THE PAST FEW YEARS have been somewhat transitional for the motorized RV industry — though the full impact is still taking shape. Longtime motorized owners and potential buyers are left with more questions than answers. Pricing, availability, and even the long-term viability of ownership in certain markets have some wondering what lies ahead for motorhomes. The good news? That could mean exciting things on the horizon.
Motorized remains one of the most dynamic segments in RV manufacturing. If challenges are the best innovators, then there is arguably more push to design and build motorhomes that are more affordable, reliable, and customer-focused than ever before.
As the 2026 model year rolls out, we’re seeing trends in new segments, such as Super C RVs, continued exploration of electric RVs, and the rollout of smaller yet still-capable motorhomes that better fit budgets. In a word, the motorhome market is wriggling to find just the right balance that customers want. And we’re here to explore what those changes look like.
In the spirit of Charles Dickens, we’re looking at motorized’s Past, Present, and Future to give you some helpful context, considerations, and exciting developments to keep your eye on.
The Past: What Happened to Motorized?
So how did we arrive at this crossroads? Motorhomes represent a far smaller slice of the RV market — after all, it’s a more considerable investment. But what has popularity looked like in the last few years? A few trends stand out.
Pandemic Popularity
The sudden surge in popularity in 2021 led to growth in practically every segment, including motorized RVs. The independence of a substantial motorhome appealed to newly remote workers and those facing rising housing prices, among others. Consequently, demand surged across all three main segments, with Class B models leading the charge (#VanLife). Even Class A motorhomes saw gains of nearly 30% from 2020 to 2021. Meanwhile, Class C RVs grew steadily in popularity, remaining the most common motorhome choice, perfect for first-time RV families.
Though inflation and rising interest rates tempered the boom—by mid-2022, shipments began to decline—the spike in popularity (and resulting used inventory) left lasting effects on today’s market, influencing both price and availability.
Advanced Clean Trucks
During that time, another unique challenge developed.
Introduced in 2020, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule was originally designed to push the trucking industry toward cleaner technology by requiring manufacturers to sell a growing percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year. Its ripple effects started reaching the motorhome industry in 2024 — especially the Class A segment.
These larger RVs share the same heavy-duty chassis platforms as commercial trucks, and the regulation has complicated long-term production planning. With some states adopting, others delaying, and still more challenging the rule, manufacturers face an added wrinkle while already navigating shifting demand and higher costs.
Many are hesitant to make long-term investments without clarity on which engines or chassis platforms will remain viable.
Chassis Reliance
Further complicating the issue, motorhome manufacturers have limited choices when it comes to chassis providers. Possibly due to the popularity of camper vans, the Class B segment actually sports the most options from Mercedes, Ford, and RAM. In the Class C segment, most manufacturers build on Ford or Chevy truck chassis. And in the Class A world, an overwhelming majority of gas models rely on the Ford F-53 chassis—with select diesel competitors opting for Freightliner or Spartan alternatives. Because the RV industry represents only a small fraction of these suppliers’ overall business, their decisions are rarely made with RV builders—or buyers—in mind.
Our list of allies grows thin…
At times, that imbalance has led to rising chassis costs and recurring uncertainty about availability. When a key chassis platform is discontinued or reprioritized, RV manufacturers can find themselves scrambling for alternatives. In the case of gas Class A RVs, some manufacturers have switched traditional Class A production lines to Super C construction, based on more readily available commercial truck chassis.
Rising Prices
Finally, talk to almost anyone in the RV community about motorhome prices, and most will reference a time not that long ago when you could buy a similarly contented Class A or B campers for significantly less than what you find in today’s market. It’s true — but perhaps not for the reasons you think.
Motorhome prices were on an upward trajectory even before the pandemic’s increased demand. When you factor in supply-chain disruptions and limited chassis availability, along with that increased demand, price increases become more understandable. Yet, even today, we still see prices that reflect a somewhat bottlenecked market (more on that later).
However, there are signs that manufacturers are stretching their legs and leaning more on innovation — lighter materials, chassis variations, modular design, and more efficient power systems — to deliver better value within the new normal of higher costs. So what’s working?
The Present: What’s Happening Now In Motorhomes?
