RV News: Fund Raising for Flooded Texas Campgrounds, the 10 Best Locations to Camp in the US, and More
This week's news includes tips for camping in an EV and answers the question about using cruise control while towing.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Larry Crain/Getty
We are deep in the dog days of summer, but the news continues to the RV and camping industry news continues to flow at a rapid pace. It was another interesting and busy week on that front. Here are a few stories you may have missed:
- Texas Association of Campground Owners Raises Funds for Food-Damage Relief:As we all know by now, this past week has been a very difficult one for everyone living in Texas, where strong and sudden floods caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and personal property, while also claiming the lives of at least 120 people. Some of the damage impacted several central Texas campgrounds, completely wiping several locations away. Now, the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) is raising funds to assist those owners with getting back on their feet. The goal is a modest $30,000, with $25k already being raised as of press time. If you’d like to lend a hand, you can donate here.
Photo Credit: Barish Baur/Getty
- The Dyrt Shares the Top 10 Best Locations to Camp in the US for 2025: Looking for some new suggestions on where to go camping over the final months of 2025? Online campsite discovery platform The Dyrt is here to help, offering up its picks for the ten best places to camp across the US this year. The locations were selected based on ratings and reviews from Dyrt members, who have a database of tens of thousands of campgrounds across the country. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy distilling it down to just ten entries, but the locations honored are among the very best places to camp. Not all of the sites are RV-friendly, but they earned a spot thanks to stunning wilderness views, excellent amenities, outstanding features, or a combination of all of the above. Check out the full list here.
Photo Credit: iKamper
- GearJunkie Has Everything You Need to Know About Camping in an EV: Just like a regular car, truck, or SUV, an electric vehicle can make an outstanding option for camping. EVs usually offer plenty of onboard power, near-silent running, and are better for the environment. But there are a few challenges to overcome, most notably how to keep it charged while staying at a remote campsite. This week, our friends over at GearJunkie took a look at the pros and cons of camping in an EV, providing excellent inside info on what to expect. The article is surprisingly comprehensive and shares a lot of great tips for towing, charging, and chilling. You can read it here.
Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze/Getty
- Can You Use Cruise Control While Towing?: Have you ever wondered if it is safe to use your cruise control while towing a travel trailer or fifth-wheel? Turns out the crew over at Jalopnik wondered the same thing, and recently shared an article exploring that very topic. What did they find? Essentially, most basic cruise control systems won’t account for the added weight of a towable, but will still maintain whatever speed is set for it. Newer, more sophisticated adaptive cruise control options are much smarter, however, and can adjust their settings to accommodate the additional weight. That’s due in part because those systems will also slow down and speed up the vehicle based on the traffic around them. These “smart” cruise control systems are safer and better equipped for the job. That said, it’s entirely up to the driver as to whether or not they trust a computer with such a heavy and complicated job.
- Tariff Turmoil Continues: The uncertainty and unease surrounding President Trump’s tariff policies continued apace this week, in part due to moving deadlines and shifting numbers. As you may recall, the administration announced sweeping tariffs on nearly every country back in April, but delayed implementation of most of those taxes in order to negotiate new trade agreements. The deadline for the resumption of the new tariffs came and went this week, with most now delayed until August 1. Those include a new 50% levy on all copper imports, which will likely impact the price of appliances, electric vehicles, and other electronics. Also, the President threatened Brazil with a 50% tariff due to ongoing legal actions against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The country—which the US enjoys a trade surplus with—has promised to match those tariffs in response. All of this continues to have a ripple effect on the economy and manufacturing, which could take months to play out. For up-to-date info on all tariff news, click here.
Photo Credit: Posnov/Getty
- Foreign Visitors May Have to Pay Higher National Park Entry Fees: While we’re delving into politics, a new executive order issued by the White House this week calls for higher entry fees for visitors who are not from the US. The EO doesn’t institute the increased fees itself, but instead calls on Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to develop a plan to start charging more for foreign travelers looking to enter and explore America’s national parks. According to some estimates, the proposal could raise an additional $90 million per year for the National Park Service. Click here to learn more.
- Canada Eliminates Surtax on Motorhomes: In other import tax news, Canada has removed a 25% surtax on American-made motorhomes shipped north of the border. This applies to both new and used models and paves the way for US companies to see improved sales there. The move is largely seen as a way to bolster flagging sales at Canadian RV dealers, many of which have had a difficult time sourcing inventory. The reduced pricing should help all around. Read more here.
That’s it for this week. See you next Friday for another round-up of the latest RV-related news.
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.
