Over the past two weeks, I’ve been staring at RVs in Elkhart, Indiana, having walked through and shot video on dozens of 2027 units. I love following the RV industry and what it does and how things progress—or don’t. But what I really like to see is when things are getting better.
I had already mentioned that I was seeing significant improvements to the plumbing on the RVs I looked through. There were some really good comments on that article with some great questions—I hope I was able to provide some answers that explained my thinking.
But there were other things I saw that really made me smile. Here are some of the features and functions that seem to be making their way into the RV industry.
Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchens had almost completely disappeared from the RVs I had a chance to see in the recent past. In fact, I was asked to do a story about the RVs with the best outdoor kitchens, and putting together a list was getting to be a challenge.
On this trip, I saw more rigs where outdoor kitchens were making a comeback. But, instead of the kitchens I had seen in the past, these newer models had flat-top griddles like the Blackstone and featured a griddle top made by Lodge. Best of all, the drawer mechanism that they were on had sort of a “flip” function, so it was the proper height for cooking and also was further from the wall of the RV.
I have the older version of this flat-top griddle and just stopped using it because it splattered grease on the RV. Also, it was just too close to the sidewall for my comfort.
I also saw various RVs that had adopted the outdoor party bar in some form. Again, I detail one in this post.
Better lighting
Last week, I shared a story about the 2027 Ember RV Touring Edition 2400RKL, and I hinted at a couple of things I’m seeing.
A few years ago, we got rear-ended when towing our trailer, and I found that ABC Upfitters was making rail lights available that slot into the space where the insert molding goes on trailers. These SAE-red lights are much more noticeable than the simple taillights alone.
Well, now I’m seeing them on several production models, including 2027 Rockwood Mini Lite/Flagstaff Micro Lite offerings, as well as the Ember I had shared with you last week. The ones that are factory-fitted now also include backup lights, which is a bonus. You cannot miss these lights, as you may see in the video I’ve attached.
That same company is also supplying many of the RVs I saw with a ribbon light that spans the width of the ceiling. So, rather than the puck lights that had been common, this is a more modern solution. These lights are also dimmable and do look nice.
More smarts, less smarts
Something else I noticed is a clear dividing line between those RVs that incorporate smart control systems that can integrate with your phone and those that don’t.
While some companies continue to incorporate control systems that have buttons that you can just push, those also will enable you to use your phone or tablet to control and dim lights. I like this system a lot, but, of course, like all technology, if something breaks you’re just hosed.
I’ve also seen some companies go back to traditional panels with mechanical buttons. What I like about how companies have done things is that several of them are also putting redundant controls for some functions, particularly awnings, in outside compartments. That way you can roll your awning in and out without having to go inside.
My personal choice is the smart control inside the trailer, which I have, and the ability to use my phone to control and monitor things. But I know there are a lot of people who have no interest in this.
Voice control
But another thing I saw was that some companies have gone further and added voice control to their RVs. I had seen very few with this in the past, but now it seems to be expanding. So, now you can swear at your phone, swear at your home, and swear at your RV, too! And all that lip flapping of words your momma told you not to say is going to accomplish the same thing, but just in different places.
However, I also saw a new control system from a company that hasn’t traditionally been in the RV industry that I thought was pretty cool—the Camp Command system. That system is currently exclusive to Forest River’s Cherokee Group (Cherokee, Alpha Wolf, Sabre) and promises things like better control, improved reporting on tank levels, and more.
Well, that’s just cool
Another thing I saw was the widespread adoption of the Furrion Chill Cube. I think of all the RVs I saw, about 40 percent of them had this unit. That shows that there is interest in making our experience better with quieter, more efficient RV A/C systems.
Other stuff
I think I’ve beaten the subject of RV suspensions to death, much like basic leaf springs do to an RV that has them. But, I will say I was surprised by the number of RVs that are becoming available with the better CURT Touring Coil and CURT Independent Suspension systems. More and more fifth wheel trailers, in particular, are being made available with these better suspension systems, and that’s a good thing. I also saw greater adoption of the CURT Helix pin box, which also incorporates a coil spring and shock.
There were also several RVs that had adopted projectors, and the projectors that they had were better than the really lousy ones of just a few years ago. Hey, if you can project onto a roller shade, that’s not a bad thing.
Except in one case where I know of someone who was watching adult content using a projector and, well, let’s just say you could see what they were watching from outside their RV. Know before you show.
Donut derelict
I also have an update on the donuts I mentioned. I ate two of them.
Now, know that I was working with some out-of-town friends who had never been to Rise’n Roll, so, of course, I had to buy a box of donuts. In fact, all told, I bought three boxes of donuts on this trip. They were all for others, not for me.
But when I was there with some friends, they kept leaving the doggone box open right on the desk I was working on. That is unfair, I tell you. And I had a nice fresh hot cup of coffee sitting there and those open boxes of donuts… well, I couldn’t resist. The same exact thing happened in the afternoon after I was done shooting RV videos for most of the day.
Another cup of afternoon coffee, and those boxes of donuts were on my desk wiiiiiiiiide open.
What’s worse, I also took the team to Vanilla Bean Creamery for their Amish homemade ice cream. Since I was there, I had to get a scoop, although just a small scoop, of their Amish Peanut Butter ice cream. The only place I like better than Vanilla Bean is The Chief in Goshen. There’s never not a line, and it’s always worth the wait. I’ll be back in August.
Greater adoption of tankless water heaters
While a lot of what I saw made me happy, unfortunately, tankless water heaters have become all the rage—they’re almost completely universal now. I have shared why I don’t like tankless RV water heaters here and, fortunately, a few brands still do offer the traditional gas-electric model.
And finally…
You can bet there will be more from the land of the RVs and, as always, I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to read these stories and comment. I hope you are having a wonderful Independence Day weekend.
MORE LIKE THIS FROM TONY:
- The customer service lesson the RV industry needs to learn
- The RV industry is listening, it seems
- RVing still wins when it comes to travel—My Amtrak adventure to Indiana
- Pricey fuel makes me a local explorer. Let me inspire you to do the same
RVT1268
