RV News: MDC USA Reveals Rugged New Trailer, Off Highway Vans Upgrades 2027 Models, and More

Friday is here at last, but before we head off into the weekend, it’s time for our weekly RV news roundup. Here are the biggest stories from the past week:

• MDC USA Unveils Amazing New Off-Road Travel Trailer: We’re big fans of MDC USA, which builds some of the most impressive off-road trailers we’ve ever seen. This week, the company took things up a notch with the reveal of the all-new XT22HRT Off-Grid Extreme model. This 22′ rig is the largest in the MDC line-up, giving it a spacious interior that includes a 43″ smart TV, a Dometic 60L fridge, and plenty of other amenities. And for those looking to get away from the crowds, the trailer comes with a 1500Ah lithium battery pack, 1400W of roof-mounted solar—expandable to 2000W with plug-in panels—and a 93-gallon fresh water tank. Add in dual-zone heating and cooling, and owners are set to conquer the elements. Check it out here. 

• Off Highway Van Reveals 2027 Lineup: Another RV manufacturer revealed its model-year 2027 catalog this week; this time it was Off Highway Van. The Utah-based company builds rugged and adventurous Class B models, with its Doc Holiday rig seeing some nice upgrades for the coming year. Those include a new layout for the van’s galley kitchen with more onboard storage, a larger north-south bed, a larger freshwater tank, and as many as three distinct sleeping areas, including an optional two-person rooftop loft. Visit the company’s website for more details.

• Awaken RV Joins Forces with Baymont Composites to Ramp Up Manufacturing: One of the more interesting new RV brands to break cover in the past year is Awaken RV. The company is building sleek and modern fiberglass towables built for durability over the long haul. This week, it announced that it is working with Baymont Composites to ramp up production in order to meet increasing demand. The goal is to get more Awaken travel trailers out to customers in a more timely fashion. RV Business has the details here. 

• Overland Expo East Happening This Weekend: If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and live near Arrington, VA, why not drop by Overland Expo East? The epic gathering starts today, Friday, October 23 and runs through Sunday, October 25, with plenty to see and do. Over 400 exhibitors will be on hand, showing off the latest gear, vehicle upgrades, and must-have paraphernalia to get you off-road and off-grid. You’ll also get to chat with vehicle manufacturers and see some amazing builds. Get the lowdown here. 

• Freightliner Announces New Gas-Powered Chassis: Freightliner has been one of the key suppliers of diesel chassis for RV manufacturers for years, but until now, it hasn’t produced a gas model. This week, the company announced that it has addressed this missing element from its product portfolio, with the new gas-powered platform officially going into production in January 2028. At the core of this chassis is a 6.6L General Motors engine, along with several RV-specific enhancements co-developed with Roush Power Systems. RV News has the full details here. 

• Horizon Global Renters Towing Market: After stepping out of the towing accessories market last year, Horizon Global announced that it will start shipping new products in that space later this fall. The company owns several towing brands—including Reese, Draw-Tite, Bulldog, and Fulton—and expects to ramp up production in the coming weeks. The goal is to deliver reliable products to customers and reinvest in these proven brands. Learn more here. 

• Yellowstone National Park Gets Historic $105 Million Donation, But There’s a Catch: The world’s first national park received a major donation this week, although the donor is raising some eyebrows. This week, officials from Yellowstone National Park announced that a Colorado-based company called Tallgrass is donating $105 million to create a conservation and stewardship fund to protect the park moving forward. The money will also go toward creating a $35 million visitor center and address ongoing budget shortfalls for maintenance. But Tallgrass isn’t without controversy, as it is owned by a private equity firm called Blackstone, which is investing in data centers across the country, including near Cheyenne, WY. For reference, 93% of Yellowstone falls inside Wyoming. For more details, click here.

That’s all for now. Swing back by next Friday for another rundown of the latest news from the RV and camping industry.