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The hot and cold of tankless RV water heaters

Tony Barthel
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The hot and cold of tankless RV water heaters

Why are you seeing tankless water heaters suddenly being included in so many RVs? A few years ago, these were luxury items, and now they’re everywhere. Is the RV industry becoming more generous with what they’re offering? Have you stopped laughing at that question yet? 

The simple imported tankless water heaters are much less expensive than the traditional gas-electric tank-type water heaters. They are almost universally gas-fired appliances only, so the RV companies don’t have to run 120VAC power to the water heater if they have a tankless model. With copper being so expensive, this is another savings. 

So what’s the appeal of tankless water heaters? 

The idea behind these is that the water heater isn’t heating the water until you call for hot water. Another benefit is that, as long as you have water and propane, you have hot water. That sounds incredible—endless hot water—and they actually deliver on that.

Another big reason you’re seeing these more and more in RVs is that they’re inexpensive relative to the six-gallon tank-type water heater. There’s no doubt that, in bulk, these things are far less expensive than the traditional gas and electric tank-type water heater. Also, the RV companies share that you can have endless hot water with one, which is mostly true. 

I am guessing that a lot of RVers are used to the large 40-plus-gallon water heaters in their homes and quickly run out of hot water in their RVs. Or, some RVers have multiple family members who camp with them, and six gallons just doesn’t cut it when there are multiple showers wanted. 

Funny thing, when we replaced the water heater in our home, the plumber only stocked 40-gallon or more water heaters, and ordering something smaller was actually more expensive than just going with a 40-gallon water heater. Oh, well. Seems like a big waste of propane to me. 

One of the best features of tankless water heaters is that there is typically a control panel that enables you to set the temperature that the water heater is intended to deliver. While traditional gas-electric water heaters basically deliver to 140°F, you can set most tankless water heaters to deliver water at a temperature that is much more comfortable. 

Furrion Tankless RV water heaterHot water 101

A regular old tank-type water heater has a system that measures the water temperature inside the tank and turns on the heating system when it sees that water is below a specified temperature. In most cases, the temperature inside the tank is set to about 140°F, which is really hot. You wouldn’t want to only run the hot tap at that temperature. 

And that’s a huge disadvantage if you have very young campers who may turn on a hot faucet and actually injure themselves with 140° water. This can make the hot tap actually dangerous, and I remember warning people about this when I was selling RVs. 

The whole idea with that high of a temperature is that you’re intended to mix in cold water, which makes the hot water last longer. You wouldn’t take a 140° shower, so if you mix in about half cold water, then that hot water will go further. 

These tank-type heaters also recover relatively quickly because they only have to heat six gallons of water, although some RVs have ten- and even 12-gallon tank-type water heaters. 

The controls for the tankless water heater are in the bathroom, where you’d want them.

How a tankless water heater works

A tankless heater has a built-in flow meter that lets the water heater know that hot water is being demanded. When you open a hot tap, let’s say at the kitchen sink, the water heater sees that demand and fires up the propane burner to heat the water as it’s coming through. 

Heating water this quickly takes quite a bit of energy, so while it’s actually functioning to heat the water, it’s going through a fair amount of propane. But the idea is that it’s only using said propane when it’s heating the water, which isn’t all that frequent in the grander scheme of things. 

For example, a tankless water heater can easily consume the propane needed to generate a rating of 60,000 BTU. A typical propane/electric water heater is only rated for 10,000 BTU. 

This is why you won’t likely see an electric tankless water heater in an RV any time soon. It takes a lot of energy to change water temperature on demand—typically more than even a 50-amp connection can deliver. A typical bottle of propane has about 431,800 BTUs of energy in it. That’s also very roughly the equivalent of 1,000 100-amp-hour batteries. Liquid propane is very energy-dense. 

Thinking about that flow meter, it also has to see enough demand that it recognizes that you’re after some hot water, so that it kicks on the propane burner to accommodate your wishes. That brings us to the next section: tips. 

Tankless water heater tips

If you have a traditional water heater in your RV or one at home, the common practice is to mix some cold water with the hot to achieve the desired temperature. Makes sense, right? It’s what we’ve been doing for a long time. 

But tankless water heaters are different. One of the many advantages of these is that you can set the temperature that the water heater delivers. Since a tankless water heater needs a certain amount of demand and can deliver water at the temperature you want, the idea is that you set the temperature of the water to what you want to use without ever touching the cold tap. 

Another thing to note is that, like so many things in the RV space, there are vast differences in the quality from one brand to the next. One of the best tankless water heaters is the Truma AquaGo, but there are plenty of import-sourced water heaters showing up in RVs that are of lesser quality. 

One of the things the Truma has is a small tank of hot water, so you’re not waiting for the water heater to cycle on. That is especially annoying if you’re just using hot water in short bursts, such as when washing your hands. 

And, as with so many things, if there is demand, someone out there is going to start making better tankless solutions, which is happening already. I’ve often said that the RV industry is very open to making changes to make customers happy, so shop around—there are choices. 

