Tennessee Traveler Motorhome from RV-MH Hall of Fame

MSNBC posted an article yesterday about the RV industry turning 100 years old. Seems that soon after the automobile was introduced, people found ways to adapt them for camping. In 1910, campers and trailers were mass-produced for the first time, and the rest is of course is history.

Summertime travel season is upon us once again and as we all head out on our long adventures, we marvel at those who paved the road before. These days of course we follow the turn-by-turn instructions with maps on our GPS to get to our destination. Along the way, we may enjoy some ice cream from the freezer. Once we arrive, it’s time to plug in the electric, and slide out the slides. Ahh, now there’s plenty of room to enjoy a movie with surround sound, or maybe just check email on the computer.

The wanderlust spirit is as alive today as 100 years ago. And while I may joke about our creature comforts as compared to previous generations, our quest for adventure has not changed. Thank you to the RV Industry for 100 years of fun vacations, happy family memories, and for some, a life on the road.

Lower Profile

Compared to its popular Winnebago View, the height is lower by four inches and stands at 10 feet 7 inches. Check out the pictures below to see how the bubble above the cab is removed.

2010 Winnebago View Profile

2010 Winnebago View

The fold down bed over the cab is sacrificed to design a low profile RV, but that won’t matter much to the many who would rather not scramble up and down the ladder to go to slept. There’s still plenty of headroom, which makes it easy to access the front seats, and a large skylight above that brightens up the space.

Rear Slide Houses a Queen Size Bed

New in Winnebago’s Sprinter RV line is the use of a rear slide-out instead of a sidewall slide-out. This creates a space just large enough to walk-around a queen size bed. The bed is not only larger than the corner bed in the View’s “J” model, but is much easier to access as well. The trade off is the loss of the sidewall slide that provides a much roomier feel and function.

Traffic Flow

To offset the loss of the side slide-out, and the resulting narrow isle, Winnebago designed a creative floorplan with attention to traffic flow. The entrance is set back a bit from the front to provide a seating area to the right as you enter. From the entrance, you can also walk straight into the bathroom, or turn left for the kitchen or bedroom.

What makes this so smart is that most of the time you can get where you want to go without disturbing your partner. The traffic flows better overall by not funneling all activities down the same path. This reduces the hug and spin move required in many small RVs…you know the move when you need to get by the other person so you both ‘hug’, and then shuffle spin together to switch sides. See the floorplan below that specifies the various areas of the interior.

2010 View Profile 24DL Floorplan

Worth a Closer Look

The Sprinter RV is an ideal small diesel motorhome that’s worth a closer look. Check to see if your local dealer has one in stock, and then spend a little time in it. Get a feel for the front living area and whether it’s comfortable for dining or relaxing and watching TV. Pay attention to the window locations and how they set your views up while parked. Whether you’re stopped at a nice lunch spot, or stuck inside due to poor weather at the campground…an open view will make it a much better experience.

If you tend to carry passengers, like the kids, then the small sofa, which is really a bench seat, that faces forward appears to be a good option. Many small RV models don’t provide an adequate option for passengers, and Winnebago appears to try to address this here. Check this out carefully to see if this meets your needs. This is a good chance to try the sofa configurations into beds to decide how it would work in your lifestyle. For example, some with dogs might like to drop down the forward facing sofa into a small bed with safety belts, while still providing a walkway to the front cab. Now’s the time to test whether that would work for you while traveling.

When testing out the bedroom area, in addition to seeing how comfortable the bed is, make sure that there is enough space to walk around because its a tight fit. If you won’t always have the opportunity to slide out, like perhaps when dry camping, make sure that the bed is still usable even with the slide in. And finally, when deciding if storage is adequate, keep in mind that having a full time bed area means not having to store bedding elsewhere and therefore frees up valuable storage space.

Fleetwood had several 2010 Quest models at closeout prices at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. The Quest is a “value” model class C built on the diesel Sprinter 3500 chassis. MSRP looks to be between $84,000 and $93,000, and you would normally expect to offer 25% off that, or $63,000 to $69,750. At the show the closeout price is shown at $60,000 on the window.

I doubt these models will last at that price, but if you’ve been in the market for this, then head over to the 2010 Florida RV SuperShow. The 2010 Quest is a limited run of only 150 vehicles, and there are reports that they’ve been selling fast. It’s an appealing entry into the 2010 small diesel chassis market and has a lot to offer.

