Wheel Life: RV show has something for every type of road warrior
Several thousand folks are getting spring fever.
Even with the temperatures dipping below freezing, this is the weekend to daydream about summertime camping and visit the Inland Northwest RV Show at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.
Carol Gilworth and her husband drove over from Florence, Mont., on Thursday looking for a new recreational vehicle.
“We have an RV already,” she said, “but we are thinking of selling our house and going full time for a while and need something larger.”
First-time Spokane RV show visitor Yvonne Helwick of Cocolalla, Idaho, said she and her husband are looking at different types of fifth-wheel trailers.
“We just bought a Chevy 3500 Dually,” she says, “and now we can pull a nice-sized rig. We want something that we can be comfortable in for three weeks at a stretch.”
“Wannabe” RVers Betty and Tom Beeson of Nine Mile Falls came to the RV show “just look and gather information.”
Gary and Diane Hahnert of Spokane Valley plan to upgrade from the 14-foot travel trailer they’ve had for years.
“We want to go out for a couple of months at a time,” said Diane Hahnert, “and with two people and two dogs, our little trailer is too small.”
Hundreds of RVs
Whatever people’s reasons for stopping by the RV show, they will find several hundred recreational vehicles to peer into and walk through.
“More than $13 million worth of RVs are on display,” said show organizer Steve Cody.
This year’s event is the largest ever with 160,000 square feet of brand-new RVs and accessories.
Seven local dealerships are displaying their latest models of motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, tent trailers, toy haulers and truck campers.
One rig getting a lot of attention is the microlight 16-foot Airstream Basecamp.
This tent-trailer hybrid is designed to be towed by “most small pickups and a lot of cars,” said Nick Dietz co-owner, with his wife Karyn, of Airstream of Spokane.
“The idea is a toy hauler-tear dropblend,” said Dietz. “People can put their motorcycles, kayak and bicycles inside because the beds/benches flip up.”
As Airstream says, “the Basecamp is a springboard for outdoor adventures rather than a living room on wheels.”
Other dealers with shinny new rigs include Bell RV, Blue Crick RV, Freedom RV, Parkway RV, R n’ R RV and RVs Northwest.
Vendors
Dozens of vendors are hawking RV-related products and services. Here are just a few:
“ If you are thinking about renting an RV before deciding to buy, stop by Brumback RV Rentals for details on costs and available rigs.
“ Always a real crowd pleaser at these RV shows is the Kitchen Craft Cookware booth. Claire Wills provides an entertaining demonstration cooking a five-course meal in 15 minutes.
“ Across the aisle from the Kitchen Craft booth is RV Crafts and Novelties run by Theresa Lewing and Irene Bushnell. They have a number of craft projects and a CD with templates and detailed instructions.
“ The Emmrod Fishing booth is offering a very portable fishing rod, only about 18 inches long.
“ Denzel Johnson, of Johnson RV, has brought along RV parts and accessories to the show.
He said Johnson RV also provides pre-delivery inspections for people thinking of purchasing a used rig. Prices range from $75 to $300, depending on how extensive the checkup is.
Information
“ Airstream of Spokane, 1104 N. Park Road, Spokane Valley; (509) 534-8599; www.airstreamofspokane.com.
“ Don’t forget to stop by The Spokesman-Review booth. I’ll be there today from noon to 2 p.m. (and maybe longer).
Over the first two days of the RV show, I’ve talked with scores of great people who love the RV lifestyle. Please take a few minutes and let me hear what you would like to read about in Wheel Life.