The RV world is getting smaller. Yes, that means sales are predicted to fall slightly this year, according to industry forecasters.  But there’s one niche that’s still heating up, and that’s the smaller rigs. The Class C’s and the ever-burgeoning Class B market.

Besides the buzz generated by the whole #vanlife movement on social media, let’s look to one of the most respected producers of Class A motorhomes for proof that smaller doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort.

Tiffin Motorhomes rolled out a sleek Class C three years ago, and good luck finding a Wayfarer for sale.

 “Our dealers are selling everything we’re making,” said Trent Tiffin, who runs this family business based in Alabama. Freedom RV is the authorized dealer for Tiffin in the Spokane area.

It’s not the first Class C from this manufacturer, known for its top-quality finishing touches. In the 1990s, Tiffan produced a model called Allegro. It was shelved in favor of the big bus-style vehicles so popular with retirees looking to live in their rigs.

“Then, about five years ago, we started getting requests for something smaller from folks looking to downsize,” said Tiffin, who added that the Class C is a perfect starter vehicle for those wanting to test the waters.

And there’s a bit of an economic boom associated with the increased interest in Class Cs. More than 200 workers are employed at the Wayfarer production facility, and Mercedes Benz recently opened a new production plant in Charleston, S.C., to keep up with the demand for the Sprinter chassis used on many luxury Class C’s.

The 2020 Wayfarer will debut this spring, and Tiffin said the design team has been playing with upgrades: “It’s still a young product. More good things are coming.”

 

Enchanted RV travels in N.M.

During his recent ski adventures through Colorado and New Mexico, John found a marked difference in how the two states treat RV travelers. Colorado ski areas seem to hate RVs, while New Mexico ski areas welcome them.

First, Colorado: Telluride doesn’t allow RVs to park overnight in town, nor does Aspen or Vail. In New Mexico, Angel Fire Resort welcomes them with a luxury RV park (check out our review at spokesman.com/blogs/going-mobile) and Taos Ski Valley allows them to park overnight.

And Eduardo Sampere, general manager of the Blake Hotel at Taos Ski Valley, said the resort is considering adding hookups for RVs in the future.

“We should be telling people that we like people in RVs,” Sampere said. “They’re a fun community and we welcome them.”

Can we get an amen on that?

If you get the chance, take your RV through the Enchanted Circle  byway in northern New Mexico. The route travels through Taos, Angel Fire and Red River, all ski towns in winter and beautiful mountain towns in summer. Best of all, they like RV travelers.

 

This week’s Going Mobile question

We’re headed to the Lone Star state. We’re headed to the Hill Country, Austin and Houston. Where else should we go? Please send responses to goingmobile@spokesman.com

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