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In the upcoming KOA Kompass Newsletter Mark Polk with RV Education 101 offers some insight on the 2014 model year RVs
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by Mark J. Polk
RV Education 101
Some economists say if you want to
gauge how well the economy is doing
look at what’s happening in the RV
industry. During the first three quarters
of 2013 RV manufacturer shipments to
dealers increased almost 12 percent
from the same period last year, and
2014 RV shipments are expected to
increase almost 4 percent over this
year’s projections.
The bottom line is folks want to
experience outdoor activities with
families and friends and RVs are a
great way to do it. You can enjoy
quality time with your family and
friends, you can travel with your pets,
you can tailgate at you favorite sporting
event, take a quick weekend getaway
or hit the road for months at a time.
And every night when it’s time to lay
your head down on the pillow you get
to do it in your own bed.
I coined the RV lifestyle as “The
Best Kept Travel Secret in
America”. Maybe that’s why more
than 9 million households in
America own RVs today. From
young families to retirees folks
are in the market for RVs.
A key element to ensuring continued
growth and interest in RVs rests on
shoulders of RV manufacturers.
Manufacturers need to design and
build RVs that suit the needs and
wants of these diverse buyers. I use
the comparison to buying an
automobile, you need to offer buyers a
Chevrolet, a Buick and a Cadillac. In
addition to offering a wide variety of RV
types and sizes RV manufacturers
need to account for other factors
affecting RV buying decisions like fuel
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For starters I think this is the
largest pop-up I have ever seen.
It is a 2014 Rockwood High Wall
HW296, by Forest River. The
exterior closed length is 21’ 4”
and the GVWR is 4,573 lbs. If
your looking for a pop up with
lots of room this might be it.
Click here for more information
economy, smaller size tow vehicles
and RVs with green technology.
Every year I attend two of the largest
RV shows in the country. In September
I head to the Pennsylvania RV &
Camping show in Hershey, PA. and in
December I trek to Louisville, KY. for
National RV Trade Show in. When I
attend these shows I try to cover the
show from an unbiased perspective to
offer RV owners, prospective owners,
and RV enthusiasts an inside look at
what’s new with RVs for the upcoming
model year.
I was not disappointed. At the PA. RV
& Camping Show I saw lots of
innovative companies designing and
manufacturing new model year RVs
that stood out and caught my attention.
These companies are responding to
RVers wants and needs with lighter
towable RVs, smaller more fuel
efficient motorized RVs and all the
modern day technology you could
possibly want in a Recreation Vehicle.
There was no shortage of larger
towable and motorized RV either.
It really doesn’t matter what you are in
the market for when it comes to an RV,
today’s RV manufacturers have
something for everyone.
Towable RVs A good place to start reviewing the
2014 models is with towable RVs.
There were over 50 RV manufacturers
in Hershey showcasing new models on
over 21 acres so it was difficult to take
it all in. There were large and small toy
haulers, travel trailers, hybrid trailers,
pop ups, truck campers and 5th wheel
trailers on display. Let’s start with some
of the smaller towable models.
Pop-ups or folding tent trailers are a
great way to get introduced to the RV
lifestyle. They are also a smart choice
for folks who like to explore and camp in
remote areas where larger RVs can’t
always go. And they are great for
anybody with a limited tow rating. My
first camper was a used Coleman pop-
up, and camping in it are some of my
fondest memories.
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The next thing that caught my attention was this A Liner Classic
with a dormer and front storage compartment. The dormer concept
is not brand new for A Liner, but I thought it was pretty cool.
This was an off-road adventure ready A Liner model. The interior was
well appointed and the large dormer adds living space to the interior
of the A Liner. Click here for more information on A Liner
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Next I checked out the Little Guy RV
display. Little Guy Worldwide
manufactures the Little Guy and T@B
RV product lines. These are great little
campers for folks who want an affordable
alternative to larger campers , and for
anybody with a limited tow rating. I was
really impressed with what I saw so I
asked the Little Guy Chief Operating
Officer for an interview. Watch the video
This is the Little Guy B.O.S.S.
(Bug Out Survivor Shelter). I saw it in Louisville last year and liked
it, and saw it again in Hershey this year and still liked it.
