2021 is all about hitting the open road with a house you can drive.
In today's video, we're gonna learn about 10 innovative campervans, motorhomes, and
adventure vehicles that make going off-grid actually worthwhile.
We'll compare the best of German motorhome engineering.
We'll take a look at a modular, electric camper that could quite possibly be a transformer.
And later on, we'll show you the completely customized RV that's fit for a Secret Agent.
I'm Glenn, and let's get to it.
RV Royalty Winnebago has rolled out an impressive motorhome in the shape of the brand-new EKKO 22-A.
It's not your typical motorhome by Winnebago's own admission.
The EKKO is supposed to be the lovechild of a campervan and a Class C coach with the added
capability of off-road and all-wheel-drive.
Built on the Ford Transit Panel Van, the EKKO 22A is designed with cold temperatures
in mind.
It features 2-inch-thick wall insulation, internalized tanks, and plumbing - even the
wet bay is heated.
Inside, the EKKO sleeps 4, two in the rear twin beds and two more in a converted dinette.
There's an innovative combination shower + bathroom, using an ingenious swivel mechanism
to create more room.
Aside from the full-featured kitchen, dinette, and entertainment system built into
the ceiling, the EKKO has a whole host of off-grid inclusions.
You get a 320 amp-hour lithium-ion battery, two 170-watt solar panels, a third 115-watt
panel – all running through a 2000-watt inverter.
There's also a second 80-amp alternator connected to the V6 engine, meaning you can charge the
battery even while idling without the risk of overheating the engine.
If the sun's not out, the onboard super-quiet gasoline-fired generator can get you through until morning.
Engineered by German manufacturer, Westfalia, the Big Nugget is the plus-sized variant of
the already plus-sized Ford Nugget Plus.
Equipped with everything you'd need on an extended getaway, the Big Nugget comes stocked
with a kitchenette, half-sized dinette, and a separate bathroom.
You'll find one of the largest beds in its class in the rear, a custom traverse double
mattress with alternate access via the rear double doors.
Onboard, a 95 Ah battery powers the 5kW water heaters, three 230V sockets, four 12V ports,
and a total of six USB outlets.
The Big Nugget also has intelligent and eco-friendly LED atmospheric lighting throughout, dimmable
via a central control.
Is the Big Nugget big enough for you?
Let us know in the comments.
Dethleffs created their first recreational vehicle in 1931 in southern Germany.
Since then, they have been designing and producing quality camper products for Germans while
exporting to the world.
As of 2020, Dethleffs has been producing the Globebus T1, a 4-berth, 19-foot motorhome
built on the Fiat Ducati.
The selling point on the Globebus T1 is the easy access bed.
The fixed, transverse bed at the back is deliberately set low for getting in and out comfortably.
Also included is a half-dinette in the forward lounge that converts into additional bedding
and a minimalist kitchen with a sink and three-ring cooking hob.
Another ingenious bathroom setup makes use of the limited space.
What looks like a fixed washbasin on the side wall is actually on a hinged bulkhead.
It swings out of the way when you want to shower.
A 95Ah onboard battery powers the various 230 and 12V outlets, and an 18A charger is
included to recharge the batteries.
Solar and inverter options can be added as extras.
Definitely winning points for cutesy design and innovative inclusions, the XBUS Camper
from German manufacturer Electric Brands is simply adorable.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this curious camper.
Being a modular vehicle means you can arrange the XBUS in almost an infinite number of configurations.
Flatbed Pickup?
Passenger Van?
Pop-top camper?
The XBUS can be all of them or something completely different altogether.
All XBUS's come with the same 4-wheel hub motors at 3.75KW continuous power, a battery
array amounting to 10kWh, a 220V charger, and a solar roof that can generate up to 800
watts of electricity per hour.
The camper variation features a pop-top, sleeping quarters for two, and a compact kitchen with
a sink, refrigerator, and hotplate.
The all-electric XBUS is so popular that the team at Electric Brands was the winner at the
2021 Red Dot Design Awards.
The Alphavan 4x4 by the German manufacturer of the same name is no exception.
The 24-foot-long "off-grid smart home," as Alphavan proudly describes it, sleeps a family
of four in complete comfort.
Boasting a high-set master bedroom, passenger-side kitchen block, and driver-side wet bath.
All while comfortably storing your gear, including bikes, kayaks, and other toys, with its flexible
interior architecture.
While most of the specs are still under wraps, the original Alphavan includes a 210-Ah lithium
battery and 110-W solar panel.
We can expect similar stats in the off-road edition.
One thing Alphavan did confirm is the inclusion of the latest iteration of its Mercedes-powered
intelligent home system.
