© Outside Van, © Renegade, © Earthroamer, © Volkner
Home on the Road
According to the most recent surveys from the RV Industry Association, more Americans own recreational vehicles / mobile homes / trailers than ever before. And those buyers aren’t only retirees. More RVs are owned by people from ages 35–54 than any other group. With America’s wide variety of campgrounds, national forests and national parks, the RV can make for either a practical home away from home for a long road trip, or an oasis in hard-to-reach camping spots for the more adventurous among us. And no matter what your budget, there’s an RV for you out there. Take a quick look at a few examples from the dramatic spectrum of RVs available today.
© Colorado Camper Van
Colorado Camper Van Pop-Top Conversion
Starting Price: $11,000
Don’t need anything for your excursion beyond a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on? Colorado Camper Van has you covered with its “pop-top” conversion kits. Available for a variety of van models, the bare-bones Level 1 kit adds a pop-top tent with windows and lights in its ceiling for just under $11,000.
© Colorado Camper Van
Colorado Camper Van Pop-Top Conversion
The Level 2 kit adds extra insulation, a vent fan, USB port and more; Levels 3 through 5 build the van out into a fully-customized RV with everything from small kitchenettes to furnaces, awnings, and outdoor shower systems.
© Lance Camper
Lance 865
Starting Price: $30,000
The camper shell is a great value option compared to a full-on RV, and California’s Lance proves that “smaller” doesn’t necessarily mean “less.” The 865 camper has a bathroom with shower, a two-burner range, small refrigerator, sink, and sleeps up to five people.
© Lance Camper
Lance 865
Lance has set itself apart by focusing on green efforts, from using renewable material in construction, to reduced waste from tightly controlled CNC milling, to avoiding the use of mercury in building its camper shells and trailers. At $30,000–35,000 depending on dealer and options, it’s a steal for those looking to hit the road on a budget.
© Sportsmobile
Sportsmobile
Starting Price: Mid-$30,000
Sportsmobile does conversions for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Dodge Ram Promaster, and Chevrolet Express Vans, ranging from the mid-$30,000 to high-$40,000 range for “Standard Plan” conversions. Its following, however, was built on rugged, off-road minded versions of the Ford Econoline.
© Sportsmobile
Sportsmobile
While the Econoline has been discontinued, Sportsmobile is keeping it alive with its Classic 4×4 model. A Ford cutaway model is built out to Econoline-like dimensions with a Dynatrac ProRock 60 front axle, a Dana 60 rear, partial military wrap leaf shackle system, 16.5 inches of ground clearance, and 33-inch tires for your terrain-conquering needs. The Classic 4×4 is scheduled to debut later in 2018.
© Coachman
Coachmen Freelander 20CB
Starting Price: $55,000
Other Coachmen Freelander models are built from either the Ford 350, 450, or the Chevrolet 4500. The 20CB, however, is built from a Ford Transit, and what you lose in overall size and space you make up for with a price tag in the $55,000–60,000 range — thousands of dollars below that of its bigger siblings.
© Coachman
Coachmen Freelander 20CB
You’ll still get features such as LED interior lighting, a two-burner cooktop, standup shower, a power patio awning and more. The Freelander 20CB delivers a lot for the money; factor in the relative ease of a vehicle its size and you can see it being a great investment for those new to RVing who don’t necessarily want to upgrade anytime soon.
© Vanlife
Vanlife Customs
Starting Price: $75,000 (pre-owned)
Vanlife builds custom RVs from (mostly) Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Dodge Ram Promaster vans. Each Vanlife is built to the customer’s needs, but carry a common theme of understated, elegant interior designs; a utilitarian approach finished with high-quality materials.
© Vanlife
Vanlife Customs
Pre-owned Vanlife models can be had for around $75,000 when they’re available, and with custom builds of course the sky’s the limit. If you’re in the Denver area they have built vans for a company that rents them to visiting campers.
© Winnebago
Winnebago Minnie Winnie
Starting Price: $83,355
The name might be a little dubious depending on your maturity level, but Winnebago’s Minnie Winnie is a great option for the family looking for the classic cross-country road trip RV. Seven floor plan options all feature a private rear bedroom and plenty of trunk space for gear — essential for maintaining parental sanity levels.