There are challenges, yes—but we’re also seeing exciting activity in the motorhome segment. After all, motorized RVing remains one of the most independent forms of travel, sustained by a devoted core of owners, and it appeals especially to new RVers who have reservations about towing. And there are signs of life. According to RVIA, motorized shipments were up over 21% as recently as a month ago, potentially marking a modest recovery.
So what’s occurring? Let’s take a look at a few trends across various motorized segments, starting with smaller RVs.
Goldilocks Motorhomes
In some cases, motorhomes are trending smaller, and they’re also shedding some of their more costly features while identifying the core conveniences campers want. Manufacturers have shifted to meet new expectations of affordability, drivability, and low maintenance. Consider examples from Thor Motor Coach, where they clearly see an opportunity to meet their customers’ needs with new products.
In 2025, they introduced new “ESpec” models, short for Essential Specifications, which boast more compact campers with core amenities like a 4,000-watt generator, backup camera, auto-gen start, a 12V refrigerator, and more.
Another example is Thor Motor Coach’s Freedom lines, which position motorhomes at accessible price points, often utilizing efficient floorplans and streamlined feature sets. Models like the Class C Freedom Elite 19HE are easier to drive, park, and store, offering a simplified overall experience for new owners. Their Class B van— the Freedom Elite 17D—has proven to be somewhat of a game-changer, with an attractive MSRP and a nimble length just shy of 18′.
Thor has even extended this philosophy to their Class A Freedom Traveler lineup, which begin around $165,600. Its most compact ES models are built on a commercial truck chassis (Ford E-Series) instead of the traditional F-53. This somewhat subtle change reflects Thor’s shrugging of traditional Class A conventions to provide a similar experience at a price point that’s more in line with consumers’ needs.
In this way, the Freedom lines complement Thor’s ESpec “Goldilocks” builds—models that sit between maximum luxury and minimal cost—offering a lower barrier of entry for new buyers.
By focusing on functional layouts and simpler features, Thor has created a motorhome that’s easier to drive, own, and, most importantly, afford. The company describes this as “bringing motorized RVing back within reach,” aligning with buyers who seek practical rigs under $150,000.
In many ways, Thor’s ESpec launch and Freedom line changes capture where certain motorized manufacturers are heading: attainable units focused on real-world use rather than excess luxury.
But that’s not where the conversation stops. Even the high-end luxury segments and manufacturers seem to be pivoting.
The Dawn of the Super C
Unlike gas Class A RVs, Super Cs are built on a commercial-grade truck chassis—often the Ford F-600/F-750, Freightliner SD, or International CV Series—giving them higher towing capacities, diesel power, and a more familiar driving experience for truck owners.
Historically, the Super C has been a niche market for those with greater towing needs. In recent years, it’s marked a unique opportunity for manufacturers to offer a Class A experience on a more accessible (and slightly more affordable) chassis. This platform independence has made Super Cs an appealing alternative for manufacturers seeking to reduce their reliance on the F-53.
The result is a burst of innovation: new 2025 models like the Grand Design Lineage Series F, the East to West Bravado, and Thor Magnitude Grand showcase 4×4 options, integrated smart-tech systems, and residential interiors traditionally found in luxury Class A RVs.
And the list goes on…
- Newmar, new to the Super C segment in 2020, has launched several Super C trim levels in the past few years, including a more price-conscious, accessible option in the 2025 Grand Star, as well as their luxurious Summit Aire, signaling a deliberate move to broaden its footprint in a category once dominated by niche, high-end builds.
- Tiffin is placing a clear bet on Super C with its Allegro Bay flagship line. For 2025–2026, Tiffin has expanded this lineup with a new 34DB floor plan and refined the coach with upgrades like matte-finish tile flooring, a lower entry step, new décor options, and expanded amenities such as a stacked washer/dryer and optional Starlink® prep—subtle but meaningful enhancements that elevate comfort and convenience.
- Jayco is a longtime manufacturer of Super C RVs, leading with Seneca and Seneca XL, which together illustrate the brand’s dual-track approach to the segment: luxury and adventure. For the 2026 model year, its newer Seneca XT marks a clear step change, built on a Ford F-550/F-600 4×4 chassis and featuring heavy-duty running gear, plus upgraded insulation and construction.
