Xiaomi enters the camper market with the SkyNomad brand · VanLife Weekly #28
Xiaomi launches the SkyNomad brand and enters the camper market. Plus new models at the Tokyo Camping Car Show and 80% of Turkey's caravan makers closing.
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Small town · California, United States
VanSky index for Imperial, United States — 25 out of 100 (Challenging). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Imperial, United States — VanSky 25 out of 100. Difficult — consider alternatives. Ranked #4591 of 4681 cities in the country (as of 19 July 2026). Temperature 43°C, wind 18 km/h. Solar panels yield 3.1 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
Cities with a close score — route alternatives
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Imperial ranks 4442 of 4681 cities. Country average VanSky — 65.
Updated: 18.07.2026
Regular
$1.05 /l
€0.92 · £0.78/l
32 of 141
cheaper than 78% of countries
Midgrade
$1.21 /l
€1.06 · £0.90/l
20 of 94
cheaper than 80% of countries
Premium
$1.31 /l
€1.14 · £0.97/l
9 of 24
cheaper than 67% of countries
Diesel #2
$1.31 /l
€1.15 · £0.98/l
60 of 142
cheaper than 58% of countries
LPG
$0.90 /l
€0.79 · £0.67/l
28 of 52
pricier than 52% of countries
E85
$0.69 /l
€0.61 · £0.52/l
1 of 6
cheaper than 100% of countries
The Orangeland RV Park in Orange, California, is set to close after the property is sold for condominium development. Some residents have lived there for decades and will lose both their homes and jobs. Management is assisting with relocation, but many cannot find comparable spaces within 100 miles.
Colorado-based EarthRoamer is offering a 2023 EarthRoamer XV-SX off-road motorhome with 14,400 km (9,000 miles) for approximately €1 million. The vehicle is built on a Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD chassis with a 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 and a 6-speed Allison heavy-duty automatic transmission. Features include Warn winches, Pelican storage, a full kitchen, separate shower, washer-dryer, a two-person bedroom, and a dining area that converts into an extra bed. Interior panels are finished in Woodland Timber Oak.
Jane, a US resident, sold her nearly 3,200 sq ft house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms and moved into a 400 sq ft tiny house on wheels. The move followed a trip to Mongolia 15 years ago, when she realized she didn't need a large space to be happy. The new home has no traditional closets or dining table: belongings are stored in drawers under the stairs and under the seats of a modular sofa, and a bar counter serves as a table. The house has two lofts and one ground-floor room, which Jane converted into a gym.
Benchmark Vehicles of Portland has introduced the Primrose camper based on the 2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 170-inch extended wheelbase. The model features Agile Off-Road wheels, reinforced suspension, a Paragon Off-Road roof rack with seven Baja Designs LP6 LED modules, and a Girard awning. Inside, it includes a kitchen with an induction hob, a bathroom with shower and toilet, a transverse bed, and under-bed garage with a 500 kg slide-out tray. The electrical system comprises 640 Ah lithium batteries and a 3000 W inverter; the water system includes fresh and grey water tanks, a boiler, and an external shower.
A ranking of 14 RV campsites in the Midwest was compiled based on visitor reviews from The Dyrt, Google, Tripadvisor, and Campendium. The list includes parks with full hookups and more rustic options. For example, Hayward KOA Holiday in Wisconsin offers full hookups and family activities but has reported maintenance issues. Indigo Bluffs RV Park & Resort in Michigan is divided into a family-friendly section and a more luxurious resort area. Ozark Mountain Springs RV Park in Missouri is open year-round with full hookups on all sites. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Nebraska requires advance reservations and a state park entry permit. Robidoux RV Park in Nebraska offers full hookup sites for $46 per night. Geneseo Campground in Illinois is convenient for large RVs and offers bike and kayak rentals. Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan has several campgrounds with varying amenities.
A rare 1989 Outbacker camper, made almost entirely of plastic, has been listed for sale in the US. The cabin weighs about 50 kg (per manufacturer) or about 102 kg (per owners) and can be detached from the trailer and placed on the ground like a tent. Total weight with chassis is about 181 kg. Price is around $4,000, comparable to a Honda SH 160i scooter. Only about 400 units were produced.
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