Travel

The RV world reached new heights in the 2010s, laying the groundwork for a bigger decade to come. Camper concepts we saw over the decade showed an industry ready to apply the latest technologies in creating smarter, more luxurious, more stylish RVs.

The van life trend showed no signs of pulling back this year. In fact, 2019 was a pivotal year that saw camper vans growing smarter, more practical and more efficient with some impressive technological breakthroughs and design innovations.

The new ERV from Retreat Caravans brings the race to go electric to non-motorized vehicles. Its lithium battery and solar roof are tasked with running all-season climate control, indoor/outdoor entertainment, electrified kitchen gear and much more.

The US may not have Europe's market of affordable, mass-produced camper vans, but it holds its own in off-grid vans custom-built around adventure sports. Many are focused on summer, but Titan offers a Sprinter year-rounder built for ski/surf bums.

Last time we looked at the SLRV Commander 8x8 two-story motorhome, it was still in the build, but it has since been completed. An engineering marvel, the wheeled explorer yacht brings together a military-grade shell with a duplex interior.

The Smart-Pack is the latest travel backpack looking to stand out in a crowded field, and it's bringing specially designed compartments and openings, durable materials, anti-theft mechanisms and built-in wireless charging for your phone.

Air travel can be difficult for the mobility-challenged … they have to get a wheelchair at the airport, or make sure that theirs gets stowed. Engineer Richard Williams has developed an alternative: a folding wheelchair that doubles as a carry-on bag.

EarthRoamer has been impressing crowds for two decades with its heavy-duty, go-anywhere expedition rigs. Following on from the launch of the XV-HD, the Colorado company is back with a new model, one it calls the "most advanced EarthRoamer ever."

The evolution of modern camping continues as KOA launches Terramor Outdoor Resort, a glamping resort combining safari-style tents, a bar and restaurant, equipment rentals and more into something that's part summer camp, part upscale hotel resort.

The Praetorian Overlander promises to be a stylish off-grid shelter capable of bursting through rivers and grinding over sliding mountains of toothy rock to reach whatever never-before-typed set of coordinates you're heading for.

London-based startup Phoenx is focusing on the eco-conscious traveler by creating sustainable, modular luggage made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing lines, old carpets, waste rubber and aluminum.

Even with a few months of 2019 left to go, we feel confident that the Hymer VisionVenture is the coolest camper van of the year. Now more details have emerged on exactly how its tech can benefit future van lifers.