It’s not usual for brands to branch out of their niche and still rock the universe with the same effectiveness. Generally, there are incongruities here and there, but it’s not the case with Winnebago. The campervan genius that adventurers swear by, is this time around, venturing out of its comfort zone with a fully equipped overlanding adventure truck it calls the ARKA 20Z.
ARKA is definitely not the first time Winnebago has experimented with adventure rigs designed for extended stays away from the paved roads. However, how it’s been built ground up and from what’s packed into it, ARKA is the first proper overland adventure truck from Winnebago that serious overlanders wouldn’t want to ignore.
Designer: Winnebago
To start with Winnebago has based the ARKA 20Z on the heavy-duty Ram 5500 4×4 crew cab. It features a Cummins 6.7L Turbo diesel engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission and is complemented by a set of 41-inch tires to go anywhere your adventure takes you. Robust in appearance, the adventure truck is 26 feet 7 inches long and features fiberglass construction right from the hatch to the over-cab space.
It’s not meant to be lightweight; it’s designed for the ruggedness necessary for the overlanding expeditions. Understandably then, the ARKA has a 19,500-pound GVWR. It has a 15,000-pound hitch capacity and is packed with 48V energy architecture and serious off-grid spec to justify its readiness for the expedition territory it envisions to ride into.
The interior of Winnebago’s new RV is outfitted in a choice of two decor options: dark gray and the company’s preferred river stone color. Its single molded fiberglass shell allows all-season exploration. According to the company, the roof and floor feature R-15 insulation, while its walls have a thermal resistance rating of 12. When you are on that off-grid, off-road setting, you need your RV to deliver. Winnebago has considered this strictly in the construction of the ARKA. “It doesn’t come with things that you don’t need in your everyday adventures,” the company explains.
Therefore, the interior is furnished for usability alone. The cab-over space features a surprisingly spacious bedroom. You get a king-sized bed here that, depending on choice and requirement, can convert into queen-size or twin-size beds. Hydronic heating runs along the floor of the motorhome and its rear U-shaped dinette converts into an additional, spacious sleeping area. The ARKA is therefore marketed to sleep up to four people conveniently.
The adventure rig is powered by up to 16.8kWh of lithium battery. A rooftop 800W solar panel (expandable up to 1,200W) feeding a 3,600W inverter runs the backup. Winnebago says ARKA can stay convenient off-grid for 14 days without the AC, with the power options and the 60-gallon heated freshwater tank. The truck galley is equipped with a portable induction cooktop and a refrigerator. And the dry bath with 76-inch shower height and insulated gray water tank completes the fully-equipped Winnebago adventure truck that will set you back $332,000.