Downsides of tankless water heaters

Like anything that’s cheaper, it may seem like a great idea at first, and will work out for some RVers. But you may also find that the lower cost means a less outstanding experience. 

One of the bigger drawbacks of tankless water heaters is that they only operate on propane, and they draw a lot of propane when operating. But if you’re at a seasonal site with electrical power, you’re not using that power to heat water, so you’ll have to have propane available. 

That also means that, when the temperatures drop, your RV is also going to demand propane for the furnace, another high-draw appliance, and possibly a stove, as well. The combination of appliances looking to draw propane at a time when less is available due to colder temperatures can mean the appliances just shut down. You can absolutely overdraw your propane system. 

Some tankless water heaters don’t work at higher elevations

Also know that anything with an ignition system uses a balance of fuel and oxygen to achieve a flame. The higher you go in elevation, such as up into the mountains, the less available oxygen you have in the atmosphere. So, some tankless water heaters simply don’t work at elevations of 4,500′ or greater. Propane water heaters can be troublesome here in Albuquerque, where I call home, since we’re at 5,300 feet of elevation. 

Yep, you could say I’ve got my head in the clouds, and the air is thin up here, which may explain some of what I write about… Lack of oxygen to the brain. 

Yes, you can re-jet them to operate at that elevation. But if you’re only visiting, this is a lot of work when a simple propane/electric water heater would have operated just fine on electric power. 

Oh, and speaking of simple. A tankless water heater has a bunch of components in it that are more complicated, including that aforementioned flow-measuring system. The more complicated things are, the more there is to go wrong. 

Tankless water heaters are also not so great with short bursts of demand, such as Navy showers or hand washing or even dish washing. They have to cycle up every time you turn on the hot tap and then cycle back off. 

This also means that you’re likely using more water to just get the darned water heater to cooperate. So, tankless water heaters are less than ideal if you enjoy boondocking. 

What can you do

There are still RV companies using tank-style water heaters, although there are fewer doing so just because of the cost. If your RV did not come with a tank-style water heater, it’s not that simple to replace the water heater because you’ll need to run a 120VAC line to the water heater to operate the electric side. 

But you can also let your voice be heard. If you did buy an RV with a tankless water heater and you don’t like it, let the RV manufacturer know. But, if you do like it, also let them know. The RV industry is very responsive to well-voiced customer feedback, so they may change if customers demand that change. 

(Click to enlarge.)

Lastly, know that the device I’ve been going on about is a water heater, not a hot water heater. If you already had hot water, you wouldn’t need a water heater. 

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Dry-rotted floors in RVs and what it would take to fix them

RV Travel
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Dry-rotted floors in RVs and what it would take to fix them

By Dustin Simpson
Our RV repair shop received the following email from John W. regarding his RV’s dry-rotted floor:

Hello,
We have a Riverside Retro 186R with an area of rot in the subfloor. I know you guys are busy, but you come highly recommended and I would appreciate an estimate for repairs. I can bring the RV to you for an estimate if needed. I’ve included a photo, the rot is in the area marked by green tape.
Thank You, John

Dry-rotted floor

Well, John and others, join me as I sit down with my Service Manager, Zach. In this video, we share our initial thoughts on how extensive the water damage may be in the dry-rotted floor and what it would take to fix it.

This is good information to remember in case this happens to you and your RV. Water damage is common, so if it happens, know how to take care of it before it gets worse!

 

More from Dustin

Join us on YouTube. Read more of Dustin’s articles here.

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‘Boondocker on steroids’ turns 80, is an inspiration to all

RV Travel
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‘Boondocker on steroids’ turns 80, is an inspiration to all

South African explorer Kingsley Holgate has just turned 80 and shows no signs of slowing down. For more than three decades, he has turned adventure into a force for good. He and his team have traveled more than 2.2 million miles across Africa while improving countless lives.

In our part of the world, North America, Holgate might be called a “boondocker on steroids.” He’s that and much more.

His RV has been a series of Land Rover Defenders, which he notes are more than just transport, but lifelines and second homes.

He has often been called the most traveled man in Africa, having led more than 40 expeditions through all 54 countries on the continent. But the real story isn’t the miles, it’s the mission: using exploration to deliver meaningful aid to people in remote regions.

Since 2000, through the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, Holgate and his team’s work has been remarkable. They have distributed:

  • 481,000+ mosquito nets, protecting an estimated 1.4 million women and children from malaria.
  • 224,000 pairs of reading glasses provided through the “Rite to Sight” program.
  • 36,000 LifeStraw units, supplying more than 63 million liters of safe drinking water.
  • 2.1 million nutritional meals distributed to children in more than 20 rural care centers.
  • Conservation education reaching 750,000 schoolchildren.

Even at 80, Holgate continues leading humanitarian expeditions into underserved regions, bringing practical help and hope to thousands.

Now, as he enters his eighth decade, Kingsley isn’t slowing down. In 2026, the team is neck-deep in the Defender Africa Traverse Expedition, a grueling three-month, west-to-east journey tracking the Tropic of Capricorn from Namibia’s Atlantic coast all the way to Mozambique.

