say the most common cause of one tire running hotter than others would be uneven weight distribution in the trailer. Often this is caused by a heavy slideout room mechanism, or the uneven placement of holding tanks, appliances, etc. A good way to determine this is by taking the rig to a truck scale, which gives individual wheel weights. If you find that one part of the trailer is heavier, try to move things around to reduce the difference.
A dragging brake could certainly raise temperatures. A quick check: Jack up each trailer wheel one at a time and turn each one by hand. Listen and feel for a dragging brake. Another good check: Use an inexpensive non-contact infrared handheld temperature gauge (e.g., the Ames Instruments 12:1 Infrared Laser Thermometer). Hop out right after towing, and go around quickly to each wheel and tire, measuring them separately. If the center hub on one is significantly hotter than the others, there’s your culprit. If the hubs are a similar temperature, but the tire treads of one are significantly hotter, it’s more likely to be extra weight on that tire.
Another possible cause: a misaligned axle. This usually happens from bumping curbs on right turns or from big potholes. Some alignment shops will check trailers.
A sampling of gear and accessories from some of Wildsam’s trusted partners.
Photo Credit: Midland
Midland
For adventurers, having a communications set up ensures peace of mind when traveling the open road. While cell phones are essential, they aren’t always reliable. Midland’s MXT275 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio brings powerful GMRS communication, making it the ideal base station to reach others instantly. Paired with the GXT67 Pro GMRS Walkie Talkie, connection in and out of the vehicle has never been easier. The ER50 Portable Emergency Radio brings real-time weather and emergency information to navigate changing conditions along the journey. Together, these communications tools bring safety while pushing the limits throughout outdoor adventure. midlandusa.com
Photo Credit: Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres
Nokian Tyres One reinforces every journey with pothole protection thanks to puncture-resistant Aramid fibers. Finnish innovation and American grit combine to form a rugged rubber compound that’s tough on potholes, smooth on the highway and keeps you safe in the moments that matter most. Designed in Finland, the Nokian Tyres One rolls out from Nokian Tyres’ award-winning Tennessee factory. This all-season tire is crafted for the demands of North American roads and ready for whatever lies on the road ahead. nokiantyres.com
It has been a lot of fun watching the portable power station market evolve over the past few years. As more and more brands have entered this increasingly competitive space, we’ve seen prices come down and performance go up. So much so, that high-end models can now power your entire house for days at a time, while smaller units have gotten incredibly affordable without sacrificing quality or convenience.
Such is the case with the EBL MP500, a compact charging solution designed to go wherever you want to take it. And while this model won’t power your RV while camping off-grid, it will keep your personal electronic devices charged while on the go. It also offers a few nice features that you wouldn’t expect at its price point, delivering a lot of value to customers.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Capacity and Output
If you know anything about naming conventions across the power station space, it should come as no surprise that the MP500 offers 500W of power output and has a 519.4Wh storage capacity. That makes it ideal for running mobile devices, laptops, and small appliances like a portable blender, camping lights, or an LCD TV. That convenience and flexibility make it ideal for use at home, but also at a campsite, while tailgating, or anywhere else you may need a little extra portable power.
The MP500 is equipped with multiple charging ports, including two 120V AC wall outlets, dual 14V DC barrel ports, a 12V DC car port, three USB-A QC 3.0 ports, and a single USB-C 60W PD port. If you’ve read any of our previous power station reviews, you’ll probably already know that we’d prefer at least one or two more USB-C ports. But EBL makes up for that discrepancy to a degree by including a 10W wireless charging pad on the top of the MP500. This allows the unit to charge or power up to ten devices at the same time, which is an impressive number given its price point.
All of those specs and features mean the MP500 can recharge a smartphone 40+ times or a laptop up to ten times. It also allows it to run an electric fan for as much as 12 hours or a smart TV for seven hours. Considering the unit’s size and weight, those are fairly impressive numbers. EBL says the compact power station can even run a mini-fridge for 11 hours or an electric blanket for three hours.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Three Charging Options
EBL gives owners three options for recharging the MP500 itself. Those include plugging it into a standard 120V home outlet or the 12V DC port in your vehicle. Alternatively, you can also add a solar panel to the mix, which can replenish the power station’s battery while traveling off-grid, greatly extending its usefulness in the process.
While using solar panels, the MP500 can be recharged in a respectable 7-9 hours depending on the conditions. Using a 12V DC port requires about 7-8 hours, which is fairly typical for the size and capacity of this model. But we were somewhat underwhelmed by the charging speeds while using the included AC adapter plugged into a 120V wall outlet. That required more than six hours to fully replenish the battery, which is considerably slower than some of the competition.
And while we’re on the subject of batteries, EBL uses a lithium-ion power cell in this device, while most competitors have moved on to lithium-iron phosphate or LiFePO4. Lithium-ion tends to be slightly lighter and has more energy density, but it isn’t as safe nor does it have as long of a lifespan as LiFePO4. For most users, this difference isn’t likely to be noticeable, but it is still worth pointing out.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Durable, Versatile, and Portable
When designing the MP500 power station, EBL got a lot right. For instance, the unit is surprisingly small, measuring just 11.5 x 7.95 x 7.64 inches. It also weighs a shade under 15 pounds, although it actually feels lighter in hand. That’s probably due—in part—to the built-in, folding handle, which makes the device easy to carry around.
The MP500’s casing is also suitably durable, making it ideal for use outdoors. We especially liked the rubberized bumpers located on its corners, which provide good protection from accidental drops and getting jostled about in an RV storage compartment. That said, at first glance, this power station does resemble the models produced by another popular brand. I also couldn’t find an IPX dust or waterproofing rating either, which means I wouldn’t want to accidentally leave it out in the rain.
Other features of note include a built-in LED light that makes a good source of illumination at the campsite. As with most other power stations, the MP500 comes with a built-in LCD display for monitoring current battery levels and power in and out. That screen isn’t as sophisticated or flashy as those found on some of the competition, but it is easy to read and more than gets the job done.
Photo Credit: EBL
Closing Thoughts
Overall, we’re quite impressed with the EBL MP500 power station. Sure, we would have liked to have seen faster charging via the AC adapter, and a LiFePO4 battery would add extra longevity to the device. But this model is a testament to how far the industry has come in recent years, delivering excellent performance and solid features at an affordable price.
So what exactly is that price? The MP500 sells for just $379 (on sale for $289 as of press time), making it a portable power solution that is within reach for most customers. Whether that means you want emergency back-up power at home, on-the-go power for camping or tailgating, or additional charging capabilities in your RV, this small and lightweight model will fit your needs perfectly without breaking the bank.
