RV News: Airstream Mid-Model Year Upgrades, REDARC’s Tow-Pro Link is Now Available, and More
Other highlights include the impact of the government shutdown on campers and a game that lets you take on the role as a park ranger.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Airstream
Friday is here at last, but before we head off into the weekend, there is just enough time to recap the latest news from the RV and camping space. Here are the biggest stories from this past week that you might like to know about:
Photo Credit: Airstream
- Airstream Reveals Mid-Model Year Upgrades: With 2026 now in full swing, Airstream has taken the opportunity to share some mid-model year upgrades heading into the spring. Those include the introduction of the all-new World Traveler 22RB travel trailer and upgrades to the Trade Wind 27FB, which includes an 18.5kWh battery, 600W of solar, and a 5000W inverter for off-grid adventures. The towable also gets a galley equipped with premium appliances, the ability to open the windows, and much more. Get all the details here.
Photo Credit: REDARC
- REDARC Tow-Pro Link is Now Available: We’ve mentioned the new REDARC Tow-Pro Link brake controller a few times here at RV.com, and this week we’re happy to report the groundbreaking new product is now available to purchase. The device allows RV owners to control the braking systems on their travel trailers and fifth wheels while driving using a smartphone app or a remote control. This gives unprecedented control over a towable’s brakes, allowing owners to adjust on the fly as conditions change on the road. Find out more here and order your own Tow-Pro Link device here.
Photo Credit: welcomia/Getty
- 1 in 6 Campers Impacted by Government Shutdown: As noted in last Friday’s edition of our RV news roundup, The Dyrt has released the 2026 edition of its annual Camping Report. At the time, we noted that the online campsite discovery platform typically shared bits of information and stats from that report throughout the year. Right on cue, we have our first insights, and they are interesting to say the least. According to the survey, one in six campers were directly impacted by the 43-day shutdown of the US government this past fall, with reservations getting turned off, campsites being closed, and so on. Private campground owners also saw a negative impact, with one in four saying their business was negatively impacted. For more information, click here.
Photo Credit: To-Go Games
- New Video Game Simulates the Life of a Park Ranger: A new video game will soon let players take on the role of a park ranger. Dubbed Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, the game lets you address all kinds of everyday responsibilities of a ranger, including conducting basic maintenance, clearing roads, searching for lost hikers, and keeping an eye peeled for wildlife. It includes a variety of environments to explore, from thick forests to alpine meadows to rolling rivers. The game goes into early access for PC owners on March 10, with a full release to follow. Find out more here.
Photo Credit: Logo Space Services
- Is There a New Starlink Competitor on the Horizon?: Starlink satellite internet has been a game changer for many RVers, but the company may be in for a little more competition in the future. This week, a company called Logos Space Services received FCC approval to begin moving ahead with its plans to launch 4,000 internet satellites into low Earth orbit. The goal is to ramp up to becoming a competitor for Elon Musk’s company, although it could take some time before the service becomes operational. The goal is to get the first satellites into place sometime in 2027, with the full constellation coming online by 2035. Engadget has more.
Photo Credit: Thor Motors
- Thor Industries Shares 2025 Sustainability Report: Last week, we received an updated sustainability report from Winnebago, and this week, we have a similar update from Thor Industries. The company published its eighth annual edition of the report for its 2025 fiscal year, which ended on July 31 of last year. The company touted its push towards using an electric chassis and the impending release of its Entegra Coach Embark extended-range vehicle. It also highlighted solar panel installations at two manufacturing facilities, promoted the new Airstream Basecamp 20Xe trailer, and other efforts to build a more sustainable product and business. Read more here.
Photo Credit: WeatherTech
- RVIA Shares Complete RV-C Spec Online: The RV Industry Association has updated its website to share full details of the newly adopted RV-C open standard communications protocol. This gives members full access to the full specs, testing procedures, and other information, as well as a technical forum dedicated to discussing this burgeoning industry standard. What exactly is RV-C? It’s a new protocol designed to improve interoperability between components made by different manufacturers and used in building RVs. When fully adopted, it should make it much easier to add, upgrade, and change various components and have them work with existing parts, while also adding them to multiplexing systems and other control units. It should also make independent build-outs easier and more advanced, too. Access the info here.
That’s a wrap for another edition of our weekly RV news roundup. See you next Friday for another rundown of the biggest stories from the industry.
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. An 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.
