This post may contain affiliate links.
After our last, and admittedly whimsical, 2025 Revel video, we felt like we should do something a little more meaty. So we did. We sat down with Chris Bienert, Winnebago’s product manager for the Revel, to get a bit more insight into some of its features. Here you go!
How did we get here? Well, while filming our Revel footage, it occurred to me that much of what makes it truly unique is a set of features that you might miss on a regular walk-through. You’d miss them because there’s simply not much to *show* in a traditional video. And since there are plenty of people doing van walk-through videos these days, it seemed like a better idea to tell you about the things you likely won’t see in other videos.
So what kinds of things am I talking about here? In this video, we’ll get into more detail in the following areas:
- Battery capacity options – up to 15,000 watt hours, and all 48 volts
- Charging using both the Sprinter alternator, and a second alternator, and charge rates at idle and while cruising
- The Eco-Flow power hub – 5-in-1 device integration, and its benefits
- Upgrades to the Timberline heating system, including multiple independent loops and freeze protection for the tanks
- Door, drawer, and cabinet design, with compression latches
- Upgraded insulation throughout – including 3M Thinsulate
- Water system redesign and water tank capacity increase
- The latest Sprinter platform AWD changes
See what I mean? Lots of things you probably won’t see in other RV review videos. RV nerds… Game ON!
There’s more, but you’ll have to watch the video to learn them all.
I have a 2022 Revel. Can older models be up fitted with the new power system found in 2025 Revel? Thanks!
I won’t say they absolutely can’t, but I don’t think Winnebago will be offering an easy upgrade path for older units.
Thoughts on when we may see this 48V system on the Echo?
I’d say… eventually.
They’ve done a substantial amount of redesign work on the EKKO electrical system to get to a place they’re happy with. I don’t know how much appetite they would have in the near future to re-open the issue.
But will it happen somewhere down the line? Almost certainly.
It amazes me that a vehicle designed for boondocking and with that much power available, still uses a cassette toilet. It would seem the new 2,5 would have been an ideal candidate for an incinerator toilet. Once you get over $200K for a rig, adding $3K for even more off road capability should be a no=brainier.
If you visit the Overlanding shows and rallies, you don’t see much enthusiasm for an incinerating toilet – a toilet that requires you to burn fuel every time you flush.
It’s just not something this crowd seems to want to invest in. And notably, years ago when Winnebago was soliciting feedback on the prototype design, many of the respondents questioned why the rig even had a toilet at all.
I’m not saying there’s nobody out there who wants a (diesel?) incinerating toilet in a 19 foot van – clearly you would. But they’re in the minority.
Hi James, is it possible to add the second battery after purchase? The Winnebago shelf unit insert would be a different depth, so that would be an issue.
It should be possible. The PowerMax system with the external BMS makes it relatively simple to modify the capacity. The second battery goes in the place where the shelf unit insert is. (In which case, I assume they have a flat panel covering that space – though I haven’t seen one.)
What idiot thought they should get rid of the pantry storage for a few inches more of counter space? Where do I put the cereal, chips, cans of soup etc.?
OMG those latches! If anyone has a source for those I’d love to add them to my van build. I went with slam latches and while tight you really can’t totally get rid of the rattle. I’ll redo my drawers/doors for these latches. I also like the red color so you know they are open.
Right??? Finally someone who hates rattles as much as I do!
I don’t have a source for you yet though. I bet they got them from Europe somewhere…
I love all the new updates. My personal desire would be an additional 2 person floor plan that removes the jump seats in favor of a larger bathroom and a fixed comfortable bed. The Revel is great, but I feel that they are trying to do too much in a 19.5 foot van.
The ecoflow all in one unit seems like an odd choice especially when combined with such a high end battery. I would have expected victron or mastervolt. I’ve gone so far as to import raw cells and bms boards from china to keep costs down for my rv electrical upgrade and I still put down the money for a victron multiplus, because it does things nobody else expect for mastervolt does.
They were very emphatic that this was not an “off-the-shelf” unit. They’ve apparently been working with EcoFlow on the design and function of it.
8000 Watts sent to the batteries while driving, that is impressive. Producing 8000 Watts requires about 11 HP from the engine and probably some more because of losses. That must have an impact on fuel consumption. I am all in favour of using an alternator to charge the house batteries (and even not use any solar), but engine power loss and increased fuel consumption needs to be considered.
I agree there will be some effect. But with the Sprinter specified to have 211 HP at cruise, it’s only about a 5% hit.
(And even that’s only when it’s charging full-tilt. Not all the time.)
On my 2021 Travato GL with it’s relatively underpowered 276 HP 3.6L V-6 and a 48V alternator I would regularly charge at 9,000 watts above 2,000 RPM and it was not noticeable on the loss of power or gas mileage
Good data point!