Top RV News: JULY 18, 2024

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Overland Expo Pacific Northwest Attracts 16K Attendees

REDMOND, Ore. – Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, the second in the series of premier U.S. consumer events, continued its momentum with the recent Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, attracting over 16,000 attendees from 45 states and 10 countries.

Four hundred exhibitors participated including: Goose Gear, premium vehicle-based storage solutions since 1952, GRID RACK, known for unique locking grid system for trucks, INEOS Grenadier, a new overland-specific vehicle making its debut from the U.K.; and Rhino-Rack, hailing from Australia, specializing in durable roof racks, bike carriers, kayak carriers, and cargo boxes.

The show reflected the steady growth in participation of adventure travel putting emerging trends front and center including: tech-focused and feature-reach vehicles and motorcycles; accessories bringing the comforts of home to camping on the go; forward-thinking designs for sleeping; and cooking solutions for discerning chefs.

“We are truly an international stage ushering in new brands, providing compelling, inclusive experiences for those new to the overlanding experience while enabling overlanding devotees to share best practices and spend time with friends and family,” said Jessica Kirchner, vice president of consumer events for Emerald, owners of Overland Expo. “Overland Expo not only is a distinct event fostering a passionate community, this event provides an escape from today’s busy, chaotic headlines. It truly is a venue where guests can let their hair down, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, go for a test drive or camp to their heart’s content. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, educators and partners for making this event a tremendous success.”

OEM Showcase: Fleetwood Debuts 2025 Class C ‘Incline’

D’oug Miller, product and brand manager provides a thorough introduction to the 2025 Fleetwood Incline, a new Class C motorhome from the REV Recreation Group motorized brand, in this four-part video series.

Oregon Firm Reimagines Slide Toppers with ‘True Topper’

Slide topper awnings offer a number of benefits including protecting the tops of slide rooms from debris. But they have challenges, too, including flapping in strong winds and being another point of maintenance. Oregon-based Composite Solutions has an alternative that they have installed in many hundreds of RVs called the True Topper.

Rather than trying to cover the slideroom roof, the True Topper eliminates the need for the flange that runs along the roof.? With the flange removed (notorious for collecting debris and snow) the True Topper functions both as a sweep and proper flashing. Debris is pushed over the edge as the True Topper folds down and locks into place when the slideroom is closed.?? But it is more than that as the True Topper’s main construction is of extruded aluminum as are the caps on the ends of the True Topper and the hinge, all of which make-up a significant portion of the True Topper device.

Able to be fitted to the width of almost any slide room, (yes, even if your slideroom has a flange around it) there is more to the True Topper device than meets the eye. As the ridged aluminum acts to push debris off the slide roof, it is followed by a small “bonus wipe” which acts to assist the original factory wipes that are fitted within the header of the slideroom opening.?

Dennis Dame of Composite Solutions development team explains? “Eliminating those floppy awning style slidetoppers while enabling debris, and snow to be shed from the roof has been a real game changer.? The retail/retrofit market has responded overwhelmingly, and our OEM prospects suggest the True Topper is not only is here to stay but is moving to become the industry standard.”

The True Topper was initially fitted to certain Tiffin products at the factory but is now available in the aftermarket. As such the company is seeing a lot of people having True Toppers installed who have towable RVs as well as the traditional motorized RVer. The company has attended a number of larger RV events including FMCA Conventions and plans to offer installations at the huge Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show in 2025.

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