EDITOR’S NOTE: For the full story on the RV of the Year overall winner as well as the 31 other units singled out for recognition as an RV of the Year Finalist, Top Debut, Must-See RV or Notable Innovation, be sure to pick up a copy of the November/December issue of RVBusiness magazine, which is expected to be in mailboxes the week of Nov. 14.
Led by its 131SB Overland Concept, the 2023 RVBusiness RV of the Year goes to the Winnebago HIKE 100 FLX, a line of micro trailers that’s equally at home in the campground or well off the beaten path … or up a mountain … or down a ravine … or wherever outdoor adventures await.
The HIKE 100 FLX includes five floorplans, all under 16 feet long with about 3,000 pounds (UVW) and 1,000 pounds of cargo carrying capacity – easily within reach of most SUVs and trucks. The lineup starts in the mid $40,000-range (MSRP) – making it within reach of most budgets.
More notably, for 2023 the HIKE 100 has added the FLX package, first introduced a year ago in the (relatively) bigger Micro Minnie line, which includes a suite of components and appliances that combine to form a robust system for comfort and performance.
Also, the HIKE’s other featured addition for 2023 is the all-new Independent Suspension Bridge Axle Mounting System by BAL RV Products, which incorporates Dexter TORFLEX Stub Axles.
In fact, at least in our opinion, it’s because of the FLX package and independent suspension that the HIKE 100 successfully bridges the gap between a mainstream RV and extreme overlander.
To be fair, there have been a handful of other RVs, both in prior years and for 2023, that are worthy emissaries of this niche segment – among them being the Beast Mode models in the Forest River No Boundaries and IBEX lines, Ember RV Overlander ROK and ROL, Lance Enduro and dozens of rugged teardrops and so-called adventure trailers from specialty manufacturers.
But, in our estimation, the HIKE 100 FLX represents the 2023 model year’s best execution of an overland-capable unit with crossover appeal.
For that reason and a long list of others, the HIKE 100 FLX is our pick for the 2023 RV of the Year.
Other 2023 model year winners (in alphabetical order by category) include:
RV of the Year Finalists
- Brinkley RV Model Z – Touted as a mid-profile luxury fifth-wheel, the Model Z from Brinkley RV features a ton of innovations, rock-solid quality and a residential fit-and-finish that is simply astounding.
- East To West Della Terra LE 175BH – Part of the all-new, entry-level, conventional-built Della Terra LE line for East To West RV, the 175BH is a single-axle travel trailer with bunkbeds in the rear and a Murphy bed up front.
- Ember RV Touring Edition – Highlighted by the 20FB, there’s a lot to like about Ember RV’s all-new Touring Edition travel trailer line, which offers composite materials and torsion axles among its many features.
- Fleetwood Frontier GTX 37RT – The brand-new Frontier GTX 37RT from Fleetwood RV is a luxury Class A diesel motorhome that’s features the “Corner Office” strategically located at the rear of the 37-foot motorhome.
- inTech RV O-V-R – Featuring a fully welded cage and frame construction, the O-V-R line of adventure travel trailers from inTech RV is a perfectly capable and comfortable way to get away from it all.
- Jayco Jay Flight Volare – Jayco’s single-axle Volare travel trailer features a Euro-inspired tilt-forward front design, which not only makes the trailer seem longer, it adds a ton more usable space to the interior.
- Newmar Dutch Star 4325 – The redesigned 2023 Dutch Star from Newmar offers all new upgrades to the best-selling Class A diesel motorhome on the market.
- Palomino Pause – The Palomino Pause has been designed from the ground up to be a true overland rig, with a laundry list of features sure to appeal to anyone with extreme wanderlust.
- Tiffin Allegro Bus 45 FP – The all-new Allegro Bus 45 FP from Tiffin Motorhomes is a 45-foot tag-axle motorhome, and all systems are electric or powered through the coach’s diesel fuel supply.
Top Debuts
- Alliance RV Valor 31T13
- Coachmen Entourage
- Encore RV ROG 16RB
- Entegra Coach Accolade XT
- Forest River R-Pod 203 Beast Mode
- Forest River Wildcat ONE 28BH
- Grand Design Imagine AIM
- Keystone Arcadia Super Lite
- Kropf Eldorado 9100
- Soaring Eagle Truck Camper
Must-See RVs
- Airstream Rangeline
- Alliance All Access Series 22ML
- Columbus River Ranch 391MK
- DRV Luxury Suites Orlando 44
- Forest River Rockwood 8264BH
- Keystone Cougar 320RDS
- Lance Enduro
- NeXus Verrado
- Roadtrek Pivot
- Stealth Nomad
- Thor Motor Coach Dazzle
- Travel Lite Atom
Notable Innovations
- East To West Ahara 380 FL Rear Docking Station
- Ember RV Overlander 221 MSL Locker Bunks with Fort
- Entegra Coach Safe-View Dash
- Forest River Ibex 10 Series LHG
- Forest River XLR Nitro 427 with 26½-Foot Garage
- Heartland Prowler 271SBR Bunk Room System
- Heartland RV Warrior Rack
- Keystone Fuzion Convertible Bar
- Keystone Raptor Extra-Sized Beaver-Tail Storage
- Skinny Guy Campers Folding Truck Camper
