Oru folding kayaks in a 2023 Winnebago Revel 4x4 camper van [PHOTOS]

If you’re an avid flatwater kayaker who’s dreamed of adventuring in a Winnebago Revel camper van – a popular 4x4 RV camper van built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 chassis – then this is the article for you.

We connected with a 2023 Winnebago Revel owner traveling across the United States this summer, and snapped some photos of two Oru folding kayak models built for flatwater paddling conditions – the Oru Inlet and Oru Beach LT designs – in the back trunk “garage.”

In this article, we’ll highlight some key features of the Revel camper van and why Oru kayaks could be a good gear choice for kayakers who love to travel and paddle.

We’ll also share some real-life photos that we captured right here in Portland, Oregon, of the folded kayaks in the back of the RV.

This Revel adventure van has a cool bike attachment off the back – but you can see how the doors swing out, giving easy access to the camper van “gear garage.”

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A camper van designed for adventure

1. Customized for play in the Great Outdoors: The Winnebago Revel is built on the robust Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It's designed with adventurers in mind, and has 4x4 capabilities to tackle diverse terrains (which is practically a necessity if you’re exploring the diverse terrains, climates, and seasons of the Pacific Northwest states).

2. Spacious interiors: The compact exterior might deceive you, but inside, there's a good bit of space for storage (bonus if you’re organized and plan properly for your travels) – but there’s not enough space to transport full-size kayaks. So folding Oru kayaks can make this a winning vehicle and experience for kayaker travel.

3. Floating bed functionality: A unique feature of the Revel camper van is that it has a power lift bed, also known as a “floating bed” or “Winnebago flex bed.” This supports kayakers who love to travel because you can transform your living space into a gear garage for additional storage – and still have easy access to important sprinter van systems.

4. Solar power system: Environmental enthusiasts and kayakers who paddle for conservation can rejoice! The Revel is equipped with a 230-watt solar power system on the roof, which can help ensure your devices remain charged even in remote areas. With a special rack you could put a traditional hardshell kayak up on the roof of these camper vans – we’ve seen photos online - but this is high up, and I can’t imagine it’d be safe to climb the ladder balancing kayaks. Plus you could damage, break, and ruin your solar panels, while possibly voiding any warranty you might have. Wouldn’t be my preference. Enter the folding kayak solution.

4. All-season insulation: Whether you’re taking a winter trip around Mount Rainier (not for paddling, of course) or enjoying a summer sojourn to see the unique wildlife of the San Juan Islands, this van’s all-season insulation has been given high marks from owners. Notably for prime summer kayaking season across the PNW, August can top 100-degree temperatures during the day and drop dramatically at night – so having that climate-controlled camper interior is really a nice travel luxury.

5. Galley kitchen: Hungry after a long day on the water? The Revel’s kitchen is designed for on-the-go meals, complete with a refrigerator, sink, and induction cooktop.

• How much is a Winnebago Revel?

  This Class B sprinter van can cost over $200,000 brand-new –– However we’ve heard that dealers can offer deep discounts off the website prices, so it’s a good idea to talk with your local dealer on pricing.

• How long is the Winnebago Revel?

  The exterior length is 19’7” for the latest model. This is subject to change depending on the Revel model year you’re interested in.

• Where can I find a used Winnebago Revel for sale?

  Some popular resources to buy a used Revel camper van including Camping World and RV Trader. It’s also a good idea to check with your local RV dealer.

Oru folding kayaks: The ultimate compact companions for RV adventure travel

1. Portability perfected with the foldable Oru Inlet: This is the lightest, most compact, and affordable kayak in the Oru calm water kayaking series. When folded, it's the size of a suitcase, effortlessly fitting into the Revel. (We did a deep dive into an Oru Inlet kayak review from two years of real life testing). The assembly of this kayak takes less than 5 minutes. It’s ideal for those quick, spontaneous paddles around serene lakes or gentle rivers.

2. The Oru Beach LT folding kayak option: Slighly lightly larger than the Inlet, the Beach LT offers comfort and stability, making it perfect for beginners. It's designed for easy entries and exits, ensuring a hassle-free experience on the water. Oru sent us a Beach LT to test out here in Oregon and Washington, so stay tuned for an updated review link. In the meantime, we wrote an article comparing features of the Oru Inlet vs Oru Beach LT.

3. Design durability: Both kayaks, despite their folding nature, are built with a rugged, 5mm double-layered polypropylene material. This ensures they can withstand the demands of regular use and stay water-ready for years. Oru states they can withstand up to 20,000 folds.

4. Great paddling experience: With their hydrodynamic design, both the Inlet and Beach LT offer a smooth paddling experience, making them ideal for the calm water routes of the Pacific Northwest. Adventuring across Washington, Idaho, and Oregon with a Revel van and Oru kayak sounds like a bucket lit UA experience. We actually got the opportunity to take out this Revel (pictured) with our Oru Inlet to kayak Mt. Hood lakes.

Why Revel x Oru could be a perfect combo for your Pacific Northwest travel adventure

It’s important to emphasize that these two products are not ideal for everyone. Carefully read the reviews, talk to the dealers, ask owners questions, test the products if and when you can. The Revel Winnebago and folding Oru’s are also at the higher price points for their markets and the cost could be limiting for some. For others, Revel might be too small a camper van for traveling as a couple. Some kayakers prefer hardshell kayaks. Do your research and evaluate the pro’s, con’s, and outline your buying decision priorities to support making a solid (big ticket) purchase that you’ll enjoy for many years to come.

But, for some people, this really could be a winning combo for exploring the great outdoors by road and water. Here are some reasons why:

1. Flexibility: The combination of the Revel Sprinter Van and Oru kayaks means you can switch between road exploration and water adventures effortlessly.

2. Space efficiency: The folding nature of Oru kayaks complements the thoughtful, space-saving design of the Revel, allowing you to maximize your space without compromising on essentials.

3. Explore hidden gems: With the mobility and 4x4 capability that the Revel provides and the accessibility the collapsible Oru kayaks, kayakers who love to travel can explore lesser-known lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, making their journey truly unique.

4. Eco-friendly exploration: Both the Winnebago Revel and Oru kayaks emphasize sustainability. From the solar-powered van features to the long-lasting design of the kayaks (plus, motor-free kayaks being ecofriendly as a hobby), your trip is a bit more friendly to the environment.

So while the Winnebago Revel van is popular among all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, from skiiers to motorbikers, let’s take a look at the folded Oru kayaks in the “camper garage.”

In this image, you’ll notice that the Revel’s floating bed is lifted up and the “gear garage” sits beneath it. The access to the back is very easy, so you can retrieve whatever you need, reorganize, climb into the RV, really without any trouble at all.

The Oru Beach LT kayak folded is taller and about the same width as the (green) Oru Inlet kayak, represented here.

In this photo, the green kayak is the Oru Inlet and the transparent and orange kayak is the Oru Beach LT model.

Summary

For those dreaming of a seamless road and water adventure across the Pacific Northwest, the Winnebago Revel Sprinter Van paired with Oru folding kayaks is a match made in heaven for many buyers (but, or course, this combo might not be best or accessible for everyone – so continue to do your research!).

From the rugged terrains of the Olympic Peninsula to the calm waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene, we do see how a Revel and Oru can provide beginner and intermediate flat water kayakers the opportunity to embrace the beauty of nature, both on the road and the water – which really is the winning combo for us.

Interested in seeing more trunk photos with folded kayaks as you plan out your paddling adventures? Check out these photos of Oru Inlet folding kayak in the trunk of a Toyota RAV4 compact SUV.

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About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.