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Hybrid RVs -
the story begins...
Industry-First Winnebago
Adventurer Concept
Hybrid RV Hits the Road
for Summer Media Tour
See reader's comments
and experiences at
bottom of page
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The concept
Adventurer on the
ecoFred chassis
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The 2009 Winnebago Adventurer class A motorhome
(This is not the hybrid version however) See RoTi review
See RoTi class A section Search RoTi RV reviews
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FOREST CITY, IA, June 2009 -
Winnebago, the nation's top selling motor home
manufacturer, continues to lead the way in
innovation by providing the industry's first hybrid
RV, a 2009 Winnebago Adventurer, to Brad and Amy
Herzog for their summer travel tour. The Herzogs,
spokespersons for the Recreation Vehicle Industry
Association (RVIA), will be traveling in this
concept hybrid RV this summer as they promote the
benefits of RV travel.
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Winnebago Industries is on the
cutting edge of RV hybrid technology with this concept
vehicle that explores the viability of advanced hybrid
systems in motor home applications. The Winnebago
Adventurer hybrid rides on a Freightliner Custom
Chassis' ecoFRED(TM) chassis (see
RoTi article), the motor home industry's
first hybrid-electric chassis featuring Eaton hybrid
power components. This is a full hybrid system in that
it utilizes two independent power sources (a diesel
engine and an electric motor) that work in conjunction
to optimally power the vehicle. The Adventurer hybrid
also features regenerative braking for less brake wear.
With regenerative braking, the hybrid electric motor
uses electricity to create torque, while also being able
to reverse the process to use torque to create
electricity. By reversing its electric engine to become
a generator, electricity is fed back into the battery
resulting in energy savings.
"We are excited to be the first RV manufacturer to begin
active testing of this hybrid technology," said
Winnebago Industries Vice President of Sales and
Marketing Roger Martin. "This hybrid concept can bring
many benefits including improved fuel efficiency in
select driving environments, reduced noise and
emissions, improved acceleration and reduced
maintenance. We are proud to provide this hybrid concept
vehicle to the Herzogs this summer for their tour as we
continue to test the viability of hybrid technology in
the RV industry."
The Herzogs will be enjoying the new 35Z floorplan as
they travel the US this summer. Introduced in 2009, the
triple slide 35Z is perfect for all ages with three
slideout rooms for added spaciousness when parked. One
of the highlights of this model is the rear wardrobe
that can be easily turned into bunk beds. Attractive
doors open fully to reveal the beds that fold down when
not in use. When the beds aren't in use, the space is
perfect for clothing, bedding or your latest souvenirs.
Kids love bunk beds and this area is even more appealing
with 8.5-inch flip down video screens with integrated
DVD players and headphones providing the perfect escape.
Kids don't have all the fun in this floorplan! In the
rear, there is a king bed nestled in the slideout room
for a relaxing area at night. The living area features
two slideout rooms that create social space for the
entire family. A fully equipped galley, including a four
door refrigerator/freezer, is also featured, as well as
a 32-inch LCD TV and home theater sound system.
Brad Herzog is a best selling author of such travelogues
as "States of Mind" and "Small World." He has also
authored over a dozen children's books, including the
most recent "S is for Save the Planet: A How-to-be Green
Alphabet."
"I'm thrilled to be driving this concept hybrid RV from
Winnebago Industries," said Herzog. "There are many ways
in which RVing teaches Earth-friendly lessons -- just by
doing things like visiting natural wonders, shopping at
farmers' markets and reducing consumption and home
energy use. But the Adventurer hybrid is an exciting
step forward in the industry's green initiatives. I've
always reduced the RV vacation advantage to four Fs --
fun, family, flexibility and financial savings. But now
I can add a fifth -- facing the future." :
Hybrid
RVs? ...Just
the beginning?
What do you think?
Read RoTi readers' comments
below and add your own
opinion ...
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(Latest comments first)
What do you think? - add your comments here
| author | comments |
| interested | Some railroad has been hybrid (General electric Diesel-electric locomotive) since 1918. Don't say hybrids don't have torque and can't pull a hill -- they don't have support.
As for Europe's RVs they are much less thirsty and much better designed: Winnebago, Fleetwood, etc.'s can't compete, so they aren't let in to this country... I know, I tried. Check out for example: McLouis.com, Hymer.com, lmc-caravan.com demand they be allowed in. |
| RT | Hills are a big mpg killer for a heavy vehicle. An over-the-road hybrid needs the capacity to drain the battery going up a hill and recharge going down. |
| Green Gurunt | Can anyone who operates a Green RV, any tyoe of Green Transport- Truck, Van etc drive to the Santa Cruz coastline, to appear with a lot of people coming on April 22,2011. Afternoon. Or go live: NET/Ph etc..You are right, as we are NOT THERE YET. We are showing the preview also to the first Green Car..Dymaxion. With the filmmaker and an EarthDay cofounder moving the audience into making this happend. Can we have real tips for manufacturers, and have the other countries demo? Force of light to get us back into manufacturing USA. Get it built by Native Americans and have them fly out the doors! Drums going...What people think pass as Green, who have long been in the industry...is not SUSTAINABLE...IT IS possible to do a lot better!!!
