Category: Trends

  • RV News: Coachmen’s Brookstone Adds a Lux Patio, Newmar Reveals Compact Class C Model, and More

    Happy Friday and welcome back to another edition of our weekly round-up of all the biggest news from across the RV industry. Here are a few interesting and important stories from the past week:

    Coachmen Brookstone 318RLL

    Photo Credit: Coachmen

    • Coachmen Launches New Brookstone Floor Plan with Unique Rear Patio: Outdoor patios aren’t a new thing on RVs, but in the past they were usually found only on toy haulers. But now, a number of manufacturers are finding unique and fun ways to integrate a deck or porch on other models, too. This week, Coachmen took the RV patio to new levels by introducing the Brookstone 318RLL floor plan. This model uses marine-grade furnishings—like a large L-shaped couch and a boat-inspired table—to create a comfy-looking outdoor space. Add in a mini-fridge and you truly have a place you’ll want to hang out in. Find out more here.
    • Newmar Reveals 2026 Lineup with New Compact Class C Model: We’re not even to the end of March, but Newmar is already showing off its line of RVs for the 2026 model year. This week, the luxury brand held its annual dealer meeting in Colorado Springs, CO, where it showed off a host of new vehicles, including updated versions of the Super Star and Supreme Aire Super C models, along with the King Aire and an all-new model called the Summit Aire. But perhaps most exciting was the introduction of the Freedom Aire, the brand’s first Class C model. The coach is built on the Mercedes 4500 chassis and includes a spacious dinette and a king-size Murphy bed. The new motorhome will be available in six floor plans that promise plenty of flexibility and versatility. Stay tuned for further updates as more info is revealed in the coming weeks.

    Image Courtesy of welcomia/Getty

    • Go RVing Study Finds Young Families Tend to Purchase Another RV: The Go RVing 2025 RV Demographics Profile continues to reveal all kinds of interesting information. This week, the organization revealed that young families—defined here as the 18-34 and 35-44 age groups—with kids under 18 living at home enjoy the bonding experiences and flexibility/freedom that come with RV travel. Those groups are also highly likely to purchase another RV in the future, with 84% of survey respondents indicating such. These young RVers are also very brand loyal, with 90% saying they would stick with the manufacturer of their current vehicle in the future. For further insights, check out this article from RV News.

    Photo Credit: Dometic

    • GearJunkie Reviews Dometic TRT 140 Air Inflatable Rooftop Tent: As rooftop tents continue to gain in popularity, we see a lot of innovation taking place within that market space. One of the most intriguing is the Dometic TRT 140 Air, which is a lightweight, inflatable model that sets up in minutes. This week, the team at GearJunkie took a look at this unique offering, giving it high marks for its weight, easy installation, and host of features. Cons include a lack of space for bedding when not in use, the tent being rather noisy when in transit, and the risk of puncturing the inflatable frame. Read the full review here.

    Photo Credit: Entegra Coach

    • RV Pro Looks at the Latest Trends in RV Kitchens: The kitchens in our RVs are arguably the most important space in the entire rig. Sure, you want a comfortable bed and a fun place to hang out when relaxing, but a full-featured kitchen allows us to make our favorite meals and snacks anywhere we wander. Over the past few years, we’ve seen some significant leaps in kitchen technology, which has made life on the road even better. But what are the current trends in RV kitchens? According to a report this week, those include multifunctional appliances, energy efficiency, and residential-style designs and performance. Our friends at RV Pro have taken a deeper look into where things are headed. Read it here.
    • Rivian Spins Off New Micromobility Brand for E-Bikes and Scooters: Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian announced a new spin-off company this week dubbed Also, Inc. The subsidiary brand will leverage the parent company’s expertise in battery and electric motor tech to build a line of e-bikes and scooters. The goal is to build a range of consumer options for sustainable travel, with options at a variety of price points. No word yet on when these new products will be available, but they’ll face serious challenges in the increasingly crowded e-bike market. Read more here.

    That’s a wrap for this week. Join us again next Friday for another update on everything happening in the RV space.

    The post RV News: Coachmen’s Brookstone Adds a Lux Patio, Newmar Reveals Compact Class C Model, and More appeared first on RV.com.

