NPS Introduces New Visitor App

Want to plan a trip, find interactive maps, download maps and tour ahead of time and find things to do and places to visit at a National Park Service (NPS) location?

The new National Park Service mobile app will do all this, and more. Created by park rangers with visitors in mind, the NPS App — available for downloads in the IOS App Store (Apple) and Google Play Store (Android) — gives the public up-to-date information about all 435 national parks.

Fully accessible with included tools for visitors with accessibility needs, the app also allows users to find a selection of parks to explore near home. Users also can build personalized trips and share information with friends and family. The app also is available offline, so visitors can download necessary resources ahead of time. For more information, visit nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

Valterra Celebrates 40th Year

Valterra Products, a supplier of brand-name product lines to the RV industry, is celebrating 40 years in business. The company started in 1981 with a line of waste valves sold throughout the industry. Since then, the company has grown substantially and now has a product line that will take care of almost every RV aftermarket need, company officials noted. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, it has become one of the premier RV suppliers in North America, serving both the RV OEM and aftermarket.

Valterra executives said they are proud of the company’s growth and its ability to survive through challenging times, whether it be the COVID-19 pandemic or the Great Recession of 2009, adding that even after four decades, it continues to operate “like a family,” with many of its employees having worked there 20-40 years. In all, the Mission Hills, Calif.-based company employs more than 430 people. For more information, visit www.valterra.com.

KOA Report Shows Millions of New Campers in 2020

nless you’ve been living in a cave for the past year, you know that camping escalated dramatically in popularity in 2020 as friends and families turned to the outdoors as a way to recreate while maintaining the restrictions required during the COVID pandemic. How much camping grew, however, has always been a matter of conjecture.

Now, with the release of the 2021 North American Camping Report from Kampgrounds of America (KOA), we can put a number to it: the number of camper households increased by nearly four million. This is the largest single-year increase since KOA began issuing the annual report in 2014. The number of respondents who said they camped three or more times also increased by nearly four million.

Among the report’s other takeaways:

• 54% of campers in 2020 had children in the household.
• 63% of new camping families intend to keep camping.
• 25% of respondents said RVing was their preferred way of camping.
• Millennials continue to comprise the biggest generation of campers (41%).
• Among RVers, 32% said they plan to move to a larger RV, 28% intend to find an RV with more or better amenities and 24% want an RV upgrade. To view the report, visit koa.uberflip.com/i/1362448-2021-north-american-camping-report/0?

Chinook Debuts Rear-Entry Summit Class B+

Most veteran RVers doubtless are familiar with the name Chinook RV. At one time among the oldest U.S. RV brands — the company was founded in 1938 — the company moved into fiberglass-shelled motorhomes in the ’60s and, in 1971, began building on Chevy and Ford cutaway chassis. Billed as “the sports car of motorhomes,” the popular RV later fell on hard times and ceased operations in 2005. In 2014, however, RV dealer Phil Rizzio resurrected the brand, with Class B models built around the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.

In April, Chinook RV released the Summit, a Class B+ that “draws inspiration from iconic designs that launched Chinook RV.” The first “new” Chinook to feature a fiberglass house instead of traditional van dimensions. In fact, according to Jeff Butler, GM of product production at Chinook, “We went through painstaking detail to pay respect to the history and lineage of Chinook while developing the Summit, even going so far as to use the original tooling and molds to craft the front and back cap.” The Summit also embraces a unique rear-entry design.

Built on the 13,030-pound GVWR Sprinter chassis, the 23-foot, 9-inch Summit features a steel substructure that incorporates the sidewalls and roof and received gold-standard certification from Truma, a leader in RV heating systems and water heaters, for its four-season cold-weather resistance. The Summit utilizes the Truma Combi-Plus furnace with an integrated water heater, 2,000-watt Xantrex inverter with charger, 12-volt DC 30-amp power distribution center, 400-watt solar panel capacity and on onboard Wi-Fi.

“With the water tank and waterlines installed inside, you can expect a hot shower even in freezing temperatures,” said Rizzio. For more information, visit chinookrv.com.

RV Life Gauges Campground Availability

Depending upon who you ask, there are about 12 million RVs currently in the U.S. — and, according to a 2019 report cited by BusinessWire, more than 17 million households are looking to buy one. That adds up to a lot of RV enthusiasts looking for a place to camp.

Not surprisingly, a majority of people surveyed recently by RV Life reported that as of mid-February, they were already planning their 2021 RV trips. In fact, the survey showed that 84% of respondents had already started their planning for the year. RV Life is a network of websites, forums and digital tools for the RV consumer.

Among the survey’s other findings:

• 51% indicated they would be securing more campground reservations ahead of time than in previous years.
• 45% of campers that had started planning 2021 trips indicated they were already having difficulty finding campsites.
• Allowing for multiple answers, 65% said they preferred private RV parks and campgrounds, while nearly the same number favored state and national parks — while about 22% opted for boondocking.
• Interestingly, given possible concerns about campground availability, 90% of those looking to upgrade or purchase a new RV said they were not dissuaded — and 71% of participants noted they were not planning to alter travel plans for fear of not finding campground locations.

Good for them!

Harbor Freight Introduces 5 New Predator Generators

Harbor Freight Tools is expanding one of its most popular lines, Predator Generators, with the addition of five new models. These new generators come with innovative new features and cover a wide variety of uses and include the Predator 9500W Super Quiet Inverter — the most powerful Predator inverter ever — and, of note to RVers, the new 1800W Predator portable generator and Predator 1400W Super Quiet Inverter Generator.

The ultra-light (33 lbs.), ultra-portable and ultra-quiet (60dB—as quiet as a conversation) Predator 1400W Super Quiet inverter generator provides safe power perfect for running small appliances or electronics at your campsite, RV or anywhere you want to enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors. According to the company, the electronic speed control mode optimizes engine performance to maximize runtime for more than seven hours. It features 12V DC output and parallel capability, allowing you to get 2800W by connecting a second generator. Also included are multiple 120V household outlets and dual USB ports. Pure sine wave inverter technology guarantees steady, reliable power. The CO SECURE technology automatically shuts down the generator for safety when harmful levels of carbon monoxide are detected. MSRP: $429.99.

The new 1800W Predator portable generator is said to provide more than nine hours of runtime. The lightweight generator has a voltage meter to help monitor output status and an integrated fuel gauge for easy fuel monitoring. The AC and DC outlets power a variety of applications, and CO SECURE technology monitors CO (carbon monoxide) levels and automatically shuts off for safety when harmful levels of carbon monoxide are detected. For more information, visit harborfreight.com/predator-generators.

Need to Replace Your Awning Fabric?

Has the fabric for your RV awning or slide-toppers ripped or worn out? It’s not necessary to replace the entire awning. Tough Top Awnings provides heavy-duty, double-stitched awning replacement fabrics in addition to vinyl replacements.

The Brush Prairie, Wash.-based company just finished its 13th year in the RV industry and continues to grow and add to its product line. The family owned-and-operated business manufactures custom-made awnings, patio awnings, slide-out toppers, window, door, Omega and soft-connect replacements for all major awning manufacturers. Tough Top Awnings also provides awning accessories and its website features both an awning buying guide and 20 how-to videos detailing everything from measuring fabric to replacing various awnings. For more information, visit toughtopawnings.com.