Lucas Bell 
Motorhomes have always been a staple of the American road trip. With room for the whole family, these mobile lodging solutions chew up highway journeys with ease. But not every road trip needs to use the highway, or even a paved road. For those of you who prefer your adventures to follow the road less traveled, the all-new Winnebago Ekko is the off-roading, off-grid camper of your dreams.
Based on the all-wheel drive Ford Transit, the Winnebago Ekko is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which produces 310-horsepower in this spec. That power is sent to all four wheels via Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission, which should also help with fuel economy on the longer stretches of travel. The motorhome also comes standard with Ford’s suite of safety tech, like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, driver alert, and more. While all the Ford equipment is great, the Ekko truly takes form thanks to all the Winnebago treatments.
The Winnebago Ekko will be available in two floor plans, and can comfortably sleep two occupants. If you opt for the pop-up top, the space becomes more appropriate for four occupants. While the Ekko may look like a rather standard motorhome from the outside, it hides some pretty neat features from prying eyes. Take the compact bathroom for instance, which features a swiveling wall to help conserve space. One side features the sink and mirror, which can be rotated to reveal the shower equipment. That shower features a tankless hot water heater by the way, which can be used thoroughly thanks to the truck’s massive 189 gallon freshwater capacity. Winnebago also includes a slide-out outdoor kitchen with a fridge and freezer, as well as a two-burner stove, and a collapsible sink/cutting board combo.
Because the Ekko is slated to head off grid, the camper features some pretty robust electrical equipment. Winnebago has fit a 2,800-watt generator, a dedicated second alternator, and three solar charging panels that produce up to 455 watts of power to ensure you never go without juice. There is also an insulated storage compartment at the rear of the truck designed to swallow up all the activity-specific gear you could need for an outdoor adventure.
Overlanding and off-roading have been on the rise over the past few years, something that the coronavirus pandemic can only accelerate. With more people looking to vacation away from populated areas, the Winnebago Ekko couldn’t have arrived at a better time. It isn’t cheap however, as the camper carries a base price of $163,662. A lot of money to spend on a Transit, but not too much to spend on a traveling home. And compared to the offerings from EarthRoamer and EarthCruiser, the Winnebago is a hell of a bargain.
