We recently shared the winners of the Outdoor Adventurer category from the 2019 RVX Reveal. This was just one of nine categories in which judges selected the best new RVs on the market.
They also focused on the top choices for Van Life, including Class Bs and compact Class Cs for simple minimalistic RV living. These industry-leading vans are for those who want something smaller than a Class A coach, but still comfortable enough for two adults to sleep, cook, lounge, and store gear.
1. ModVans CV1 Camper Van
The top choice in the Van Life category was the CV1 by ModVans.
The CV1 has seating room for about five people and sleeps two adults. It runs on a Ford Transit chassis with great gas mileage and comfortable leather seats. All of the cabinets, seats, and components can be removed to make room for hauling gear or adjusted for maximum comfort.
The Downstairs Bed is built on top of modular storage in the rear of the van. The bed frame is made of sturdy, lightweight beams that can easily be disconnected and stored away.
Sitting on the frame is a 3-fold bouldering pad that can also be stowed away in the cabinet. For added comfort, you can top the pad with a piece of memory foam.
The second-row seats can be positioned in Camp Mode or Transit Mode. In Camp Mode, the seats are installed on the wall of the driver side to open up the interior space. In Transit Mode, the seats are facing forward like in a regular van to carry passengers.
The CV1 comes with a large two-burner propane stove, a deep undermount sink, and a small fridge. The cabinets are bolted to the van with removable fasteners and can be taken out as needed. The portable toilet and privacy curtain can also be unbolted and removed.
The pop-up top is secured with mechanical latches while in transit. When it’s time to set up camp, the latches can be released and a switch will raise the top. It can be set up in Sleep Mode or Stand Mode with over six feet of standing room.
The van comes fully equipped with an RV power system, a 10-gallon propane system, a 10-gallon fresh water tank, and a 6-gallon black water tank.
It has electric and propane heating as well as a rooftop A/C. A 300-watt solar charging system is optional. You can learn more about the CV1 from ModVans.
2. Winnebago Revel
The Winnebago Revel was among the honorable mentions in the Van Life category. This tough new Class B is built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a 3-liter turbo-diesel engine and an on-demand four-wheel drive system with a high/low range mode for off-roading.
The rear bedroom doubles as a gear garage when not in use. The gel foam mattress is built on a power lift system and can be lowered in minutes at the end of the day.
When the bed is lifted up and stowed away, there is about 140-cu ft of cargo space for storing bikes and other gear.
In the galley, the Revel has a single burner induction cooktop, a 2.5 cu-ft fridge and freezer, and a stainless steel sink. There are glass covers for the sink and stove, as well as a countertop extension for extra meal prep space.
The wet bath in the Revel also serves as a storage closet with three removable shelves. The bathroom has a swiveling cassette-style toilet and a shower with a bamboo mat.
The interior has LED lighting with a dimmer switch and tinted dual-pane windows. You can optionally add a 200-watt solar power system, a pull-up dinette table, and diesel-powered heating.
The new Winnebago Reveal starts at about $149,299. More information is available on their website.
3. Winnebago Travato
While the Revel is designed for maximum gear storage, the Winnebago Travato is made for those who don’t want to sacrifice the comforts of home while on the road. The Travato rides on a Ram ProMaster chassis and is available in four different floorplans.
The modern interior is designed with Corian countertops, comfortable leather cab seats, and vinyl flooring. In the lounge is a 24-inch LED television and bench seating that varies depending on the model. The 59G/GL models have two benches with a pivoting table, whereas the 59K/KL models have a center table and seating for six.
Cooking can be done on the two-burner range top or in the microwave. The galley also comes with a compressor fridge and a sink with a glass cover.
A bathroom with a toilet and a shower is included in all of the floorplans. They either have a stainless steel round sink or a fold-down sink, along with features like a tissue holder and a towel rack.
The bedroom varies depending on the model. The 59G/GL has a large corner bed that flips down, while the 59K/KL has either twin beds or a queen mattress. The beds are built on a deluxe Froli system with extra cushioning to give you a better night’s sleep.
The Travato 59GL and KL models also come equipped with the Pure3 Energy Management System, one of the most durable lithium energy systems on the market. For more information, visit Winnebago’s website.
4. Leisure Vans 2019 Wonder Rear Twin Bed
The 2019 Wonder Rear Twin Bed (RTB) comes from Leisure Travel Vans, a leading manufacturer of luxurious motorhomes. Two other floorplans are available including the Murphy Bed and the Front Twin Bed.
The RTB floorplan has two twin beds in the back along with the largest galley of any of their other models. The front dinette table swivels and has two folding leaves for extra space.
The two beds can easily slide together to form one large bed, bigger than a residential queen-size bed. Storage is available beneath the two beds and is easily accessible.
The new Wonder has a unique three-part bathroom with the shower separate from the toilet and sink. You can watch the full tour in this video:
5. Coachmen Galleria 24A
The Galleria from Coachmen RV comes in four floorplans, however, the 24A model in particular was deemed as Judge’s Choice. Unlike the other floorplans, the 24A has a large fixed bed in the rear with storage underneath.
A galley and a wet bath are included in all of the floorplans. The 24A also has a pantry closet and a removable table behind the driver’s seat that serves as a comfortable work station.
The van comes standard with a new WiFiRanger, USB outlets and more. It can also be upgraded with a powerful 12V air conditioning unit, a new bike rack, and hydraulic leveling, among other features.
The Galleria is built on a Mercedes Sprinter van at about 24 feet long. It comes standard with a 100-watt solar panel and the option to upgrade to 200 or 300 watts. You can learn more on Coachmen RV’s website.