All of the equipment and features will be controllable from the infotainment screen
in the cab.
Alphavan plans to reveal all the details in the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon between August
27 and September 5.
Created by Alabama-based manufacturer Storyteller Overland, the Beast Mode 4x4 is about as tough as they come.
Built on the ever-reliable Ford Transit All-Wheel-Drive, and packed full of robust, off-grid inclusion,
the Beast Mode is a boon dockers paradise.
On board you'll find a 12-kWh Volta power system with 90 watts of solar expandable up to 600W,
a 3200W inverter, 21 gallons fresh and 24-gallon gray water tanks, and a heavy-duty shore power inlet.
Inside, the Beast mode sleeps up to three and features a galley with a portable induction
cooktop, stainless steel sink, and microwave, as well as a combination fridge/freezer.
When folded up against the sides, the bed creates a rear garage area suitable for storing
bikes and other gear.
You'll have to make do with a cassette toilet and outdoor shower, but at least the onboard
water heaters will keep you warm.
There are a few details about the Beast Mode LT 4XB that Storyteller Overland is keeping
under wraps.
For that, you'll have to wait for their expo in September.
Honorable mention has to go to the e-Camper.
This plug-in hybrid commercial van uses a gas generator to supply power to charge the battery.
On a single charge and with the gas-range extender fully stocked, the e-Camper has an
impressive range of 304 miles, only slightly less than a Ford Transit Custom!
When he's not saving Asgard from the Dark Elves, Thor is back in Indiana, building motorhomes
for Thor Motor Coach.
And he may have just had a bolt of inspiration with the 2022 model Sanctuary motorhome built
on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van.
The premium inclusions begin with a powered, mechanical awning on the exterior, integrated
lighting, mounted ladders, bike racks, and roof racks.
They've added a powerful LED light bar to the front and swapped out the tires for off-road equivalents.
Two different Sanctuary floor plans are available.
There's the 19P which reduces the rear sleeping area to include a dinette and fold-out electric
bed – while the 19L sacrifices the dinette for a fixed bed in the rear.
Both models include a cassette toilet, shower with a deluxe curtain, and efficient water heater.
With room to sleep two in comfort, the Sanctuary name begins to make a lot of sense.
Two other campers from Thor Motor Coach, the 2022 Rize, and Scope, are a pair of class
B Vans built on the timeless RAM ProMaster 1500XT chassis.
Despite their differing names, these camper vans are basically the same package.
Like the Sanctuary, both the Rize and Scope can be optioned out with the same 18T or 18M floorplans.
While the 18T layout does away with the bathroom, it has enough space for a fully-equipped kitchen
that comes with a two-burner gas cooktop, microwave, and 12-volt electric refrigerator.
On the other side, the 18M layout trades kitchen space for a wet bathroom with an RV shower-toilet combo.
The main attraction would have to be the pop-top, which can easily sleep, two people.
While it's a very efficient way to add sleeping space, it also doubles as a storage space
when not in use.
Roof-mounted 190W solar panels charge the dual AGM batteries via a 1000-watt inverter,
but when the sunlight's patchy, a 30-amp detachable shoreline power cord will do the trick.
Colorado-based manufacturer Antero Adventure Motors named their company after the tenth-highest
mountain in Colorado.
It features one of its highest and most hostile mountain roads.
Two of their off-road motorhomes have been designed to tackle the toughest of assignments,
the Mercedes Sprinter-based Longs Peak and the Pikes Peak, built on a Ford Transit.
Both models feature a patented daydreamer bed that converts and folds away in seconds.
A fully customizable seating and accessories configuration, custom interior lighting, powdered
awning, kitchenette, and hot water are also included.
A modular cassette toilet is used, so a bathroom is not included in either model.
Also standard is a robust solar system featuring 180watt panels, a 2000 watt inverter, and
a 210 Ah lithium-ion battery storage.
Again, coming out of Colorado, USA is the Xtreme Adventure Van, or XAV for short, built
by the adventure vehicle manufacturer, TouRig.
Treated as a custom build, each XAV starts off as either a Ford Transit all-wheel-drive
or Mercedes Sprinter 4-wheel-drive.
Depending on the floor plan, a XAV build provides seating for up to eight and sleeping arrangements
for four people.
Onboard, TouRig builds the custom adventure vehicle of your dreams, but some things come standard.
These include advanced hydronic heating systems, custom upholstery and lighting, Lithium auxiliary
power, integrated wet baths, and premium airliner cabinetry.
There are dozens of template ideas for you to choose from if you're stuck for inspiration.
Everything from secret agent to Special Ops.
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