© Winnebago
Winnebago Minnie Winnie
The Minnie Winnie’s cabin is handsome and smartly laid out, with a three-burner range and oven, microwave, and double-bowl sink in the galley. Optional packages upgrade the entertainment systems, countertops, and much more, but with a starting price of $83,355, they’re not out of the realm of possibility, and a small price to pay to avoid the dreaded tent set-ups in darkness and shame at the nearest KOA.
© OutsideVan
Outside Van
Starting Price: $89,000
Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, Outside Van specializes in converting Mercedes-Benz Sprinters for outdoor enthusiasts who want a compact, get-up-and-go rig to get them where they want to be in nature, and is also capable of staying off-the-grid for a while in case they’d like to stay there.
© OutsideVan
Outside Van
A variety of options help tailor each Outside Van to its owners’ desires, from solar panels to upgraded tires and kitchenettes. Outside Van conversions start from $89,000, but depending on the customer’s needs and wants that price can of course go higher.
© Winnebago
Winnebago Brave
Starting Price: $97,896
The Winnebago name has been nearly synonymous with RVing in America since the golden age of road tripping back in the 1960s. It’s only fitting then that Winnebago get in on the retro-style trend seen in cars such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Challenger with the modern version of its classic Brave.
© Winnebago
Winnebago Brave
To its credit, the Brave, which starts at just under $98,000, isn’t a reworking of past designs: it appears to have stepped directly out of the Free Love era, with an updated interior carrying 60s-style touches and exterior colors with names including Woodstock, Mello Yellow, and Moody Blue. If for you RVing is as much about a mindset and form as it is for function, it’s hard to beat the Brave for sheer evocative impact.
© Bespoke
Bespoke Coach Sprinter Conversion
Starting Price: $100,000
Bespoke’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions reflect the company’s origins in Southern California car customization, with an emphasis on style and luxury. These are not off-road warriors; think more along the lines of a scaled-up business sedan, with room to stretch out and take a nap or sleep through an overnight drive if needed.
© Bespoke
Bespoke Coach Sprinter Conversion
Features such as flat screen TVs, an iPad app controlling everything from the window shades to climate controls and the intercom, a center console coffee machine, and a minibar show what the Bespoke vans are all about — comfort, luxury, and style. Prices start at just over $100,000 and go up from there.
© Roadtrek
Roadtrek Simplicity SRT
Starting Price: $100,000
A name in motorhome construction for decades, Roadtrek’s Ram Promaster-based RVs range up to just over $100,000 in starting price, with the Simplicity SRT starting from $73,849. The Simplicity makes the most of its space with a two-burner stove, five-cubic-foot refrigerator, queen bed with storage underneath, and bathroom with stand-up shower.
© Roadtrek
Roadtrek Simplicity SRT
A rear power convertible sofa is available as an option, as are a flat screen TV, outdoor shower, and more. The Simplicity SRT is a great choice for the couple looking for their next adventure.
© neXus
neXus RV Bentley
Starting Price: $255,000
Elkhart, Indiana’s neXus RV builds luxury vehicles mostly for sale directly from the manufacturer, meaning the $255,000 starting price for its Bentley model buys you even more than you think. The Bentley features large, comfortable captain’s chairs and a deluxe tri-fold sofa inside, set among Azdel cabinets and trim, which replaces wood and saves weight.
© neXus
neXus RV Bentley
Freightliner’s V-Ride suspension handles ride comfort, with large volumetric air springs and Sachs shocks, and is the only single-axle RV rear suspension rated up to 24,000 pounds. This allows more stability and greater towing capability for those taking their road cars / off-road toys with them.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 6×6
Starting Price: Inquire
These days, you buy a truck or van to convert into an RV and take it to a custom coachbuilder to build out. But once upon a time the manufacturers were the coachbuilders. So, in that sense, the Zetros 2733 models built by Mercedes-Benz for two Mongolian businessmen as hunting excursion vehicles are a throwback to a bygone era.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 6×6
In every other sense, the Zetros 2733s are unique, from the three mechanical differentials directing the 7.2-liter 6-cylinder diesel engine’s 326 horsepower and 959 lb-ft of torque to its six wheels, to the luxurious amenities inside, including a heated marble floor in the bathroom.
© Global Expedition Vehicles
Global Expedition Vehicles
Starting Price: $200,000
Global Expedition Vehicles’ creations are for those who want everything: all the comforts of home in an RV that can go just about anywhere and do anything while remaining off the grid for as long as they feel like it. GXV offers a range of models, from Adventure Trucks to models with the company’s Pangaea lifting roof, which creates a loft-like layout for the interior of larger vehicles such as Unimogs and International 7500s.
