The National RV Training Academy (NRVTA) recently announced the release of a PRO version of its RVTechCourse home-study RV maintenance and repair course. The PRO version includes hands-on labs offered during live training at NRVTA’s RV Fundamentals class. Each lab includes handouts and other resource materials received by students attending in person, as well as videos of Todd Henson, NRVTA’s director of education, or one of the school’s technical assistants, going over a specific component.

The labs extensively cover virtually everything associated with RV repair and maintenance, including electrical and power systems; propane systems; air-conditioning and refrigeration; water heater and furnace operation, maintenance, safety issues and troubleshooting; wheel bearings and brakes; and RV exteriors — including roof maintenance, slide outs, landing gear, tires, chassis, leveling jacks and other components of an RV’s underbelly.

“The PRO course is all about saving time and saving money,’ said Henson. “Owners do not want their RVs sitting at a dealership for a month or two waiting for something to be repaired, when the owner could fix it themselves.”

NRVTA developed the PRO program because some RV owners may not have the time or ability to attend a live RV Fundamentals class at the Big Red School House, said Tony Flammia, director of sales and marketing. The PRO program, he added, is a comprehensive and self-paced online course which offers invaluable insight, practical tips and step-by-step instructions to empower RV owners. The videos and PDFs are accessible in the NRVTA student portal.

For more information or to purchase the course, visit rvtechcourse.com/pages/wanna-go-pro.

The Dyrt, the top app for camping information and booking, has announced the Top 9 for K-9s: The Best U.S. Campgrounds for Camping with Dogs. These “fetching” camping locations were chosen based on reviews from The Dyrt community and boast some of the best dog parks and doggy beaches at campgrounds across the country, according to the company.

Using AI, the Dyrt sifted through its 9 million photos, reviews and tips of U.S. campgrounds to find where campers most like to bring four-legged friends. It’s official: These campgrounds have truly gone to the dogs:

• Lake George RV Park — New York
• Alum Creek State Park — Ohio
• Fort De Soto Campground — Florida
• Campground at James Island County Park — South Carolina
• Silver Springs Campground — Ohio
• First Landing State Park — Virginia
• Tucson – Lazydays KOA — Arizona
• Fall Creek Falls State Park — Tennessee
• Chatfield State Park — Colorado

All nine campgrounds on the list earned positive reviews from The Dyrt users, who say they appreciated environments and experiences tailored to their pups.

According to the 2023 Camping Report, 57.1% of campers brought pets to the campsite in 2022. Dogs accounted for a vast majority of that number, coming in at 91%. About 7% camped with cats, while a handful of adventurous birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and livestock went camping last year as well.

Dealing with the blackwater holding tank is probably atop everyone’s list of things they don’t like to confront — and it can be made a lot worse by a leaking hose. Camco Manufacturing has launched its latest addition to the Rhino sewer hose product line, the Rhino X. Said to be designed to revolutionize the way RV enthusiasts handle their sewer connections, the Rhino X is an all-inclusive, maximum compression 20-foot RV sewer hose kit that provides the ultimate compact storage. It’s engineered to compress more than any other RV sewer hose. Not only will this open up valuable storage space, but one of the key features of the Rhino X is its unique design — which allows it to hold its shape and stay securely in place during use. Gone are the days of dealing with hoses that collapse or cause leaks. For more information about the Rhino X and other RV accessories offered by Camco Manufacturing, click here.

When it comes to planning that long-awaited camping trip, the one variable that you can’t control is the weather. Now, Campspot, an online marketplace for RV resorts, family campgrounds, cabins and glamping options, has announced a new strategic partnership with climate risk technology company Sensible Weather, that can take some of the sting out of bad weather.

Through this partnership, Campspot campers will be able to add a Weather Guarantee to their bookings at 200,000-plus campsites through the Campspot marketplace. Sensible Weather is focused on helping change the way consumers interact with the weather, with Weather Guarantees that provide reimbursements when Mother Nature has other plans for their outdoor experiences.

According to the two companies, Sensible Weather quantifies and manages weather risk for campers, using cutting-edge satellite imagery and climate analytics developed from more than a decade’s worth of research in industry and academia. Its payouts are managed based on pre-set parameters, which means no haggling or claims processes. Sensible Weather pays travelers up to 100% of their nightly rate in real-time, based on the day-of forecast, via a text notification typically before the predicted weather event occurs.

For more information, visit campspot.com/about/weather-guarantee.

