To the RV Expo!

[bjarvis]

We spent the early part of the afternoon in Dulles, VA, attending the annual RV expo. We aren't shopping for a new trailer or motor home --in this economy? who can afford one?-- but we were interested in supplies, accessories and general ideas for our existing trailer.

Sadly, supplies and accessories were utterly non-existent. Outside of the vehicles themselves, the only other vendors were campgrounds, storage facilities and one insurance company. Bummer.

I'm fascinated by the way different companies exploit available space inside trailers, maximizing space and functionality while keeping weight and costs under control. Some succeed while others... well, what were they thinking?

For example...

Most trailers have an externally-attachable two-burner stove. It clips into provided side rails and attaches to the trailer's internal natural gas lines. It allows one to grill outdoors to enjoy good weather and scenic venues; as an added bonus, it also doesn't contribute to heating the interior of the vehicle in the worst of a hot summer day. Out trailer has such an external stove but we've never used it: we have a much larger barbecue on our deck since we're cooking for a small crowd and since our deck is flush with the trailer's floor level, the attached stove would be at knee level, hardly convenient.

At least three models we looked at took this to an extreme. The photo below is not only of an outside grill, but an outside faucet & sink, fridge, microwave oven, shelves & storage, counter space and a spice rack. Yes, it's a trailer with two full kitchens. WTF?!


I have never seen so many trailers of such a height before. Eight foot ceilings and higher were on offer, including several deluxe models with ceiling fans and electric fireplaces. Admittedly, those top-of-the-line models were clearly made for childless couples as they sacrificed all sleeping spaces except the master bed (king-sized, naturally), using the space for large shared living areas. Two models had kitchen islands.

This one (below) came with its own clothes washer & dryer, all for the low price of $350,000 USD. I don't want to own one, I'd just like to afford to buy one. I only wish I was less in awe of the shear excess of it all to inquire about the gas mileage although I'm sure they'd say something akin to if you have to ask you can't afford it.


Several of the deluxe motor homes have extended rear cabins in which one may house an extra vehicle. Yup, a garage inside your mobile home, suitable for a golf cart, motor cycles, all terrain vehicles or scooters. I suppose it might be attractive for those who use motorized wheelchairs although I'd have to wonder how one gets into & out of the motor home itself if one has severe mobility issues. Naturally, there were ATV, golf cart and ATV sales on site as well. We picked out this model for kent4str:

Comments

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

ATVs are death-traps. The damn things should be banned by law; if they can't be banned outright, anyone under the age of 18 should be forbidden to drive or ride on them.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

The prevailing mind-set of the parents that buy them for their kids are "Good! Maybe we can get rid of the brat now!"

[kent4str.livejournal.com]

SO not only do you want to humiliate me b putting me on that pink camo monstrosity, you're trying to kill me. I never should have signed that insurance policy...