RV News: The E-Ram ProMaster Arrives, TrailManor Sells Out, and When to Book Campsites in 2024

rv.com, RvLyfe

After a busy news cycle coming out of the Florida RV Supershow last week, things are a bit more relaxed this week. But, as usual, there is still plenty happening in the RV and camping industry. Here are a few stories to have on your radar:

Ram Debuts Electric PropMaster: RV manufacturers looking to make electric camper vans just might have a new option. While the Ford E-Transit and Mercedes eSprinter platforms have been around for some time, Ram has finally taken the wraps of its entry into the electrified space. It comes in the form of the ProMaster EV, which offers a range of up to 162 miles and a payload capacity of 3,200 pounds. The vehicle supports Level 2 charging and comes with an array of driver-assist features. Perhaps we’ll see OEMs using it as an all-electric option in the future.
Embassy RV Donates Towable to Salvation Army: In June of 2023, key members of Embassy RV’s staff attended the Salvation Army’s “Better Together” conference in Dallas, TX. There, they learned that many volunteers and first responders who assist the Salvation Army in disaster relief efforts end up sleeping in cargo trailers, vans, and RVs. When they returned home to Indiana, the Embassy crew decided they wanted to make a difference and in the weeks that followed they crafted a custom trailer to help house those individuals. The rig is essentially just a bunkhouse that sleeps up to 12 people in three individually crafted compartments. Each section has its own entrance and the unit is fully heated and cooled, but it doesn’t have kitchen or bathroom. Still, it is perfect for providing rest and escape from the elements while the SA volunteers and staff are doing their work. Find out more here.
TrailManor Does Brisk Business in Tampa: It was an especially good Florida RV Supershow for towable manufacturer TrailManor. In a press release sent out this week, the company announced that it had sold all of the models it brought with them to Tampa and had several backorders on its Sport model. Much of the excitement centered around two new models that were introduced last fall and new interior decor options. Check out the entire lineup on the TrailManor website.
Winnebago is One of the Most Responsible Companies in America: Newsweek has released its list of the most responsible companies in the US for 2024. On that list, you’ll find the likes of Hasbro, Qualcomm, Apple, Microsoft, and numerous others. These companies are lauded for their environmental, social, and corporate governance concerns and ranked based on how well they perform. The overall winner was Merck & Co., but Winnebago also managed to make its way onto the list, coming in at number 528.
The Dyrt Shares Guide for 2024 Camping Reservations in State and National Parks: As we all know by now, getting a campsite reservation in our favorite locations can be a real challenge these days. To help alleviate those challenges, The Dyrt—a smartphone app and website for finding campsites—has released its 2024 guide for when we can book reservations in state and national parks. The comprehensive guide lists all the parks alphabetically by state with information on exactly when you can start booking a spot. If you’re looking to nab a spot in an especially popular place, The Dyrt team recommends turning on alerts on your phone for the app and book as early as possible. In other words, it looks like it will be another very competitive year for finding quality campgrounds.
KOA Says Camping was Down Slightly in 2023: Despite packed campgrounds and months-long waits to get reservations, KOA says camping participation was actually down in 2023 compared to a year earlier. In its 2023 Odds and Ends Report, the company says there was a 3% decline year-over-year. Pickleball isn’t getting any less popular, however, as 47% of campers say they enjoy playing regularly.