Overlanding on the Rise: New Camper Models for Autonomous Adventures

Campgrounds on Cape Cod, including Sweetwater Forest in Brewster, report reduced business due to high fuel prices and economic conditions. The owner noted cancellations from distant visitors with motorhomes that get about eight miles per gallon, and a decline of 800 site nights year-over-year. Other campgrounds like Shady Knoll report strong bookings, but Nickerson State Park has seen more cancellations and shorter stays this summer.

A growing movement in the US and Canada involves converting retired school buses into fully equipped living spaces, known as skoolies. The cost ranges from $3,500–$6,000 for a used bus to over $60,000 for a professional conversion. In the US, a standard driver's license is sufficient for non-commercial use of vehicles up to 11,000 kg.

Global Expedition Vehicles (GXV) has unveiled the GXV Wild, an off-road camper built on a RAM 3500 chassis with a 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 375 hp. The vehicle is under 7 meters long and 3.4 meters tall, designed for two occupants. It features a flip-out rear deck, a bathroom with toilet and shower, 190 liters of fresh water, 76 liters of grey water, a 12 kWh battery, a 4500 W inverter, and a 400 W solar panel (optional 800 W). Price is approximately $300,000.

Chelly and Kevin Clayton have announced a strategic, long-term investment partnership with Nashville-based Streamside RV Resorts & Campgrounds. The partnership includes their Townsend businesses: Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, Little Arrow Base Camp RV Park, River Rat Tubing & Rafting, and Burger Master. The Claytons will remain significant investors, while local operators Carmen Simpher and Jay Moore will continue to lead daily operations. The deal adds the 38th and 39th properties to Streamside's portfolio, which now totals 39 properties across 17 states.

Oregon's wildfire season is disrupting summer travel plans: campgrounds are closed, forest roads blocked, and smoke makes driving hazardous. One group of campers moved their gathering from Deschutes National Forest to the Mount Hood area, traveling over 100 miles. Detours added up to three hours to some trips. Officials warn that violating closure orders in evacuation zones can result in fines up to $10,000 or up to six months in jail.

Installing a rooftop tent requires checking the vehicle's static and dynamic roof load ratings, which are listed in the owner's manual. Exceeding these limits can damage the vehicle or increase rollover risk. For example, the 2026 Subaru Outback has a static load of 800 pounds and a dynamic load of 220 pounds, while the Ford Bronco has a dynamic rating of only 110 pounds. Properly securing the load is critical: according to AAA, improperly secured loads caused about 200,000 crashes from 2011 to 2014, including 500 fatalities.