The RVing News

Falling asleep to the sounds of a bubbling creek or ocean waves is one of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep, but we’ve never actually camped on the water. That could change with the Shoal Tent, an inflatable floating raft that comes with a tent topper. The Shoal Tent by Smith Fly floats on water and retails for  $1,499 .  All photos courtesy of Smith Fly Built to let water lovers camp on ponds, spring creeks, or eddies on calm rivers, the Shoal Tent uses a raft body with three air chambers and a six-inch high pressure floor that doubles as an air mattress. Like other inflatable tents, there aren’t any tent poles. Instead, campers inflate the tent with a floor pump—you could also use an air compressor—and secure the heavy-duty topper to the raft with hooks and loop closures. Zippered window and door panels are similar to other normal tents, the inflated tent provides about 6’3” of headspace, and you can squeeze up to four people in its eight by eight footprint. Made by Smith Fly

If you’re looking to camp with the whole family but don’t want to shell out serious cash for the largest luxury RV, consider a simpler solution like this wooden trailer from Homegrown Trailers. The Timberline trailer from Homegrown Trailers.  All photos courtesy of Homegrown Trailers. We first reported on Homegrown Trailers back in 2016 when they were on Kickstarter and only had a prototype. Now the Seattle-based company has unveiled a larger model that could work as a camper or even as a backyard tiny home. The Timberline’s gorgeous sustainably-sourced wooden exterior is reminiscent of the classic teardrop shape, and the camper features an inviting, large wooden door and three windows. It’s also eco-conscious. The Timberline uses recycled plastics, a composting toilet that requires no chemicals, and energy efficient lighting. Inside, two bunkbeds and a double bed claim to offer space for six—although four people looks more feasible if you value space. A full sink, plenty of counter sp

The Mercedes G 320 CDI MJ 2007 from Germany-based Orange Work.  All photos courtesy of Orange Work The world of fancy, custom-built adventure rigs just keeps getting more impressive, with outdoor lovers paying top dollar for the mobile home of their dreams. And while the latest one to catch our eye can’t hide a sports car or spin like some motorhomes, it’s still quite striking. Made by custom truck builder Orange Work in Germany, the Mercedes Orange Work Lennson 3C Camper has been making the rounds thanks to its bright yellow color and jaw-dropping price tag. The 220-horsepower overlander will cost you $420,000. Yup, this thing goes for as much as a house in most parts of the country. The camper boasts permanent four-wheel-drive, a three-liter turbo diesel V-6 engine, 18-inch ground clearance, and a suspension that can take you anywhere you want to go. Inside, there’s 6’3” of headroom, a shower, two-burner gas range, a fridge and freezer, and plenty of water tanks. The walnut veneer ta

Peruse any camper or RV show and you’ll see a lot of over-the-top amenities. Some campers can expand to three times their size while others are packed full of creature comforts. But many of these campers and trailers lack a key component for adventurers: toy storage. The inTech RV XLT Flyer Adventure Trailer features side sleeping tents so you can haul more gear.  All photos courtesy of inTech RV For people who love mountain bikes, ATVs, or motorcycles, most RVs don’t fit the bill. That’s not the case with the inTech RV XLT Flyer Adventure Trailer. Unlike other campers that prioritize living space, this trailer is built to haul all the gear you could want. The main cabin area can fit a large ATV, several motorcross bikes, or a quiver of burly mountain bikes. There’s a storage and cabinet area in the back, but that’s about it. Up to four people can sleep in one or two full queen tent beds that pop out from either side of the trailer. Although there’s no see-through roof for stargazing o

RV parking is the bane of existence for some RVers. When you plan, you'll have no issues parking at your destination. If you wait until the last second, you'll scramble to find a safe place to park at night. Jordan Siemens/Taxi/Getty Images While there are oddball places you can park if you can't find an RV park to accommodate you, there are ways to reserve parking, so you don't have to worry about it after a long day's drive. Does Every RV Park Reserve Sites? Not every RV park or campground takes reservations. Some National Parks do. Some parks are first come, first served, which means if you aren't there when the gates open, you'll need to look somewhere else. Some parks save a few extra sites for last minute arrivals, charging them a hefty fee to use them at the end of the day. It's best to reserve an RV parking site in advance to avoid more costs or having to find a last-minute place to park. Pro Tip: If you're dry camping or boondocking, check t

Volkswagen—the German automaker founded in 1937—is shaking up the camper and RV industry. Earlier in the year they debuted the I.D. Buzz, an autonomous, all-electric interpretation of the classic minibus that would go 270 miles on one charge. Now, they’ve announced the concept for an app-controlled California XXL camper that boasts a panoramic roof. The Volkswagen California XXL camper.  All photos courtesy of Volkswagen The sleek design takes RV comfort and combines it with adventure van perks, and auto experts say the California XXL is Volkswagen’s answer to converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, Ford Transits, and Ram Promasters. Like the regular California camper van—which isn’t sold in the U.S.—the XXL includes a bed, kitchen, and living area. But extras include a pop-up roof for 7.2 feet of head room, heated floors, and all-wheel drive. The retractable bathroom expands from just under four square feet to eight square feet and functions as a wet room with a sink, shower, and toilet. I