RVs, Rooftop Tents & Gear Shine at Overland Expo West – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Following three days of exhibits, learning and demonstrations centered around the overlanding lifestyle and experience, the Overland Expo West concluded Sunday. This is the 16th year for this show, which is held at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The annual show this year boasted over 400 exhibitors of all kinds as well as over 175 classes, slide shows, demos and activities. There is also a community focus to the event with after-hours music and films. Some of the attendees – as well as several exhibitors – practice what they preach by camping on site as well.
Ultimately, the show aims to bring in campers, motorcyclists and outfitters with educational components so that everyone from aspiring overlanders to experts can find out more about the experience.
There were hundreds of exhibitors displaying everything from tow ropes to portable toilets, fire starters, powered coolers, lighting and more. But the thing that seemed most prevalent were roof-top tents. They were on display on the ground and on vehicles and trailers of all kinds.
Other interesting displays included a number of vintage off-road vehicles as well as massive expedition-type vehicles.
There were seminars all three days ranging in topics from pet safety, knife safety, traction aids, two-way radios and topics on places to find outstanding overlanding experiences. Vehicle build exhibitions were also popular.
There were also workshops on getting un-stuck and workshops on finding water and towing a trailer into the back country. Food and cooking demonstrations also were on hand.
Vehicles of all types were on display, but the more prevalent displays were heavily modified truck builds – somewhat like very capable Super C motorhomes – and a smattering of expedition vehicles. A lot of smaller overlanding teardrop-style trailers – some from familiar names in the RV industry – were also shown.
The exhibits ranged from major vehicle manufacturers like Subaru and GMC to RV companies like Grand Design RV, which had its new Class B and Super C on display. Pebble also had its new Flow model on display with a constant stream of curious onlookers. Also on hand were familiar names such as Forest River’s Palomino with its Pause series, and Ember RV.
“People know us now,” said Christopher Barth, co-founder of Ember RV. The company had two models on display with attendees touring the trailers.
Ember RV used the occasion to introduce its new E-Series Spark 12RK which really seemed like a bargain at a base MSRP of $17,491 compared to some other similar style of campers, some of which were $50,000-70,000.
“I can build five a day compared to their one per month,” said Barth explaining the affordable price of his company’s offering.
While many of the exhibitors sought to bring attendees into the wild, there was also no shortage of high-tech items. Portable power stations were in abundance with Ecoflow showing off a new aspect of its line that enabled an owner to attach a charging component directly to their vehicle’s alternator (DC-DC charging system) and use that to charge their portable power stations. One model on display claiming to be able to be charged to 80% state of charge in an hour.
Another display showing future technology was Dometic, which is fully integrating its Go Power! technology. The company had a demo van on display that used a Go Power! charging system to integrate with a 48-volt air conditioner and high-performance vent fan to offer the ability to keep the vehicle cool on battery power charged by the company’s solar panels.
On the subject of solar and charging, Grand Design’s Lineage Series VT Adventure Van had an awning that was comprised of flexible solar panels, which the company states adds 720 watts of solar charging to the mix when deployed.
Portable air conditioners were shown, but of interest to many of the attendees were modern AC systems that could run on battery power – and do so quietly. The Ember Overland on display showed off the Furrion Chill Cube and Grand Design’s Lineage was operating a mini split system, with both of these systems taking minimal toll on the battery reserves.
Another part of the allure for attendees is the sheer mountain of companies on-hand demonstrating ways to upgrade vehicles including trucks, off-road vehicles and motorcycles. From lighting to more capable suspensions, towing gear, winches, tires and more there was an almost overwhelming number of offerings.
So it’s no surprise that there is the unveiling of a truck and motorcycle representing the “Ultimate Vehicle Builds.” This year the truck was a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4X AEV Edition with upgrades ranging from a winch, OEV camper, lights, tires, snorkel, navigation, communication and more. There was also a 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE motorcycle with things like protective guards, lights, battery, cruise control, navigation and communications upgrades. The vehicles were to be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the Overland Expo Foundation.
Attendance details aren’t yet available but the event has drawn about 30,000 attendees in the past and, according to Barth, “I felt like Friday (May 16) was the biggest I’d ever seen. It seems like the more experienced customers/show goers were all there for the weekend. We were busy/steady all weekend.”
“We continually talk to people more interested in off-grid, dispersed or boondock-style camping,” continued Barth. “More and more traditional campground RVers are boondocking, hitting-up Harvest Hosts or moochdocking. The data I’ve seen from both RVIA and KOA supports this.”