  • RV News: Arkto Camper Reveals New Off-Road Towable, the Top Camping and Glamping Sites of 2025, and More

    The calendar says it’s Friday, which means it’s time for another quick round-up of everything happening in the RV and camping industry this week. Before heading off into the weekend, here are a few stories you may want to know about:

    Arkto Campers C10

    Photo Credit: Arkto

    • Arkto Campers Unveils Smaller, Lighter Off-Road Camper: If you’re in the market for an off-road, off-grid overlanding towable, there is a new option to consider. This week, Arkto Campers revealed an all-new model, dubbed the C10. Lighter and more nimble than the brand’s G12 trailer, this rig is built to take on tough terrain. The pop-up model has an interior height of 6’11”, sleeps up to three adults, and weighs just 2,750 lbs. It also comes with a Truma furnace, 15-amp shore power, a queen-size bed, LED lighting, plenty of onboard storage, and is solar-ready. Pricing starts at $64,000 CAD, which translates to about $44,500 by today’s exchange rate. To find out more, check out this story from our friends at GearJunkie.
    • Thor Moves Heartland Brand Under Jayco Management: There is no question that Thor Industries is one of the biggest players in the RV space, with multiple sub-brands falling under its corporate umbrella. This week, the company made a strategic move by placing its Heartland subsidiary under direct control of Jayco. The reason for this strategic realignment? Like much of the industry, Heartland has faced challenges over the past few years, and the shift will provide more optimized and efficient manufacturing, operations, and customer service. No word on whether or not DRV Luxury Suites and Cruiser RV—which previously operated under Heartland—will also make the move.

    Photo Credit: Noovo

    • Noovo Camper Vans to Hold Open House April 5-6: Las Vegas-based Noovo, which manufactures a line of camper vans, will hold its first-ever open house. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, at the company’s new headquarters located at 4495 Copper Sage St. The gathering will showcase Noovo’s van builds and will include guest speakers, factory tours, live music, food and drinks, and much more. For more information—and to reserve your free ticketclick here.
    • Yosemite to Open Campsite Reservations on March 24: After delaying the start of campsite reservations for summer 2025, Yosemite National Park is almost ready to start letting you book your stay. The park will begin taking reservations on Monday, March 25, for anyone planning a visit for June 15-July 14. Those wanting a campsite from July 15-August 14 can make a booking starting on Monday, March 31. Both reservation windows will allow campers to claim a spot at the Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadows campgrounds. As usual, you’ll want to book as early as possible. Good luck!

    Photo Credit: Caltrans District 10

    • Rockslide Closes Road to Yosemite: While we’re on the topic of the country’s second national park, a rockslide on California Highway 140 between Midpines and El Portal has closed off access to Yosemite for the foreseeable future. That’s the route that runs to the main entrance, meaning it is very difficult to get into the park at all right now. Access is still available along Highways 41 and 120, although tire chains are required on those routes at the moment. As of press time, there is no estimate as to how long the road will be closed.
    • The Dyrt Announces 2025 Glampy Award Winners: Online campsite discovery platform The Dyrt has announced the winners of the 2025 Glampy Awards, given out annually to the best places to go camping. This year’s top ten list includes a wide variety of destinations in Utah, Idaho, Georgia, and West Virginia. We won’t give away the top spot, but a few of the winners include Cozy Heron Glamping in North Carolina and Twin Falls Glamping Tents in Texas. Check out the full list here.

    Photo Credit: welcomia/Getty

    • 2025 Campspot Awards Revealed, Too!: It must be award season in the camping space, as this week Campspot also revealed its 2025 award winners, handing out accolades for the top places to go camping in the US and Canada, while also highlighting a host of subcategories. Some of those included the Top Campgrounds for RVs, the Top Campgrounds for Glamping, Top Unique Campgrounds, and Campspot’s picks for the Top Hidden Gems. Discover the full list of winners here.
    • Roadsurfer Adds Colorado Camper Van and RV Rental Outlet: RV rental company Roadsurfer has launched its operations in Denver, Colorado. The company announced that it is now offering camper van and Class C rentals from that location, with pricing starting as low as $99/night. With the addition of this new outlet, the German-owned company now offers rentals in seven locations in the US—including Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Seattle—as well as Calgary and Vancouver, Canada.

