News & Notes
Taxa Outdoors Debuts ‘Dark Sky Mantis’
The company’s Mantis is designed for off-road adventures with axle-less suspension, rugged all-terrain tires and articulating Lock ‘N’ Roll hitch. Its newest version, the Dark Sky, includes a custom matte wrap, limited edition graphics and matching dark wheels.
The Mantis MSRP starts at $45,750 and, at just 19 feet long, can be stored in a standard garage. Other features of the 3,115-pound (dry) unit includes a secure pop-up roof for optimized ventilation for the comfort of the unit allowing sleeping for four adults and a well-equipped kitchen with durable baltic birchwood cabinetry and high-pressure laminate countertop, plus a slew of appliances that facilitate cooking for the whole family, ranging from a sink to a two burner stove and cooler. For increased comfort and convenience, the Mantis comes standard with an 8,000-Btu air conditioner, furnace, and hot water system.
For more information, visit taxaoutdoors.com/dark-sky-mantis-launch.
Have you been noticing a rising proliferation of empty — but reserved — campsites during your travels? You’re not imagining it. The Dyrt, a leading app for camping availability, photos and reviews, has found that less than half of campers (42.7%) used all the reservations they made in 2023. This eye-opening statistic is part of The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma.
And yes, it’s getting worse. The report also found that it was – to book a campsite in 2023 as compared to 2019. Amid the overall increase in the number of Americans who camp and scarcity of campsites, over-reserving campsites has become a strategic exercise to make sure you have a spot.
Of the campers who canceled a reservation in 2023, 87.3% canceled with more than 48 hours notice and 32.2% pulled the plug with less than 48 hours notice. (Some canceled multiple reservations in different timeframes.)
While some campers are courteous enough to cancel reservations they don’t plan to use, others simply no-showed on campsites they reserved. According to The Dyrt’s report, 14.9% of campers no-showed at least once in 2023.
Got a friend interested in the RV lifestyle — but doesn’t want to deal with high-pressure salesmen when they check out the latest models? Do you have an older RV and are considering stepping up to more conveniences? Experiential events are a core part of Go RVing’s strategy to expose diverse audiences to RVing and an active outdoor lifestyle in an unexpected setting. They provide consumers with real-world opportunities to directly engage with RVs.
This year, Go RVing will be participating in 12 events, ranging from festivals to state fairs and more. As of press time, these were the remaining programs on the schedule:
- Fiesta Hermosa – SS (Los Angeles, CA): May 25-27, 2024
- Carolina Country (Myrtle Beach, SC): June 6-9, 2024
- National Cherry Festival (Traverse City, MI): June 29-July 2, 2024
- American Century Championship (Lake Tahoe, NV): July 11-14, 2024
- Yarmouth Clam Festival (Yarmouth, ME): July 19-21, 2024
- Minnesota State Fair (1st weekend) (Saint Paul, MN): August 22-25, 2024
- Santa Cali-Gon Days (Independence, MO): August 30-September 2, 2024
- Salmon Days (Issaquah, WA): October 5-6, 2024
- Go Outside Festival (Roanoke, VA): October 18-20, 2024
Roadtrippers offers vital road trip planning and navigation tools with a treasure trove of destinations, experiences, services and accommodations, simplifying long-term plans and spur-of-the-moment getaways for users. Recently, the tool seamlessly weaved together top features from beloved camping apps like Campendium, Togo RV and Overnight RV Parking into the Roadtrippers powerhouse resource.
The software features Roadtrippers Autopilot, a cutting-edge and patent-pending road travel recommendation tool, fueled by exclusive human insights from more than 38 million planned trips spanning more than 42 billion miles. It allows users to seamlessly craft personalized and one-of-a-kind trips tailored to their vehicle and preferences for accommodations, dining and activities while also factoring in budget levels and interests to shape potential stops.
For more information, visit Roadtrippers.
Conversion Kit Eliminates Blackwater
If it really, really bothers you, consider the new blackwater conversion kit from Dry-Flush, which eliminates blackwater by eliminating the traditional RV toilet. Instead, users retrofit their RVs with the company’s Laveo Dry Flush portable unit.
Installing the Laveo with the new conversion kit is a simple four-step process: plug the waste flange, place the bracket in the appropriate position, fasten the bracket to the floor with double tape, screws or glue, and slide on the toilet. A brief installation video is on the company’s website.
