5 RVing Trends Inspiring Exciting New Winnebago Features

5 RVing Trends Inspiring Exciting New Winnebago Features
See what innovations to look forward to in your next RV!

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

As part of my role as a Winnebago Ambassador, I attend multiple RVing events every year where I help collect feedback from current and potential owners. I also get the chance to chat with a wide variety of event attendees, and I’ve noticed some trends in RVing that are making a big impact on which features are included in the latest motorhomes and travel trailers. 

Of course, Winnebago is known for gathering and using customer feedback, so you can see that all of these modern trends were considered in the latest Winnebago lineup! Examples are given for each trend highlighted below to show what features they inspired …

1. More Families with Young Kids Want to Travel by RV

RVing has always been a family-friendly way to travel, and the same can now be said for the fast-growing overlanding market. Just a few years ago, while attending Overland Expos, I would have described the crowd as mostly young couples and solo travelers. 

That’s still true today, but many of those same people are now starting families of their own and the market is also attracting older couples with grandkids. This shift means people are looking for small RVs, preferably under 20 feet, that can sleep more than just two people. Sounds like a tall order, right? Well, that’s where pop-tops are gaining serious popularity. 

Take the Winnebago Solis 59P, for example, it is only 19’9” and can sleep four people! So, you can remain nimble while driving and easily park while still having enough room for a family of four to sleep comfortably.

Winnebago’s pop-tops have become so popular that they’re now available in both EKKO models as well. You can sleep up to four people in the Winnebago EKKO on the Ford Transit chassis and up to five in the Winnebago EKKO on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. 

2. RVers Want Personalization Options & Choices

The prior trend brings up another great aspect of Winnebago RVs: you have multiple options to choose from to make the rig your ideal fit. For example, the Winnebago team found that consumers wanted powertrain options in the EKKO, so about a year ago, they began offering it on two different platforms: the Mercedes Sprinter with a turbo diesel and the Ford Transit with a twin-turbo gasoline engine. These two chassis options do affect the floorplan slightly, but you still get the standout features, like the large bathroom and gear garage, regardless of which chassis you choose.

Other examples of potential exterior and chassis options include adding Sumo Springs, hydraulic leveling jacks, a rearview video camera, upgraded solar system components, an outdoor kitchen, and premium full-body paint.

Of course, personalization options abound in the interior of Winnebago RVs, from choosing the overall color palette to your preferred seating option (usually a dinette, theater seating, or sofa bed). You can also choose upgrades or add features depending on how you plan to use your RV! For example, depending on the model, you could opt for a larger refrigerator, dual-pane acrylic windows, an outdoor kitchen, and even a washer/dryer.

3. Everyone Wants to Bring their Best Friends

At every show I work across the country, there’s always one consistent theme: pets. Everyone wants to bring their fur babies along for the ride. Winnebago is making that easier than ever by designing RVs with pet-friendly features in mind. 

Our dog Belle has loved her space in our Winnebago Vista, and we’ve appreciated the high-quality materials Winnebago uses since they’ve held up well against Belle’s not-so-gentle touch over the past eight years.

Today’s Winnebago RVs include thoughtful additions like exterior leash latch points, and the new Winnebago Connect system even includes a built-in pet monitor. This system can alert you to power outages and allows you to set temperature thresholds, so you’ll always know your pet is safe and comfortable, even when you're away from the RV. Winnebago’s smart storage and cargo solutions also come in handy for storing pet food, toys, and leaving floor space for food and water bowls.

Read this guide to RVing with dogs, and this article about bringing a cat on your RVing adventures!

4. Driving Safety is a Top Concern

Having your loved ones gathered together in one vehicle makes safety even more important. Winnebago hears your concerns about safety on the road, and they make it a top priority when building all of their RVs—big and small. In models like the Winnebago EKKO, Winnebago Revel, Winnebago Solis, and Winnebago Travato, the chassis are equipped with safety features such as lane-keeping assist, pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, crosswind-assist, and more (inclusions vary depending on the model). 

These RVs now include improved rear passenger safety features as well, like 3-point seatbelts. Winnebago is also opting for comfort upgrades like heated seats and adaptive cruise control, features that make long drive days more comfortable and less fatiguing. This helps drivers stay alert and ready for changing traffic patterns. 

When it comes to larger Class A RVs, like the Winnebago Vista and Winnebago Adventurer, these are equipped with the Driver Confidence Package. Now a standard feature across all Winnebago Class A gas motorhomes, this package includes lane monitoring, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist with active braking support, and more.

I actually test-drove a Winnebago Adventurer with the Driver Confidence Package, and you can read my full review here. 

5. RVers are More Focused on Outdoor Adventure & Camping Off-Grid

Our Winnebago Vista feels like a condo on wheels, offering all the comforts of home, but we live this lifestyle to explore the great outdoors. (See how we use our Class A to boondock.) While working shows, rallies, and expos, I consistently hear the same feedback from Winnebago owners: they want to cook outside, get off the beaten path, disconnect from the grid, and quietly watch the sunset. 

So, what is Winnebago doing to make that possible? For starters, they’ve created their Backcountry Series of campers designed specifically for off-grid and off-road adventures. Models like the Winnebago Revel come with all-wheel drive and are built to handle rugged terrain, getting you far beyond the pavement. (See my review of the Winnebago Revel Sport here!)

Winnebago is also equipping many of their RVs with solar panels and lithium batteries, allowing you to generate your own power wherever you go, all while maintaining full functionality. With these features, using your off-grid power system will feel as if you are plugged into a campground. And, because this power is silent, it doesn’t disturb the wildlife or the peace of your surroundings!

When it’s time to set up camp for the night or week, Winnebago adds versatility with features like portable induction cooktops that can be used indoors or outside, along with propane quick-disconnects for fire pits and outdoor grills. The Winnebago EKKO on the Transit chassis even offers an optional outdoor kitchen with a dual-zone cooler and sink.

With your Winnebago, camping doesn’t need to be a fair-weather activity. Many Winnebago RVs are now designed with extended-season capability. Plumbing is safely inside the units, insulation protects you as well as water tanks, and in some units, heat is even pumped through the cargo bays making sure you can comfortably explore all year round. (Read this guide to RVs with extended-season capabilities.)

Life is great outdoors in every season, but it’s even better with your Winnebago!

Share Your Feedback on Current RV Features!

Just like at a show or expo, I want to hear from you! Drop a comment below and let me know what you’d like to see in a future Winnebago RV or how you’d adjust your current setup. I’d also love to hear what matters most to you when RVing: is it water capacity, fuel range, power setup, kitchen space, or something else entirely?

I’ll be checking back on this article from time to time and passing your feedback along to the product team. I'm genuinely curious to hear your ideas and learn how you use your RV.

Take care, and safe travels!