Global Expedition Vehicles
The capabilities of Global Expeditions Vehicles don’t come cheap — anywhere from $200,000–500,000 — but think of it another way. We’re not saying the world is going to end — but if it does, you’ll want to be in one of these.
© Showhauler
Show Hauler Motorhome / Garage
Starting Price: $300,000
Many RV enthusiasts like to tow their cars / trucks / motorcycles / ATVs along with them, but if you have a show car along for the ride, you may need the option of Show Hauler’s Motorhome / Garage.
© Showhauler
Show Hauler Motorhome / Garage
As the name suggests, it’s a luxury motorhome with an incorporated garage space in back. Appointments are high-end from the cab through the living areas and the garage itself, with a rollup door, hydraulic liftgate, paneled walls, and plywood floor. Expect pricing to be over $300,000 for the comfort and convenience of the Motorhome / Garage.
© Earthroamer
EarthRoamer
Starting Price: $451,000
With prices starting from $451,000, Colorado’s EarthRoamer commitment to off-road capability and off-the-grid living in its RVs is about as serious as it gets. EarthRoamer builds its XV-series RVs on Ford’s hefty F-550 chassis with its 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine, adding specifically-engineered heavy-duty sway bars, off-road shocks and an air ride suspension. The whole thing sits atop 41-inch military wheels and tires.
© Earthroamer
EarthRoamer
The one-piece molded body is a fiberglass sandwich construction borrowed from airplane and yacht manufacturing, and depending on the size of the model, can carry from 85 gallons of freshwater and run off of 1,200- watts of solar power. EarthRoamer interiors are as luxurious as their exteriors are rugged, with high-end standard appliances and fully-customizable interior surfaces and layouts.
© Renegade
Renegade Ikon
Starting Price: $734,895
Built on either a Freightliner Cascadia or Volvo VNL chassis, Renegade’s Ikon packs in as much luxury as it can, and with four slide-out rooms and a 90-inch ceiling, that’s a lot.
© Renegade
Renegade Ikon
With a king-size mattress, quartz countertops and trim, stainless steel kitchen appliances, a stackable washer and dryer, and Ultraleather furniture, the Ikon impresses at every turn. Prices start at $734,895 — certainly not for everybody, but if you can, you should probably consider it.
© Newmar Corp
Newmar King Aire
Starting Price: $935,766
There’s living on the road, and then there’s living on the road. Newmar’s King Aire, starting at $935,766, provides all the comforts of home — if home were a lot more expensive, luxurious, and of course mobile. You’ll find features throughout you’d like to put into your own home, such as the farmhouse sink in the King Aire’s kitchen (near the clever pullout pantry), or the hardwood cabinets all around.
© Newmar Corp
Newmar King Aire
The name-brand appliances, multiple TVs, and Ralph Lauren fabrics used in the interiors would give the impression of the King Aire being over-the-top — and it is, of course — but the execution is tastefully done. It looks like a beautiful one-bedroom apartment that you can simply drive away.
© Volkner
Volkner Mobil
Starting Price: $1,000,000
The Volvo or Mercedes-Benz derived Volkner Mobil is a temple of clean, smart, impressive German luxury throughout its interior for sure, reflected in its $1,000,000-plus price tag. Even if you don’t know it by name, though, you’ll know it from its single infamous feature: the slide-out “garage” space in the RVs underbelly, where you’d expect luggage compartments to live.
Volkner Mobil
Whether you appreciate the clever engineering or recoil at the one-percentness of “I stuffed a sports car into my insanely expensive RV,” there’s no denying the impact of the Volkner Mobil.
© Marchi Mobile
eleMMent Palazzo Superior
Starting Price: $3,000,000
It doesn’t happen often enough, but it’s always a joy to be able to say, “There is nothing quite like this on the road.” The eleMMent Palazzo Superior from Marchi Mobile is as luxurious and innovative inside as it is striking from the outside: beyond the large, ovular windshield up front, it’s most dramatic feature is its “Sky Lounge,” which lifts from the body to create a walled-in roof deck, complete with stairs from the main cabin.
eleMMent Palazzo Superior
You’ll get a bar and wine cabinet in the galley, and the bed features Italian linens covering a mattress from the same supplier used by the British royal family. Starting at $3,000,000, the Palazzo Superior is an unabashed status symbol that goes as far as it can to justify its steep price tag.
