Beyond Wonderland Midwest 2027

The Hunker Pod is a slide-in camper module that fits into a cargo van, converting it into a full-size camper. It costs $32,995 and is compatible exclusively with 159-inch wheelbase Ram ProMaster vans from model year 2014 or newer. Installation takes about an hour at the company's facility in Denver, Colorado, and requires no permanent modifications. The Pod is secured with bolts to the van's factory inserts, allowing it to be removed and the van returned to cargo use. Hunker says versions for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit are in development.

Paradigm Van Conversions, based in Denver, Colorado, has unveiled the Longhorn, a camper van conversion built on an extended-wheelbase Ford Transit. The rear living area can be transformed: two aircraft-grade aluminum Code 7 platforms on vertical tracks fold down into two beds with 4-inch (10 cm) memory foam mattresses or are removed to create cargo space, including room for a motorcycle. Each platform supports up to 400 lb (181 kg) while weighing 39 lb (17 kg). The electrical system includes a 400 Ah battery bank, a 3,000 W inverter, and a 500 W solar panel; the Dometic RTX 200 A/C can run for up to 16 hours. An Espar air heater draws fuel from the vehicle's tank. The kitchen has an 85-liter fridge and two 5-gallon (19-liter) water canisters.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, campers were evacuated from O’Connell’s RV Campground in Amboy, Illinois, due to flooding. Reagan Mass Transit buses were used to transport evacuees. First responders worked at the scene to evacuate the campers.

Aliner has announced the return of the Alite travel trailer, originally launched in the late 1990s and discontinued in 2017. The decision follows customer requests. With a dry weight of 672 lbs (304 kg) and a GVWR of 1,100 lbs (499 kg), it is the brand's lightest and most compact model. The expected dealer price is just under $18,000. The Alite features an all-aluminum, wood-free body, a 30-second setup, and a minimalist interior with a convertible bed and kitchen area, but no heating, air conditioning, or water systems.

The O’Connell’s RV Campground, formerly Yogi Bear Campground, in Amboy, Illinois, is being fully evacuated, according to the Lee County Emergency Management Agency. Just after 9 a.m. on Sept. 20, officials asked everyone at 970 Green Wing Road to begin evacuating immediately due to rising water levels. The park entrance is completely flooded, so no one is driving out; anyone still on the grounds is directed to the general store for evacuation. People are being bused to Amboy Central School at 30 E. Provost Street, where separated families will be reunited. It is unclear when the park will reopen.

Xplor Campers has introduced the XLT, its smallest and lightest travel trailer. The XLT has a GVWR of 2,000 pounds and a dry weight of 1,300 pounds. It is designed to sleep two people and is available in two layouts: one with a bathroom containing a toilet, and another with a kitchen but no cooktop. Standard features include interior and exterior speakers with Bluetooth connectivity, a TV, and an awning. Pricing is not listed on the website; the company asks customers to contact them for a quote.