RV News: Friday, Feb. 16, 2024

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It was another busy week in the RV industry, with a number of interesting announcements and reveals. Here are a few things that went down over the past few days that you may have missed:

Type 2 Campers Launches VW-Inspired Towable: Type 2 Campers—which previously went under the moniker Dub Box USA—announced a new lightweight, compact towable inspired by the classic Volkswagen microbus. Dubbed the Model T2.3, the camper comes in three different floorplans and starts at $29,950. Visually, it resembles the VW van in many ways, evoking a strong sense of retro nostalgia. Inside, the various configurations offer room for two, a cozy dinette that converts to a sleeping area, and cabinets that provide onboard storage. The top-end model also includes a kitchenette with a sink and cooktop. Visit the Type 2 website for more.
Forest River and Volta Power Systems Team Up for Generator-Free Camping: RV manufacturer Forest River and clean-energy innovator Volta Power Systems have joined forces to develop generator-free motorhomes. This week, the two companies announced a joint project to install innovative new off-grid power systems in the Sunseeker, Forester, and Solera Class C models. Those vehicles will have the option to add a 13,500Wh battery bank that can power all onboard appliances, HVAC, lighting, and other electrical components. The batteries recharge using an onboard 7,000W alternator or by plugging into shore power at the campsite. A 3,200W inverter ensures safe, clean, regulated energy is supplied to smart devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops. The new power option will be available starting in March, completely eliminating the need for a gas-powered generator.
Forest River Ships First OGV Luxury Coach Camper Vans: Forest River made headlines in other ways this week, as well. Last year, the company launched a new sub-brand called OGV Luxury Coach to begin offering custom Class B and C campers to consumers. Those vehicles made their debut at the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa in January, where they received positive feedback from attendees. Now, the first models under the OGV logo are set to begin shipping in the form of a camper van built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis and configured in four different floorplans. The team over at RV News has the scoop on what to expect from these exciting new entrants to the market.
Unicamp Turns Your Minivan into a Camper: Want to turn your daily-driver vehicle into a camper? Unicamp is here to help! The company makes aftermarket add-on pop-up tents for popular minivans, turning them into easy-to-drive motorhomes. This week, Unicamp announced that its tent is available for the Toyota Sienna, joining its Kia Carnvale model that was released last year. Starting price? $16,000.
More Industry Insights From The Dyrt: The Dyrt isn’t just a great website and app that can help us find campsites across North America. In recent years, it has also become a reliable source of information on trends impacting camping in all of its forms. This week, the company released its annual camping report, which as usual, is filled with interesting insights. Those include the realization that there were 5.5 million first-time campers in 2023, a number that has grown by 20 million since 2021. The study says that it is currently 4x more challenging to book a campsite than it was in 2019, although there are new camping properties coming online to help alleviate that issue. There was good news for the RV industry, too, as RV camping increased by 10.9% year-over-year, suggesting plenty of interest in this style of travel. Read the full report here.
Ignik Expands Refillable Propane Tank Line: We’re big fans of Ignik here at RV.com. The brand makes some very innovative products designed to make life easier for RV campers. This week, the company announced the expansion of its Gas Growler line of refillable propane tanks with the addition of the all-new Gas Growler 3.8. The previous models—the Gas Growler Deluxe and Gas Grower X—are also now available in new colors, giving customers more options for customizing their camping experience. And while we’re on the topic, check out our review of the Ignik Topside Heated Blanket here.
Winnebago-Owned Chris-Craft Announces 150th Anniversary Model: Chris-Craft—a wholly-owned subsidiary of Winnebago—announced a stunning new edition to its lineup of personal watercraft this week. The boat manufacturer has been around for 150 years, and to celebrate, it debuted a special edition of the iconic Launch 27 model at the Miami International Boat Show. The Anniversary Edition of the Launch 27 features the company’s trademark deep-V hull, reverse transoms, and classic nautical lines. It is one of two new products expected from Chris-Craft this year. Learn more here.

That’s our roundup of all the important news from the RV industry for this week. See you next Friday for another rundown of everything that is happening in RV camping.

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Source: https://www.rv.com/rv/rv-news-friday-feb-16-2024/