I’m not Fleetwood’s biggest fan, but many people I’ve met have had several Fleetwood models over the years and wouldn’t buy anything else. The Quest comes in two floorplans, the 24L and the 24E. Both floorplans include the cabover bed, but one option instead is a low profile cab with a 26” TV.

The 24L features a front entry that opens into the kitchen/living area. The sofa overlooks the sink, stove and door with small windows. The rear has an interesting corner dinette/sofa/sleeper area that they call Gaucho Dinette. The bath is located in the other rear corner.

The 24E has the entry in the rear, which allows for separate zones a bit better. The rear is an ample sized bath with wardrobe closet. Middle is the kitchen. The front area is the living area with two sofas facing one another. Above each sofa is a nice sized window that provides great views and lighting from either one. In this model, the slideout is longer and so provides more space inside when parked.

Overall these models offer a great entry point into a Class C Mercedes Diesel. The tradeoff is that the “fit and finish” doesn’t feel as polished or substantial as some of the other more expensive models on the market. Take a look for yourself to see if it fits your needs.

2010 Quest 24L Floorplan

2010 Quest 24E Floorplan

Largest RV Show in the country

If you’re in Florida in mid-January, be sure to attend the 2010 Florida RV SuperShow. Every type of RV will be available so it’s a fantastic chance to see a huge variety, all in one place.

For some of the best motorized small RV’s, don’t miss the Born Free, Winnebago, and Road Trek booths. Each has some exciting new products in their 2010 line-ups.

There will be travel trailers galore and even truck campers to explore. Just download the RV Show’s Map and see all the great exhibitors for yourself.

Tips to get the most out of your day

• Wear comfy supportive shows because you’ll want to see all that you can

• Check out the Show’s exhibitor layout first thing to make sure you don’t miss any of your “must see” RV’s

• Also note any seminars that you plan to attend along with the times and location

• Take notes by way of a camera or video rather than brochures and notepads. Take pictures of signs, people, RV’s, floorplans, products, pricing and dealers that you are interested in. The signs in particular are great reference for later research.

• Bring a quality small pocket camera that offers wide angle to get the whole RV layout, but can also zoom in for the details.

• If you prefer video, you won’t go wrong with a small pocket camcorder that slips easily into your pocket or small purse.

Information

Website: http://www.frvta.org/florida_rv_super_show.asp

Dates: January 13 through January 17, 2010

Times: 9am-6pm, except the last day Sunday, which closes at 5pm

Location: Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa

Not in Florida?

No worries, we’ll go for you and add some of the highlights of the show to our site. Let us know if you have a must see RV that you’d like us to cover.

Jonathan Dickinson SP Woodpecker

Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound Florida offers RV and tent camping, cabins, kayak rentals, bike trails, hiking and fishing, and pontoon boat tours. Go for the day or stay for the weekend, you’ll find plenty to do and explore here. It’s situated on over 11,000 acres on the Loxahatchee River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.

Located in Southeast Florida, between Stuart and West Palm Beach across from the Atlantic Ocean, there are nearby grocery stores and restaurants available. Once you’re in the park, you may not want to leave though. You’ll be captivated by the drive through sprawling acres of pines on the way to camping, the museum, and the river day use and playground areas.

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and watch wildlife in their natural environment. Bring cameras and binoculars to spot bald eagles, woodpeckers, sandhill cranes, alligators, tortoises, and more. Yes, there are gators in the river here, and in fact you should always assume that any inland water in Florida has them.  Check at the concession store, or talk to a Ranger about precautions to take before letting the kids and dogs near the water.

Watch this four minute video to get a sense of the campgrounds, amenities, and surroundings. This is a wonderful destination or a terrific stopover if you are heading to the Florida Keys for a visit from out of state.

To learn more about this park and others visit Florida State Parks, or check camping availability go to Camping Reservations. Note that the River Campground, one of two campgrounds, is close to the river but there are no campsites on the water.

Call the park concession store, The River Store, at 561-746-1466 for information and reservations concerning

• cabin rentals
• tour boat
• rental boats (canoes, kayaks, motorboats)

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

16450 S.E. Federal Highway
Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
Phone: 772-546-2771

Soccer Players Barely Visible Below Fall Colors

Use your small RV to get away for the weekend and see the beautiful colors of Fall. If you’re not sure where the best colors are, go to The Weather Channel to find out.

