The Hottest News Trends We Saw at the 2024 Hershey RV Show

The Hershey RV Show took place in Hershey, PA, last week with thousands of RV enthusiasts on hand to checkout the latest vehicles and floorplans from the biggest brands in the industry. As usual, the show was a sea of motorhomes and travel trailers, with thousands of models on display for attendees to walk through. Whether they were looking for a luxurious new Class A coach or a rugged off-road towable, no one went away disappointed.

We spent three days at “America’s Largest RV Show,” wandering through as many RVs as possible. During that time, we caught a glimpse of where the industry is headed over the next few years, with some intriguing new technology and designs coming to the forefront. After hours of walking the show grounds, these are the trends that we saw that will shape the future of RV camping.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

The Rise of the Destination Trailer

Destination trailers —or park models as they’re sometimes called—have been around for a while but have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Nowhere was that more evident than in Hershey, where there were dozens of these large and spacious RVs on display. With more options to choose from, buyers will now find more diverse floorplans and even more upscale amenities, including lofted sleeping areas, high ceilings, bright and airy interiors, and large kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping spaces.

The knock against most destination trailers is that they aren’t meant to be towed around all that often. Instead, they tend to be parked at a scenic location where owners are content to spend their time. But in Hershey, we saw a few fifth-wheel destination trailers that have a lower profile that makes them more suitable for frequent travel. Take, for example, the Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen ROOST43, which has everything you would expect from this type of towable, just in a package better designed for moving around. But with an unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 15,364 lbs., you’re going to need a big truck to pull it.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Creative Use of Space for More Storage

Storage space has always been at a premium in most RVs, but at Hershey was saw more and more manufacturers finding creative ways to increase storage capacity in their vehicles. For instance, many wall-mounted TVs now have shelves or closet space hidden behind them. Pullout pantries, which don’t take up much room but provided extra storage, have become more common, too, giving owners a place to put spices, canned good, and other ingredients. In many cases, these hidden storage areas are completely innocuous, rarely revealing that they exist at all. But believe us, you’ll definitely appreciate them when you hit the road to your favorite campsite.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Patios Aren’t Just for Toy Haulers Anymore

One of the more popular features of toy haulers in recent years is the ability to convert the rear cargo ramp into a patio for an elevated view of the campground. Sliding glass doors often provide access to the deck, creating an experience that is not unlike stepping out onto a patio at home. And while some non-toy haulers have had this amenity in the past, it has remained a relatively rare feature.

At Hershey, we saw several new travel trailers and fifth-wheels that come with a rear patio, but don’t have the gear garage associated with a toy hauler. Models like the Forest River Wildwood and Salem Veranda series have covered decks with wooden floors and lavish outdoor kitchens with stoves, sinks, and plenty of counter space. The perfect place to entertain guests that drop by.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Free-Standing Tables are Replacing Dinettes

A few years ago, free-standing tables were a bit of a novelty in the RV space, bringing a more residential feel to some floorplans. At Hershey, these tables were everywhere, replacing more traditional dinettes. In some cases, the use of tables frees up additional space, although they can sometimes feel a little more cramped and crowded. It also forces RVers to secure the chairs while in transit, as most are not bolted to the floor.

We like that some of the free-standing tables can be removed or folded out of the way when not in use, temporariliy freeing up additional space. Larger tables are also great for remote workers, who may feel a bit constrained in a dinette. But for larger families, it is hard to top a u-shaped dining space, and thankfully those aren’t going away altogether.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

More Options for Remote Workers

Working at a table or dinette may be okay for short term use, but as more and more RVers gain the option to work fully remote, having a dedicated office space has become more important. A number of motorhomes and travel trailers we saw at Hershey had their own office areas, including models from Brinkley, Keystone, Airstream, and others. Most of these RVs come with built-in desks and private, enclosed areas made specifically with remote works in mind. Expect even more options in the years to come, as manufacturers add floorplans to meet the growing needs of the full-timer who still needs to work from road.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

RVs Built to Haul E-Bikes

It’s no secret that e-bikes are a hit with RVers. If you don’t believe us, just look around the campground to see how many people are riding them. The RV industry has taken notice, too, with several models now coming with gear garages designed to make it easier and more convenient to store, transport, and charge an electric bike. The most noteworthy of those is the Keystone Montana 3623EB (EB, get it?), which has a built-in bike garage complete with ramps, secure holding tracks, and AC outlets for plugging in. The bike storage space even resides in a slide-out, which can be retracted to keep the area more secure.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Off-Grid Camping is a Thing

While boondocking and overlanding are not exactly new, an increasing number of manufacturers told us they’ve seen increased demand for vehicles that can camp off-grid. That means more RVs are coming with factory installed solar panels, larger lithium battery arrays, and more efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems. Much of that demand is coming from a younger, more active audience who use their motorhomes and towables as basecamps for their outdoor adventures, but plenty of older RVers are looking for the peace and quiet that comes from escaping increasingly crowded commercial campgrounds, too.

Photo Credit: Kraig Becker

Bunkhouse Models are Evolving

Bunkhouse RVs have also been around a long time, but as manufacturers get more creative, they’re finding fun new ways to incorporate bunks into their designs. We saw several models that includes a primary bedroom along with a second bedroom designed for parents and kids to share. Those floorplans seemed perfect for traveling with extended family, giving grandparents the larger sleeping area, while the kids and grand kids occupied the other space. Best of all, these bunks are getting larger and more comfortable all the time, allowing older kids and even adult guests to get a good night’s sleep.

That said, we saw more than a few bunkhouse models that were a little weird, too. For example, check out the photo above, which shows a set of bunks hidden behind a book shelf. That might be claustrophobic even for youngsters.

This is just a sampling of the many trends and features we saw at the Hershey RV Show. There were many RV models on hand that showed off these traits and how they will shape our camping experiences in the years to come. Needless to say, it is an exciting time with plenty of innovation and opportunity to come.

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