RV News: High-Tech Towables, a New Westfalia Camper Van, Keystone Adds e-Bike Storage, and More
It was another busy week in the RV industry, with plenty of news and announcements to share. Let’s dive right into everything that is happening as 2024 is already looking like it will be a busy and interesting year.
- LG Shows Off High-Tech Towable: The 2024 Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas this week, with literally thousands of new gadgets making their debut. Television and appliance manufacturer LG was on hand, flexing its engineering muscles with the introduction of a transparent TV. The company also showed off a concept camper that includes a bevy of features that we’ve come to expect from an RV. But it also has a few unique amenities that aren’t all that common, including a device that uses steam to remove the wrinkles from your clothes, a pod-based coffee maker that looks like a robot, and a large OLED TV. The trailer also includes a 10kWh house battery and a portable karaoke machine, too. Engadget has a complete report here.
- Taxa Outdoors Partners with Goal Zero: Taxa Outdoors was also on hand at CES this year, with a prototype model of its Mantis travel trailer on display. The towable was parked in the Goal Zero booth as the RV manufacturer has joined forces with the company to create an integrated power solution for use in future models. The concept version included Goal Zero’s new Yeti Pro 4000 power station and its just-announced Alta portable refrigerator.
- AC Future and Pininfarina Show Concept Electric RV: Another interesting RV concept was introduced at CES, this time from a collaboration between startup AC Future and Italian design house Pininfarina. The camper is referred to as the Electric Transformer House (eTH) and includes a number of high-tech features, including a device that generates freshwater by pulling moisture out of the air. The futuristic vehicle will be about the size of a Class C when driving on the road, but at the campsite, a series of unique slideouts will convert it into a 400-square-foot living space. For now, the eTH only exists in virtual reality, with CES attendees touring it using a VR headset. We’re told a functioning prototype will be completed in the spring of this year, with full production slated for late 2025. For more information, read this rundown from Design Boom.
- Florida RV Supershow Starts January 17: The annual Florida RV Supershow is now less than a week away, with the event taking place in Tampa from January 17-21. All of the major brands across the industry should be on hand, with plenty of exciting announcements to share. We expect new floorplans and options on existing models and completely new RVs to make their debut at the show. For tickets and more information, visit the official website.
- All-New Westfalia Camper Van to Debut at Supershow: Speaking of new RVs debuting at the Florida RV Supershow, Westfalia says its new camper van will be unveiled at the event. We’ve known that a new Westfalia-branded model was coming for a while now, but this will be its first public showing. The Class B vehicle is called the Wave and will come with updated modern features in a design that evokes the classic Westfalia styling.
- Keystone Adds E-Bike Garage to Montana Fifth-Wheel: According to Keystone RV, two-thirds of fifth-wheel owners either travel with e-bikes or plan to in the future. To accommodate those owners, the company has announced that it is adding storage specifically for electric bikes on its flagship Montana series. Keystone worked with MORyde to develop a system that integrates neatly into the Montana floorplan, while making it easy for RVers to load and unload their heavy e-bikes. More information is expected next week, but you can read a press release here.
- EarthCruiser Launches Innovation Division: Rugged overland vehicle manufacturer EarthCruiser has announced that it is launching a new division called EarthCruiser Innovation. Referred to internally as ECI, the subsidiary is tasked with creating solutions to address the needs of the ever-expanding overlanding market. First on tap is a collaboration with General Motors to develop an upfit camper system for the GMC Hummer EV.
- Winegard Expands Halo Smart App Features: Winegard’s Halo system is designed to connect all of the company’s products, allowing RV owners to control and monitor those devices using a smartphone or tablet. This makes it easy to view a security camera, for instance, or just check current data usage on a Winegard Connect WiFi/4G router. This week, Winegard announced a new sensor pack that will expand this functionality further. Those sensors will add the ability to monitor doors and windows, check water levels, interior temperature and humidity, and more. The new products are expected in the first quarter of the year.
That’s our round-up of all the important RV and camping news from this week. Come back next Friday for another recap of everything that is happening across the industry.
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