Dragonfly Energy Plants Trees For Earth Day
In recognition of Earth Day this past April, Dragonfly Energy, maker of Battle Born lithium batteries, pledged to plant thousands of trees through a collaboration with the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The company planned to continue its commitment to environmental sustainability by exceeding last year’s planting of 10,000 trees.
The NFF is the official non-profit partner of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and advocates natural solutions for climate change. More than 33.5 million trees have been planted since the tree-planting campaign began in 2018. These efforts help to restore public lands and ensure that forests can continue to sequester carbon dioxide, as America’s forests are the most efficient natural systems for pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Earth Day, celebrated each April, emphasizes the importance of protecting the planet for future generations. In honor of this worldwide celebration, Dragonfly Energy pledged to plant 10 trees for every battery sold during its annual Earth Day sale taking place April 21 through April 25.
For more information about Dragonfly Energy, visit dragonflyenergy.com. For more information about the National Forest Foundation and its Reforestation Program, visit nationalforests.org.
Pickleball: Most Popular New Campground Amenity
The Dyrt camping app reports that pickleball courts were the top amenity added by private campgrounds in 2024.
A recent survey reports that in 2024, private campgrounds added more pickleball courts than Wi-Fi, another popular amenity.
This finding comes from its 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, which explores the latest trends, topics, and figures for the U.S. camping industry.
According to the survey, 17 percent of private campgrounds that added amenities in 2024 chose to install pickleball courts, nearly doubling the second-most-added amenity on the list, Wi-Fi (9.8 percent). Wi-Fi remains the most popular amenity overall, however, and is offered at 71.5 per-cent of all private campgrounds.
Properties were 29 percent more likely to add pickleball courts in 2024 than any other amenity, including swimming pools and hot tubs, dog parks, kayaks/canoes, and bicycles.
The Dyrt’s annual report is compiled from the results of surveys conducted with three groups —members of The Dyrt camper community, a representative sample of U.S. residents, and camping property managers across all 50 states.
2025 Heavy-Duty Ram Trucks Incorporate Updates
Ram Trucks, a division of Stellantis, has made some across-the-board upgrades to its 2025 heavy-duty 2500/3500 pickups. Those changes include reducing the three engine choices in 2024 to two: a 430-horsepower 6.7-liter Cummins high-output turbo-diesel engine, said to be the most powerful on the market, and the 405-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 gasoline engine. Both are coupled to a new intelligent ZF TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission.
For model year 2025, the 2500/3500 Ram trucks offer towing power via a 430-horsepower diesel or a 405-horsepower V-8 gas engine, both paired with a TorqueFlite HD transmission.
Ram 3500 maximum goose-neck and conventional hitch maximum trailer weight ratings for 2025 are 36,610 pounds and 23,000 pounds, respectively.
“Everyone wanted the high-output Cummins. So, we’re now offering it to the entire lineup of our HD pickups,” said Brant Combs, director of Ram North American sales operations for Stellantis. “So, 2025 Ram HD buyers will now be get-ting the boost in performance from the new Cummins and eight-speed TorqueFlite HD transmission, plus refreshed interiors, and significant upgrades to the infotainment and electrical systems.”
The new pickups also sport redesigned grilles and badging.
Combs said that, depending on the trim level, Ram HD buyers will get the benefits of the advanced Uconnect 5 system with a new 14.5-inch touchscreen display, a segment-first 10.25-inch passenger screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a digital rearview mirror, and a dual wireless phone charging pad. Ram HD’s on-board power inverter can produce up to 2.4 kilowatts and features two covered 110-volt outlets located inside the bed.
— Bruce W. Smith
Entegra Diesel Motorhome Production Transitioning To Tiffin
Thor Industries has announced a strategic partnership between its Jayco Inc. and Tiffin Motorhomes entities whereby production of Entegra Coach Class A diesel motorhomes will transition from Jayco to Tiffin at its facilities in Red Bay, Alabama. According to a company press release, this move allows Jayco to expand production capacity while ensuring that Entegra customers continue to receive the quality and attention to detail that they expect from an Entegra Coach unit.
“We’re confident that the Tiffin team understands the high standards our Entegra Coach customers expect,” said Ken Walters, Jayco president. “Tiffin’s long-standing commitment to quality and integrity makes them the ideal partner for this next chapter of Entegra.”
Bob Martin, Thor CEO and president, explained that the integration optimizes production at Tiffin where Class A diesels will comprise a greater percentage of its product offering. “As we look ahead, rapidly evolving requirements for the Class A diesel segment will require focused engineering and craftsmanship that Tiffin can provide for the Entegra brand.”