For North American RVers who understand the pull of the open road, his life is a powerful reminder: Travel isn’t just about the journey, it’s about the difference we can make along the way. Kingsley Holgate is an inspiration, for South Africans and RVers and other adventurers throughout the world.

Read more about RVing South Africa, which is where we learned about Kingsley Holgate.

Rising costs push RVers to rethink how they travel

Emily Woodbury
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23
Rising costs push RVers to rethink how they travel

If you’ve been RVing for a long time, you already know how to stretch a dollar. But lately, many of us are pausing before turning the key. Fuel prices are unpredictable and climbing quickly, campground rates are creeping up, and those “quick getaways” don’t feel as inexpensive as they used to.

So what are RVers doing about it?

We’re not quitting just yet. We’re adapting strategically and in new, creative ways.

The ripple effect of high fuel costs

Fuel tends to get the headlines, but it’s really the combination that’s changing RVers’ behavior:

• Fuel costs eating up a larger share of trip budgets
• Campground rates rising, especially in peak season
• Fewer truly “cheap” last-minute options
• Higher costs of food (groceries and eating out) and events
• Add-ons (reservation fees, utilities, premium sites) stacking up

For many RVers, this shift is subtle, but it’s certainly enough to change how we’re planning and organizing upcoming trips.

And for some of you, it’s already affecting decisions in real time: “Yes, it already has! We canceled our 1st prescheduled trip (our normal spring shake-down). Hopefully, the prices drop by May, or we’ll cancel another. 😢” —Wayner

Others are holding steady—for now—but keeping a closer eye on spontaneous travel: “It won’t affect the two two-week trips we already have planned and reserved. It may make us rethink any spur-of-the-moment trips, though.” —Bob

Fewer miles, better trips

One of the biggest changes? Driving less on purpose.

Instead of covering 1,000+ miles on a multi-stop loop, RVers are:

• Choosing closer destinations
• Building trips around one or two locations
• Staying longer instead of hopping every night or two

Not only does this cut fuel costs, but it also often improves the experience. Less packing up = less stress. More time to actually enjoy where you are.

That shift is showing up clearly in how RVers are planning right now: “Yes, it already has us changing ours. We are changing locations and staying longer while traveling. Hoping to cut our mileage down by at least a third.” —robert

The return to slower travel

Slower travel isn’t new, but it’s making a comeback. Veteran RVers are leaning back into what used to be normal:

• Weekly rates instead of nightly stays
• Taking advantage of monthly pricing where possible
• Planning trips around shoulder seasons instead of peak demand

In many cases, staying 5–7 nights can dramatically lower your average nightly cost compared to moving frequently.

It’s not about “budget travel” in the traditional sense; it’s now about being the most efficient.

Campground strategy is getting sharper

Advanced RVers are getting more intentional about where they stay and when.

Some of the smarter moves showing up right now:

Mixing campground types

Instead of staying exclusively in private parks:

• Rotate between public parks, COE, state parks, and private campgrounds
• Use higher-cost parks sparingly (location, convenience), not by default

Booking differently

• Lock in popular spots early to avoid surge pricing
• Or go the opposite route: target less competitive locations last-minute

Being flexible on hookups

• Full hookups aren’t always necessary
• Water/electric or even dry camping can significantly cut costs

For many experienced RVers and those used to booking sites, it’s less about finding the cheapest option and more about avoiding the overpriced ones.

Fuel strategy: small changes, real savings

No one expects to “beat” fuel prices. But small adjustments are adding up:

• Slowing down—fuel economy drops fast at higher speeds
• Planning routes with fewer backtracks or detours
• Timing fill-ups in lower-cost regions
• Avoiding unnecessary day trips once parked

None of this is groundbreaking, sure, but together it can make a noticeable difference over a full season.

Boondocking isn’t just for the hardcore anymore

More RVers are revisiting the idea of off-grid camping, even if they never have before. Not full-time, not extreme, just selectively:

• A few nights between paid stays
• Using it to offset high-cost areas
• Taking advantage of upgraded solar and battery setups

Even occasional boondocking can significantly reduce overall trip costs without changing your lifestyle too much.

The mindset shift: value over volume

Here’s the real change: Many longtime RVers are moving away from, “How much ground can we cover?” …to, “How much value can we get from this trip?” That might mean:

• One memorable location instead of five rushed ones
• A scenic state park instead of a crowded resort
• Fewer miles—but better days

Of course, not everyone is changing course. Some RVers are doubling down on the reason they started traveling in the first place.

“We are not changing our plans in the least. Our attitude is instead of miles per gallon that our 2017 LTV Serenity Now! gets, it’s SMILES per gallon (plus she gets better mileage than my Rubicon…). Making memories always trumps sitting at home every time. Carpe Diem!” —Steve H.

What this means going forward

If costs stay where they are—or climb further—this kind of travel will likely become the norm for experienced RVers. Not because it has to… but because it actually works better.