Lippert’s OneControl RV app has been a go-to solution for years in the recreational towing market with the ability to remotely monitor and control essential RV functions such as air- conditioning temperatures, refrigerator temperatures, tire pressure and more.

Now, the company has added to the app’s versatility with the debut of the all-new OneControl Auto app. The Lippert OneControl Experience allows users to access many advanced features and functions for their truck, SUV or RV through a custom-designed app that works with Android and iOS smartphones.

The OneControl Auto system works through an advanced application that allows the user to monitor trailer tire pressure, adjust trailer brake settings such as brake output and sensitivity and helps to prevent trailer sway when emergencies occur.

OneControl Auto works with the CURT Tire Linc Auto TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), which can monitor tire pressure on up to 20 individual tires or 10 axles, and works with CURT Echo series brake controllers and the True Course electronic sway control system.

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) has introduced two new pet-focused partners, offering increased remote veterinary care options for campers who travel with their furry friends. JustAnswer Pets and Pet Premium are the latest services available to any camper who uses the KOA partnership marketplace.

JustAnswer Pets is a subscription-based, virtual veterinary telehealth platform that allows users to connect with a live, licensed veterinarian 24/7/365. For a low monthly fee (reduced by 15% exclusively for people accessing the service through KOA), campers can know that a verified and vetted veterinary professional is always available to answer their pet’s health concerns.

Pet Premium, a P3 Technologies company, is America’s premier online pet insurance marketplace. Using a simple four-question survey, pet owners can search and find real-time coverage quotes, compare policies and find the best coverage for their furry friends. Tailored to meet the specific needs of each pet and their owners, Pet Premium’s custom quote generator allows campers the peace of mind of sharing time on the road with their pets while protecting them from potential risks of the great outdoors.

P3 Technologies also offers an online marketplace that includes a pharmacy and prescription delivery service, bringing pet prescriptions to your door no matter where you are. From your home to the RV or campsite, P3 Technologies ensures you’ll get your pet’s supplies and medication no matter which of the 500+ KOAs you choose for your next adventure.

To learn more about these services, visit the KOA Marketplace.

A newcomer in the travel trailer field, the Coast 1 banks on all-electric function while injecting a big dose of luxury into a boutique RV with muscle and comfort.

Creating a new all-electric travel trailer these days that caters to nomads, young adventurers, and those with an affinity for clean energy takes some high energy — literally. The brainchild of Nashville, Tennessee-based Aero Build, makers of mobile podcast studios, coffee shops, cocktail bars and other custom trailers since 2017, the Coast 1 was recently introduced to the RV market.

The Coast 1 is a tandem-axle, 21-footer that’s built on a galvanized steel chassis with a torsion-axle suspension and auto leveling. Above the rails is a shell made of composite materials and multiple layer sidewalls topped with a seamless roof. Lightweight building materials contribute to the 6,000-pound trailer weight that offers a solid 18 feet of living space.

Technology, however, is the key, and this trailer is designed to sustain off-grid excursions by offering three 870-Ah lithium battery bank tied into a 1,360-watt solar system and two 3,000-watt inverters. If you must connect to campground power, a 50-amp power cord will get you there. Other high-tech additions include a Laveo dry-flush toilet, which eliminates a black holding tank. Instead, waste goes into a special bag that seals off the waste (and smell) and provides a new lined cavity for the next person. When the bag is full, it’s tied up and deposited in the trash. It’s on the pricey side, but when you are paying $124,900 for a 21-foot travel trailer, why quibble over the cost of waste bags?

There’s also a galley counter equipped with Smeg appliances, which cater to those with expensive tastes and/or a penchant for retro gear with modern, high-tech features. A 9.8-cubic-foot refrigerator anchors the workspace while a 13,500-Btu Truma Aventa air-conditioner provides enough cold air to drive away hot flashes.

In fact, Stacey Harris, head of marketing for Truma in North America, got the chance to experience the Coast 1 recently when she spent a week in the travel trailer while cruising the East Coast. We thought we’d include her blog of the trip below.

Day 1 – Nashville
We started off in Nashville, where the Coast is built by Aero Build. If you haven’t heard of Aero Build, chances are good that the mobile coffee shop in your area was built by this innovative and forward-thinking company. Founded by Brian Fuente, Aero Build has made a deep impact in the small business realm with its unique and innovative approach to the mobile coffee shop/bar/boutique. In his passion for bringing that same innovation to the RV industry, Brian and his team introduced the Coast Model 1 earlier this year. We had the chance to meet several of Brian’s team, and it was easy to see why the Coast is such a comfortable and well-appointed unit. The company’s commitment and dedication can be found in every detail of this travel trailer.

