Today is Tuesday Nov. 24, and for the last week or so I have been busy getting the motorhome ready for a trip to Kentucky next week to attend the RVIA show. This is the annual “industry only” trade show that usually features what is new and exciting for the upcoming year in the RV industry. We will be staying at a trailer park near the expo center where the show is going to be held and plan to spend as much time as we can, visiting various exhibitors and talking with industry insiders about their view of the RV market. I am hoping to gather enough information to write a few articles on what we see and hear, and hopefully we will also post some photos of the new “hardware”.
While talking to various attendees from the RV manufacturing segment, I would like to ask them questions that RVers are interested in asking. If you have anything you would like to know, please leave a comment. I am also planning to discuss the future of RVing and would like to pose any speculation readers might have about the future of our lifestyle.
My wife will be with me and will be providing a woman’s perspective as well.
Please leave your thoughts and comments and I will try to find out more information if I can.
Larry
Don Loftis
Here is hoping you are having a good time at the show. Just one comment: Was wondering what calendar you were looking at. Here in Arkansas we do not have 31 days in November.
Don
Big Bruiser
I would like to know if there are manuals for older Fleewoods available. I have a 93 Pace Arrow diesel pusher that is in great condition, but I cannot find a owners manual for it anywhere. I also have many aquaintances that have the same problem with their rigs likewise. Please see what you can possible find out at the show. It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for you help.
C.H.
larrycad
Thomas, I assume you are looking at braking improvement on a towable RV. Is that correct?
Larry
Thomas Becher
see if they are offering better brakes (preferably disc ) as standard equipment. Or at least have self adjusting brakes if they continue to offer those stupid electric brakes
Wendy Bell
Re the new Via from Winnebago. It’s larger than the View (25 feet), yet on the same (?) Sprinter chassis. And it’s got a ton of underneath cargo area. BUT it has a rather limited GVWR at 11,030 lbs. How can they keep making it larger when the View’s promotions a few years ago indicated 24 feet was the limit that the chassis could handle? And didn’t they just build an A box on top of the C chassis? I’m so cynical! 🙂
Liz Bard
I would like to see an after market roll-out shelf or drawer for my dinette benches on my 2002 Winnebago Brave.
I get tired and my back hurts having to take off the cushions to open the bench, which does not open all the way because of the window. They have a door on the outside, but unless you lay on your stomach or have a child to help get stuff out, it is hard. I put my stew pot and bowls there and sometimes I can get them out and sometimes not. i tried to put beverages, etc in the other side, but if it is not right at the front, again you have to remove cushions, etc.
I have tried to find them and they are either too wide (for DP for outside) or too short and I do not have the funds to pay for a carpenter to make me one. Then again, there are no rails that long.
Mark & Kay Ulm
Why don’t more of the manufacturers make RVs more user friendly by looking at some of the after market products that are widely used,
The new tank sensors that really work—better ceiling fans—clamps that keep awnings from opening on the road—inverters that don’t over charge the battery.
Most of these would add more value then cost.
larrycad
Wow! Great comments thus far. Please keep them coming. I will do my best to get answers to all the questions.
thanks for the help
Larry
richard Gerber
will the industry continue to lobby states to be more rv friendly ? Dump sites at rest stops, stop passing laws telling businesses not to let rvs park on private property (Wal-Mart). Unfair restrictive overnight parking( trucks can park;we can’t) BTW also educate rvers to be more responsible when they do park. I confront slobs but I am a big guy, shouldn’t come to that. tincansailor
Vulpine
Take lots of pictures. I especially want to know what’s available in the sub-3500# range to tow behind my Jeep Wrangler.
ed
I am interested in the new Tiffin called “Breeze”. Tiffin will be posting pictures on their web. But any additional interior pictures, prices and opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Larry,
When are we going to find out which manufacturers and support networks
survive?? Who can drive 300 or 400 miles to get work or service done??
woof
I ordered a 74 cent spring from Blue Ox in Nebraska over the phone and was charged $12 more for handling and postage. Someone I talked to named “Doug” had the worst phone etiquette I ever encountered. He was talking to someone there about another issue and I could hear him plain as day. At first I answered or said “What,” and he said “Oh I’m not talking to you.” Really “Bush League.”
Bill Mann
Larry, please inquire and write about the new Tiffen energy management system and whether it will be available as an after market addition.