Less driving. Smarter planning. Longer stays. Better experiences.

And maybe, in a roundabout way, this shift is bringing RVing back to what it was always supposed to be: slower, simpler, and a little more intentional.

What about you?

Have rising fuel and campground costs changed how you plan your trips—or are you sticking to your usual routine? Please leave a comment below and tell us what changes or adjustments you’ve made to your 2026 travel plans.

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Change load range on tires to prevent ‘blowouts’?

Roger Marble
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5
Change load range on tires to prevent ‘blowouts’?

I recently read a post on an RV forum from a guy who said he wanted to prevent “blowouts,” so he was switching from ST 235/80R16 LR-E to LR-G tires. However, he would continue to run the 80 psi specified for his RV, because his wheels were only rated for 80 psi.

I pointed out that load capacity was a function of tire inflation and NOT a function of the tire construction material.

He also said that he had “tested” an LR-G tire by “sitting” on an unmounted tire. He said that the LR-G tire was clearly stiffer than his LR-E tires. I pointed out that solid rubber forklift tires were very stiff but certainly would not be appropriate for his RV.

Causes of tire blowouts

Tire blowouts are primarily the result of tire overload and underinflation. So, in my professional opinion as a tire design engineer and forensic expert with 45+ years of experience, the best defense against a tire “blowout” is running a TPMS that is properly programmed and tested each year.

Also important is checking the actual load you are placing on your tires by getting individual tire load numbers on a truck scale. This isn’t always easy, but if you are pushing the load limit, getting the facts becomes more important than just pushing on the tire sidewall.

The original poster is doing one thing correctly, and that is ensuring he is not exceeding the max inflation and load rating of his wheels.

Roger Marble

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If you have tire questions, check out Roger’s posts in the Maintenance section of RVtravel.com. There are hundreds of posts covering everything to do with tires.

If you still have a question for Roger after searching the above posts, send your inquiries to him using the form below.

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The simple fix for a rocking RV

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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9
The simple fix for a rocking RV

It doesn’t take much to make a parked RV feel like it’s floating. Even with RV wheel chocks in place, that slow rocking can still show up.

Somebody walks from the kitchen to the bedroom. A gust of wind hits the sidewall. Maybe you just shift your weight in the recliner. And there it is—that subtle, slightly annoying motion that makes you wonder if something’s not quite right. Is it in your head—or your feet? Most folks assume it’s a leveling issue. Fair guess. But often, the rig is level.

What’s missing is control of the one kind of movement that leveling doesn’t really handle: that gentle forward-and-back creep in the tires.

What’s actually moving under you

Even when your trailer looks perfectly planted, the tires can still shift just a bit. It could be a little give in the suspension, a touch of soft ground, or just the natural play between tandem wheels.

That motion travels through the frame, and you feel it inside as that familiar wiggle.

Leveling jacks and blocks aren’t built to stop that. They’re doing their job just fine. They’re just not meant to handle this particular kind of movement.

The chock most RVers know—and the one many don’t

Wedge chocks keep you from rolling away. Like these from Securityman on Amazon.

Most of us start with the basic wedge chock. You kick it under the tire, maybe front and back, and call it good. And, to be fair, those do exactly what they’re supposed to do: keep the rig from rolling.

But they don’t do much once you’re already parked.

Between-tire chocks help to stabilize, like this one from Gickbuses on Amazon.

That’s where the other style of RV wheel chocks come in—the kind that fits between tandem tires and presses them apart. Instead of stopping the tire from rolling, it stops the small amount of movement between the two tires. There can be a bit of play between tires and the suspension, and that can give you those queasy feelings.

It’s a small difference in concept. Big difference in how the RV feels.

The first time you use them, you may notice it right away. That “walking around inside a rowboat” feeling settles down. The floor feels firmer. The whole rig just feels planted.

“If these work so well, why bother with wedge chocks?”

Fair question—and one a lot of folks ask after that first solid-feeling setup.

It comes down to this: They’re solving different problems.

Between-the-wheel chocks tighten things up by locking the tires against each other. That’s what gets rid of the rocking. But they don’t actually anchor the RV in place.

On level pavement, you might not notice. Everything feels solid. But introduce even a slight slope, maybe a little gravel or desert dirt, and the whole rig can still creep. Slowly, silently, but just enough to matter.

And when it does, the between-the-wheel chock goes right along with it.

That’s where wedge chocks still earn their keep. They’re what stop the RV from rolling in the first place.

“Do I really need to chock both sides?”

Another fair question—and another place where people tend to cut a corner.

If you’re on flat, hard ground, chocking one side will often seem to work just fine. The rig isn’t trying to move, so nothing does.

But that’s the catch. It works when nothing is pushing against it.

Add a slight slope, a bit of settling, or just people moving around inside, and the weight of the trailer starts working in one direction. With chocks on only one side, you’re relying on a single point of contact to hold everything in place.

Most of the time, that just means a little creep. Maybe things feel slightly different a few hours later. Maybe your setup isn’t quite as tight as it was.

