Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
A new 55-plus RV park, Sunset Village, is being developed in Benton County, Minnesota, on a 10-acre property along the channel between Little Rock Lake and the Mississippi River, purchased about 1.5 years ago. The project will have 47 lots with park model homes in six styles, priced between $125,000 and $150,000, with a $6,000 annual association fee. A $500 deposit reserves a lot. Four lots have been reserved so far. The community will operate from mid-April to mid-October and include shuffleboard, horseshoes, community gardens, a dog park, walking trails, kayaks, canoes, a clubhouse or pavilion, and sunset pontoon cruises. Up to 27 boat slips have been approved.
United States
An unoccupied camper was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning in Sissonville, West Virginia. Firefighters arrived after 6 a.m. and quickly extinguished the flames. The cause is under investigation.
The article outlines rodent damage risks for motorhomes, caravans and camper vans during winter storage. Mice can enter through dime-sized holes and chew through wiring harnesses, fuel lines and upholstery; one case involved a $250,000-plus conversion van totaled due to chewed wiring. Preventive measures include cleaning, removing food and sealing entry points. Dealers should also advise customers to review insurance policies, as some limit coverage for rodent damage after 30 days of storage or require preventive actions.
A camper was destroyed by fire on Smith Hill Drive, off Sawmill Road, in Morgantown, Kentucky, on Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2026. The call came in around 2:30 p.m., and the camper was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. Morgantown City Fire Department Engine 1 and Car 1, Fifth District Fire Department Engine 52, Butler County EMS Medic 805, and Morgantown Police Department responded. Firefighters controlled the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby areas.
From October 9, Lawson will add RV parking facilities at nine stores in Gifu and Mie prefectures. The initiative, developed with Glory and the Japan RV Association, will bring the total number of participating stores to 37. The company plans further expansion in Kyushu, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shikoku and Miyagi, aiming to operate RV parking at approximately 70 stores by the end of fiscal 2026.
United States
The Morgantown Fire Department responded to a camper fire Sunday afternoon in Morgantown, Kentucky. Firefighters were dispatched to 122 Smith Hill Drive, where they found a fully involved camper fire. The fire was brought under control, and the camper sustained significant fire damage. No occupants or firefighters were injured. Fire units were on scene from 2:33 p.m. until approximately 3:44 p.m.
United States
Up to 30 illegally parked RVs are recorded daily on Washington Blvd in Venice. Authorities enforce rules inconsistently despite restrictions and the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
Germany
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German First Camper unveiled the Micro trailer weighing 299 kg. Base price €4,899, but without mattress, kitchen and electrics. Full equipment up to €15,821.
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.
Canadian manufacturer Kamparoo Campers offers the Trans-Continental pop-up travel trailer, which remains popular among owners for its simplicity and reliability. A new unit costs $14,400 Canadian dollars (approximately $10,300 USD at the time of publication). The trailer weighs 381 kg, sleeps two, and can be expanded with a tent annex. Some owners have used it for over eight years, confirming its durability.
China
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China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and nine other departments issued guidelines to develop RV tourism, including extending service life and improving infrastructure.
Pennsylvania-based Freedom Campers has previewed a prototype cubic camping pod measuring 72 x 89 inches (183 x 226 cm) with integrated roof mounting panels. A two-person rooftop tent is mounted directly to these panels, creating a two-story layout for up to four or five campers. The pod can be carried in a truck bed or towed on a trailer. An official launch is planned soon through select dealerships. For reference, the non-cubic 72 x 89 module introduced earlier this year starts at US$4,540.
Terex's Recreational Vehicles Segment will host its annual Dealer Open House from Monday, Sept. 28 to Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Renegade Customer Experience Center in Elkhart, Indiana. The event will bring together the company's dealer network and product managers; 18 units from Fleetwood RV, Holiday Rambler and American Coach will be on display, along with 12 units from Renegade RV. Gary Gunter, president of the Terex RV segment, will speak at the opening breakfast on Sept. 28 at 8 a.m.; happy hours are scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Coachmen RV, a division of Forest River Inc., announced the launch of the new Remote 8 Wide Series, arriving in September 2026. The series expands on the 7 Wide lineup with three floorplans (198RBC, 228RBH, 238RRB), increased ground clearance, two 200-watt solar panels, a 52-gallon fresh water tank, 37-gallon gray and black tanks, and prep for Starlink and lithium-ion batteries. The trailers are positioned as lightweight and attainable.
On September 14, 2026, New York State Police in Chatham responded to Lebanon Valley Speedway at 1746 Route 20 in New Lebanon following a report of a camper fire. Upon arrival, troopers observed multiple campers engulfed in flames. Firefighters from the Chatham, Lebanon Valley, Canaan, Red Rock, and Tsatsawassa fire departments worked to extinguish the fires. A preliminary investigation determined the fire was accidental. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police at (845) 677-7300 and reference case number NY2601140748.
Canada
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A fifth-wheel fire occurred early Monday morning in the Superstore parking lot on Anderson Way in Vernon, British Columbia. No injuries were reported; the cause is under investigation.
While driving on a country road in central Wisconsin, the left wheel of a 16-foot camper fell off. Three local residents helped: Mike returned the wheel and removed three lug nuts from the right wheel, Steve Cross of Cross Automotive Repair replaced the studs and installed the spare wheel, and Brunet Island State Park allowed a free overnight stay. The repair took 90 minutes, and the trip continued.
Supersede, an engineered building materials company, has opened a new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bristol, Indiana. Located in Elkhart County, the hub of the U.S. RV industry, the plant is expected to create more than 50 jobs. The facility expands production capacity to meet demand from RV manufacturers for structural panels that replace plywood and vinyl, offering moisture and warp resistance and no toxic treatments.
MONTX unveiled the V10 concept camper at Auto China under the label “Adaptive Mobile Hub.” The cabin features three interior zones that can shift between a mobile office, social space, and sleeping area. A steer-by-wire system allows the steering wheel to slide across the dash, switching between left- and right-hand drive or retracting when parked. A four-part tailgate opens into an outdoor platform, viewing window, and overhead canopy. Onboard systems are designed to handle water, power, and climate without hookups. Battery specs, range, dimensions, and price have not been confirmed.
Kia has revealed the production version of its electric PV7 van at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, Germany. The model will launch in South Korea and Europe in mid-2027. The PV7 Long measures 535 cm long, 66 cm longer than the PV5, and 190 cm wide. It will offer a 96-kWh battery with over 460 km of WLTP range or a base 71.5-kWh pack. Sussex Campervans has already announced plans for a PV7-based camper.