SALT LAKE CITY — You couldn’t get much more hyped than the first annual Reveal event held Tuesday at RVX.
Billed as honoring the best innovations in nine categories that were based on search terms used by consumers, The Reveal brought a standing-room-only crowd into the main ballroom at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Those expecting to see something they’d never seen before or to see brand new products unlike anything on the market probably left wondering what all the excitement was about. (Some of the winners, including the Airstream Classic, were available for dealers to tour at last fall’s Open House Week.) But those anxious to hear what the consumer-facing judges thought got a thorough education on what kinds of innovations catch the buying public’s attention.
NBC Auto Racing Analyst and former host of Top Gear U.S. Rutledge Wood hosted the event and announced the awards after some remarks from RV Industry Association President Frank Hugelmeyer.
Each category included a winner and Judge’s Choice nominees.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: The Category Spotlight winner was the SylvanSport VAST.
Unlike SylvanSport’s spartan trailer that acted both as a camper and a cargo carrier, VAST is designed for adventure travelers and campers who want to bring all their toys of the trade, without sacrificing comfort. It features breakthrough simplicity for gear hauling, two true queen- sized beds, a patented indoor/outdoor kitchen and a full bath with shower.
Judge’s Choices: Airstream Basecamp, Forest River No Boundaries, Taxa Tiger Moth, Taxa Cricket, Lance 855 Rule Maker.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Category Spotlight winner was the Jayco Eagle HT 264 BHOK. Jayco’s new bunkhouse sleeps six and features convertible furniture and pass-through exterior storage. Customizable upgrades include a fireplace and more residential-type woodwork, fabrics, lighting and fixtures, an outside kitchen, hybrid grill and rear cargo door with flip up bunk for easy bike or kayak storage.
Judge’s Choices: Forest River Vengeance 385 FK Touring Edition, Forest River Sabre Fifth Wheel, Forest River Rpod, Winnebago Outlook, Coachmen Catalina 39 RLTS.
VAN LIFE: Category Spotlight winner was ModVans CV1 Camper Van. The CV1 features removable, modular components that adjust the layout. Based on a Ford Transit chassis, the CV1 is affordable, easy to drive and serviceable by any Ford dealer.
Judge’s Choices: Winnebago Revel, Winnebago Travato Pure 3, Leisure Vans 2019 Wonder Rear Twin Bed, Coachmen Galleria 24 A.
CITY ESCAPE: Category Spotlight was Leisure Travel’s 2020 Unity Rear Lounge. The 2020 Unity Rear Lounge represents a decade of product improvements, setting the stage for a new era of Unity’s. Built on the all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis, the Unity features a spacious “rear lounge” with residential-like sectional sofa and the first RV to feature the all-new Dometic IoT “Smart RV” system.
Judge’s Choices: Airstream Interstate Nineteen, Forest River Flagstaff Hard Side SE Camping Trailer, Venture Sonic, Winnebago Boldt (premieres at RVX).
DESTINATION CAMPING: Category Spotlight winner was Forest River’s Riverstone Luxury 39 RBFL. A fifth wheel geared toward the luxury/extended customer featuring separated garages to 1 and ½ bath concepts. The redesigned front cap sports a large windshield, tri-sofa front living, rear bathroom with dual vanity sink, half bath off the kitchen with a washer dryer and still has room for a king bed.
Judge’s Choices: K-Z-RV Durango, Winnebago Horizon, Forest River Cedar Creek Cottage,
Forest River Wildwood Grand Lodge 42DL.
SUSTAINABILITY: Category Spotlight was the Winnebago All Electric/Zero Emission. Built on a Class A RV platform in either 33-foot or 38-foot lengths and utilizing Motiv Power Systems’ Ford F53 based EPIC all-electric chassis. Not yet designed for general consumer use, the vehicle is best suited for short-range commercial applications like mobile bloodmobiles, clinics, classrooms and outreach vehicles. The vehicle houses either six or eight batteries and delivers an expected range of only 85 to 125 miles on a full charge.
Judge’s Choices: Taxa 2019 Mantis, Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro, Attitude F35GSG by Eclipse, Forest River Work and Play.
ON THE HORIZON: Category Spotlight winner was the Airstream Classic Smart RV. The Airstream Classic Smart RV with all-new Smart Control Technology, allows an RVer to control and monitor the RV’s most important features and amenities from anywhere — and stay connected to the comforts of home. That means a more comfortable camping experience every time, everywhere.
Judge’s Choices: Keytone Fuzion 427 FW w/Onboarding Weighting system, Keystone Raptor 356 w/pneumatic suspension, Winnebago All Electric Zero Emission, Winnebago Micro Mini Fifth Wheel 2405 RG.
LUXURY LIVING: Category Spotlight winner was Newmar’s 2020 Superstar Super C, which is fresh off the line. The 2020 Super Star will debut at the inaugural RVX event in March. This product is a luxury Super C class product with several innovations not offered in the market today.
Judge’s Choices: Stratus SR261 VRK by Venture, Entegra Coach Cornerstone, Crossroads Redwood RV, Forest River Cardinal.
TEAM TAILGATE: Category Spotlight winner was Heartland’s Cyclone Ultimate Tailgate RV
Featuring the first ever side patio that sets up with the touch of a button, featuring an outside bar, built in kegerator and multiple TVs. The interior hosts multiple 55-inch TVs, a sound system with 8 subwoofers and 18 amplified speakers. The garage holds a portable hot tub that can be moved outdoors. Outside, the full-body paint job is complemented by matching underground lighting system.
Judge’s Choices: Coachmen Sportscoach 366BH, Venture RV’s Sport Trek Touring, K-Z-RV Venom V Series, Lance 1975 Ultra Light Travel Trailer.
