RV manufacturers have been working for years on ways to incorporate an ever-greater array of residential features into their products — and this extends to electronics, as well. At the recent Florida RV SuperShow, Winnebago Industries introduced what may be the “smartest” RV yet: the Winnebago Connect.

In development for two years, the Connect system — which debuted on a View 24T Class C motorhome, is, according to the company, an “intelligent RV system empowered with intuitive control that proactively manages on-board systems according to user preferences.”

The Connect development team puts it another way, calling it a “world-class experience that’s easy to use and intuitive.”

While other RV platforms simply monitor certain systems and controls them via a mobile app, Winnebago Connect intuitively controls those systems according to pre-determined preferences as well as analysis of the user experience.

For example, Connect doesn’t just tell owners how much power is left in the batteries, it will also tell them, based on their typical usage, how many days they have left before they run out of juice. And if the owner has the right setting engaged, Connect will automatically turn on and switch over to the generator if the batteries run out of power.

Another example is Connect might alert the owner that the black tank is 83% full – notice the detailed measurement – and then add that, based on typical usage, there’s another 36 hours before it reaches capacity.

In addition, Connect integrates seamlessly with the Winnebago app to make RV operations and maintenance more convenient than ever. Like a proactive assistant, it also keeps you in the know with smart messaging and timely alerts. Furthermore, Connect can perform a full system diagnostic scan and its remote diagnostics capability can help expedite any needed service work, while over-the-air software upgrades automatically enhances the RV systems as updates become available.

Also, Connect’s PetMinder feature means the pets can be taken care of in climate-controlled comfort while their owners are off taking a hike. And that’s only the highlights. Indeed, a full rundown of everything the Connect can do would fill a book. The system will soon be finding its way across a number of Winnebago models.

Admittedly, we don’t usually feature new products in News & Notes — but we’re also cognizant of the fact that the mattresses that come stock in many RVs are a literal sore point among campers. Now, there’s a new choice when it comes to alleviating those painful mornings. Custom Mattress Factory has announced its latest line of mattresses — designed to bring the continued comfort of home to those seeking adventure on the road with a full line of Certi-PUR RV mattresses.

What Makes a Certi-PUR Mattress certified? They contain no formaldehyde or ozone depleters, are manufactured without phthalates or mercury, lead, or any other heavy metal, maintain low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for indoor air quality (with less than 0.5 parts per million) and are screened for relevant chemicals, including fire retardants (which are classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins and are harmful to human health). We aren’t saying your mattress has any of these things in it — Custom Mattress Factory is saying theirs do not.

Custom Mattress Factory also offers a complete line of custom bedding to accommodate all RV mattress types — and can create custom-sized mattresses meeting exact width, length and height required to fit each space perfectly and can also design round corners, cut corners, and notched corners, as well as hinged mattresses to create total flexibility. For more information, visit Custom Mattress Factory.

There’s no denying that the RV industry is affected by things going on in the world at large. One example of this was on display at January’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where — TAXA Outdoors, an innovative outdoor brand known for lightweight, garageable, off-grid adventure vehicles, and Goal Zero, an industry leader in smart, portable power, partnered on the development of a custom-built Mantis Adventure Vehicle outfitted with Goal Zero’s Escape Ecosystem and featuring the powerful Yeti PRO 4000 Portable Power Station. This integration marks a significant leap forward in off-grid adventure technology, providing adventurers with a comprehensive vehicle energy management system.

While the unit on display was essentially a prototype, “the solution we are showing is for right now and is right-now-practical,” said Garrett Finney, TAXA Outdoors founder and chief design officer.

Built around the angular, NASA-inspired Mantis adventure trailer, the unit featured Goal Zero’s state-of-the-art Boulder 100i solar panels, Yeti PRO 4000 Power Station and Expansion Tank, Escape smart control display and accessories, ensuring a seamless, sustainable power supply for extended off-grid journeys.

The Yeti PRO 4000 Portable Power Station offers adventurers a reliable and powerful source of clean, renewable energy. With this portable power station, adventurers can enjoy comforts such as air conditioning, lighting, and electronics even in the remotest locations. The Yeti PRO 4000 comes with 3,600-watt power out and 7,200 watt surge, enabling it to run almost any appliance. When you’re ready to charge up, the Yeti PRO 4000 has 3,000-watt solar input to charge from 0% to 80% in under 90 minutes when you’re off grid.

Solar viewing glasses and scopes made for safe viewing of the annular eclipse at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in October 2023. Photo courtesy NPS

While overall visitation continues to grow across America’s national parks, visitors are increasingly discovering opportunities in less well-known parks and during park off-seasons. In fact, the National Park Service announced today (Feb. 23) that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023 — an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022.

In addition to the continued growth in overall numbers, NPS said in a release that data shows that visitation is increasing in the more traditional off-seasons at many parks, with more visits in the spring and fall than seen in years past. And 20 parks — many of them less well-known — broke visitation records in 2023.

Visitation figures and trends guide how the National Park Service manages parks to ensure the best experience possible for park visitors. The Visitation Statistics Dashboard on NPS.gov provides recreational visit statistics for every park in the U.S. for 2023 and also for previous years, dating back to 1979 for some parks.

