The Most Innovative RV Manufacturers of 2024

The RV industry is a vast and interesting space, with dozens of companies making unique and interesting vehicles. And while some manufacturers are content to play it safe by building iterative products, others are constantly looking for new ways to innovate, evolve, and grow. Those brands tend to lead the way in terms of engineering and design, creating new models that deliver both impressive form and function.

We’d like to recognize those companies who are blazing new trails and pushing the boundaries of what we thought were possible in an RV. This is our list of the most innovative manufacturers working in the industry today.

Photo Credit: THOR/Harbinger

Thor Industries

Thor is a major player in the RV industry with a number of sub-brands—like Tiffin, Jayco, Keystone, and Entegra—all falling under its umbrella. The company leverages its size and resources to develop all kind of interesting features and functionality that make their way into various models designed and built by those individual companies. But it also likes to explore big new ideas that expand the possibilities for RVers.

Take for example the recent reveal of the Thor Test Vehicle, a new Class A model built on a hybrid chassis with a range of up to 500 miles. That’s in addition to its efforts in pure EV motorhomes, efforts to be a more sustainable company, and seeking new technologies to make life on the road better. That’s the very definition of innovative.

Photo Credit: Winnebago

Winnebago

One of the most well-known and trusted brands in the industry, Winnebago is another company that is continually innovating. From its internally-developed Winnebago Connect multiplexing system to the use of solar and lithium house batteries to building an all-electric prototype that’s better for the environment, this is a brand that is always exploring new opportunities to improve the camping and travel experience for its customers.

But Winnebago’s innovation doesn’t just come in the form of high-tech features and amenities. The company uses its supply chain expertise and years of design and engineering knowledge, to create products for a wide range of RV buyers. Take for example its Access line of travel trailers which deliver amazing build quality and top-notch standard equipment with a starting price of under $30,000. That makes RV camping more accessible to anyone, which is always a good thing.

Photo Credit: Storyteller Overland

Storyteller Overland

Best known for its outstanding camper vans, Storyteller Overland is also a leader in the off-road overlanding space. The company’s GXV truck models are built to go anywhere and stay off-grid the entire time. These rigs include things like 1200W of solar and an incredible 12kWh battery pack. They come with 120 gallon freshwater tanks and the GXV Epic model even has a range of over 1,800 miles on a single tank of fuel.

But Storyteller’s Class B vans offer plenty to get excited about, too. For instance, the MODE XO comes with a full bathroom, which isn’t all that common in an RV of its size. The MODE’s Dreamweaver bed is also a nice touch, offering queen-size comfort for sleeping, than quickly converting into a work or a gear garage as needed.

Photo Credit: Outside Van

Outside Van

Not quite as well known as some of the other brands on this list, Outside Van is doing impressive things in the Class B space. The company’s camper vans are all thoughtfully designed and built for outdoor adventure, providing options to help get owners out into the wild and support their active lifestyles.

But what we love about Outside Van is the company’s ability to customize its creations to support specific activities. We’ve seen vans designed for surfers and cyclists, for instance, with lots of little touches you won’t find elsewhere. There are even options for trail runners and endurance athletes with features like a large shower with integrated red therapy lights to aid in recovery. Clearly, this is a brand that knows its target audience and thinks outside the box when it comes to addressing their needs.

Photo Credit: Airstream

Airstream

Airstream is another legendary RV brand that continues to create groundbreaking products. The company’s famous build quality is second to none, and its iconic riveted aluminum travel trailers continue to look timeless and modern at the same time. Features like a rear hatch and sprawling windows help owners connect more with the outdoors, while high-quality materials ensure that an Airstream model is a camper that will last a lifetime and can be passed on to future generations.

Don’t let an Airstream trailer’s classic good looks fool you; there is plenty of great technology under the hood, too. Solar panels, lithium batteries, and 3,000W inverters are highlights on several models, and the company’s MyAirstream app provides smart control and monitoring from your smartphone. You’ll even find sway mitigation systems and anti-lock braking systems are standard in the Classic line, along with some of the cleanest and most open floorplans in the industry.

Photo Credit: Ember RV

Ember

Ember, as a company, is a relative newcomer to the RV space, but it was founded by a team of savvy industry vets. Their goal is to build high-quality travel trailers that are unique and fun, while creating a better all-around camping experience. The company’s innovative approach extends to the workplace, too, by creating a collaborative and creative environment that is reshaping the landscape for how RVs are made.

A more concrete example of Ember innovation can be found in its Overland Series travel trailers. These unique towables come standard with solar power, lithium house batteries, and the EmberLink multiplexing system. But what we love most is the EmberTrack space, a multifunctional area that can serve as additional storage, a bunkhouse, an office, an outdoor kitchen, or just about anything else you need it to be. That level of versatility simply isn’t found in very many other RVs. Especially ones that are built for off-road exploration and camping.

Photo Credit: Bowlus

Bowlus

Offering beautiful design inside and out, along with cutting-edge technology, Bowlus is a brand that embodies innovation in the RV industry. The company offers its own riff on the aluminum travel trailer, incorporating high-end luxury materials and outstanding craftsmanship to deliver a product that is original and aspirational all at the same time.

Among the many innovations you’ll find in a Bowlus trailer is the optional AeroMove electric drive system. This upgrade allows the trailer to propel itself down the road, taking some of the burden off a tow vehicle. It can also be remotely controlled via a smartphone, making it easier to squeeze into tight campsites, driveways, or parking lots. Other manufacturers are promising similar features in future products, but with Bowlus, it is a reality now.

Photo Credit: Living Vehicle

Living Vehicle

High-end luxury and design meet off-grid camping in a Living Vehicles travel trailer. These RVs aren’t cheap, but they do offer some incredible amenities in a towable designed to wander far afield and stay there for an extended period. That’s made possible thanks to an incredible solar panel system (up to 3.4kW) and power storage capacity (43.6kWh) that rank among the best in the industry. There is even an option to pull moisture from the humidity in the air for clean drinking water, showering, and doing dishes.

The company’s latest project is the CyberTrailer, which takes its design cues from the Tesla Cybertruck. It promises to have even more boondocking capabilities, along with a sleek shape that makes it more aerodynamic on the road. The toy hauler is built for four-season camping, with a focus on regenerative resources—think power and water—while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Photo Credit: Grand Design

Grand Design

Quality has always been a top focus for Grand Design, which, after a decade of making award-winning towables, made the jump to motorized RVs earlier this year. The company is always at the top of the list when it comes to customer satisfaction, delivering RVs that never fail to surprise and delight their owners. With the introduction of the Lineage Class C model, that tradition and heritage now extends to a whole new market segment.

Grand Design’s innovative approach to RV design usually comes in the form of quality-of-life improvements designed to make its vehicles more versatile and convenient. Take, for example, the company’s LifeSuite system, which is found on its Momentum toy haulers models. LifeSuite gives the Momentum more flexibility, easily adapting the rear cargo area from a garage to a living room to an office to a bedroom without missing a beat. Those transitions are quick, easy, and seamless, adding more value to an already outstanding vehicle.

These are our picks for the most innovative RV manufacturers in the industry at the moment. Naturally, there are others doing interesting things as well, but these stood out as leading the way through great design and the use of technology. As others adopt some of these innovations on their products, the industry will continue to evolve, offering RV owners better products with more functionality and features.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

The post The Most Innovative RV Manufacturers of 2024 appeared first on RV.com.

Source: https://www.rv.com/rv/the-most-innovative-rv-manufacturers-of-2024/