First Hybrid Class A Motorhome Debuts
Thor Industries has unveiled the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome, the Thor Test Vehicle. The coach is built on an electric vehicle (EV) platform developed by EV manufacturer Harbinger. Thor and Harbinger collaborated to integrate a low-emissions gasoline range extender that can recharge the electric battery system, delivering an estimated 500 miles of range.
RVs utilizing the hybrid platform will be commercially available in 2025 from the Thor family of companies and are expected to qualify as a Near-Zero Emission Vehicle (NZEV) under the Advanced Clean Truck legislation adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Thor’s Test Vehicle is a demonstration hybrid RV constructed on a Harbinger platform, which was purpose-built for the unique range requirements of the RV industry, exclusively for Thor. According to company literature, this is the first electrified chassis explicitly designed to power Class A motorhomes.
The hybrid chassis is powered by a 145-kilowatt-hour battery pack, a low-emissions gasoline range extender that recharges the battery, and a solar rooftop. The platform’s 800-volt electrical architecture allows for rapid charging at direct-current fast charger locations. The batteries can also be charged at traditional campsites, via the range extender, and by solar power, whether on the road or off-grid camping.
In addition, the hybrid platform can serve as a backup home power source and could one day allow owners to sell power stored in the vehicle back to the grid.
The Test Vehicle’s electric powertrain is said to deliver excellent acceleration and torque, offering up to twice the torque of a diesel engine, for confident highway driving on mountain roads and through rough terrain.
Company officials note that the platform’s design innovations go beyond the powertrain. Harbinger’s chassis includes all major vehicle systems of an electric vehicle, including drivetrain, high-voltage battery system, steering, brakes, and more. Its double-wishbone front suspension, steer-by-wire system, and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features are said to provide a safe, smooth ride and excellent handling, even in a large vehicle.
The Thor Test Vehicle was available for dealer test drives at the Elkhart (Indiana) RV Dealer Open House in September.
For more information, visit thorindustries.com and harbingermotors.com.
Voluntary RV Model Year Changes Addressed
In June 2024, RV Industry Association’s board of directors approved a proposal from the association’s RV Model Year Task Force to move the recommended voluntary model year introduction dates of July 1 through August 31 to an earlier time frame. The best-practice recommendations encourage RV manufacturers to make their annual model year and major product design changes between June 1 and June 30 beginning with the 2026 model year.
RVIA’s board initially adopted voluntary model year recommendations in 2020 to help improve the RV buying experience by alleviating confusion that consumers were experiencing when purchasing RVs. According to RVIA, this has helped consumers distinguish between model years and determine the value of used RVs when trading in a currently owned RV for a new unit.
The voluntary model year changeover time frame is also said to benefit RV businesses. Dealerships can more efficiently manage their inventory and communicate model year information to shoppers. Component part suppliers can more efficiently produce and stock parts to meet the needs of manufacturers. Manufacturers and suppliers are better able to provide dealer service centers with current parts for repairs, and the ability of finance institutions to establish RV valuations is enhanced.
Lazydays RV Certifies RV Techs
Lazydays RV, an RV dealership with 26 locations across 15 states, recently certified 25 RV technicians through the RV Technical Institute’s training program. Some of the RV technicians attended the institute’s Level 1 classes, while others completed Level 2 or Level 3 training.
“By training with the RV Technical Institute, we knew that our techs would receive industry-standard training and an enhanced quality of work,” said Jay Diaz, Lazydays RV’s service operations specialist.
The RV Technical Institute’s technician training program is a hands-on, competency-based program designed by institute staff and subject matter experts. It provides the only industry-backed training curriculum and RV technician certification and career path.
New Gasoline-Powered Heating System From Truma
Truma Combi G
Truma North America, a Germany-based company, has introduced a gasoline-powered Truma Combi — a two-in-one furnace and water heater system — to the North American market. It is a single-fuel alternative to the propane-powered Truma Combi.
“Many RV manufacturers we partner with are moving towards fully electric RVs. Removing propane from the equation is a step in that direction,” said Nick Dunning, Truma North America head of business development. “Combi G will allow our Class B and Class C customers to heat the living space and water using the same gasoline that fuels their chassis, eliminating the need for that second fuel source and simplifying the RV experience.”
Truma Combi G Comfort and Comfort Plus models became available for installation by RV manufacturers this fall and are compatible with Dodge and Ford chassis. The Combi G offers the same compact footprint as its propane counterparts.
Another upgrade in the Truma Combi G is the built-in high-altitude kit for automatic altitude adjustment. This allows the system to perform at high elevations without additional parts or preparation, giving RV owners the flexibility to be more spontaneous with their travel.
The Combi G isn’t the first single-fuel offering from Truma; the diesel-powered Combi D Comfort Plus entered the market in 2021.
For more information, visit truma.com/us.
Luxury RV Resort Opens In North Georgia
The new Winding Waters Riverfront RV Resort, in north Georgia, offers family-friendly activities such as waterslides and a lazy river, plus stocked fishing ponds and planned activities.
After more than two years of construction, Winding Waters Riverfront RV Resort, a luxury RV resort near Cartersville, Georgia, has officially opened. The state-of-the-art facility boasts 252 full-service RV sites and a variety of luxury amenities and is touted as the largest of its kind in the greater metro Atlanta area.
Nestled along the Etowah River and conveniently located off Interstate 75, the resort offers easy access to popular north Georgia destinations, including Lake Allatoona, Lakepoint Sports Complex, and downtown Cartersville. Resort amen-ities include a lazy river, zero-entry pool, pickleball courts, and more.
Winding Waters accepts nightly and monthly reservations. For more information, visit windingwatersrv.com.
Jayco Renovates Customer Service Facility
In June, nearly 300 members of Jayco’s customer service team celebrated the renovation of the RV manufacturer’s customer service center in Middlebury, Indiana.
Jayco recently completed significant renovations to its 118,000-square-foot, multilevel customer service facility in Middlebury, Indiana. The official unveiling took place in June 2024 and included a fundraiser that collected more than $5,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury.
The updated facility boasts several key features for customers waiting for their RVs to be serviced. In addition to a new conference room, the lobby features a refreshment area, a game center, and a large monitor showing Jayco’s RV brands. A new 3D timeline displays company milestones since its founding in 1968.
For information about Jayco RVs, visit jaycofamily.com.
KOA: The Changing Camping Landscape
Kampgrounds Of America says that nearly 88 million households identify as campers, and nearly 54 million households took a camping trip in 2023. The information is part of the 10th edition of KOA’s “North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report,” which includes data collected from KOA parks and non-KOA facilities.
According to the report, in the past decade, the number of camp-ing households has increased by 16.5 million, or 23 percent. The number of active camping households — those who have camped within the past year — has grown by 21.6 million, a 68 percent increase. Since 2014, the number of households who camp three or more times annually has increased by 98 percent.
New campers represent an average of 9 percent of guests each year, with double-digit increases reported in 2020, 2021, and 2022. From 2014 to 2023, camping by people of color increased by 13.6 million, or 54 percent.
The report noted a higher pro-portion of baby boomers and those from the Gen Z group among new campers, but fewer millennials, who are currently in their peak earning years.