PLAY
NOW
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The B.O.S.S. is for the adventurer who wants to go where others can’t. It is
packed with features to make your off-road journeys the best they can be.
With features like a platform with a large stowable rack, receiver rack, roof
rack, hose reel, LP gas, battery and more you are ready to head to the back
country. The galley features pass-through cabinets, a countertop, sink with 5
gallon fresh water storage, 2 burner stove and a converter. On the inside you
won’t be disappointed either, the B.O.S.S. features cabinets,
TV/DVD/CD/AMFM system, low draw LED lighting, power roof fan, AC & DC
connections and a king size sleeping area. Click here for more information
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Little Guy Worldwide offers the Little Guy camper product and the T@B
camper product. The biggest difference between the two is you can stand in
the T@B RVs, but not in the Little Guy RVs.
New for 2014 is the
T@G RV product. The
T@G is a cross between
the Little Guy and T@B.
You can’t stand up in the
T@G but you can sit up,
so there is more room
inside to move around.
Another new product for
2014 is the myPod. The
myPod is ultra-light and
can be towed behind
some motorcycles, and
can be painted to match
your motorcycle or tow
vehicle.
Click here for more information
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For years and years the word Winnebago
conjured up the thought of motorhomes. In 2011
Winnebago entered the towable RV market -
place as well. I thought I would go by their
towable RV display in Hershey and see how the
towable segment was doing. At the display I had
the opportunity to interview a Winnebago District
Sales manager. Here’s what he had to say.
PLAY
NOW
In the short time Winnebago has been in
the towable market they have done a
great job designing and building travel
trailers and 5th wheel trailers for today’s
RV buyer. Pictured above & left is the
lightweight Minnie towable RV line. These
distinctive and well-built travel trailers, at
affordable pricing, makes a great value for
the RV consumer.
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Winnebago towables has also filled the niche in several other major market
segments with it’s Ultralite line, the One travel trailer line and the mid-profile Lite
Five 5th wheel trailer line.
The Winnebago Ultralite line is lightweight yet spacious and come packed with features.
The Winnebago One travel trailer line offers an all-aluminum super structure with hi-gloss
gel coat fiberglass and spacious layouts with luxury features in each model.
The Winnebago Lite Five 5th wheel line offers a luxury mid profile 5th wheel that you can tow,
along with all the features, comforts and quality you would expect.
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Toy haulers have increased in popularity in recent years. A toy hauler or Sport
Utility Trailer (SUT) has a large ramp door at the rear of the RV with storage
space to load your ATVs, motorcycles or other toys. It also offers all the
amenities and living arrangements found in other RVs. A toy hauler gives you
the freedom to head to your favorite camping/riding destination and have a
great time enjoying your favorite pastime. With the popularity of toy haulers
comes a vast selection of types and sizes.
Speaking of toy haulers I saw some small travel trailer versions, 5th wheel
versions and motorhome versions, so no matter what you are hauling there is a
toy hauler out there for you. Let’s take a glimpse at some toy haulers on display
at the show.
Work & Play by Forest River offers travel trailer toy haulers in floor
plans from 21- feet to 33- feet .
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As for motorhome versions of toy haulers the one that caught my eye was the
Canyon Star by Newmar.
Newmar also had a Canyon Star motorhome with a wheelchair lift.
More Info
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I had to include this 2014 Road Warrior 415RW 5th wheel toy hauler. Just
the shear size, over 43-feet, was overwhelming. If the exterior doesn’t
catch your attention the interior will.
Click
For
More
info
One of the most popular types of RV is the 5th wheel trailer. And it’s no
wonder; they are spacious and can be a pleasure to tow if equipped with
the right tow vehicle. Fifth wheel trailers were well represented at the Pa.
RV & Camping Show. There were smaller lightweight versions that can be
towed using lighter weight trucks and there were 43-foot triple axle models.
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I also liked
this
Redwood
38FL front
living room
5th wheel
by Thor. It
retails for
$110,862
and had a
show price
of $86,794
More
Info
14
Airstream was represented well with a line of travel trailers,
including the Land Yacht and Bambi models
More
Info
15
I saw this
military style
severe duty off-
road trailer by
XVENTURE and
thought it was
perfect for back
country
camping trips.