Chocking both sides takes that variable out of play. It spreads the load, keeps things centered, and helps the rig stay where you put it.

Our own experience with the “chock the one side, it’ll be OK,” proved to be a bit of folly that nearly frightened us to death. We’d chocked the one side, unhitched, and as the “camp set up man” was taking care of the outside details, the trailer tried a madcap runaway down a slope. It didn’t get far, just a couple of feet on one side, but enough to give the inside woman a near heart attack. No more! Both sides go into lockdown for us now.

Picking what works without overthinking it

This doesn’t need to turn into a gear obsession.

If you have a single-axle trailer, wedge chocks are your only option. But with tandem axles, adding between-the-wheel chocks can make a noticeable difference in how the rig feels.

With RV wheel chocks, fit matters more than brand. You want something snug between the tires—not forced, not sloppy.

And if you spend time on softer ground, say, desert sites, gravel lots, places where things shift, a solid base under the tires makes everything else work better.

So how much difference does it really make?

It’s not magic. Your RV won’t suddenly feel like it’s poured in concrete. But it will feel more settled. Less sway when someone walks through. Less of that subtle shifting that keeps reminding you you’re not quite as stable as you’d like to be.

For a simple piece of gear, it’s one of those upgrades you notice every day.

A simple setup that just works

For most tandem-axle trailers, a straightforward approach does the trick. Use wedge chocks on both sides to keep the rig from rolling. Then add a locking chock between the tires on each side to take out the movement. That combination handles both jobs—safety and comfort—without much fuss.

Our new triple-axle destination trailer is solidly fixed with two wedge chocks on each side. A little more costly, but it’s a lot more stable.

Bottom line

RV wheel chocks don’t get much attention. They’re not flashy, and nobody brags about them around the campfire. But when your RV stops rocking every time someone walks across the floor, you’ll notice.

And once you do, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

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Man gets jail-time for leaving Yellowstone boardwalk

RV Travel
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Man gets jail-time for leaving Yellowstone boardwalk

The U.S. Attorney’s Office recently announced that a Texas man was sentenced after pleading guilty to walking off the designated boardwalk in a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park.

A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says that Eric Bedient, 50, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced to five days’ incarceration on March 31 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick.

According to court documents, Bedient left the boardwalk and walked directly on several fragile and dangerous hydrothermal features in the Mammoth Hot Springs area.

Those features included Canary Spring, Mound Terrace, Palette Hot Spring and Jupiter Terrace.

The release states that the sentence reflects the extensive nature of the violation, the damage Bedient’s footprints left behind and his failure to educate himself about Yellowstone National Park’s regulations.

“Yellowstone’s thermal areas are among the most dangerous natural features in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “Mr. Bedient’s disregard for the law could have cost him his life. Prosecuting crimes like this deters others from similar conduct—and from risking becoming thermal soup. We will continue to hold individuals accountable to protect lives and preserve this unique, irreplaceable landscape when their actions threaten these national treasures for future generations.”

The crime was investigated by Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.

For travelers planning to visit Yellowstone this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds the public to stay safe and adhere to all park regulations. In particular: Stay on boardwalks.

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Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: New TPMS standard, smart trailer concerns, Battle Born update

Tony Barthel
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22
Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: New TPMS standard, smart trailer concerns, Battle Born update

Big news—Tire Pressure Monitoring to become standard

If you read my RV reviews here or anywhere, you know that I feel that any towable RV should absolutely have a tire pressure monitoring system. Often, I’ve read about people happily motoring down the highway while a frantic driver pulls up next to them to let them know that the tire on their travel trailer has given up the ghost. 

If you’re driving along and you don’t know that you have a problem, you still have a problem. However, if a tire blows on your towable RV and you find out because you lose control, you have a bigger problem. 

Tire pressure monitoring systems typically warn you of low tire pressure, but many of these systems also warn you if one tire is much hotter than the rest. This can indicate a bad bearing or a failing tire. It’s always better to know about trouble before it becomes troublesome. 

So I was thrilled to learn that the RV Industry Association has set a new standard that all towable RVs have tire pressure monitoring systems beginning in 2028. 

Rather than establish a single, uniform enforcement date applicable to the entire industry, the Standards Steering Committee and the Standards and Inspection Departments agree that having each manufacturer implement TPMS installation at the start of their respective model year 2028 production process will ensure that all units in that model year are so equipped. 

By monitoring VIN numbers during inspections and engaging in clear communications with manufacturer members on model year changeovers, RVIA inspectors will be able to accurately review compliance with the program requirement during normal inspection visits in 2027. 

TPMS will be standard in 2028 towable RVs

The English translation for this corporate gobbledygook is that you’ll see TPM systems standard in 2028 towable RVs. 

Now, do know that there is no standard for these. TPM systems can be simply mounted on the valve stems of tires, and they can be mounted on bands inside the tires on the actual wheels. As with any system or technology, there are good and bad versions. 