    Photo Credit: Ember RV

    • Overland Expo SoCal Makes Very Successful Debut: If you’re active in the overlanding space, you know that Overland Expo is the place to be if you want to pick up new tips, scout out the latest gear, and meet others who share your passion. This combination of activities has let OXE become so popular that it has grown to include five different events across the country, including the latest edition—Overland Expo SoCal. The inaugural SoCal meet-up took place on March 15-16 and by all accounts was a major hit. In fact, organizers say it was the most successful debut of any of the shows ever, drawing 19,000 attendees for 303 exhibitors and 84 seminars. RV Business has the lowdown here.
    • RVs Move America Week Registration Now Open: The RV Industry Association’s annual RVs Move America Week is scheduled for June 1-5 this year, with the event taking place in Washington DC. The conference is mainly aimed at movers and shakers from within the industry, who gather to talk strategy, plan collaborations, and lobby senators and representatives. Registration opened this week for those who will be attending. For a full schedule of events, click here.

    That’s a wrap for this week. See you next Friday with more RV industry news briefs.

    The post RV News: Arkto Camper Reveals New Off-Road Towable, the Top Camping and Glamping Sites of 2025, and More appeared first on RV.com.

  • RV News: Saber and RV Miles Collab on New Fifth-Wheel, the Sierra Club Sues Elon Musk, and More

    Friday has arrived at long last, which means it’s time for our weekly round-up of the latest news and RV industry trends. As usual, it has been another busy week, so here are the stories you may have missed:

    Sabre 37RVMiles

    Photo Credit: Sabre

    • Sabre Introduces Floor Plan Designed in Collaboration with Popular YouTube Channel: We first mentioned this news item way back in January, when Sabre first announced its collaboration with the popular RV Miles website/podcast/YouTube channel. But now, the all-new 37RVMiles floor plan has made its official debut at long last, bringing some interesting features along with it. The 43′ fifth-wheel trailer comes with a spacious primary bedroom with a king bed, an L-shaped sectional sofa, a rear bonus room with additional beds, and a side patio deck. Check it out here.
    • New Trekker Adventure Truck Coming Soon From 27 North: While we’re on the topic of adventure trucks, 27 North made news this week by announcing a new model coming to its lineup in April. Dubbed the Trekker, the new vehicle is built for consumers looking for a light-duty off-road expedition rig. While not a lot is known just yet, company founder and CEO Pavel Bosovik tells RV News the truck will be 25 feet in length and 20%-50% lighter than the competition. As is typical with the company’s other vehicles—including a line of Class B vans—the Trekker will blend off-road capabilities with a luxurious interior.

    Photo Credit: Rossmönster

    • Rossmönster Debuts ‘Most Capable’ Sprinter Van on the Market: If you’re looking for a rugged and adventurous camper van, Rossmönster’s new Class B model may be a fit. The brand is best known for its bespoke adventure trucks, but this week it announced the Skye camper van, its first repeat-production model ever. That means customers can expect better availability and faster delivery times, on a vehicle that includes a fold-away queen-size bed, a 12-foot counter, and an off-grid power system. Read our coverage of the announcement here.
    • More Than 4,000 California Campsites Could Be Closed This Summer: We all know that the budget cuts and staff layoffs currently underway in Washington DC are going to have a profound impact on how the country operates. This week, the consequences of those actions hit home in a very concrete way when we found out that more than 4,000 campgrounds on national forest lands could be closed for some or all of the summer. The new leak came via a US Forest Service memo that was shared internally back in February, hinting at the challenges ahead. Of course, California isn’t likely to be the only state impacted, as the cuts will hit every state on some level.

