For anyone who felt “Super C” coaches epitomized the pinnacle of Class C RVing, Thor Motor Coach’s family of motorhomes is expanding with the release of the Pasadena and Inception — which the Elkhart, Indiana-based manufacturer has dubbed “Mega C” motorhomes.

Pasadena and Inception are built exclusively on the Freightliner S2RV cab chassis, designed for consumers seeking the performance and power of a diesel pusher with the familiarity and convenience of a cab chassis. The front-end diesel chassis features a Cummins ISB-XT engine, outputting 360 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque.

Cockpit comforts include air suspension seats, a roadtrip-ready 10-inch touchscreen dash radio (with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM prep and back-up monitor display), side-view camera system, heated and remote exterior mirrors and keyless entry.

Pasadena and Inception are available in two floorplans: the 38BX bunkhouse layout and the 38MX bath-and-a-half model. Both floor plans feature luxurious living amenities, including washer and dryer prep, theater seating, Tilt-A-View king-sized bed, residential kitchen features and a large Dream Dinette.

Interior design upgrades include an innovative rounded design of cabover bunk’s skylight — increasing headroom and allowing the SkyBunk to provide the perfect night under the stars — solid-surface countertops, decorative tile backsplash, nickel-finish hardware and a choice of painted or stained hardwood cabinets.

Control of the Mega C RV’s functions are made simple with the Rapid Camp+ multiplex system with Firefly, including — but not limited to — the Onan diesel generator and 1,800-watt inverter. Owners simply connect via Bluetooth or manually control the systems at the 7-inch touchscreen panel. For more information on the company’s 2022 motorhomes, visit thormotorcoach.com/motorhomes/.

Elkhart, Indiana-based WAY, the industry innovator of the original 12-volt DC RV refrigerator, has announced a pending patent on a new fridge model featuring a dual-swing door that opens from either side. This revolutionary product will be the first of its kind in the RV marketplace and will benefit both RV manufacturers and owners due to its convenience and space-saving features.

“We continue to try and innovate within the RV refrigeration space,” said Way CEO Wayne Kaylor. “We want to help both our OEM customers who trust the Everchill brand and RV owners who want convenience and efficiency while in their home on the road.”

Way was first to market with the 12-volt DC fridge engineered for off-the-grid applications. The new dual-swing refrigerator will join the company’s expansive Everchill product line, which features 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC models from 1.3 to 17 cubic feet in various external finishes.

The innovative dual-swing model will first be available in a 10.7-cubic-foot model in the Everchill Premier Series, featuring a durable glass front finish. Chris Greer, WAY vice president of product development, said the company plans to offer more sizes with the dual-swing capability eventually. Everchill dual swing refrigerator models will be available mid-summer 2022.

Encore RV, founded in 2020, has been busy developing new floorplans for the company’s line of lightweight all-aluminum-framed adventure trailers. The newest offering — the 15PH — has a “high” profile and is loaded with features. There are two levels of living quarters, making the 15PH the perfect camper for a family looking to find its own space, even in a trailer that comes in under 18 feet in overall length. The abundance of space is utilized in the unique double-decker layout that puts the master bedroom on the lower level and the second bedroom in the upper deck.

“Encore’s engineering team found a way to squeeze just about everything you could want in a trailer into the 15PH,” said Encore RV founder Rich Schnippel. “Sleeping accommodations feature true queen beds on both levels, a full dry bath on the main level that includes an actual steam shower, there’s even a half bath on the second level. The kitchen includes a 3-burner stove and oven, microwave, large stainless-steel sink and plenty of countertop space for food preparation.”

The 15PH designates the 15-foot box length and the “PH” stands for “Penthouse.” Designed for extended stays off-grid, the RŎG 15PH has an 83-gallon freshwater tank, 45-gallon gray tank and a 35-gallon black tank. The electrical system features 500-amp hours of Lithium battery power and 400 watts of solar power. A 3,000-watt inverter enables owners to power all appliances without the need for shorepower, while the standard 12V Dometic roof top A/C keeps things cool on hot days. Encore debuted the new 15PH in a matte-grey fiberglass sidewall provided by Polser USA. For more information, go to encore-rv.com.

