Aboutcamp BtoB was invited to the Truma headquarters in Putzbrunn, near Munich, for the official unveiling of the company’s latest innovation: the CombiNeo. Attending a product presentation is always a valuable experience for trade journalists, but when the product is truly revolutionary—as CombiNeo promises to be—the value is greatly amplified. Meeting fellow journalists from across Europe and engaging directly with Truma’s management helped us better understand the product and its development philosophy, allowing us to communicate it more effectively to our readers.

The event was masterfully organized. Truma’s engineers and technical experts guided us through the system’s features and innovations, followed by a live demonstration inside a climate chamber—where we could observe firsthand the rapid heating performance of the CombiNeo, both for air and water.

The event was opened by Alexander Wottrich, Co-CEO of Truma Group, who offered a heartfelt and personal insight into what this product means for him and the company. His speech painted a vivid picture of the family values and spirit of innovation that have defined Truma for over seven decades:

“This is the first press conference we have hosted outside of Caravan Salon Düsseldorf since 2012. And I think it’s particularly fitting for this product. The CombiNeo is not just another heater—it reflects the DNA of my family and our company.”

Wottrich recalled how the legacy of his grandfather, the founder of Truma, still influences product development today. A natural innovator and problem-solver, his grandfather established the company after inventing a gas lamp for his post-war language school in 1949—a practical solution that evolved into a business. But he didn’t stop there. Among his many inventions were a set of summer cross-country skis—used by the German national team for Olympic training—innovative home exercise bikes, and even a Latin vocabulary learning system. “My grandfather was always looking for smart, simple solutions to real-life problems. That’s what drove him, and it’s the same philosophy that still drives us today,” Wottrich explained.

Equally important in the company’s history is the contribution of his mother, who led Truma from 1988 to 2008—an era in which it was rare to see women in leadership roles in German industry. “She ran the company for 20 years and brought it into the modern era with a clear vision: we must be cleverer while others are cheaper,” said Wottrich.

Under her leadership, Truma focused on operational efficiency, professionalism, and competitiveness—choosing to remain in Germany while many others outsourced production to low-cost countries. Her strategic choices laid the foundation for the company’s international expansion and its ongoing investment in advanced production facilities. This philosophy is still alive today. Despite economic headwinds, Truma continues to invest locally: the company is currently connecting to Munich’s district heating network and building the first solar park in Putzbrunn—investments that reflect a deep, long-term commitment to sustainability.

At the heart of the CombiNeo lies a newly developed heat exchanger, which Wottrich—himself a mechanical engineer—described with visible pride: “I’m absolutely in love with this component. The heat exchange between the burner, the airflow and the water is physically close to optimal. And we managed to reduce the weight, too. It’s a masterpiece.”

Following Wottrich’s opening, Joachim Weckwerth, recently appointed Managing Director for Product and Technology, took the stage to offer a deeper perspective on the development of the CombiNeo—framed through the lens of someone new to the company but deeply impressed by its product culture: “When you join a new company and you’re responsible for products and technology, the first thing you do is look at what has been built. I started with the Aventa 2^nd generation, and I was amazed by its performance, especially the noise level—so low I couldn’t even tell it was on.”

That experience set the tone for his appreciation of Truma’s engineering approach. Turning to the Combi, which he called the company’s “most important product,” Weckwerth described it as a reliable companion for generations of campers. But even with all its strengths, user expectations had evolved—especially in terms of comfort. “The biggest gap between the comfort of a home and a camper is hot water. The original Combi is great for dishes and a quick shower, but not for endless hot water. And this is where CombiNeo changes everything.”

The CombiNeo, he explained, builds on the original concept with major improvements: 6 kW of gas heating, now combined with 3 kW of electric power, offering greater energy flexibility and sustainability. Most impressively, it delivers continuous hot water—a key comfort feature for today’s RV users. The challenge, however, was to integrate all this power and functionality into a unit no larger than the original Combi—so OEMs could adopt it easily. This required a complete rethink of the internal architecture and production technologies, leading to 15 patent filings for the CombiNeo alone. Testing played a critical role in the product’s development. After rigorous lab simulations, including temperature extremes and vibration stress tests, the team moved to real-world trials. Employees, all passionate campers, installed the units in their own vehicles—culminating in a memorable “shower marathon” in the Altmühltal to prove the system’s capacity for continuous hot water.

“The press called it a game changer. That’s when we knew we’d hit the mark” said Weckwerth with pride.

At that point, the spotlight shifted to Craig Hawthorne, Product Manager for the CombiNeo, who led a detailed and engaging technical presentation.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for years. The CombiNeo is new in every sense of the word—not a single component is the same as the current Combi. We’ve reimagined everything from the inside out.” Craig’s session began by highlighting Truma’s three-decade leadership in combination heaters, from the original C heater to the Combi and Combi Diesel, and now to the CombiNeo. A key goal of the new design was to dramatically improve hot water performance: thanks to instant water heating technology, the CombiNeo can deliver enough hot water for dishes in three minutes and support endless showers in just eight—without needing to reheat. “It’s not just faster,” Craig explained, “it’s smarter. You only heat water when you need it, which saves both water and energy.”

The CombiNeo is available in two versions—CombiNeo 4 and CombiNeo 6—to suit different vehicle sizes. The electric heating power has been significantly boosted, from 1.8 kW in the previous Combi to 3 kW, a 66% increase that offers more flexibility and supports Truma’s heat hybrid mode (electric first, gas as backup), reaching up to 7 kW combined. Usability was another key focus. The CombiNeo integrates fully with Truma’s iNetX system, offering intuitive control via touchscreen or app, and introduces customizable modes such as Comfort, Boost, Night, and Away—each tailored to specific user needs and behaviors. During the Testival in Lenggries, Truma engineers tested these modes under real winter camping conditions, including rapid heat-up with Boost mode and energy-saving features during the day-long hike using the Away mode.

