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.
Select currency
Popular
—
Report a problem
Town · Maine, United States
VanSky index for Sanford, United States — 88 out of 100 (Ideal). 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”.
Sanford, United States — VanSky 88 out of 100. Ideal conditions for travel. Ranked #352 of 4681 cities in the country (as of 17 July 2026). Temperature 26°C, wind 17 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
Sanford ranks 1 of 4681 cities. Country average VanSky — 56.
Updated: 11.07.2026
Regular
$1.01 /l
€0.88 · £0.75/l
27 of 133
cheaper than 80% of countries
Midgrade
$1.16 /l
€1.01 · £0.86/l
20 of 92
cheaper than 79% of countries
Premium
$1.26 /l
€1.10 · £0.94/l
8 of 23
cheaper than 70% of countries
Diesel #2
$1.23 /l
€1.08 · £0.92/l
52 of 134
cheaper than 62% of countries
Blue Compass RV announced the grand opening of two new dealership locations in the western United States: Blue Compass RV – Medford in Southern Oregon and Blue Compass RV – St. George in Southern Utah. The Medford location consolidates sales and service under one roof, offering new RVs from Jayco, Brinkley, and Forest River Aurora. The St. George facility sits on 8 acres near Zion National Park, with 11,000 square feet of interior space and seven service bays; brands include Alliance, Brinkley, Forest River, Entegra, Heartland, and Thor Motor Coach.
Keystone RV has introduced the Coleman 13S travel trailer for the 2027 model year. The 4.8-meter-long, single-axle trailer has a curb weight of about 1,260 kg and can be towed by a standard SUV without a special license. Prices in the US range from $13,000 to $20,000 depending on trim, comparable to a new Skoda Fabia. Inside, it sleeps four: a fold-out sofa, a drop-down single bunk, a corner double bed, a compact kitchen with an induction hob, microwave and fridge, and a bathroom with shower and toilet. Experts note the bathroom is cramped for a tall adult. Standard equipment includes an electric fireplace, air conditioning, a tankless water heater, two electric awnings with LED lights, and solar panel prep. Fresh water tank capacity is 106 liters; gray and black water tanks hold 129 and 68 liters respectively. The trailer is not sold in Europe.
U.S.-based RV rental company Blacksford reports that travel advisors are playing an increasing role in its rapid growth. The company saw strong booking growth in 2026, capping a four-year period in which reservations quadrupled. Blacksford expanded to a fourth location in Seattle, Washington, adding to existing hubs in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Bozeman. Its Travel Advisor Program offers 10% commission on vacation packages bundling RV rentals, campground reservations, and itineraries, with average commission payments of about $600.
A motorhome appeared to lose its brakes while descending Teton Pass in Wyoming on Wednesday, July 16, speeding downhill and weaving through traffic before stopping safely. No injuries were reported. The incident was recorded by Jeff Bernhard, who was driving from Victor, Idaho, to Jackson. The Wyoming Highway Patrol has been asked whether the driver experienced a mechanical failure. The event follows a fatal crash on the same pass a week earlier, when a dump truck without brakes killed two people.
Former BBB 11 contestants Adriana Sant'Anna and Rodrigão, who lived in a mansion near Orlando, Florida, for about five years, have moved to a rural area in California. Before the move, the family took a 22-day motorhome trip across the US. The couple said the experience taught them that little is needed to live well, and their children became more involved in daily chores.
Startup Pebble has begun deliveries of the Pebble Flow electric travel trailer. The model with the Magic Pack feature starts at $132,500. The trailer features smartphone remote control, automatic hitch connection, and an electric propulsion system that reduces the burden on the towing vehicle. Over-the-air software updates are supported.
Install OpenVan.camp
Get quick access and offline reading.
The app is already installed on this device.
Use your browser menu to install or add to home screen.