It has a payload of 1600
pounds so you can load
your ATV or motorcycles
and camping supplies and
go where no one else can
go. It is all aluminum
weldless construction
using a patented Alcoa
Huck Bolt system. It has
excellent ground
clearance, tie-downs,
large front storage and
much more. More Info
16
Motorized RVs On the motorized side of things a recent trend has been smaller more fuel
efficient RVs. A legitimate concern RV buyers have is how many miles you can
travel on a tank of fuel. As a result of this RV manufacturers started looking for
ways to meet the demand for smaller, more fuel efficient models to add to their
type B & C motorhome line-ups. A popular solution to the fuel economy
concerns are motorhomes built on Sprinter chassis’ powered by diesel engines.
Who can complain about getting 14-16 mpg with their motorhome?
One of my favorite Class Bs was this
Airstream Interstate on a Sprinter
chassis powered by a Mercedes
Benz 3.0L V6 turbo diesel
more information on Airstream
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On the first day of the show I was
walking through the Winnebago display
and I noticed a new model called the
Trend. It was a Type B motorhome, but
what caught my eye was the badging on
the front cab. It read Ram 3500.
The two models on display were prototypes. One had a 3.0L I-4 diesel engine
and the other one had a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine. This was the first time I saw
this Ram Promaster chassis and was curious to learn more about it.
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The next day I found a Ram Promaster commercial display outside. From what I
could gather the Ram Promaster chassis is based on the front-wheel -drive Fiat
Ducato. It has a single rear wheel axle with gas and diesel power plants and is
built in Mexico.
Later that day I saw several more Type B motorhomes built on
the Ram Promaster chassis, including this Winnebago Travato
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For the family requiring more room and sleeping accommodations there is the
Type C motorhome. I saw so many Type C motorhomes at the show that it would
be impossible to cover them all. The good news is manufacturers are making
strides to improve fuel economy, yet give you ample room to feel comfortable, and
move around. Slide-outs are used in a multitude of ways to expand the interior
living space on Type Cs for when you arrive at your camping destination.
If a typical Type C motorhome is not what you had in mind you might want to look
at some Super C models like this Ghost by Nexus.
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For the off-road RV enthusiast I found a Host Industries 4X4 Outback Explorer. I
am a 4-wheel drive enthusiast so I walked over to to check it out.
What I found was a Host Industries Outback Explorer. It was on a FUSO
chassis and was powered by a FUSO turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine. The
General manager for Host was available so I asked him for an interview.
PLAY
NOW
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At the display I also met Lance Gillies, an Australian with EarthCruiser. He
came up with the concept for the Outback Explorer and worked with Host
Industries to have it built in America. They designed it so two of the Outback
Explorers can be put in a shipping container and sent anywhere in the world.
Click here for more information on the Outback explorer
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Host Industries is also well known for their triple-slide truck campers. It is
amazing how much room there is in these truck camper models, but you need to
have a truck capable of handling the weight. Host RV had their Mammoth model
triple slide on display at the show. Let’s take a look.
Click here for more information
23
For those who are not too concerned with
maximizing fuel economy manufacturers
are listening. There are mid-line gas
powered Type A motorhomes and 40-feet
plus high-end luxury motorhome powered
by large displacement diesel engines. This
2014 Dutch Star 4370 motorhome is
beautiful coach. More Info
25
A new addition to the Winnebago motorhome line-up is the 2014 Forza.
There are two impressive floorplans based on the Freightliner® XCS
straight-rail chassis with a Cummins® 340-hp diesel engine and Allison®
six-speed transmission delivering the power. MORE INFO
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There were many other 2014 RV brands and models on display at the show. I
apologize for not featuring all brands and models in this 2014 preview. What I love
about America is that during tough economic times it seems like new technology,
innovation and design are at its best. This is especially true within the RV industry.
The RV industry has been alive and well for over 100 years in America and that
makes me feel good about where it is going in the future. ~ Mark Polk
American Tradition
ENTEGRA Coach
Sabre by Palamino
Nexus Ghost
Lance 1181
Winnebago Via
www.rvconsumer.com 27
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