The best systems tend to be banded systems, which also measure temperature. But these also tend to be more expensive, so you can guess that some RVs will get these, but most RVs likely won’t. 

Having a banded TPMS is one of the many reasons I chose the trailer that I did, but you can guess it’s not a Coleman from Camping World. I’m always disappointed in towable RV manufacturers who don’t put a TPMS as standard, but I’m also not surprised.

Again, when we demand better, the RV industry is happy to oblige. But if price is the principal thing we use to choose, we get the Coleman from Camping World, which is the best-selling brand of towable RVs. You can read my thoughts on this here. 

Clearly, a lot of buyers should be reading RVtravel.com! Please tell a friend. 

TST tire pressure monitor that came with my Rockwood trailer

Yeah, but will anybody buy those fancy smart trailers? 

Something I’ve said and written many times is that the RV industry is absolutely ripe for foreign competition to come in, just as the domestic auto industry was in the late 1970s. There are so very many complaints from owners and prospects about RV quality, we have spotty availability of service, and an industry advocate that brags about quashing consumer-facing legislation. 

I also wrote about the Chinese, in particular, with things like the Pebble Flow, Evotrex, Lightship, Aboard RV, and now the Skydream. They all have one thing in common: A lot of overcapacity of Chinese EV components are packaged in a travel trailer with the hopes that you’ll want one. 

When Detroit was challenged by the imports, they were cheaper, more efficient, and better made than what we had here. These simple, very affordable, and remarkably efficient cars were a direct affront to what Detroit was up to. 

These new, smarter trailers, too, are very different than what Elkhart is up to. But I’m not so sure they’re answering a question anybody is asking. My concern is that, when these companies go bust, their proprietary tech is going to become unserviceable. Now you have a very expensive paperweight in the driveway. 

I’ve already written that the RV industry seriously needs a grumpy old guy consultant. These whizz-bang models are further proof of that. 

This RV is Tony Certified

Wow, Escapees is hugerer

A recent news release announced that Escapees has reached an estimated 160,000 members. 

“This milestone is a testament to the strength of the Escapees community and the shared spirit of adventure that brings RVers together,” said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. “For nearly 50 years, Escapees has been dedicated to helping people explore with confidence. We’re committing to continuing Kay and Joe Peterson’s mission. We’re really happy that the club has grown to support more than 100,000 RVers on their journeys.”

Escapees was acquired by Joel Holland and the Harvest Hosts team, which has a strong marketing background. While there have been complaints from some as Escapees transitions to new ownership, there has also been growth through leveraging various membership packages. 

These RV clubs can be a great resource for RVers, especially those who participate in the gatherings and events. 

Starlink standby mode
An RVer checks a Starlink account while traveling, only to find that reactivating service may come with higher costs in high-demand areas.

Starlink is a moving target

If you haven’t read it, Russ and Tiña De Maris shared how some folks renewing their Starlink service have seen a capacity surcharge for turning their service back on. There was also a video about this from the Mobile Internet Resource Center. 

If you don’t follow the news, know that Starlink has become very popular as one of the best internet solutions for RVers (we all gotta get our RVtravel.com fix!!), with almost no competition for some. 

The service was originally intended to enable people living in remote areas to have service. But now lots of you city folk are getting it, too, and the number of available slots in any given area is filling up in some cases. Hence, ol’ Elon is hitting you with a fee if you want to rejoin the party after parking your service.  

There has been more noise from Amazon about their impending satellite-based internet service, but we’re still a ways off. 

Unfortunately, Starlink’s head cheese is someone who likes to change his mind and does so without notice. Do know that I found cell-based internet very effective with my own Winegard system, but that doesn’t mean I have kicked Elon to the curb totally. Just yet. 

More about Battle Born

Lastly, the Battle Born brand may have a deeper meaning. Our friend Mike Sokol interviewed Dr. Denis Phares from Dragonfly Energy, the overlords of the Battle Born brand, regarding videos about their product’s challenges. 

Will Prowse, whose YouTube channel sparked the controversy after testing some followers’ batteries as reported here, has fired back in this video. 

So what should you do? There are many good brands of less-expensive RV batteries nowadays, many of which have been put to the test on Prowse’s channel. I think there are enough choices that you can avoid the controversy altogether and save a bunch of money in the process. 

To see all recent news for RVers, click here. 

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Would you support surcharges for out-of-state or foreign campers at busy parks?

RV Travel
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48
Would you support surcharges for out-of-state or foreign campers at busy parks?

You finally snag a campsite at a popular park. After weeks—maybe months—of trying, you’re in. You pull in, get set up, and take a look around. The campground is full. Really full. And it makes you wonder… who’s getting these sites, and is there a better way to manage the demand?

That question is popping up more lately, especially after British Columbia introduced new surcharges for out-of-province and foreign campers at some of its busiest parks. If demand is sky-high and locals are struggling to get reservations, should non-residents pay a little more?

Supporters say it makes sense. Locals already help fund these parks through taxes, and when sites are scarce, giving them a bit of an edge—or at least charging outsiders more—could help balance things out. It might also help manage overcrowding and bring in extra funds for maintenance.

