RV Show Pleasanton, CA 2019

[D Gardiner]

My wife and I decided to go to the big indoor RV Show in Pleasanto, CA today. We were primarily curious as to what has, and has not changed in the RV industry. And,... to see if it was time to get a new RV or keep the old one.

We went in with an open mind, and looked at everything from pickup slide in units, teardrops, travel trailers, and class-A to C models. We actually liked many RVs and floor plans, including a smaller class-C that had no slideouts. Also took our time to see what fits us.
We did our best to check both exterior and interior fit and finish. Basement door construction and strength. Generator and LP tank size, for boondocking and what rigs were solar ready.

What we liked:
-Cabinet fit and finish on most higher end RVs, such as Pleasureway, and Tiffin.
-The lighter sold color fabrics, and pleather options.
-Well thought out floor plans in many models from class-A, B and C.

What surprised:
-How tiny the LP tanks are on some class-C units.
-We now understand the versatility of Toy Haulers. (Seeing them in person made us understand why people love them.)
-Why people are so fanatic about Air Stream trailers. One model had the biggest shower we saw in any RV at the show, including the big DPs.

Wait & See, long them durability:
We liked the Touch-Screan panels for lighting, HVAC and generator automatic On-Off capabilities. However, we will wait to see how these systems survive in the long term.

What disappointed:
-Flimsy plastic basement storage compartments. (From many manufacturers.)
-Front Bumpers, or lack there of on Class-A gas coaches. None had a steel or aluminum bumper behind the front fiberglass cap. Just 12-18" of Air between the front cap and the Ford F53 frame. This will definitely make small minor taps, into costly repairs.

On a personal note we determined;
-That most DPs currently have too much bling, but we absolutely love the small window next to the passenger seat floor on the Tiffin Open Road.
-We also liked the Tiffin class-C Wayfarer for its one-piece slide out module.

Conclusion:
All in all, a good show. Most of the sales people were polite, and not pushy. We definitely like the shorter length RVs, but would love to be able to find a short DP when we retire. Perhaps in six years, or so, the industry will again offer the shorter 28-30' class-A diesels they once did.

For now, we will be keeping and loving our old RV called Maggie.

[micd]

Good summary. We also go every year and seriously look to see if there is anything we like better. So far it is a no-go because nothing suits us better than what we have. But we have fun looking. I try to take notes on my blog regarding my thoughts. That way if we are ever forced to make a decision then I can remember what I thought about which units.

If I were forced to make a decision today I would probably go for a Winnebago Trend 23D on a Ram Promaster chassis. We've never seen one so if anyone who has one is passing through Denver and wants to show theirs off we would love to see it.

[Paul R. Haller]

I went yesterday in the pouring rain. I’m glad it was indoors. I walked back to the car and even though I had an umbrella, I got to the car soaked. It was blowing hard. Think Horizontal rain at 6:30 PM.
I’m kind of like others here, I go to look but mainly to get ideas. I saw nothing that would make me leave my current 5er and move into something else. What I also saw was way less carpet and way more vinyl and lamanet floors. It feels kind of cheap and feels tinny and loud. Less ornate window trim treatments. Carpet does add a warmer, homey feel. Lighter colors inside and darker colors outside. Prices have gone up in every segment and you get less for money spent. Price points, like where you get a major bump in quality are up too. Buying a RV is going to cost more. I looked at everything from 500,000$ diesel pusher, right down to the most modest RV van. From a 40 ft 5 slide 132,000$ mobile suites 5er, to a no slide 12 ft tent trailer tag along. I’m feeling sorry for those who wish to buy but just can’t swing it. Enjoy your current RV and instead of buying a new RV, refurbish your older, well loved, and possibly better built, RV instead.