RV News: Storyteller Embarks on ‘Vannonball Run,” Jackery’s Massive New Power Station, and More News
Happy Friday, everyone! Welcome to another edition of our weekly round-up of the latest news from the RV and camping industry. It has been another busy week, so let’s dive right in.
- Storyteller Overland Embarks on the “Vannonball Run”: Remember the old Cannonball Run films from the 1980s? You know, the ones that had Burt Reynolds and a cast of other characters racing across the country in exotic sports cars? Well, now Storyteller Overland is embarking on its own version of that story—dubbed the Vannonball Run—but they’ll be doing it in one of the brand’s MODE XO camper vans instead. Storyteller co-founder Lee Conn sets out on October 30 on a 4,866-mile cross-country odyssey to raise funds for hurricane relief. The route starts on the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest and will end in Key West, Florida, passing through 15 states in the process. You can follow along at vannonballrun.com, or on social by visiting @StorytellerOverland on Instagram and @VannonballRun on X. Donations to The Red Cross can be made directly via Run for Relief. Oh, and be sure to watch out for that sweet red Storyteller van while out on the road.
- Bontrager Outdoors Adds Truma Combi Eco to 2025 Models: Tiny trailer manufacturer Bontrager Outdoors has announced a nice upgrade coming to some of its towables in 2025. This week, the company revealed that it will begin using the ultra-efficient Truma Combi eco water heater and furnace in its 10Rok and 12Rok trailers, as well as its Standard Line 15RE, 15FK, 17FD, 17BH, and 17MB models.
- Encore RV Reveals RŎG 12RK “Fighter Pilot Edition”: Travel trailer manufacturer Encore RV has taken the wraps off a new special version of its RŎG 12RK model. Dubbed the “Fighter Pilot Edition,” this latest addition to the line-up reportedly features a design that resembles a WWII aircraft. The rig includes a custom paint scheme that includes thousands of airbrushed rivets and has a REDARC power system with a 2000W pure sine inverter, a 180W solar panel, and 450W of onboard lithium battery storage. Our friends at RV Business have the full scoop, including an intriguing video.
Photo Credit: Jackery
- Jackery Launches Solar Generator 5000 Plus for Whole-Home Backup Power: Jackery has made some of the best power stations for use in the outdoors, including RV camping. Now, the company has announced its first model designed for whole-home power backup. The all-new Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus provides 5kWh of storage capacity out of the box and is expandable up to 60kWh. It has an output of up to 7,200W of power, with the option to add a second unit for 14,400W—enough to run a home for several days while completely off the grid. The new unit is powerful enough to run all 120V devices, as well as more demanding 240V appliances such as a dryer, an oven, power tools, and more. It can even be used to recharge an electric vehicle. Pricing starts at $4999. For more information, click here.
Airstream Flying Cloud Travel Trailer
- Campspot Finds Many Campers are Nostalgic for the Past: A recent study from online campsite booking platform Campspot reveals many Americans are feeling wistful about the past. According to data collected by the company, many travelers are looking to take a trip that combines traditional outdoor activities and the opportunity to recreate a past experience. The survey revealed that 88% of respondents are hoping to break free from the complexities of modern life, while 72% indicate a strong longing for simpler times. For more on this revealing study, check out this report from RV Pro.
- Jayco Offers Level 3 RVTI Training: Jayco has always done an excellent job of supporting its products, and an announcement from the RV manufacturer this week reaffirms that position. A few days back, the company revealed it is hosting RV Technical Institute Level 3 specialty training for its Entegra Coach, Highland Ridge RV, and other Jayco and Starcraft RV models. The training sessions will focus on appliances, chassis, electronics, electrical, and slide-outs, with 34 hours of certified credits on tap for 2025. The courses will be held in Jayco’s Middlebury, IN, and Twin Falls, ID locations.
- Airxcel Shows Off New Class B Products for 2025: RV Components manufacturer Airxcel has revealed a number of new products for the Class B and small RV space. Among the latest offerings—which will make their way to market in the months ahead—are a 48V rooftop A/C unit with a three-speed fan and a quiet mode for use at night. The company also revealed a new 12V mini-fridge, a 12V lateral arm box awning, and a new composite foam core for use in van floors. Find out more about all of these items here.
Photo Credit: Barish Baur/Getty
- Spacious Skies Campgrounds Gives Military and First Responders a Discount: Active members of the military, first responders, and emergency services staff are now eligible for a discount from Spacious Skies Campgrounds. This week, the company–which has campgrounds as far north as Maine and south to Georgia—announced that it would extend a 10% discount on RV sites, cabins, and glamping locations for the groups listed above. Discounted rates will also be offered for those who book multiple sites and those who stay for a month or more. For further details, visit the Spacious Skies website.
- Truma Offers Tips for Winterizing Your RV: We recently shared our tips for prepping your RV for winter storage, but if you’re looking for more advice, Truma has you covered. The company recently launched a special section on its website dedicated to the topic, with some excellent advice for how to protect Truma’s various products during the cold and snowy season. Check it out here.
That’s all for this week. See you next Friday for another rundown of the latest news and trends from the RV space. Have a great weekend.
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