RV Trends & Finds from the Hershey RV Show
Discovering the Best New Gear, Gadgets, and Rigs for RVers
I just spent the weekend at the Hershey RV Show, the largest RV show in America, and it was fantastic! I was there representing my business, Fireside RV Rental, and it was so energizing to reconnect with long-time partners while meeting so many new faces in the RV industry.
For those who don’t know, Fireside RV Rental is an RV rental management franchise with 70 locations across the U.S. and over 500 units under management. Whether you’re looking to try before you buy by renting an RV, earn passive income by renting out your RV, or even launch your own RV rental business.
My husband and I first joined Fireside in 2019 when we opened a franchise in upstate NY. We grew that business to 20 units and six-figure revenue before stepping into the corporate side of Fireside in 2022. Just last week we celebrated our 6-year anniversary on September 10!
Let’s get back to the RV Show…there were so many amazing vendors this year, and I can’t wait to share some of my favorites with you!
Harvest Hosts
If you haven’t checked out Harvest Hosts, it’s one of the best memberships for unique overnight RV stays. With an annual membership, you can enjoy free one-night stays at wineries, breweries, farms, and museums across the country. These are self-contained, boondocking-style spots that give you unforgettable experiences. Harvest Hosts recently acquired Escapees, which means members also now have access to meetups, online training, and more! Get 15% off here.
Liquified
Since my husband is an RV tech, he’s pretty particular about tank treatments and Liquified is hands down his favorite. We even use it in our Fireside rental units. The owners are down-to-earth, and the product actually works. If you want to try it out, here’s a discount: Shop Liquified Use code CAPITAL15 to get 15% off your order!
Grand Design
We’re big fans of Grand Design RVs, our last three rigs have all been theirs (a Reflection, Solitude S-Class, and a Solitude). The quality is unbeatable, and I was blown away by the new floorplans released at Hershey. They now feature extra-large living areas with L-shaped couches, functional kitchens with spice racks, hampers, and even electronic drawers. My favorite model was the new Less Junk, More Journey design with a side patio and huge under-storage big enough for e-bikes. So many thoughtful touches for full time RVers.
Blaupunkt
E-bikes are one of my favorite RV accessories, but my current Lectric bike is so heavy to lift in and out of the camper. That’s why I was excited to connect with Blaupunkt at the show. Their bikes use standard-size tires (so they fit our bike rack), are lightweight, and the battery can be removed to make them even easier to handle. They fold down, and here’s the best part, there’s a little wheel on the bottom so you can roll it when folded. Game changer! Fun fact: Blaupunkt is also known for their speakers, and they even have a Bluetooth speaker designed to fit right in your bike’s water bottle holder.
📍 Worth the Stop
We’re excited that Sunshine Key is part of the Thousand Trails collection, and as members we can stay here for just $20 a night! This spot is truly a gem for families. There’s a fishing pier and marina where, on our last visit, we spotted sharks, manatees, and stingrays swimming by. Evenings are full of fun with outdoor movie nights, games of cornhole, and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, making Sunshine Key well worth the stop on your RV travels! Become a Thousand Trails member and get $155 off of your camping pass here.
🚐 RV Tip of the Week
Our tip this week is brought to you by Mike Sokol from RV Electricity, who we had the chance to meet at the show. Mike emphasized the importance of keeping your connectors and contacts clean to prevent issues caused by dirt, corrosion, and oxidation. These can all degrade connections, create resistance, and ultimately lead to overheating. He recommends using a contact cleaner like DeoxIT D-5, giving your connections a light spritz at least once a season or more frequently if you camp in tough conditions. This simple step is beneficial not only for your RV’s shore power cords but also for the campground pedestals and receptacles, which can often have loose or worn contacts. A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your RV’s electrical system safe and reliable.
🛒 Add to Cart: My Current Faves
Upgrading your camper mattress is essential. After trying two different options, we found that the Coolvie mattress has been the best fit, affordable, firm, and still holding up great after over a year of use.
📚 What I’m Reading
I took a break from my thriller streak to dive into First Time Caller by B.K. Borison. In this romance, a woman’s 12-year-old daughter calls into a radio show seeking dating advice for her mom, and the episode goes viral, leading her to co-host the show in search of a love match. A sweet, easy read with some surprisingly heartfelt moments about relationships. The sequel, And Now Back to You, is set to release in Feb 2026.
📬 Before You Go…
If you enjoyed this week’s edition of Roadtrips & Reading, you’re going to love what I have to offer in The RV Mom’s Club, upgrade to paid now, to get access to a full year for only $40!!!
What’s Included:
🚐 RV Trip Routing & Itineraries
Pre-planned monthly routes with campground recommendations, must-see stops, and activity ideas
Options for both weekend warriors and full-timers
📖 Book Club for RV Moms
A curated monthly book pick (fiction or non-fiction)
Fun extras: themed recipes, decor ideas, or crafts tied to the book
💬 Private Community Access
Community of RVing moms just like you!
Live Q&A and Fireside Chats to talk about life on the road (RV biz, mom life, education, etc.)
Upgrade to Paid to get access to the RV Moms Club (only $40 for a whole year!)