Encore RV Heads to Overland Expo East With Bumgarner Camping Center

Encore RV is heading to Overland Expo East 2026 in Arrington, Virginia, where the manufacturer will showcase three adventure-focused trailers alongside Bumgarner Camping Center of Lenoir, North Carolina.

The event is scheduled for October 23–25, 2026, at Oak Ridge Estate, bringing together overlanding enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, manufacturers and exhibitors. Overland Expo East describes itself as a major overlanding event featuring hundreds of exhibitors, educational programs, demonstrations and adventure-focused equipment.

For Encore RV, the event provides an opportunity to put its off-grid-focused trailers directly in front of consumers who are looking for more capability beyond traditional campground camping.

Three Encore RV Models Will Be on Display

Encore RV and Bumgarner Camping Center will showcase three models:

• ROG 12BH-FB Survival Series
• ROG 14RKB Survival Series
• VENU 17TB

Factory representatives from Encore RV will join the Bumgarner Camping Center team at the event to demonstrate the trailers, answer questions and explain their construction and off-grid capabilities.

The three models are designed around different approaches to adventure travel.

The ROG models emphasize ruggedness and compact capability, while the VENU 17TB combines off-grid features with a more traditional travel-trailer interior.

Off-Grid Capability Takes Center Stage

Two of the displayed models — the ROG 12BH-FB and VENU 17TB — will feature Encore’s Power-Up and Power+Plus packages.

According to Encore RV, the systems include:

• 400Ah of lithium battery capacity
• 400 watts of roof-mounted solar
• Slide-out solar technology
• 70-amp converter
• 3,000-watt true-sine-wave inverter
• MPPT solar charge controller
• Dual DC-to-DC chargers
• Up to 62 amps of charging capability from the tow vehicle

That combination is aimed at travelers who want to spend more time away from traditional RV hookups.

For buyers interested in boondocking or remote camping, the electrical system can be just as important as the floorplan. Battery capacity, solar generation, inverter output and tow-vehicle charging all affect how long an RV can operate away from shore power.

ROG 12BH-FB: Compact but Capable

The ROG 12BH-FB Survival Series is designed for adventurers looking for substantial capability in a relatively small trailer.

One of its notable features is an exterior pop-up wet bath, which provides more than seven feet of headroom while allowing the overall trailer to remain compact enough to fit inside a standard residential garage, according to Encore RV.

The trailer can sleep between two and five people depending on the configuration, while an optional rooftop tent can provide additional sleeping capacity.

That combination could make the 12BH-FB particularly interesting to buyers who want an adventure trailer without moving into a much larger RV.

ROG 14RKB Targets Adventure Travelers

The ROG 14RKB Survival Series represents another approach within Encore’s adventure-focused ROG lineup.

The model is built around the company’s rugged construction philosophy and is intended for travelers who want a trailer capable of handling destinations beyond conventional campgrounds.

The model will be available for attendees to explore at the Encore/Bumgarner display during Overland Expo East.

VENU 17TB Brings a Different Approach

The newly renovated VENU 17TB takes a somewhat different direction.

Encore describes the model as combining off-grid capability and durable, wood-free construction with a more conventional travel-trailer interior and additional comfort.

That could make the VENU appealing to buyers who want adventure-oriented electrical and structural features without giving up as much of the familiar RV experience.

Wood-Free Construction Is a Key Differentiator

All three models highlight Encore RV’s construction approach.

The company says its trailers use:

• 100% wood-free construction
• All-aluminum chassis and frame
• Composite flooring
• Aluminum cabinetry
• One-piece roof construction

The goal is to provide a durable platform for owners who intend to travel beyond traditional campgrounds and paved destinations.

For RV buyers, construction materials are worth considering alongside floorplans and features. A trailer designed for more demanding travel may require buyers to evaluate durability, weight, ground clearance, storage and serviceability differently than they would with a conventional travel trailer.

Why Overland Expo East Matters for RV Manufacturers

Overland Expo East is particularly relevant to manufacturers like Encore because the audience is heavily focused on adventure travel, off-grid camping and outdoor recreation.

The 2026 event is expected to feature more than 200 exhibitors and hundreds of educational sessions, demonstrations and other programs.

The event is held at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Interestingly, the official event FAQ says the on-site camping area is designed primarily for tents, vehicle camping, Class B camper vans, pop-ups, rooftop tents, smaller overland vehicles and motorcycles — and does not permit conventional Class A or Class C motorhomes or travel trailers in the campground.

That makes the audience particularly relevant for smaller, adventure-oriented RV products.

A Growing Connection Between RVs and Overlanding

Encore’s presence at Overland Expo East reflects a broader trend in the recreational vehicle market: the lines between traditional RV camping and overlanding are becoming less distinct.

Many consumers want an RV that can provide comfortable sleeping, cooking and living space while also supporting activities such as off-road exploration, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing and remote camping.

That creates an opportunity for manufacturers to develop smaller trailers with stronger electrical systems, durable construction and more flexible layouts.

Encore’s ROG and VENU products are examples of that approach.

What RV Buyers Can Take Away

For consumers considering an adventure trailer, Encore’s Overland Expo lineup highlights several specifications worth comparing:

1. Battery capacity
A larger lithium battery bank can provide more usable energy when you’re away from hookups.

2. Solar capacity
Solar can help replenish batteries during extended off-grid trips, but actual performance depends on weather, shading and energy consumption.

3. Inverter capacity
A 3,000-watt inverter can support substantially more equipment than a small inverter, although the battery system still determines how long those loads can operate.

4. Tow-vehicle charging
DC-to-DC charging can provide another way to replenish batteries while traveling.

5. Construction
Buyers planning to travel on rougher roads should pay close attention to chassis construction, flooring, cabinetry and roof design.

6. Size and storage
A smaller trailer may be easier to tow, store and maneuver, while larger models generally provide more living space.

The Bottom Line

Encore RV’s appearance at Overland Expo East 2026 puts its ROG and VENU adventure trailers directly in front of an audience interested in off-grid travel and outdoor exploration.

The combination of lithium batteries, solar power, inverter capacity, tow-vehicle charging and wood-free construction shows how adventure-oriented RVs are increasingly being designed around energy independence and durability, rather than simply adding traditional campground amenities.

For RV buyers, the three Encore models also demonstrate that an adventure trailer doesn’t necessarily have to be large to provide serious off-grid capability.

Overland Expo East 2026 runs October 23–25 at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia.