RV News: 2024 National Go RVing Day, Leisure Travel Van Upgrades, and the Best Places to Camp in the US
Other news this week includs an all-new off-road trailer, summer outdoor classes from REI, and Yeti makes a flask.
Hello, and happy Friday! It’s been another busy week across the entire RV industry, but we’ll do our best to recap some of the most interesting things that happened over the past seven days. Here are a few things you should know:
- June 8 is Go RVing Day: We’ll start things off with a friendly reminder that tomorrow—Saturday, June 8, 2024—is officially National Go RVing Day. Hopefully, you’ve already made reservations at your favorite campground and are planning to celebrate in style. Enjoy some time outdoors and connect with friends, family, or even complete strangers while embracing the RV lifestyle.
- Leisure Travel Vans Reveal Upgrades for 2025 Models: This week, Leisure Travel Vans shared some exciting new updates coming to its 2025 models. Those include a 270Ah lithium battery system with internal heating for optimal performance in cold weather. A 3000W pure sine wave inverter will also come standard, providing power to A/C units, a microwave, smart TV, and other devices. The Class C manufacturer is also adding Truma’s Aventa low-profile air conditioner for improved efficiency, a 30-amp solar controller, a smart surge protector, and a central control system for most onboard features. For more info, click here.
- Thor Has 2025 Updates, Too: Thor also shared news on its 2025 model year vehicles this week, with some RVs getting notable upgrades. For instance, the Axis and Vegas Class A models get the 26.2 floorplan, which has a versatile new bed. Both motorhomes also get a convection microwave/air fryer combo, new paint options, and more. Meanwhile, all gas-powered Class A vehicles now come with a tankless water heater, while the A.C.E. and Resonate coaches get a new command and control center. For a complete rundown of the new additions for 2025, see this informative post from RV Pro.
- Scout Reveals First Pop-Up Model: After making its mark by manufacturing hard-walled truck campers, Washington State-based Scout Campers unveiled its first pop-up model this week. The new Yoho is designed to work in both short—and long-bed pickups and has a lightweight, minimalistic, and modular design. The slide-in is lowered when driving at higher speeds to make travel as safe and efficient as possible. At the campsite, owners can raise the roof to gain more headroom and a larger sleeping space. Prices start at $27,900. And if the Yoho doesn’t suit your needs, be patient. It looks like there are two more pop-up options on the horizon.
- GearJunkie Gets Exclusive First Look at New Off-Road Expedition Trailer: As off-roading, overlanding, and boondocking all grow in popularity, we’re starting to see an increasing number of travel trailers designed to complement that lifestyle. Case in point, a new company called Roam Resilient launched a new model this week called the Baja Edition. Features include a galvanized chassis, a durable frame, all-terrain tires, an independent air suspension, 1400W of solar, and a 400Ah house battery. The towable sleeps three to four people and has a starting price of $120k. Want to know more? You’re in luck, as our friends at GearJunkie got an exclusive first look at the trailer this week.
- Zion National Park to Ban RVs From Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway in 2026: The National Park Service has announced that all oversized vehicles entering Zion National Park will be rerouted starting in mid-2026. The change is meant to alleviate the chances of major accidents on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, which gets very congested during peak travel season. According to the new guidelines, vehicles that exceed 11’4” tall, 7’10” wide, 35’9” long, or 50,000 pounds will need to use an alternate route. The new plan was revealed back on May 30, but a tip of the hat goes to RV Pro for spotting and sharing this important story. Learn more here.
- Rejoice!—the Yeti Flaks is Here!: File this one under the “What took so long?” category. This week, premium cooler and drinkware maker Yeti launched its first flask. Like all good flasks, the Yeti version is built for stealthy sips wherever you want to carry your favorite beverages. And, of course, its over-engineered build quality means it can survive just about anything you can throw at it. The Yeti Flask is available now in five bold colors or classic stainless steel for $50.
- The Dyrt Reveals the Top 10 Places to Camp in the US: Looking for some new suggestions on where to camp this year? The Dyrt has you covered, as the online campsite discovery site has just revealed its top ten places to go camping in the US. Each entry includes information on what makes the place special, with some insights from Dyrt members and intel on pricing. What locations earned a spot on this coveted list? We won’t give them all away, but Elkamp Eastcreek in Washington State, Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree National Park, and Sacred White Shell Mountain in Colorado were particular standouts.
- REI ‘Opts Outside’ All Summer Long: A few years back, outdoor gear retailer REI made headlines with its opt outside campaign, which saw the company close all its stores on Black Friday to give employees time with their families and to go outside. Now, it’s taking that idea to the next level by extending the same sentiment to the summer—and beyond. On June 15, REI will host more than 300 classes and day tours across the US and is encouraging everyone to join in the festivities. To sign up for one of these seminars or activities—and to find out more—click here.
That’s all for this week. Come back next Friday for another round-up of the biggest news stories from the RV and camping space.