Two dead in remote RV fire near Trail, British Columbia

A motorhome was found fully engulfed in flames in a parking lot behind Surplus Herby's on Tranquille Road in Kamloops, British Columbia. Kamloops Fire Rescue responded at around 12:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Platoon Chief Jim Gorman said the motorhome was far enough from the building that the fire did not spread. Crews with an engine from Fire Hall No. 2 put out the fire. Kamloops RCMP arrived and spoke with the motorhome owners.

A couple from Quebec built an expedition camper on a new four-wheel-drive Ford F-550 chassis. The 4-meter-long, 3.6-meter-high habitation box is bolted to the frame; the total length is 7.3 meters. The interior includes a kitchen with a stove and refrigerator, a wet bath with a composting toilet, a wood stove, a dinette, and an overcab bed. Water capacity is 200 liters, solar panels produce 900 watts, and EcoFlow batteries provide 7.2 kWh. Each camper cost about CAD$40,000 excluding the truck.

Tim and Katie from British Columbia, Canada, converted a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter into a two-story mobile home for a family of four. The build features a hard-sided carbon-fiber roof tent weighing around 220 pounds (100 kg), a kitchen with an Invisacook induction cooktop, an indoor wet bath, and a 24-volt electrical system with five 100-Ah Volthium batteries providing approximately 13.5 kWh. The van is based on a dually AWD Sprinter with a 170-inch wheelbase, converted to super singles with Reika wheels and Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires, and has a 2-inch suspension lift via the Agile Off-Road RIP Kit. Sleeping space is provided for up to five people, including a convertible dinette and front seats. The roof tent shown is a Gen 2 wedge design not currently in production or available for sale in the United States or Canada.

Canadian manufacturer Pleasure-Way Industries, previously producing only Class B and B+ motorhomes, has announced its first travel trailer, the Everbound. The physical debut is scheduled for later this month at the Hershey RV Show. The 21.5-foot (6.53 m) trailer on a tandem axle with independent suspension is offered in three floorplans, including a couple's version. Standard features include 500W solar, a 3,000W inverter, a 460Ah lithium battery, a 25-gallon (95-liter) freshwater tank and two 26-gallon (98-liter) gray and black water tanks. Dry weight is 5,800 lbs (2,631 kg), GVWR is 7,700 lbs (3,492 kg), and cargo capacity is 1,900 lbs (862 kg). MSRP starts at US$90,870.

RVDA of Canada reported three developments following tariff changes effective Sept. 8. Motorhomes and caravans entering Canada remain exempt from counter-tariffs, but certain RV-related products of U.S. origin are now subject to additional surtax based on HS classification. The government allocated $3.45 billion over four years to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to support small and medium-sized businesses.

A Canadian manufacturer has unveiled the Helio O3 motorhome with an updated design and technical solutions. The model is aimed at families of three to four people. The smooth fiberglass body reduces the trailer's weight and improves aerodynamics, allowing it to be towed by vehicles with small engines. Inside, there is a full double bed, a separate sleeping place for a child, a compact kitchen with a stove and cabinet, a convertible dining area, and numerous storage compartments and niches. Standard equipment includes LED lighting, a large water tank, and the ability to connect to an external power source. Optional solar panels and batteries are available. Efficient ventilation and thermal insulation make the trailer suitable for year-round use, and the built-in heating system provides comfort in cold conditions. The Helio O3 occupies an intermediate position between ultra-compact trailers and large motorhomes.