Do you know someone interested in the RV lifestyle you’re always talking about? Are you searching for more information? One way for everyone to pick up a fast education is courtesy of Go RVing’s “experiential” events — displays at an array of programs as diverse as music festivals And state fairs intended to introduce new enthusiasts to RVing.

This year, Go RVing will be participating in 12 events coast-to-coast, including:

• Guardians of Freedom (Wichita Falls, TX): April 27-28, 2024
• Lovin’ Life Music Festival (Charlotte, NC): May 3-5, 2024
• Cinco De Mayo Omaha (Omaha, NE): May 10-12, 2024
• 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

New camping accommodations arrive at Emberglow Outdoor Resort in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of The Dyrt camper Michaela C.

We all are painfully aware of the dearth of good campsites — especially on popular holiday weekends. Fortunately, The Dyrt — the No. 1 app for camping availability, photos and reviews — has found that 50% of private camping properties added campsites in 2023 in response to continued demand from the booming camping industry. These statistics are from the newly released 2024 Camping Report presented by The All-New Toyota Tacoma, the most in-depth and comprehensive look at the camping industry to date.

Property managers across all 50 states were surveyed to gather information for the report. The addition of new campsites was spurred in part by results from the previous year’s report, when 58.4% of campers reported difficulty booking a site because a campground was sold out. That number decreased to 45.5% last year.

More than a third (34.7%) of the properties surveyed expanded an existing camping type in 2023. The top two types for expansion were RV sites at 26.2% and glamping at 22.1%. Also, 46.9% of properties added an entirely new type of campsite, with glamping leading the way at 10%.

Looking for a compact new travel trailer with a whole lot of personality? Woodburn, Oregon-based Type 2 Campers has launched its new Model T2.3 camper – the only RV that blends the nostalgic appeal of Volkswagen camper vans with the robust standards of automotive design. According to the company, its release marks a new chapter in camper innovation, offering a unique combination of durability, style, longevity and functionality.

The new Model T2.3 camper is engineered with automotive-grade stamped steel panels and weighs under 1,000 pounds. The steel body also ensures unmatched road durability, elevates safety and lengthens the product lifecycle. Plus, the Model T2.3 camper can be towed by practically any car with a standard hitch, including EVs. It is 9.6 feet long and provides more than 6 feet of head room while the pop-up roof is extended. In the lowered roof position, the Model T2.3 can be stored comfortably inside a standard garage.

As VW aficionados may recognize, the T2.3 name is a tribute to VW’s iconic heritage, where the VW Beetle was referred to as “Type 1” post-World War II, and the subsequent bus in 1948 was named “Type 2”. The “.3” refers to the three windows on the sides of the campers.The T2.3 campers are now available exclusively at www.type2campers.com in five color options and three distinct packages: Sleeper, Sleeper Plus and Kitchenette.

While Brinkley RV has only been around for about 1 ½ years, it’s made quite an impact with its well-designed and quality-built fifth wheels. Not surprisingly, the company opted to bring its style and craftsmanship to the travel trailer market, debuting the new Model Z air in February.

The new brand — its first model is the 295 — incorporates many of Brinkley’s signature elements including CraftSense wood trim construction, dovetail drawer joints, flush-floor slides with through-frame slideout mechanisms, Euro frameless square windows with integrated window screens and insulated blackout blinds and an automotive-grade sealant package.

Items unique to the Z Air line include a composite floor atop a drop-frame chassis featuring more than 100 cubic feet of exterior storage, one-touch leveling system, 5,600-pound-rated axles, and E-rated Goodyear tires riding on 16-inch custom aluminum wheels.

Other Z Air highlights include solid-surface counters, 18,000-Btu variable-speed main air-conditioner and a 13,500-Btu second A/C unit, tankless on-demand water heater, heated enclosed underbelly with electric waste valves, custom LP box with battery storage, premium utility center with retractable 65-foot water hose, industry-first brass plumbing connections and an industry-first low-maintenance roof that offers a 370-watt solar panel and is pre-wired for another panel. Down below, the 34-foot, 9-inch, 11,495-pound GVWR model 295 utilizes Lippert Road Armor Equalizers and shock absorbers at every wheel location.

About the only option on this luxury unit, which has an MSRP of about $83,000, are dual-pane windows. For more information, visit brinkleyrv.com/rvs/travel-trailers/model-z-air/.

A Jayco Pinnacle fifth wheel with Overlander EXT solar package.

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/.

2024 Jayco Eagle FW

Overlander EXT
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

Overlander 2
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.

AAA Trip Canvas, AAA Travel’s digital travel planning tool, has added a new campgrounds category in collaboration with RoverPass, a leading platform in booking campgrounds and RV parks. The new feature allows travelers to browse campgrounds and RV parks with detailed information about the area and amenities.

By leveraging RoverPass’s extensive network of campground and RV park options, AAA Trip Canvas users now have the unique opportunity to browse and book a wide range of outdoor accommodations. From lavish RV resorts to cozy campgrounds, the integration offers something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

In addition to discovering camping destinations, Trip Canvas users can find inspiration through curated road trips, points of interest, and informative articles about U.S. National Parks. The platform’s extensive planning tools also allow travelers to save their favorite campgrounds, streamline their booking process through RoverPass, and organize other aspects of their trip, including flights, rental cars, and activities, ensuring a memorable and hassle-free outdoor adventure.