To fill the gap in skilled RV service technicians, the RV Technical Institute (RVTI) has been working to meet its goal of recruiting and training at least 1,000 new techs from outside the RV industry in 2022. That means more expertly trained technicians diagnosing and repairing RVs, getting RVers back out on the road faster than ever, and vastly improving the RV consumer experience, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

To reach this goal, the team at RVTI has launched a robust consumer marketing campaign targeting job seekers into the growing and desirable field, in addition to partnerships with organizations outside the industry including high schools, trade schools, and government training programs. One of the most recent events attended by the Institute was the Correctional Educational Association (CEA) conference, an organization that works to provide direction and services to correctional educators and institutional correctional education programs around the world.

RVTI Director of Recruitment Tracy Anglemeyer spoke with correctional facilities about training programs and conducted a one-hour presentation on the RV industry that outlined its recent growth, the demand for technicians, and how the Institute could be a re-entry solution for their learners. She also highlighted how a partnership between the CEA and RVTI could be mutually beneficial, fulfilling both the goal for more skilled RV technicians and the need to secure placements for individuals released from correctional facilities.

Likewise, RVTI Vice President of Education and Operations Sharonne Lee presented an hour-long seminar on obtaining RV technician training at the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. During the presentation, Lee provided an overview of the RV industry; outlined what the RV Technical Institute’s role is and how it impacts consumers of the RV lifestyle; described how providing services at RV campgrounds could play a key role in providing needed services to RVers; and discussed how to get personnel trained and/or certified.

Individuals interested in registering for a training course can view the catalog here.

Most folks RVing today don’t know that Winnebago originally was a manufacturer of towables — but when the company began building motorhomes, it never looked back. On March 15, the company announced it had produced its 500,000th motorhome — becoming the first industry brand to reach the milestone.

The company marked the occasion with events across all its facilities, and a special event held at its North Iowa campus in Lake Mills, where the vehicle ceremoniously rolled off the production line. The 500,000th motorhome is the popular Revel, a model introduced four years ago that embodies Winnebago’s continuous innovation and proven ability to meet customers’ evolving needs. Fittingly, the half-millionth coach was a Revel, which epitomizes the current trend for off-grid “experiential” camping with four-wheel-drive, elevated ground clearance and a long-lasting lithium battery to power RV systems.

To commemorate the milestone, Winnebago also created a short video honoring the brand’s legacy and achievement. The event was particularly meaningful to Winnebago team members, especially the top ten-most senior employees who have been with the company for multiple decades and can remember some of the earliest vehicles.

Roadpass Digital, operator of the leading technology platform for road travel and outdoor experiences, recently announced a new membership bundle: Roadpass Pro. This membership unlocks premium access to all four of the company’s travel apps for roadtrippers and RVers — Roadtrippers, Campendium, RVillage and Togo RV — all with the convenience of a Roadpass single sign-on account.

Roadpass Digital CEO Danny Hest described the new offering as an innovative way to add simplicity and value for the company’s more than six million users. Roadpass Pro empowers RVers, campers, and roadtrippers to confidently venture out — whether they’re seasoned road warriors or brand new to outdoor adventure.

Roadpass Digital’s products include:

Roadtrippers — a trip planning app that offers users the unique ability to collaborate with friends, sync across map apps for seamless navigation, and identify and save destinations. Roadpass Pro subscribers can plan unforgettable road trips with up to 150 stops.

Campendium — a crowd-sourced and editorially-curated web and mobile application that allows users to search, preview, and provide feedback on more than 32,000 public and private RV camping locations across the continental United States, Canada, and Baja Mexico. Roadpass Pro gives subscribers access to the app’s cell coverage maps, public land overlays, and trail maps.

Togo RV — the ultimate app to keep RV owners organized, inspired, and on the move. Roadpass Pro subscribers can employ the in-app RV-specific GPS, which allows them to chart journeys that consider their unit’s weight and clearance. They also receive unlimited access to information on more than 14,000 Overnight RV Parking locations.

RVillage — the largest and most active social network of RV owners and enthusiasts. Roadpass Pro subscribers receive Gold status with RVillage, which provides several perks, including discounts and coupons on RV-related products and services.

A Roadpass Pro membership begins with a 7-day free trial and is priced at $49.99 annually. Current premium subscribers of Campendium, RVillage, and Togo RV will be upgraded to Roadpass Pro at no additional cost. For further information, visit roadpass.com/pro.