EarthWeek 2011 at Cabrillo College |
| on the road fulltime | i know the leisure set wants better gas mileage, but the trucking industry has made amazing new hybrid prototypes. i would give anything to convert my bus. better HP, 25+ mpg, less emissions...google it.just go test drive a Prius and it see 55mpg at work...they have the technology, we must demand it now. |
| Colin H | ET - The View, Via and ERA are all reviewed on here. Click "RV reviews" at the top of the page. I used RoTi to compare Class As before I bought my Via. By the way, love the Via but when are we gonna get a hybrid? |
| "ET" Miller | Have you not heard of the Winnebago View or Via or ERA? They are 24"- 25' Motorhomes with the Mercedes Diesel engine. Customers say they get 16-18mpg. More on the ERA Van RV. 18-20mpg. These are from folks that own the RVs. They aren't "cheap" but not as much as you'd expect for a Mercedes Diesel, fully equiped Motorhome. |
| Randy | I drove a hybrid car across the country and where can I buy a hybrid rv? How much does it cost? I want one. |
| Winnebago Al | There is no free lunch. Hybrid does not help fuel economy on the highway, only in stop and go traffic. A more economic motorhome is available today, they sell them in Europe, Austrailia, etc. When we are willing to drive a 20 foot aero coach with a 2 cubic foot refrigerator and a 10 gallon water tank, we might get 16 mpg. There are no 25 to 30,000 pound vehicles anywhere getting better than 9mpg. Keep dreaming folks, hybrid is just marketing hype to help fools believe they are better than the rest of us. |
| Casey | To madbeachdogs: This is a concept RV, I don't think it's in full production and on sale yet so there isn't a price decided yet. The ordinary Adventurer starts at $127k but this is not at all the same. I'm sure details will be on Roaming Times once the production model is available. |
| Jason Hughes | We really NEED to do things. I'm not sure this is enough but it sure is a start. Until someone figures out a real alternative to the internal combustion engine this is good. If the price of fuel rises more (and I think it will big time) this is going to look better and better. Go Winnebago. |
| Homer | I see no claims for this hybrid. I am sure they have tested it and pretty much know what it will do. This is an endurance trip it is on now. If you use the big diesel, and add electric motors and batteries. You have priced most people out of the market. I think it is a step in the right direction but lets find something that is really affordable. |
| CliffPA | For the rest of us. I hope someone is considering a minimal, think the classic VW camper, using diesel or hybrid, so travel would be possible at low cost and low carbon footprint.
$30000 and 35 mpg should be possible! It could be based on any of the diesel powered minivans or vans currently sold in Europe or other markets outside of the U.S and Canada. |
| Kevin | This is not on the gas chassis even though it's called an Adventurer, it's on the ecoFRED chassis. There's a link to an article about the chassis at the top of the page under the picture. It's a Freightliner chassis. |
| Jack Peters | I am confused as to why Winnebago would chose what is normally a gas chassis to test a Hybrid Diesel configuration. I assume this is a front engine and would like to know what kind of mileage is expected from the coach. I have owned only one Winnebago, an Elanden, but I was impressed how advanced it technology was compared with others. I am now the owner of a Foretravel U270. |
| Ben 47 | I've had 2 Winnebagos and both were good. Glad to hear they were the first with the hybrid. Like to try one. It says this is just a concept vehicle so I'm thinking they're not available yet. |
| H. Webb | IT'S A START. Now do more stuff before the Japanese and Chinese start sending us fuel efficient RVs. |
| Heather | I like the concept and hope other manufacturers do the same. I wonder how much this improves the fuel consumption? Still think all manufacturers need to do much much more. Fuel prices are going to be a big problem. |
| DanaMite | Please cater to us green people (and the little purple people too). Cater to the planet, the environment as a whole, and the quality of air we breath. Cater to long term, educated choices, that simply make sense. Or at least are headed in the right direction! |
| Josh M | I don't really think this makes sense for a big RV. It's main advantage is for city driving when you're constantly stopping and starting. That's not what people do with motorcoaches and it's really just catering for the green people. |
| Lori RV | I am thrilled that the RV industry is getting with the need to economize, allowing those of us who want to live on the road the opportunity to do so without being tied to high fuel prices and guilt over the destruction of the planet. |
| Jp | Great concept, can't wait to hear mileage and performance stats! |
| Richard A | Greater fuel efficiency on a truck diesel/electric chassis has been running around our cities for some time..in the form of diesel electric buses....thank you for FINALLY doing something with RV's |
| Montana Mike | On a recent trip through Colorado, I noticed the city of Vail is operatiing at least one Hybrid Bus. Railroads have been using Diesel Electric power for years, and ship builders for even longer. I believe this technology could produce far more economical trucks buses and RV's. I just don't know why it is not being used more. It seems a smaller diesel engine operating a generator to recharge batteries or directly drive electric motors could operate these vehicles. I currently operate a 40 ft pusher, and room is not a problem. |
| Bob Difley | Hybrid and electric school buses already exist. Manufacturers have the knowledge and ability to manufacture greener vehicles. So why is it taking so long to make motorhomes greener? Look at it from the manufacturers standpoint. They have to manufacture what they can sell. When we as consumers start requesting greener vehicle manufacturing and electric and hybrid power, the manufacturers will start producing more of them. |
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