RV News: 2026 RV Upgrades From Thor and Airstream, Sprinter vs. Transit Debate, and Much More
This week's news includes a new Grand Design Lineage Series M floor plan, tariffs going into effect, and RVs getting mainstream media coverage.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Airstream
Friday is finally here, which means the weekend is just around the corner. Before heading off on your next adventure, we have a rundown of the latest news from the RV and camping industry. Here are the biggest stories that you may have missed this week:
Photo Credit: Thor Motors
- Thor Motors Reveals 2026 RV Upgrades: We’ve entered that time of the year when the major RV manufacturers start to reveal the big updates and upgrades coming to their vehicles in the coming months. This past week, Thor Motors has been doling out that information over the course of several days, focusing on Class A, B, and C models, along with diesel coaches. We’ve compiled all of those updates into a single article, which you can read here.
- Airstream Shares 2026 Updates, Too: Airstream also got on the new model-year upgrades bandwagon this week, announcing new features coming to its travel trailers in 2026. Every towable in the current line-up is getting a refresh of some degree this year, with many models getting improved air ducts for better airflow and higher-quality backup cameras. The Basecamp gets a substantial update with the X-Package—which includes all-terrain tires, better ground clearance, and more—is now standard across the line. The Globetrotter and Classic get a security camera, while the latter also receives a much-improved couch. Check out the full story here.
Photo Credit: Grand Design
- Grand Design Debuts New Lineage Series M Floor Plan: Grand Design’s foray into the motorized space has been an impressive one, with the Lineage Series M line being especially noteworthy. This week, the company revealed an all-new floor plan that continues the Class C model’s already established legacy for luxury and performance. Highlights of the 25TK layout include an upscale bathroom with a patent-pending AquaHaven rain shower, a bed that converts between two twins and a king, and a full-width rear passthrough cargo bay. Check it out here.
Photo Credit: Aliner
- Aliner Adds Truck Camper to Its Line-Up: Best known for its innovative and affordable pop-up A-frame towables, Aliner has announced that it is expanding into the truck camper space. This week, the brand announced the arrival of the Switchback, a lightweight (just 375 lbs) slide-in model that utilizes the brand’s A-frame architecture. Features include a full-size bed, lockable storage, and a garage-friendly design. Learn more here.
- Sprinter, Transit, or ProMaster—Which is Best?: If you know anything about camper vans, you probably already know that most are built on either the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit platforms, with a few—but growing—number riding on a Ram ProMaster chassis. So which one is the best option for Class B owners? That’s the age-old question that GearJunkie looked to answer this week. I won’t spoil the results, but will say the final choice came down to which one was easiest to get serviced. Find out which model won out by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Wes Walker
- Camper Vans Continue to Be Popular Options: While we’re on the topic of Class B campers, it seems these models continue to be a hot topic. According to RV Trader, these motorized rigs remain at the top of the most-searched list, with Winnebago holding the number one spot. The Flying W is followed by Thor Motors, Roadtrek, Airstream, and Pleasure-Way. Winnebago has three models in the top five searches as well, with the Travato, Solis, and Revel all making the cut.
- New Go RVing Travel Campaign Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday: America’s 250th birthday may not be until next year, but Go RVing is kicking off the celebration early. The organization dedicated to promoting the RV lifestyle has launched a new travel campaign dubbed “RV 2 50” that offers a coast-to-coast adventure with a set of destinations hand-selected to provide an inspirational, historical, and educational look at the US. The campaign includes travel guides for the entire journey, which could take up to six months to complete. Find out more here.
Photo Credit: welcomia/Getty
- Gain Boondocking Skills at Hershey RV Show: Planning on attending the Hershey RV Show? Want to gain new skills and knowledge for boondocking in your RV? You’re in luck because industry veteran and camping expert Dave Helgeson will be on hand conducting seminars. Helgeson will conduct several educational talks focusing on boondocking basics, where to find places to camp, safety, and more. He’ll also give a chat on RV basics, including essential system maintenance, use of individual appliances, and prepping for your first camping trip. Find out more here.
- AEONrv Hits the Road to Showcase New Flagship Model: RV start-up AEONrv is going on a road trip to show off its latest model. The company announced that it will be appearing at a number of events in the coming weeks, allowing interested customers to check out the new rig in person. The brand’s latest camper will be on display at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, Aug. 22-24, and wraps up at Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia, Oct. 3-5, with several other stops along the way. Check out all of the locations here.
Photo Credit: Storyteller Overland
- RVs in the News: RVing, and the vehicles that make it possible, have gone mainstream. This week, a pair of stories related to the RV space made headlines in non-traditional RV media. Those include a story in Alabama’s Springfield News Leader about Storyteller Overland and its rugged GXV rig. Meanwhile, legendary design magazine House Beautiful shared some impressive RV interiors, noting the amazing use of space to provide comfort and amenities. Check that story out here.
- Trump Administration’s Sweeping Tariffs Go Into Effect: After talking about—and teasing—tariffs on most other countries for months, the Trump Administration finally followed up on that promise yesterday. As of August 7, 2025, import taxes as high as 50% are now in effect for the majority of US trading partners. Currently, the average tariff rate for US consumers is 17%, which is the highest it has been since the Great Depression. How this will impact the RV industry remains to be seen, but automakers have already felt the pressure with brands like Stellantis and Ford taking billion-dollar hits to their profits. Hopefully, most manufacturers can weather the storm and continue delivering top-notch products at reasonable prices. Stay tuned as this story will likely continue to unfold for weeks and months to come.
That’s all for this week. See you next Friday for another edition of our weekly RV news roundup.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. And avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