    Photo Credit: National Park Service

    Photo Credit: welcomia/Getty

    • Booking Campsites Remains a Big Challenge: This week we learned that reserving your favorite campsite is still a challenge, thanks to so many campgrounds being full. According to the 2025 Camping Report from The Dyrt, 56.1% of people surveyed say that they ran into difficulty booking a site in 2024. That’s up from 45.5% in 2023, and close to the all-time high of 58.4% from 2022. In other words, if you want to go camping this year and know your travel dates, book those campsites as early as possible.
    • Go RVing Shares Insights on RVers Working on the Road: Remote work options have become more common in recent years, and some RVers are taking advantage of those opportunities to work while on the road. According to Go RVing’s 2025 Owner Demographic, 22% of those surveyed said their current job allows them to work from anywhere, with 54% indicating they’d worked from their RV. Curiously, more motorhome owners take advantage of this situation, with 65% of them working from their rig, compared to 50% of towable owners.

    Photo Credit: Cruise America

    • RV Rental Site Shares Stats Current Market Trends: We’ll keep the RV/camping stats rolling with yet another report on industry trends. Go RV Rentals, an online resource for discovering and renting a recreational vehicle, shared its 2025 RV Rental Price Index Report, which showed some interesting trends, including the average nightly rental cost of various RV models. Unsurprisingly, Class A motorhomes had the highest average rate at $313, with Class B camper vans next at $228, followed by Class C models at $214. The report also showed that the top three most expensive rental markets were Houston, Austin, and San Francisco, while Tampa, San Diego, and Phoenix were the most affordable. Read the full report here.
    • 28 Million Americans Will Go RVing This Spring: Not to be outdone by all the other industry studies being released, the RV Industry Association has one of its own to share. The RVIA Spring Travel Intentions Survey indicates that 28 million Americans will hit the road in an RV over the next few months, with most staying within 7 to 15 hours from home. Beaches and coastal areas are the top spring destinations, with the Florida Keys coming in at the number one spot. The report is filled with all kinds of other stats—like 72 million Americans going RVing in the next 12 months—and most respondents say they’re traveling for better weather or to escape their busy lives. Check it out here.

    That’s a wrap for this week. Join us again next Friday for another wrap-up of everything going on in the very busy RV industry.

    The post RV News: Saber and RV Miles Collab on New Fifth-Wheel, the Sierra Club Sues Elon Musk, and More appeared first on RV.com.

  • RV News: New Models from East to West RV, Camping on Farms Grows in Popularity, and Much More

    It’s Friday, which means it’s also time to review all the big news and stories from the RV and camping industry this week. Here are the stories you should be know about heading into the weekend:

    • East to West Debuts New Della Terra Travel Trailer Model: Earlier this week, Forest River subsidiary East to West RV showed off a new travel trailer that first made an appearance last fall at the annual Elkhart Extravaganza RV event. The 32′ Della Terra 263RK tips the scales at 7,243 lbs. and ships with solar prep, a 30-amp charge controller, and a 20′ awning. Inside, you’ll find a massive 60″ window in the kitchen, which is also equipped with a dinette or optional free-standing table. Other standout features include a king-size bed, washer/dryer prep, an entertainment center with a smart TV and a fireplace, and 6′ 9″ ceilings. Visit the East to West website for more information.
    East to West RV

    Photo Credit: East to West RV

    • East to West has New Ahara Fifth-Wheel Floor Plans, Too: The new Della Terra wasn’t the only thing East to West showed off tis week. The brand also revealed two additions to its Ahara line of fifth-wheel trailers. The new models include an updated version of the existing 390DS and the 395FB, which makes its debut in 2025. The 390DS is a swanky, spacious model with two bedrooms and 1.5 baths, while the 395FB includes a breakfast bar, a walk-in closet, and built-in office space for working on the go.

    Photo Credit: Airstream

    • Airstream Launches Electric Basecamp 20Xe: Iconic RV brand Airstream is getting into the electric travel trailer space. Last weekend, the brand revealed the new Basecamp 20Xe, an upgraded version of the existing Basecamp 20 model that includes 600W of solar panels, a 10.3kWh house battery, and a 3000W inverter. The rig also comes with off-road tires, making it easier to reach that remote campsite. To learn more, check out our full coverage of the towable. here.
    • Rossmönster Adventure Trucks Coming to Happy Daze RV: Legendary overland vehicle manufacturer Rossmönster has struck a deal with Happy Daze RV to bring its amazing off-roaders to a broader audience. This week, the two brands announced that the dealership would be the official distributor of Rossmönster adventure trucks and vans. This should make it easier for anyone who has been interested in these RVs to actually see one in person and get a sense of what it has to offer before buying.