Jayco will continue to produce 2026 Entegra Coach diesel Class A motorhomes through the end of the 2025 calendar year; these models are Cornerstone, Anthem, Aspire, and Reatta. Jayco will provide customer service, parts, and warranty experience for all Jayco-built Entegra Coach products. As part of its long-term product strategy, Tiffin will begin manufacturing successor products in calendar year 2026, integrating select Entegra Coach product names and design elements into its model year 2027 Class A lineup. These motorhomes will be marketed exclusively as Tiffin products. Service and warranty for all Tiffin-built motorhomes will be handled by Tiffin.
All Entegra Coach Class C, Class B, and gas Class A motorhomes will continue to be produced, serviced, and warrantied by Jayco.
Thor Industries Realignment Moves Heartland RVs To Jayco
In March 2025, Thor Industries announced a restructuring of its brand portfolio, which moves the Heartland brand name under control of Jayco Inc.
“Our goal is to foster a more seamless operational framework that allows us to operate more efficiently and more effectively in the evolving U.S. market,” commented Bob Martin, Thor Industries president and CEO.
As part of the restructuring, Heartland’s private label brands will be transferred to Dutchmen Manufacturing. Dutchmen is a division of Keystone RV.
Thor Industries did not say whether the Cruiser RV and DRV brands, which operated under Heartland RV, were part of the key Heartland brands moving to Jayco’s control.
Jayco president Kevin Walters noted that the realignment will not disrupt Heartland RV owners and dealers.
Fantasy RV Tours Raises Over $100,000 For Make-A-Wish Foundation
Fantasy RV Tours, a leader in curated RV caravans and rallies, hosted another successful fundraising event at its Homecoming Rally, again raising over $100,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Fantasy RV Tours COO Stacey Rabung, left, and ambassador liaison Kara Haselton, right, with Katie Condor of Make-A-Wish Georgia.
The 2025 event was held March 19 to 23 at the Talona Ridge RV Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains near East Ellijay, Georgia. This popular annual rally brings frequent and first-time travelers together to connect, meet the company’s tour leaders and staff, and enjoy a week of fun and camaraderie. A highlight of the week is always the live charity auction, featuring wrapped mystery boxes with a gag gift “clue” on top.
During the two-hour charity auction, Fantasy RV Tours guests raised $52,167. Fantasy RV and its founder and CEO, Nel Filliger, matched the donations, bringing the grand total to $104,335, which will make at least 10 wishes come true. This year’s funds go directly to Make-A-Wish Georgia, an organization that grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
“Make-A-Wish is a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” Filliger said. “We have been supporting this charity since 2015 and have raised nearly $600,000 to help make wishes come true, just like they did for my grandson, Dylan.”
Filliger’s grandson, Dylan Prunty, passed away at age 16 of a rare and painful genetic disease. He spent most of his short life in Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. To manage the pain, he became an expert at building intricate Lego sets. His wish was to visit Legoland and ride a train. Make-A-Wish learned of Dylan and made his wish come true. He enjoyed a dream weekend at Legoland, worked with Lego master builders to design a replica of the Children’s Hospital, and returned home via a train ride with his family.
“We are grateful to our guests for embracing this charity along with us, and to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for allowing us to support their mission of impacting and uplifting children and their families in the midst of difficult medical treatments,” Filliger said.
Grand Design Debuts First Class B
Grand Design RV announced the launch of its first Class B motorhome, the Lineage Series VT.
According to a press release, the Lineage Series VT is built on the all-wheel-drive Ford Transit chassis, marking the first high-volume production collaboration of its kind in the adventure van segment. It includes an industry-first fully integrated pop-top option, allowing the unit to comfortably sleep four.
Highlights of the Lineage Series VT motorhome include:
A convertible AquaHaven Rainshower System, which allows campers to adjust the space from living room to shower. It features a venting window, expanded shower height, luxe rainfall shower head, and a flexible hidden drain.
An industry-first undermount cooktop by Invisacook, an induction cooktop set in an Italian porcelain countertop.
An industry-first Stealth split air-conditioning system, which moves A/C components off the roof to save space and delivers 20,000 Btu of cooling capacity in near silence.
A custom Ford Raptor-style grille.
A 48-volt Lithionics system, said to deliver reliable power for longer adventures away from shore power — up to three days with A/C.
An industry-first panoramic double-pane skylight, said to provide exceptional optical and thermal performance on the road.
For more information about the Lineage Series VT and the full range of Grand Design RV models, visit granddesignrv.com.