“It’s not just a lab test,” said Craig. “We used the product ourselves in the field. After a long snowy hike, we activated the shower mode from the app—by the time we got back, the vehicle was warm and hot water was ready.” Finally, Craig removed the outer shell of the CombiNeo to showcase its dual-zone layout: the left side housing the heat exchanger and burner system, and the right side containing the water tank and circulation system. He highlighted the pre-mix blue flame burner, precise temperature regulation, and thermal stratification technology that ensures efficient and continuous hot water delivery. “This is where innovation meets reliability. The CombiNeo combines the benefits of an instant heater and a storage tank—and ensures consistent water temperature, every time.”

After the deep dive into the technical features and user experience by Craig Hawthorne, the closing remarks were entrusted to Markus Heringer, Managing Director for Customer Operations and Services at Truma, who offered a clear and structured overview of the CombiNeo’s market launch strategy.

“After 18 successful years of the Combi, we’re now introducing the CombiNeo—a complete, next-generation two-in-one heating system. It’s not only a technical evolution but a statement of intent: Truma is committed to shaping the future of the caravanning industry.”

Heringer emphasized that the CombiNeo is not simply a product update, but a strategic innovation designed to enhance the comfort and quality of camping for a new generation of users. And the market has already responded: the rollout began in the UK in February with Auto-Sleepers, followed by the first German integration with Frankia, and the first French launch with Notin—three established manufacturers known for quality. The rollout strategy, he explained, is deliberately phased: “We chose a step-by-step approach to ensure we maintain our quality standards and provide close support to our OEM partners. Starting in selected countries allows us to ramp up production smoothly while continuing to refine the product and support systems.”

Currently, the CombiNeo 6E—the premium configuration with both gas and electric heating—is leading the launch, with the CombiNeo 4E expected later this year. Other variants, including the non-electric CombiNeo 4 and 6 will follow in 2026. An aftermarket version for end-user replacement of existing Combi units is also planned by the end of 2026. Production is already underway, with a partially automated line capable of producing up to 60,000 units per year, which will gradually transition to full automation. Although the new CombiNeo line was not available for viewing due to ongoing modifications, attendees were offered a behind-the-scenes video showing each step of the assembly and testing process. Every unit is functionally tested—including full gas ignition—before it leaves the factory. “We test every product in-house to guarantee the reliability our customers expect. This is what ‘Made in Germany’ means for us: precision, durability, and trust.”

Heringer also highlighted the digital and service ecosystem supporting the CombiNeo. Integration with the iNetX platform allows for intuitive use via touchscreen or app, remote diagnostics, and even over-the-air updates for new features—enhancing long-term usability and support. He concluded with a note on the team’s passion: “Many of our employees are campers themselves. They use the product daily—at work and on holiday. That enthusiasm and personal connection to the industry is channelled directly into the development of the CombiNeo.”

The press conference concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, during which journalists had the opportunity to dive even deeper into the technical details, installation requirements, and market implications of the CombiNeo.

Product Manager Craig Hawthorne confirmed that the more powerful fan supports longer air distribution routes, although no official limits have been defined yet. Importantly, the CombiNeo is designed to fit into the same installation spaces as the existing Combi units, even allowing for more flexible mounting options. Installation directly on the floor is possible, but the use of brackets is recommended for proper drainage and easier routing of cables and pipes. Another key topic was electrical power management. The system does not automatically detect the amperage available at a campsite—users must select the appropriate power level manually (1, 2, or 3 kW). The 12V current draw peaks at 8.5 amps in boost mode—slightly higher than the standard Combi—though the faster heat-up time results in lower total energy consumption over time. As for altitude compensation, Hawthorne confirmed that automatic adjustment is built in, and current tests show reliable operation up to at least 2,200 meters, with further validation underway.

On hot water temperature, the CombiNeo prioritizes stability and efficiency over maximum output. The system delivers consistent temperatures typically between 55°C and 70°C, depending on demand and operating mode—significantly higher than older Combi Eco models. Some questions addressed the future of the product line. Markus Heringer clarified that there’s no defined end-of-life for the original Combi, but that over time the CombiNeo is expected to gradually replace it, especially in higher-end and new-generation models. Joachim Weckwerth added that OEMs will likely continue to use the current Combi in existing ranges, while the CombiNeo will be phased in with new series.

A journalist also inquired whether the new smart operating modes (such as Night, Boost, Away) would become available for older Combi units. Both Hawthorne and Heringer explained that the new electronics and architecture of the CombiNeo make backward compatibility impractical. Lastly, in response to a question about retrofitting, Weckwerth confirmed that replacing an existing Combi with a CombiNeo is possible, though minor adjustments—such as adapting the duct geometry and updating the exhaust pipe—are required. Several such conversions have already been successfully performed during field tests.

For us at Aboutcamp BtoB, it was a perfectly organized and highly valuable technical day. Beyond the insightful presentations and engaging discussions, the event offered the opportunity to experience the real-world performance of the CombiNeo firsthand.

Inside Truma’s climate chamber, we were able to directly test the new system—witnessing the remarkable speed of water heating, the continuity of hot water supply, and the responsiveness and efficiency of the heating in various operating modes.