Day 2 – Asheville
After a fantastic first night’s sleep during our stay at the Edgar Ervin State Park in Silver Point, Tennessee, we took off for Asheville, North Carolina. Why was it such a fantastic night’s sleep? Well (cue your best infomercial voice) it was because the Coast was amazingly comfortable, from the bed to the Truma Aventa. A key part of my day job is to help promote the Truma Aventa, a near-silent, efficient rooftop air-conditioning system that does exactly what we say it is going to do. The Aventa kept the trailer at a comfortable 65 degrees all night. For some, that might be too cool, for others not cold enough. For this 50+, post-menopausal female, it was perfect. Not only did we stay comfortable at night, but we weren’t woken up by a loud A/C, which I believe is the case with other types of RV air-conditioners.

Later the second day, we held a consumer meet-up at New Belgium Brewing in Asheville. The goal was to allow consumers the chance to see the Coast Model 1 and feel the quiet comfort of Truma Aventa. We even got to meet several Truma fans who have had one or more of our systems in their RVs for years. It was enjoyable to spend time with other RVers, trading stories and getting tips for the road.

Day 3 – Asheville to Wilmington
After another cool, quiet, and comfortable night with the Aventa, the third day found us driving approximately six hours from Asheville to the North Carolina coast. To say that the drive was beautiful is an understatement. We stopped along the way to shoot photography and video our trip as well as to take in the scenery. That evening we took the RV to Wrightsville Beach and experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen in many years. It was fun to hang out by the coast and talk with passers-by about the trailer and the partnership between Aero Build and Truma. Again, we met many current members of the Truma family.

Day 4 – Surf City and Top Sail Beach
If you are hearing Beach Boys music in your head, you are right on target. This area of North Carolina was breathtaking and definitely warm. We parked the Coast on the coast of the beach for a photo shoot. That day the Aventa was truly tested as temperatures reached into the 90s, but the inside of the trailer was comfortable, cool, and way less humid. We created online content for both Truma and Aero Build, and we hung out inside the RV, taking meetings and recording interviews — all while the Aventa ran quietly in the background.

Day 5 – Sneads Ferry and Selma
It was another beach day. Have I mentioned that I love what I do? We spent the day creating more content, shooting drone footage, and seeing areas of the state that were spectacular. That afternoon we headed to Selma and set up camp at the North Point RV Resort, where we met several wonderful full-timers. We gave tours of the Coast and answered questions not only about the unit but the air-conditioner also, since it was muggy, rainy and hot outside. Inside the Coast we were comfortable and nowhere near muggy.

Day 6 – Raleigh and Asheville
Nearing the end of our trip, it was back to the city for us. We left the beaches behind and hit the city streets in Raleigh for another consumer meet-up. This time we were joined by Sip Side Coffee, a unique mobile coffee bar owned by Bill and Jill Vanarthos and built by Aero Build. What a treat that afternoon turned out to be. Once again, folks could go inside the Coast, sip on great coffee and escape the heat outside. Later that evening, we headed back to Asheville and started the sad voyage back home.

Day 7 Asheville to Nashville
Last day! I can truly say the week went by fast. We started our final day shooting more photography and video in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Beautiful and majestic in its own right, the Blue Ridge Parkway did not disappoint. Yet, once the final shot was taken and our team decided we had enough content to last us for quite some time, we packed up the Coast and headed back to Music City. Later that night, after we dropped off the trailer and said “goodbye” to the Coast team, we realized we were saying “goodbye” to good friends. Talk about a partnership, the teams worked so well together all week, it was almost as if we had become a small, new family.

Back Home in Indiana
As we drove back home, I took some time to reflect on the goals for this trip: build a strong partnership with an OEM who supports Truma, show off this new all-electric travel trailer and get the chance to experience the Truma Aventa firsthand. As a marketer, I feel strongly that I have to believe in the products I promote. The Aventa air-conditioning system kept every promise that I have heard, read and written. It was quiet. It kept this perpetually hot-blooded woman cool and comfortable, and it was the perfect fit for the luxury feel of the Coast. I need to add that as I was reflecting during our drive home, I was cranky and sleep-deprived because the hotel air-conditioner was loud and did not keep our room nearly as comfortable as the Aventa. Lesson learned.