But not everyone agrees. RVers, more than most, know that travel doesn’t stop at state or national borders. Many worry that fees like this could set a precedent, making it more expensive (and complicated) to explore beyond your home turf. After all, today it’s one province or state—tomorrow it could be everywhere.

So what do you think? Would you support surcharges for out-of-state or foreign campers at busy parks? Vote in the poll below, and, as always, feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts. Thank you!

MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

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Review: 2026 Winnebago Navion 24T— on our ‘downsize RV’ list of options

Gail Marsh
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Review: 2026 Winnebago Navion 24T— on our ‘downsize RV’ list of options

My husband and I have been thinking about “downsizing” our RV. So, I was excited to see the 2026 Winnebago Navion 24T for myself.

This is a Class C diesel motorhome with one slide-out. Changing to this RV would mean downsizing from our current 40-foot fifth wheel with three slides. Could we make this work? (Gulp!)

Why downsize?

We’ve been so happy with our fifth wheel. It’s served us well. The big, honkin’ dually 350? That’s a different story. While it easily pulls the RV wherever we choose to roam, getting in and out of the truck and attaching the fifth wheel is becoming more and more challenging. In addition, our big rig prohibits us from staying in some parks.

I figured, why not have a little look-see, right? Now that our work camping days are ending, a smaller RV may suit us better than a large truck and rig.

Behind the walls

Underneath the polished interior, the Navion 24T rides on a Mercedes-Benz RWD Sprinter chassis. It features a 2.0L high-output turbo-diesel engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission. You’ll find a convenient, heated gear garage with an L-track cargo tie-down system.

Winnebago includes a 320-amp-hour Lithionics lithium battery, a 2,000-watt inverter, solar charging, heated holding systems, and hydraulic leveling jacks.

Key specs

  • Exterior length: 25’8″
  • Exterior height: 10’7″
  • Exterior width: 7’6.25″
  • Exterior storage: 80.9 cu. ft.
  • Awning length: 16′
  • Interior height: 6’8″
  • Interior width: 7’3″
  • Freshwater capacity: 35 gal.
  • Black tank capacity: 47 gal.
  • Gray tank capacity: 46 gal.
  • Fuel capacity: 24.5 gal.
  • Wheelbase: 170 in.
  • Starting price: $245,000
Screenshot
Winnebago Navion 24T (Click to enlarge.)

Interior and living space

Stepping into Winnebago’s 2026 Navion 24T, I was surprised at how large it felt. (Well, not exactly “large” in comparison to our current fifth wheel, but still larger than I expected.)

The slide-out opens up the living area into a comfortable space. The light tones on the walls and upholstery, along with a large window, keep the space feeling light and bright.

Living/dining/sleeping

I immediately noticed the fold-down dining table/desk, along with the sleek overhead storage bays. Dual recliners with a flip-up center console sat comfortably and featured cup holders and tray tables, which we like.

The 32-inch LED HDTV is positioned directly across from the seating for easy viewing. The entertainment center also features a JBL Bluetooth soundbar, multiple charging ports, and Winnebago Connect with a 10-inch touchscreen.

For sleeping, a Murphy bed offers Winnebago’s WinnSleep system that folds out into a 60” x 75” bed. Reading lights and charging ports are also available. The bed looked to be accessible even with the slide retracted, so that’s a plus.

ViewintMurply

Kitchen

The Navion 24T kitchen features a two-burner induction and LP range cooktop. We like the flexible fuel choice Winnebago made available in this RV. There’s an over-the-range microwave/convection oven and a 10.0 cu. ft. 12V refrigerator/freezer. In addition, you’ll find two pop-up outlets that include charging ports.

While appliances were good choices, there isn’t much countertop prep space. You might use the stainless sink when it’s covered, and the flip-up counter extension adds a little bit of extra meal prep surface. Overall, there is extremely limited prep space—a serious drawback in this coach. (At least for me.)

I was happy to discover all of the kitchen storage available. The kitchen area houses a pantry, lighted soft-close drawers, and cupboard storage for pans and other cooking equipment and utensils.

Kitchen

Bath

The bathroom was more residential than I expected for a coach this size. Positioned at the back of the Navion 24T, the bath provides a sliding door for privacy and a porcelain toilet with adequate accessibility.

The 30″ x 34″ shower has a built-in seat, but the seat takes up too much space in a shower of this size. The shower skylight brings in natural light, which makes the rear bath feel spacious, even though the sink is quite small and the countertop is at a premium. I did appreciate the robe hooks.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a full-width wardrobe cabinet in this area of the coach.  The wardrobe features sliding doors, two drawers, and three shelves for linens and clothing. It’s a definite plus!

Video

You can take a quick walk through with this video.

Overall take

The 2026 Winnebago Navion 24T Class C makes a lot of sense for travelers who want comforts without jumping to a bigger rig. For us? Well, we’ll see.