The Weather Channel's Fall Foliage Map

The flexibility of a small RV makes this the perfect vehicle to escape to view Fall colors before they disappear. In the blink of an eye, colors are past their peak but you’ll be able to enjoy them before their gone. If the best colors are farther from home, you can still get there by utilizing overnight parking spots along the way.

To see the leaves change we went to North Carolina, and on the way parked overnight at this Walmart Super in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Their phone number, by the way, is (803) 366-9431 if you’re headed that way and want to verify with the manager on where to park. It was a perfect stopover spot. Just a few minutes off Interstate 77 and surrounded by nice restaurants.

Small RV Stopover On Journey to See Fall Colors

We enjoyed a very nice dinner at LongHorn Steakhouse that was practically across the street and stored our generous and delicious leftovers in the refrigerator for later. The restaurant gets very busy, but they allow call-ahead seating at (803) 980-6255.

The morning is even more convenient as you’ll find both gas and diesel located in the parking lot as you leave. You can stock up on supplies at Walmart or nearby grocery stores, or choose to have breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

All of this convenience means that you can pack up and leave home in a moment’s notice because you can get whatever perishable items you need while you’re out and exploring. You can pack a lot into a weekend by taking advantage of your RV.

So get out into the mountains and witness the changing of the Seasons.

Florida Scenic Hwy Overlooking Tampa Bay

Every so often I’m reminded of how convenient it is to have a Small RV as a mobile office. Today was one of those days. As I downloaded pictures from my camera, I saw photos taken last week of a terrific lunch spot that I found when returning from an out-of-town meeting. During that lunch break I was able to both recharge, and get work done, all in the privacy of my 24 foot Class C Diesel RV.

The meeting was at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, which is a few hours away. I stumbled upon a great spot overlooking Tampa Bay, and only later discovered that it is designated as one of Florida’s Scenic Highways. Normally I don’t take photos of lunch stops, but life is different now with the small RV as my office.

How to Stay Productive

As most business travelers will tell you, out-of-town meetings can be very disruptive to productivity. That of course is a big problem when your income depends on being productive. Here’s one way I use my mobile office to combat the problem.

I take advantage of traveling in my RV, by locating areas to park and work out of my mobile office during the business day. As I get closer to my destination, I scout out potential parking places that I will return to after my meetings are finished. I also get a lay of the land by keeping an eye out for favorite sandwich shops or grocery stores. Although I use GPS extensively, there’s nothing like your own two eyes to best guide you.

A Working Lunch With a View

Getting back to the Clearwater trip to use as an example. Since the refrigerator wasn’t stocked, as I was about 20 minutes from my destination, I began looking for cool restaurants and/or a great parking areas and sandwich shops. There were two restaurants that stood out, one overlooking the water and the other a tastefully themed Mexican restaurant. Additionally, there was a long stretch of a paved trail directly on Tampa Bay, just off the bridge, that looked incredible.

My meetings ran a little long and I decided that answering emails and making a few pressing calls were more important than new restaurants. So I headed back to the bridge for water views, and picked up some ready made chicken at a grocery store along the way. As luck would have it, the paved trail was very convenient to find again and parking could not have been easier.

A restful, yet productive, hour later I headed for home. The small RV as a mobile office fits perfectly in my life. It allows me to find chunks of time to conduct business during business hours – even when traveling.

2009 Hershey RV Show

If you’ve been waiting to see the 2010 RV models, then head over tomorrow to the 41st Annual Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show. This is a great opportunity to see more than 200 companies showing off their best products. It’s billed as America’s Largest RV Show and is really two shows in one. Not only is it the famous Hershey RV Show for the Public, it is also a popular RV industry Trade Show.

What to See

Get an event pass to see it all. All types of RVs are represented from small RVs like pop-up trailers, truck campers, Class B and Class C RVs to the large Class A motor homes. Be sure to check out RV makers Born Free, Leisure Vans, Phoenix, Pleasure-Way, Roadtrek, and Winnebago among others. And spend some time to see what Freightliner has in store for the RV market with its future electric chassis.

