Chicago Lawn — VanSky 82 (Ideal)

The Nemo Flyer self-inflating sleeping pad is reviewed after multiple camping trips. It is suitable for tent and SUV camping but not for backpacking due to its packed size. Available in three sizes, it has an R-value of 4.2 and a thickness of 2 inches. The pad does not fully self-inflate and requires topping off with the Vortex stuff sack, which is a drawback given its MSRP starting at $140.

Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash involving an RV reported Saturday on Interstate 77 in Carroll County. A 2005 Coachman Encore RV was traveling northbound when the driver lost control, ran off the road, and struck a guardrail. Passenger Gretchen H. Karcher, 70, of Versailles, Pa., was ejected and died at the scene; she was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver, Ronald J. Winkler, 73, of North Versailles, Pa., was uninjured; the crash remains under investigation.

A man fell into a vault toilet at Camp Edison in Shaver Lake, California, while trying to retrieve his sunglasses. The incident occurred on July 27 at approximately 2:30 p.m. PT. Cal Fire rescue crews extricated him from the tank; he was uninjured but required decontamination.

Kingdom Camping, based in Indiana, has released the Adventure Pro Mini 2.0, a compact off-road camping trailer. The trailer measures 180 inches long and 86 inches wide, with a listed fully loaded weight of 2,300 pounds and a 3,500-pound GVWR. It features a steel chassis, Cruisemaster CRS2 independent suspension, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and an articulating hitch. Off-grid equipment includes 400 watts of solar, a 300-Ah lithium battery, a 2,000-watt inverter, and a Dometic RTX air conditioner. Inside, there are powder-coated aluminum cabinets, a tri-fold mattress, a small bunk for a child or pet, and a rear galley with a sink, Iceco BL75 fridge/freezer, and a slide-out cooktop.

California-based Polydrops has unveiled the P21X motorhome, designed for off-road travel with energy independence. It features independent suspension, 38 cm ground clearance, and a 1300 W solar panel array. Energy is stored in a 5 kWh LiFePO4 battery (upgradable to 10 kWh). At 6.4 m long and 950 kg, it sleeps four, includes an induction cooktop kitchen and a compact bathroom. Price in the US is $76,900.

YouTuber Chika Yoshida, known for the Bilingirl Chika channel, traveled across the United States with her husband and two children in a motorhome in 2025. The trip included breakdowns and other unexpected events. The experience highlighted how the family functioned as a team under unforeseen circumstances.