- Entegra Coach, Jayco’s luxury counterpart under the same corporate umbrella, mirrors that dual-track evolution at the premium end of the market. Its Accolade and Accolade XL lines build on the same heavy-duty Freightliner S2RV Plus chassis but elevate the experience with Entegra’s E-Z Drive Premier ride-and-handling system.
- Fleetwood RV and Holiday Rambler, both under the REV Group umbrella, are entering the Super C space with purpose. Their 2026 Altitude (Fleetwood) and Incline (Holiday Rambler) models ride on new Ford F-Series chassis and bring the brands’ signature residential styling and technology into a more compact, diesel-powered platform—an intentional move to capture buyers seeking Class A amenities in a more capable, truck-based motorhome.
- Dynamax remains the segment leader, continuing to set the benchmark for luxury Super C models with the DX3 and Europa. For 2025–2026, Dynamax emphasizes even greater refinement, adding advanced safety systems, upgraded multiplex controls, and high-output lithium power options—all built on commercial-grade Freightliner Cascadia and M2 chassis that define the brand’s blend of durability and high-end craftsmanship.
As production stabilizes, the Super C has evolved from a niche choice into a proving ground where builders can experiment with performance, design, and durability without being tied to the limitations of traditional motorhome platforms.
The Future of Motorhomes
With our Ghosts of Motorhomes Past and Present in our periphery, the future is arguably already here, though it carries with it some familiar chassis reliance (more on that later). Notably, several manufacturers have begun to explore electric motorhomes. With Jayco’s Embark EV, Winnebago’s eRV2, and more boutique brands like Grounded RV, there is enough promise in these early iterations to believe that we aren’t that far away from a future of electric motorhomes.
However, the Ghost of Motorhomes Future has not quite escaped the haunting chassis reliance that manufacturers are currently working around.
BrightDrop…Drops
In late September 2025, Forest River’s Coachmen brand debuted a highly intriguing electric motorhome built on GM’s BrightDrop EV platform: the Coachmen RVEX. Unlike earlier electric RV prototypes that relied on modest van chassis or limited range, the RVEX promised up to 250–270 miles of driving distance on a full charge, with a fully electrified living system and residential amenities powered by its high-capacity lithium battery pack. It represented one of the first serious attempts to pair a purpose-built commercial EV platform with a full-scale motorhome design.
But here’s where chassis reliance rears its ugly head and expectations are tempered. Only weeks later, GM announced it would wind down the BrightDrop division, folding its assets and technology back into its core commercial EV operations.
For the RV industry, the move is a setback. It underscored just how intertwined the future of motorhomes is with the fortunes of their chassis suppliers. While electric concepts like Jayco’s Embark E-RV and Winnebago’s eRV2 show meaningful progress, the discontinuation of BrightDrop reminded everyone that a truly independent, mass-producible electric motorhome platform remains elusive.
Though that’s not to say we won’t see the RVEX available for sale on the lot in late 2025 or early 2026. And alternatives could be out there. “We are actively exploring other chassis manufacturing options to continue progressing the RVEX concept,” says Zach Eppers, GM of Coachmen’s Class A Motorhome division. “The RVEX generated significant momentum and excitement throughout the industry, and we remain committed to finding the best path to bring it to the open road.”
What’s Next?
Jayco’s Embark EV is one of the most complete electric motorhome prototypes yet—a fully self-contained coach designed around a modified Class A platform. It pairs a 220-kilowatt electric drive system with a packaged 40 kWh lithium house battery, giving it roughly 125 miles of electric range and up to 475 miles when assisted by its onboard generator.
Unlike smaller van-based concepts, the Embark E-RV retains the space, finish, and systems integration of a traditional motorhome: induction cooking, heat-pump HVAC, and smart-energy management through Jayco’s JAYCOMMAND® interface. It’s still experimental, but it shows that one of the industry’s legacy manufacturers is seriously prototyping what a true production-scale electric motorhome could look like.
If BrightDrop’s fallout highlighted the risks of relying on outside platforms, the Embark E-RV points to a parallel future, one where established RV builders begin to develop and adapt electrified systems within their own design and manufacturing processes.
If you’re interested in exploring some of the RV types we’ve listed here, check out the following resources:
- Is a Small Class A RV Right for You?
- The Best Super C RVs
- Want a Motorhome with Solar Panels Installed?
Are you thinking about purchasing a motorhome or trading yours in? Let us know your reasons in the comments.