    Photo Credit: Harvest Hosts

    • Camping on Farms Continues to Grow in Popularity: According to online campsite discovery platform The Dyrt, an increasing number of people want to camp on a farm. According to the company’s 2025 Camping Report, roughly one in seven people surveyed indicated they stayed on a farm in 2024. That’s 14.1% if you’re keeping track at home. Even more interesting, that number has gone up each year since 2019, starting at just 4.2% at the time. By the way, the brand even surveyed farmers on the topic, with 51.4% saying they prefer RVers over other types of campers.
    • Progressive and Harvest Host Release 2025 RV Travel Trends Report: The Dyrt isn’t the only outlet to have insights into how RVers are traveling these days. This week, Progressive Insurance and Harvest Hosts revealed their 2025 RV Travel Trends Report, with some interesting insights to offer as well. For instance, did you know that 45% of RVers book their travel plans two months or less in advance. Gen Zers are especially spontaneous, with 38% saying the book just two to three weeks out. Other interesting notes include 52% of respondents say they don’t travel without their pets, while 59% say their biggest worry is overcrowded campgrounds. Read more here.

    Photo Credit: Larry Crain/Getty

    • More Tariffs Go into Effect: This week, the Trump administration enacted more tariffs against Canada, China, and Mexico, although our southern neighbors did end up getting a one-month reprieve from the import taxes. Curious as to how all of this may impact the RV industry? We’ve been keeping a close eye on the topsy-turvy turn of events and have a continually updated article on RV.com covering the constantly evolving situation. To stay up to date, check out that story here.

    That’s all for this week. Join us again next Friday for another rundown of the latest RV industry news.

    The post RV News: New Models from East to West RV, Camping on Farms Grows in Popularity, and Much More appeared first on RV.com.

  • How Tariffs Could Impact the RV Industry

    President Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China has dominated the news cycle in recent days, bringing a lot of fear, uncertainty, and doubt along with it. Some of that concern comes from a fundamental lack of understanding of what tariffs are and the impact they can have on the economy, especially should a broader trade war break out between the US and its allies and adversaries alike. So what do these tariffs mean for the country as a whole and the RV industry more specifically? Read on to find out.

    2023 camping statistics

    Photo Credit: welcomia/Getty

    What is a Tariff?

    In the simplest of terms, a tariff is a tax placed on goods being imported into a country. Often, they are implemented as a means to raise funds for the government of the nation levying the tax or as a way to protect domestic manufacturers  and merchants from foreign competitors. And contrary to popular belief, the exporting country does not end up paying the increased price. Typically, a tariff results in the cost of goods going up, with the increase usually getting passed along to consumers.

    In other words, if a 25% tax is levied on a product that costs $10, the price of that product increases by $2.50. More often than not, that means those goods will now sell for $12.50, although some manufacturers may find creative ways to keep costs down to try to minimize the impact on customers. The government collecting the tariff may also elect to exempt some goods from the taxes, allowing them to continue being sold at their original price.

    In case you dozed off during your history classes back in junior high and high school, tariffs are not new. They’ve been around for centuries and have always been a way to generate revenue and/or punish other nations for trade inequalities between countries. Imposing tariffs almost always results in reciprocal taxes being levied by the other country, often leading to an increasingly escalating trade war that pushes prices up, weakens the economy, and results in unemployment, inflation, and scarcity of goods.

    Low-level tariffs are a fact of life, with almost every country in the world imposing minor fees on imported goods. But in an age when global economies are more interdependent than ever before, high import taxes have largely fallen out of favor. That’s because implementing them usually results in as much harm at home as it does abroad. To the point that most modern politicians don’t usually consider using them as an actual tactic to achieve their economic policy goals.

    Photo Credit: Camping World/Keystone

    Why is President Trump Implementing Tariffs?

    If high tariffs are generally bad for the economy, why is President Trump implementing them? That’s a good question, because most economists agree that they are a bad idea. But the president sees tariffs as a way to pressure Canada, Mexico, and China into complying with his policy goals. For instance, Trump is using these import taxes as economic leverage to get Canada and Mexico to beef up security along their shared borders with the US. The hope is to cut down on illegal migrants crossing into the country, while also minimizing the inflow of illicit drugs and the outflow of illegal guns.