What are your takeaways from Winnebago’s Navion 24T? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

To learn more about the 2026 Winnebago View/Navion 24T Class C, click here.

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Honda camper trailer concept still moving forward despite EV delays

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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3
Honda camper trailer concept still moving forward despite EV delays

The Honda camper trailer idea didn’t fade away when the company hit the brakes on parts of its electric vehicle rollout. If anything, the latest reporting suggests the opposite—that Honda is still serious about the concept, even if the original plan around it has shifted.

That’s worth paying attention to, especially if you remember our earlier look at this idea in Honda makes cars, generators—testing RV waters. Back then, it felt like Honda was dipping a toe into the RV space. Now, it looks more like they’ve kept that toe in the water, and may be wading a little deeper.

What’s changed isn’t the camper itself so much as the vehicle it was meant to follow. The trailer was originally designed to pair with Honda’s upcoming EV lineup, built around the idea of a lightweight, efficient rig that an electric SUV could realistically tow. When those EV plans started to wobble, it raised a fair question: Does the camper still make sense without them?

Apparently, Honda thinks it does.

A different kind of small trailer

At the center of all this is Honda’s “Base Station” concept, and it doesn’t look or behave much like the small travel trailers most RVers are used to. Instead of a fixed layout and a long list of options, Honda went in a different direction—modular, lightweight, and adaptable.

The weight is what jumps out first. The target is roughly 1,500 pounds or less, which puts it within reach of a whole range of tow vehicles that normally wouldn’t be in the RV conversation. Think compact SUVs, crossovers, and, yes, eventually EVs, if and when those towing ratings catch up. That alone opens the door for people who’ve never considered RVing simply because they didn’t want, or couldn’t justify, a truck.

Inside, Honda took a similarly flexible approach. Panels can be swapped out depending on how you want to use the space. One setup might emphasize sleeping and storage, another cooking, another something closer to a mobile workspace. It’s not the traditional “pick a floorplan and live with it” model. It’s more like configuring the trailer to fit how you camp.

Then there’s the power side of things, which is where Honda’s background really shows. The concept leans on battery storage, solar, and generator compatibility in a way that feels familiar to anyone who’s wrestled with keeping an RV powered off-grid. Honda isn’t guessing here. It’s building around something it already knows.

The EV connection—and why it’s not a deal-breaker

Originally, the story was simple: electric SUV plus ultra-light camper equals a new kind of RV setup. Clean, quiet, efficient. It made sense on paper, and it still does.

But even with the EV timeline getting pushed around, the camper doesn’t lose its footing. In fact, you could argue it becomes more relevant, not less. A lightweight trailer that can be towed by smaller gas vehicles still answers a problem a lot of RVers are trying to solve right now: How to camp without stepping up to a bigger, thirstier tow rig.

That’s especially true when fuel prices keep shooting up. Every pound matters when you’re towing, and a trailer in this weight class changes the math in a hurry.

So while the EV tie-in helped shape the idea, it isn’t what makes the idea work. The appeal stands on its own.

What this could mean for RVers

Step back from the prototype for a minute and look at the bigger picture, and you start to see why this matters.

Honda isn’t an RV builder, at least not in the traditional sense. When a company like that shows up with a concept, it tends to question assumptions the rest of the industry has been working with for years. In this case, those assumptions revolve around weight, layout, and how power is handled.

A sub-1,500-pound trailer isn’t just a spec—it’s a signal. It says you don’t need a half-ton truck to get into RVing. A modular interior says maybe you don’t have to lock yourself into one way of using your rig. And a power system built around batteries and solar says the generator might not have to carry the whole load anymore.

None of those ideas are brand new on their own. But seeing them packaged together by a major automaker gives them a different kind of weight.

And it lines up neatly with what we saw in that earlier RV Travel piece. Honda wasn’t just experimenting for the sake of it. They were looking at how their existing strengths—engines, generators, compact design—could translate into the RV world. That thread hasn’t gone away.

Will it actually hit the market?

That’s still the unanswered question, and it’s a big one. Honda continues to describe the Base Station as a concept, and there’s no firm production timeline on the table.

At the same time, the fact that it keeps resurfacing, even now after the EV plans around it have shifted, suggests it hasn’t been shelved. If anything, it looks like something Honda is still actively thinking through rather than quietly walking away from.

Pricing, if it ever arrives, will matter just as much as the concept itself. If this lands anywhere in that mid-range price band people are speculating about, it could carve out a niche. Price it too high, and it becomes a curiosity. Price it right, and it could pull in a whole new group of campers.

The takeaway

Even if this exact Honda camper trailer never shows up on a dealer lot, it’s hard to ignore what it represents.

The industry has been inching toward lighter, more efficient, more flexible rigs for a while now. Honda’s concept just pushes that idea a little further—and does it in a way that’s easy to understand if you’ve ever wished your current setup were a bit simpler, a bit lighter, or a bit more adaptable.

So, no, the camper isn’t dead. Not by a long shot.

And for RVers, that means the ideas behind it are still very much in play.

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