This Week in RV News (August 4, 2023)

rv.com, RvLyfe

Each week there is far more news from the RV and travel industry than we have time to cover. To make up for that, every Friday, we offer a roundup of the most interesting and important stories that you may have missed over the past seven days. Here’s what you need to know:

Airstream and REI Announce Second Edition of Special Edition Basecamp Towable: Last year, Airstream and REI Co-Op garnered lots of attention when they announced they were collaborating on a towable RV. That vehicle was the Special Edition Basecamp, which combined the expertise of both companies to create a fantastic travel trailer for active outdoor folks. This week, we learned that a 2024 version of the trailer is in the works with some key improvements and upgrades. But most exciting, a larger model is joining the line-up for those who need a bit of extra space. Find out what Motor Trend had to say about this news here.
Electric Camper Vans in the News: It seems electric camper vans are drawing attention from more mainstream news outlets. Earlier this week, travel website Afar published a story on the e-RVs that are currently available, while CNN followed up with an article on where to rent electric camper vans around the world. Shameless disclaimer, both articles include quotes from yours truly.
GMC and EarthCruister Collaborate on Electric Overland Vehicle: Speaking of electric vehicles, this week GMC and EarthCruiser announced plans to bring an overland truck camper to market. The rugged vehicle is based on the Hummer EV and is scheduled for relase in 2024. Our friends at GearJunkie say more details are forthcoming in a few weeks and share some concept images while we wait.
Winegard Introduces New Smart RV System: Winegard—the company that makes a variety of tech products for RVs—has introduced an innovative new system called RV Halo. The app-based platform gives users a unified environment to control all of their Winegard products from their mobile devices, essentially creating a smarthome on wheels. Find out more about this new offering in a press release from the company.
Your RV Dealership May Be Getting an AI Chatbot: The tech world has gone AI (artificial intelligence) crazy in recent months, with the technology finding its way into a wide variety of software products and platforms. Now, thanks to a company called Insider Perks, it may be coming to your RV dealer’s website. The marketing and tech startup has created a chatbot named Roadie that promises to be a smart assistant for answering customer questions and connecting with sales reps. Find out more about this technology here.
The Best Campsites for Dogs: We all enjoy bringing our pups along with us when we travel, but not all campsites are well-suited for our furry friends. To help us find the best places to bring them, The Dyrt has compiled a list of the best dog-friendly campgrounds across the country. The locations that made the list have fantastic dog parks onsite, along with great settings, access to plenty of activities, and other outstanding amenities.