RV News: New Camper Vans from War Horse All Terrain, Aqua-Hot Partners with Escapod, and Much More
The latest news from the RV and camping industries.
Happy Friday, and welcome to another edition of our weekly round-up of the latest news from the RV and camping industries. As usual, there is plenty to get through, so let’s jump right in. Here’s what you need to know from this past week:
- War Horse All Terrain Launches New Line of Camper Vans: Sarasota, FL-based War Horse All Terrain has announced the availablity of an impressive new line of camper vans. The Class B models spring from the mind of founder Kyle Yoder, whose background is in furniture design. He brings his expertise to the van conversion market with some interesting features like upscalse interiors, creative use of space, and a 48V power system connected to a 7,000W alternator inverter that keeps the house batteries charged at all times. Check out these beautiful new camper vans here.
- Plenty of Campsites Available in California?: Are the challenges of overcrowded and overbooked campsites starting to come to an end? According to the California Outdoor Hospitality Association, there are plenty of campground vacancies in Cali, thanks in large part to campers gaming the reservation system. Essentially, online booking has made it easy for everyone to book campsites in local, state, and national parks, even though they never end up using those reservations. As a result, there are a lot of campgrounds with open slots, even though they appear sold out online. RV Pro has more on this interesting phenomenon.
- Aqua-Hot Partners with Escapod: Aqua-Hot’s versatile and efficient hydronic heating systems have become popular factory-installed and aftermarket upgrades to numerous RV models from a variety of manufacturers. Now, you can add one more to that list, as this week, the company announced it has joined forces with popular teardrop maker Escapod to bring hot water and heat to the Topo2 model. Considering the size and design of that camper, it should be an amazing addition.
- KOA Report Shares Benefits of Camping on Our Well-Being: KOA’s 2024 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report shares some insights into the emotional and mental benefits we get from camping. Those include strengthening our bonds with friends and family, which 85% of RVers say is a big part of what they love about the experience. Additionally, 69% of respondents say that camping contributes to their overall well-being, while 94% say they plan to include wellness activities in their future outings. Read the full report here.
- GearJunkie Offers Tips for #Vanlife with Kids: Camping, working, and living out of a Class B camper van has become so popular in recent years that it even spawned its own hashtag. But thanks to the size of the vehicles, this is usually a solo or couples endeavor. So what about those who want to live the #vanlife with kids? Our friends at GearJunkie have some tips to help make that possible. Read their insightful takes here.
- Campspot Announces “Summer Slow Down Snail Mail Sweepstakes”: Online private campground booking site Campspot conducted a survey recently that showed 72% of campers are feeling stressed over current economic conditions. To counter these challenges, the company has announced the Summer Slow Down Snail Mail Sweepstakes, which can only be entered by sending an actual letter through the actual mail. Winners will get two weeks of camping, a $500 food stipend, and more. Details can be found here.
- RV Rentals for Events on the Rise: The RV rental business has expanded nicely in recent years, and according to RVshare, it continues to grow, particularly for use at big events. This week, the online rental platform shared the news that 60% of renters plan to use an RV to attend a sporting event, concert, or festival like Burning Man. RVshare connects RV owners with potential renters, allowing them to make money from their motorhome or travel trailer when it isn’t in use. The rise in rentals centered around events marks a potentially lucrative opportunity for owners. Read more here.
- Heartland RV Takes Us Inside New Manufacturing Facility: Last November, Heartland RV opened a new manufacturing facility in Sturgis, MI, with the goal of cranking out around 5,000 new RVs each year. Recently, the company took fans on a video tour of the new plan, which you can view here.
And with that, you’re all caught up on the biggest news from the RV industry this week. Come back next Friday for another rundown of the latest happenings from manufacturers, gear makers, campgrounds, and more.