The odorless, chemical-free, rechargeable Laveo portable toilet measures 16 inches W by 20 inches D by 18 inches H and weighs just 29 pounds. For comfort, the seat and height are standard toilet sizes. When done, users simply push the flush button as they would with a traditional toilet. However, instead of requiring water, chemicals and plumbing, the double-layered barrier bag automatically encloses the toilet’s contents in a spill-resistant, odorless way. The dispenser automatically brings in new, clean barrier bag material for the next flush.
For more information, visit Waterless Toilets at here.
RVOvernight is an emerging platform in the recreational vehicle (RV) travel sector. The launch of the app is a notable step forward in connecting RV enthusiasts with unique and memorable camping experiences. The app, which went live in February, is designed to revolutionize the way RVers discover and book overnight stays across the United States.
The RVOvernights app introduces an array of innovative features which are geared toward simplifying the travel planning process for RVers. Central to the app’s functionality is its comprehensive database of nationwide host locations. This provides users with a diverse range of boondocking options, from farms and wineries to breweries, distilleries, and attractions, such as drive-in movie theaters. There’s even an option for roadside barbecue restaurants. Notably, the app also offers Google Street View on every host profile, letting users see things like driveway access before making a stay request, and incorporates maps of more than 2,300 dump stations and 1,900 propane fill locations.
For more information, visit RV Overnights.
Using the RV Complete app, RV enthusiasts will have access to exclusive discounts at all participating Love’s nationwide. The partnership with Blue Compass RV marks the largest discount offered from Love’s for any RV dealership group, the company said.
Love’s provides RV-friendly amenities at more than 640 locations in 42 states. In addition to access to RV parking, fuel and convenience items like fresh food and drinks at all Love’s locations, RVers also have access to Love’s network of RV hookups for overnight stays at more than 50 locations across the country. Users can utilize a scannable barcode on the Love’s Connect app to access the discounts. Current, exclusive discounts for RV Complete users at Love’s include $0.13 off each gallon of gasoline, $0.20 off each gallon of auto-diesel, $0.50 off each gallon of propane and 50% off at dump stations.
More information can be found at bluecompassrv.com.
RV Rental Firm Offers 2024 Price Index
Twenty-four metro locations were sampled: 20 in the U.S. and 4 in Canada. Six popular RV types were included for each location. Keep in mind, though, that the reported costs exclude miscellaneous charges such as insurance, service charges, optional equipment, and sales tax — all of which may add 50% or more to a bottom-line trip cost.
Daily RV rental prices range from $89 USD / $92 CAD for a pop-up camper to $306 USD / $308 CAD for a Class A motorhome. The mid-priced travel trailer and Class C motorhome costs averaged $115 USD / $134 CAD and $212 USD / $241 CAD, respectively.
Consider heading to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where the Sweetwater Events Complex will play host to the 63rd Escapade, June 16-21. Escapade is the largest and most extensive gathering of the Escapees community and is an immersive way to learn about the RV lifestyle. Nearly 1,000 RVs and more than RV enthusiasts are expected to descend on the Sweetwater Events Complex where they can learn from professionals and other campers.
During this event, RVers will gain new tips and tricks on camping and traveling through seminars, social gatherings, nightly entertainment and more. Many attendees will also participate in the Flaming Gorge Bus Tour, an excursion that includes breakfast, lunch and interpretive narration as it travels along southwest Wyoming’s landscapes, including rock formations, deep canyons and the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway, the nation’s newest All-American Road.
Register for the rally at https://escapade.escapees.com/.
This integration means that RV owners can now check the door status, lock or unlock their RV doors, and access a host of other lock features without the need for physical keys, fobs or memorized codes.
Winegard has designed the integration with ease of use in mind, featuring a friendly device registration flow that makes setting up a breeze. Additionally, the RV Halo app supports the use of multiple devices within the RV, allowing owners to manage several integrated devices through a single, intuitive interface, the company said.
Within its compact 25-foot, 3-inch floorplan, the Rivet offers a large separate bedroom with a king bed, an ensuite bathroom and a roomy living room and kitchen. It can also sleep up to four travelers.
