Winnebago ARKA Live Q&A At 1:00 PM Mountain Time

The Winnebago ARKA represents a new entry into the expedition truck segment, built on a Ram 5500 four-by-four chassis. We recently spent a few days testing the ARKA on the highway and the trail, and we sat down with Winnebago product marketing to answer shopper questions about its capabilities, capacities, and real-world performance.

Driving Performance & Chassis

How well does it drive on the road?

Despite measuring nearly 27 feet long, the ARKA maintains a remarkably tight turning radius that easily navigates mountain switchbacks and city streets. On the highway, it stays flat in corners with very little body roll.

It cruises straight and comfortably at 75 miles per hour, supported by the factory adaptive cruise control on the Ram chassis. For visibility, the cab uses a digital rearview mirror fed by the coach backup camera, along with side-mounted cameras that compensate for the base trim's lack of blind-spot monitoring.

Does it have an engine brake?

Yes, it features an integrated engine brake that works very effectively for downhill grade control. The truck is also a true four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with a transfer case, giving you options for two-high, four-low, and four-high settings depending on the terrain.

What is the tire size?

It rides on 41-inch commercial tires (335/80R20) mounted on 20-inch Buckstop wheels. A full-size spare is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

To support transition between the highway and the trail, the chassis is equipped with an integrated ARB air compressor underneath the coach. It features quick-connect valves on the exterior, allowing you to easily air down your tires for loose or sandy trails and air them back up before getting on the pavement.

Could an owner upgrade the suspension with Liquid Springs after purchase?

Yes. The ARKA is built on the stock Ram 5500 suspension. Winnebago intentionally left the suspension as a blank slate so owners can choose their own aftermarket upgrades.

While the truck is highly capable out of the box and ready for most users, buyers who want to push the limits of the chassis or customize their ride quality can easily add systems like Liquid Springs.

Towing & Dimensions

What is the towing capacity?

The ARKA has a 15,000-pound towing capacity via a two-inch rear receiver, paired with a standard seven-pin connector. The Ram cab includes an integrated trailer brake controller from the factory, so you do not need to add an aftermarket controller.

In our testing, the truck handled a 10,000-pound shop trailer effortlessly. Keep in mind that because of the overall chassis height, most standard trailers will require a significant drop hitch.

How tall is the Winnebago ARKA?

The exterior height is exactly 11 feet, 9 inches. Underneath the vehicle, you get 13 inches of ground clearance at the two lowest points, which are the front differential and the rear exhaust pipe.

Is this considered a truck camper?

No. The ARKA features a fixed box directly mounted to the frame, rather than a removable slide-in camper. It is engineered as a dedicated adventure or expedition truck.

Power Systems & Servicing

Does it have solar, and what kind of batteries does it use?

The ARKA uses a 48-volt electrical system powered by a single 165-amp-hour Lithionics lithium battery. Because it operates at 48 volts, this single battery provides more usable power than two 320-amp-hour batteries in a standard 12-volt system. If you need more capacity, an empty adjacent bay allows you to easily drop in a second 165-amp-hour battery.

For charging, the roof holds 800 watts of solar, which is expandable up to 1,200 watts. The truck also relies on three separate alternators. One of these is a dedicated 48-volt alternator that pushes up to 100 amps of charging power into the house battery while you drive.

This 48-volt architecture directly powers the 20,000 BTU under-mounted air conditioner. Because the air conditioning runs on DC power, it does not require the inverter to be on, which significantly reduces overall battery drain. In optimal sunlight during our tests, the 800-watt solar array brought in enough wattage to actively charge the house battery while the air conditioning ran continuously.

Will Winnebago dealers service the chassis, or does it go to a Ram dealer?

You will need to take it to a Ram dealer for all chassis servicing and chassis warranty work. This was a primary reason for building on the Ram platform, ensuring owners have access to a widespread commercial service network anywhere in the country.

When will the ARKA be available?

Initial units will begin shipping to dealer lots in June.