    President Trump also hopes to use tariffs as a way to force some companies to bring manufacturing back to the US, including automakers, computer chip manufacturers, industrial goods, and more. That process can take years to accomplish, if it is even possible at all. With major manufacturing having moved largely abroad across a number of major industries, rebuilding factories and retraining labor is a challenging and expensive prospect. Even if the tariffs do convince some companies to resume manufacturing domestically, it’ll likely take years before that becomes a reality.

    Photo Credit: Lucy Hewett

    How Will Tariffs Impact the RV Industry?

    America’s RV industry remains a vibrant and important part of the economy, with most of the manufacturing taking place right here in the US. That should help protect it against these tariffs to a degree, but not completely. Remember above when we mentioned an increasingly interdependent international economy? That extends to RV manufacturers, too. And while most of them do build their rigs in the country, they also import parts that are made in other parts of the world—most notably Canada, Mexico, and China. If those parts are hit with tariffs, it could cause prices to go up, resulting in higher sticker prices for RVs, too. Remember, these increased costs almost always get passed on to consumers.

    Keep in mind, there are some RV manufacturers—like Northern Lite, Pleasure Way, and Leisure Travel Vans—who are based in Canada. Pricing for those models being shipped to the US could go up dramatically based on the imposed tariffs. The same could happen for US manufacturers shipping their vehicles to Canada and Mexico, should those nations implement retaliatory tariffs of their own. Increased import taxes could result in a 10%-25% increase in prices depending on how the situation plays out in the coming weeks.

    As noted above, high tariffs can have a dramatic impact on the economy resulting in higher prices, stagnating growth, layoffs, and other issues. Those challenges could definitely leak into the RV industry, which often faces headwinds when the overall economy slows down. That could lead to a loss of jobs, temporary plant closures, reduced manufacturing, reduced inventories, and other difficulties. Considering the industry is just now getting back on its feet post-COVID, most manufacturers and dealerships would prefer to not have more barriers to their success put into place.

    RVing In The Mountains In Class C Motorhome Landscape At Sunset in Jasper, AB, Canada

    Tariffs Delayed

    After announcing new tariffs for Mexico, Canada, and China going into effect on February 1, 2025, it does appear that some of those new regulations have been temporarily averted. President Trump had phone conversations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that resulted in those leaders coming to an understanding on shared goals. This led to the tariffs on both countries—as well as their reciprocating tariffs—being postponed for 30 days. This has helped reduce tensions between the nations and has had a stabilizing effect on world markets that were in disarray over fears of a prolonged global trade war.

    The downside is, the threat of tariffs still looms. President Trump continues to use them as a weapon against neighboring countries and allies—he says he’ll impose them on the European Union, too—as a way to force them to comply with his policies. But what happens if they can no longer appease those demands? There is a real possibility that the tariffs will still go into place, disrupting trade and sending ripples across the world’s economy. This is especially true in regards to returning manufacturing to the US and closing trade gaps between the countries. Those are issues that won’t easily be solved in the near term, if at all.

    It should also be noted that the new 10% tariffs against China continue to be in effect and have resulted in a 10%-15% increase in taxes on US crude oil, liquid natural gas, coal, cars, and other goods. Those are likely to have an impact on the US economy in the weeks ahead, unless they can be renegotiated in a timely fashion, as well. And with the potential for more tariffs against other countries looming on the horizon, there will still be some challenging days on the horizon.

    Photo Credit: Cavan Images/Getty

    Cautiously Optimistic

    For now, it is safe to say the RV industry is taking a cautiously optimistic stance on the impact of tariffs. The 30-day delay provides hope that trade disputes can be managed and overcome, keeping the flow of goods between the US, Canada, and Mexico moving. It is in everyone’s best interest that the three nations cooperate with one another, and hopefully that will continue to be the case in March when the tariff discussion will likely resume.

    This is a hot-button issue at the moment, with the situation changing quickly. We’ll continue to update this story with further developments as things are warranted. Stay tuned.

    The post How Tariffs Could Impact the RV Industry appeared first on RV.com.

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