Other features include power management systems with 8 kWh lithium and up to 660 watts of solar power generation; a three-inch lift kit; a flyweight GVWR of 3,500 pounds; the Onyx indoor decor package, which is a color palette with matte black detailing; plus other add-ons, such as AeroMove, which the company said allows the RV to be self-propelled, self-powered and remote-controlled. The Rivet prices out at $165,000.
For more information, visit bowlus.com.
Making the Most of RV Solar Power
o say that boondocking — camping off-grid — is popular today would be an understatement, and for increasing numbers of RV enthusiasts looking for experiences well away from traditional campgrounds, there’s no better way to maintain essential RV power while away from hookups than with a good self-contained power system. That said, the freedom made possible by solar power is only as good as your panel(s) and battery bank, and at Jayco we now offer every new model with solar as either standard or optional equipment.
With four packages to choose from, we’ve created systems to meet the power requirement levels of virtually all RVers looking for their boondocking escape. Carrying our recognizable Overlander monicker, our packages stand against competitors with safety features like DC-to-DC power chargers, solar controllers and much more. These are standards that you won’t find anywhere else — and in addition to our safety feature, you can pair your setup with a generator.
Campers can now add one of our Overlander Packages to almost any of Jayco’s towable products — from luxury fifth wheels to single-axle travel trailers, there is now a solar package option for your Jayco trailer. It’s time for you to take charge of your next adventure.
Here’s a quick look at each package. For more information visit jayco.com/solar/.
Gear up for the ultimate off-the-grid RV setup with our Overlander EXT package. Order your luxury fifth wheel fully loaded with six 200-watt solar panels paired with six self-heated 100AH lithium batteries. With the added features of soft start power saver A/C in the living room and 12-volt 13,500-Btu bedroom A/C, you will be sure to enjoy hours of energy without the worries of running out of power. Other system components include a 100-amp MPPT solar controller, 3,000-watt split-phase inverter charger, DC-to-DC power charger, battery monitor and energy management system (EMS).
Available on: 2024 North Point, Pinnacle & Seismic Luxury Series
Overlander 4
With features like the DC-to-DC power charger, the Overlander 4 Solar Package allows you to have a charge once you arrive at your destination without worrying about your batteries overheating. With our solar package features, you can now charge while hooked up, manage and regulate energy going into your batteries with the added benefit of being able to add a generator to your self-sustaining setup. The package includes four 200-watt solar panels, two 100AH lithium self-heated batteries, 60-amp MPPT solar controller, 3,000-watt split-phase inverter charger, DC-to-DC power converter, soft start power saver bedroom and living room 15,000-Btu A/C with heat pump (one system on Eagle products), battery monitor and EMS. The roof is also pre-wired for additional solar panels.
Available on: 2024 Eagle TT, Eagle FW, North Point, Pinnacle, Seismic and Seismic Luxury Series
With the added power conversion of two 200-watt solar panels, a consistently regulated charge from our 30-amp MPPT RV-C Solar Controller and the added assurance of energy compatibility from a 1,800-watt RV-C Inverter, our Overlander 2 solar package will give you the power you need to run some of the small amenities on your RV worry-free all through solar energy. (Jay Feather products utilize a Digital PWM Solar Controller and non RV-C inverter.)
Available on: 2024 Jay Feather Products, White Hawk, Eagle TT, Eagle FW, North Point, Pinnacle, Seismic & Seismic Luxury Series
Overlander 1
With the Overlander 1 package, you can now order your travel trailer factory-direct with a 200-watt solar panel installation without worrying about voiding your warranty to up-fit for solar. As the entry-level package in our solar lineup, we pair the 200-watt panel with a 30-amp solar controller to ensure the power flowing into your battery will not overwhelm the system and you can enjoy your battery investment for a longer duration.
Standard on: 2024 Jay Feather Products, White Hawk & Jay Flight; Available on: 2024 Jay Flight SLX.
Did you know that the U.S. Government has extended the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit to the end of 2034? If you own an RV you could qualify for the credit, giving you back up to 30% of the cost of a complete solar package or most additions to your current system that have been made in the past five years. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe. There are no income limits on the solar tax credit, so all individual taxpayers are eligible to claim the credit on qualifying solar energy equipment investments within the United States.
To learn more visit: energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
Note: This is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on as a source for tax, legal or accounting advice. The IRS has additional resources to help determine eligibility. Always consult your tax or legal professional and refer to your RVs owner’s manual and warranty for further information.