In this weekly roundup, Togo RV shares the top stories and features that are impacting and shaping the RV community. We cover everything from news and travel updates to gear and gadgets, and all the good stuff in between.
Don’t Follow This Viral Advice When Hiking
A viral post is making its rounds on social media saying you should change your voicemail message to alert others if you become lost while hiking. While this might initially sound like a good way to provide details about your situation, experts say this is bad advice. You can’t change your voicemail without having a cell signal. If you have both a signal and a battery, you need to put those tools to use attempting to reach 911 or search and rescue teams. This approach is much more likely to lead to rescue than a voicemail message and a dead cell phone.
Read more from BackpackerThese Chic Vintage Airstreams Are Waiting for You
Where can you find a Christmas-themed adventure park, serene nature views, and vintage Airstreams for glamping? SkyStream Resort in California’s San Bernardino Mountains offers all three. Located next to SkyPark at Santa’s Village, this upscale campground recently opened with six restored 50-year-old Airstreams, which are Instagram-worthy inside and out. Each trailer is glamped out with plush furnishings and amenities. Outside, an attached patio has Adirondack chairs, propane fire pits, and mountain views.
Read more from PatchShould Plastic Water Bottle Sales Be Banned in National Parks?
New legislation aims to ban the sale of single-use plastics in parks, with the goal of reducing trash and pollution. If passed, the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would reinstate a 2011 rule, which led several national parks to sell reusable containers and install water filling stations.
Read more from Backpacker
Get Powered Up With This Solar RV Awning
Imagine rolling out your awning and generating power while you relax at the campground. Xponent Power’s Xpanse awning seeks to innovate RV power by greatly expanding the space available for solar panels. A typical RV roof can hold 500 to 800 watts of solar panels, while the Xpanse provides 1.2 kilowatts. The innovative design allows the panels to roll and move in the breeze, like a traditional awning. This impressive technology comes at a cost, with a starting price of $7,500.
Read more from Car and DriverRVers Break the Traditional Mold
The RV industry is working to make RVing more inclusive—and a recent survey shows some progress. While 85 percent of current RV owners identify as white, 76 percent of new buyers do. The number of Black RV purchasers has doubled in the last 5 years and grown sixfold since 2014. Similar increases are being seen with Asian and Hispanic RV owners.
Read more from RVIAFeatured RV Gear: Make Communications Easier With a Two-Way GMRS Radio
If your adventures take your group outside of cell phone range, a two-way GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) system can be a helpful addition to your travel gear. You can easily communicate with a group of people, no matter your location. Outside Online recommends the Midland MXT 275, which has a 50-mile range and dedicated channels. The built-in NOAA weather station is another great feature, which provides another layer of safety when you’re off the grid.
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