Everything related to the RV industry is represented at the Hershey RV and Camping Show. There’s no better time to see the best of the business all in one place. Whether you’re looking for information on campgrounds, camping equipment, bedding, kitchenware, cooking, insurance, finance, clubs, satellite, towing, and well just about anything relating to RV and camping, you’ll find it here.

Public seminars are available covering a variety of topics. Look through the schedule before exploring the RVs because you may find a subject that you don’t want to miss. Presentations cover trips, maintenance, renovations, buying tips, and many others. Use the seminar schedule to take planned breaks during the day as well.

What to Bring

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing because the RVs occupy a space over 26 football fields. Bring a little daypack, or a small backpack, that you can wear comfortably, but that is not bulky – this will make getting through crowded spaces easier. Bring a small digital camera to take pictures of products or ideas that you don’t want to forget. Also take a small notebook and pen. Save room in the pack though because you’ll want to be able to carry brochures that you pick up along the way.

General Show Information

Adult tickets are $8, but check the RV Show’s website for discounts (click on their graphic above). Parking is free and shuttle service is available. The show runs from Wednesday, September 16th through Sunday, September 20th. Hours are 9 am to 8 pm Wed-Sat, and 9 am to 5 pm on the last day, Sunday. Pets are not allowed, but pet sitting and kennel services have been arranged. Be sure to call ahead using information from the website.

Stay up to date with the latest RV industry information to get the most of your RV experience. If you can’t make it to the show, then stay current with MotorHome Magazine delivered to you.

These top 50 RV dealerships were nominated by RV manufacturers. From a consumer standpoint, customer service is bound to be enhanced through a good working relationship between your dealer and the manufacturer. Check to see if your dealer is on the list, and to get details of the upcoming awards presentation in Las Vegas.

http://www.rvbusiness.com/2009/08/rv-business-announces-2009-top-50-dealer-awards/

Posted via email from Emma’s posterous

As a Medical Manufacturer’s Sales Representative in Central Florida, my territory covers the west coast of Florida through Orlando to Daytona Beach, along the Interstate 4 corridor. I am given a car allowance, but many of the perks have been cut out of the budget. Just like everyone else, I needed to find ways to cut expenses to make ends meet. After doing some online research for a small RV that gets good gas mileage, I went to several RV dealerships that carry the diesel Sprinter camper vans (a Class B RV) and the Class C RVs.

Class A RV

I determined early on that the Class A RVs were much too big to park at many of the hospitals and doctors’ offices I visit. Besides it is overkill for my “mobile office” needs, and the fuel economy is poor. One promising Class A though is the upcoming Sprinter based 2010 Via by Winnebago. It is a 25-foot motorhome that looks interesting, but might still be a bit too big for work travel. The available floor plans look less promising though as a set up for a “mobile office”.

Class B RV

The class B RV was too small and I think I would get cabin fever after a few days. The floor plan was not comfortable for a mobile office setting, and the shower was virtually unusable. The fuel economy was attractive, but not worth the sacrifice on space. Once filled with my products and equipment, this set up clearly would not work.

Class C RV

The Class C RVs were just right. Although the fuel economy is not as good as the Class B, they have the best floor plans, with adequate storage and a comfortable “mobile office” workspace. Several months ago I purchased the Winnebago View 24H that has a dinette, which works well as a desk, and a couch so it doesn’t have a bedroom feel. It is one of the best small RVs, in my opinion, and is the perfect “mobile office” for me.

I use my travel coffee maker and head to my first meeting of the day. By the time I arrive, I am able to go in the back of the RV to use the restroom. I check my e-mails on the computer, grab something from the refrigerator and heat it up in the microwave. Then when I meet my clients I’m refreshed and at my best.

When I need to stay overnight, just like any other of the small RVs that are self contained, I can watch a little TV, sleep, shower and shave, and I am ready for the next day. I have even stayed for free in the parking lots of some of the hospitals with the permission of the administrators.

My wife likes to go to a beach campground and then go to the local seafood restaurants on the weekends. She grew up with a small RV, visiting the Florida RV parks. I guess I need to give her all the credit for telling me to forget the Lexus, and get one of the Class C RVs. With the Sprinter model RV, I now have a fuel efficient ‘motoroffice’ during the week, and a fun ‘motorhome’ for the weekend. It’s the best of both worlds, 7 days a week! ]]> http://www.smallrvlife.com/small-rv/small-rv-as-a-mobile-office/feed 1