RV Show...

 

As I got ready to head out on my bicycle this morning, Joan reminded me that there is an "RV Show" here at Hart Ranch.  That's in quotes, because it isn't what I think of as an actual RV show: something like the annual FMCA Convention where (back in the good ol' days) RV manufacturers brought out examples of their newest and finest.  Of course, the RV units were for sale, but various dealers would be at the manufacturer's display.  The year we bought our last big coach, American Coach brought out 25 units and didn't have to take any of them home.  There were a couple hundred vendors offering anything you might need for an RV, selling right from their booths.  In total, there might be 700 motorhomes on display and 5,000 FMCA member coaches there to take it all in.  There would be seminars offered all day and entertainment in the evening.  You could do as much or as little as you desired.

THAT is an RV Show to me.  We haven't been to anything like that since before the start of the Covid situation.

This is two dealers bringing some units off their sales lot to try to sell you in a different location.  And, of course, offering "show specials" because we all know it is less expensive to bring rigs to a different location to sell them.  (sarcasm intended)  Between the two dealers, there are probably 30 RVs, all 5th wheels and travel trailers.  No motorhomes.

Sadly for these folks, we had a hard pounding rain last night and they are set up in the area around the rodeo grounds, making for a muddy mess...

Yes, that is a giant puddle (and mud hole) in that photo above.

This dealer put out some artificial turf between the units, and leading up to each door.  And also a rug to wipe your feet at the entrance to each RV.

Still, it was a muddy mess.  I feel bad for the clean-up crew when they take these back to their dealerships.  The only "vendor" was a guy selling insurance.  No RV stuff vendors.  Still, it was interesting to look around; not much of a crowd, so the sales people were anxious to "answer any questions."

It looks like the interior colors for this year are light gray/white/charcoal...

Some interesting floorplans.  It is apparent that some manufacturers are trying to make their models "as residential" as possible; catering to the new batch of RVers who have sold their home and are working remotely.  I looked at one toy hauler that would "sleep 10 people"... it had dining facilities for 2.  A bath and a half.  One toy hauler had a double length garage (it would hold 4 motorcycles) and beds that came down from the ceiling in the garage when the bikes are out.

I think it would sleep 12.  44 feet long.  I asked the salesman if he carried any models designed for a couple, two motorcycles, and not so long.  He looked at his phone and determined, "I guess no one is making that."

Some of the shorter travel trailers had decent designs; of course, no way to haul bikes with that kind of set up, unless you could load them into the bed of the truck.  One thing I noticed in all the RVs I looked in: they are being built to a price point; the walls and floors had some degree of flex in them.  They had some pizazz, but lacked structure.  The fabric in them looked OK, but I doubt that it would wear well.  It made me feel quite content with the build and layout of our Aspect; it won't sleep 12, but it feels solid.

I guess I won't be trading today.  ;-)