Rent a Camper Van Before Buying One: Recommendations for North America

A family in an RV at Little Cottonwood Campground in Fishlake National Forest, Utah, was forced to evacuate due to a wildfire. The fire came within about 15 feet of their campsite. The incident was filmed and posted on TikTok.

Winnebago Industries reported a 10.1% year-over-year increase in its motorhome segment revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, reaching $320.7 million. This growth comes despite ongoing pressure in the outdoor recreation market, weak discretionary demand, and a downturn in the towable and marine markets. The company plans to defend its market share by launching new products and expanding its price range.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Richard Willing, 51, with insurance fraud for filing a false claim. In May 2025, Willing submitted a claim to Progressive Direct Insurance for a stolen camper, but witnesses said he left it on a paid lot before the alleged theft. Progressive denied the claim, and Willing was booked into Florence County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the theft of seven catalytic converters from vehicles at the RV Center in Greencastle. The theft occurred before 2:00 p.m. on April 28, 2026, on S Young Road in Antrim Township. Affected vehicles include 2024 Thoroughbred boat trailers, Coach Craft and Sunshine Homes RVs, and several Ford vehicles. Police are asking for public assistance.

EarthCruiser has begun dealer deliveries of the MOD slide-in truck camper and is advancing the Terranova toward scaled manufacturing. The company reported that approximately 70% of Terranova direct-to-consumer customers previously owned a van-based camper. MOD is designed to retain the pickup's daily usability, while Terranova targets extended self-sufficient travel.

On June 23, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published two proposed rules establishing a new legal basis for indefinitely suspending the de minimis duty exemption for low-value imports. Instead of relying on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which faces legal challenges, CBP cites its authority under the Tariff Act of 1930 to limit tariff exemptions independently. For the RV industry, this is a positive development as it makes the suspension less likely to be overturned in court, supporting fairer competition for U.S. manufacturers. The rules take effect July 24 for packages entering through the international postal network, unless modified.