The past two days have been spent exploring Smart cars and towable RVs. Today, in the final installment, B-class, C-class and motorhomes will be discussed.
The 20-foot 2010 Roadtrek has a Mercedes V6, 3 litre Mercedes engine with an automatic 5-speed transmission. With a towing capacity of 5000 pounds and a 20 mpg fuel rating, it packs a lot into the hefty $102,835 price tag. The smaller Roadtrek B-class motorhomes will fit in most garages and can double as family car (assuming you have a small family).
Inside, Roadtrek has a rear living area that turns into a large bed, two gas burners, sink, electric/microwave combo oven and a small fridge/freezer. The bath area has a toilet, flip-down sink and a wet bath (meaning the entire bathroom is also the shower stall). The RV has quite a bit of storage too. The Roadtrek holds 30 gallons of fresh water and 26 gallons of fuel. Larger (longer) models sleep 4.I didn't find anything new or different in the Class-C RVs this year. Many RVs at the show had all the bells and whistles - power awnings, onboard generators, upgraded stereo and television systems - but I didn't find an innovative floor plan or see a RV that turns into a helicopter.
Mike Recker of Johnson RV gave me a tour of the C-Class 2011 Jayco Melbourne 29D (which is nearly 32 feet long). The Melbourne has a Ford V10 (305 hp) gasoline engine, with a generous 55 gallon fuel tank.
Inside, the mid-coach-entry-door Melbourne is fairly roomy with a rear queen bed, large bath, solid-surfaces on all countertops, gas range with convection/micro combo oven and a decent amount of storage. This unit could easily sleep five or six.
Moving on to the big boys... again, nothing too exciting to report on the 2011 models of motorhomes. One piece wind screens are now standard. Outside TV's seem to be the norm. Most of the sofa beds are featuring air-mattresses now. This is a good thing. Finally! Plus, it cuts down on weight. Again, most of the floor plans seem to be similar.
The beautiful beast is a 36 Thor Damon Tuscany, offered by Paul Evert's RV Country in Coburg, Oregon.
The Tuscany, on sale for $215,000 at the show, features 4-slides, an all-tile floor, rear television, huge fridge and glazed maple cabinets. All sunshade and black-out shades are interior and push-button. Yeah!
There is a queen bed in the rear and a washer-dryer combo in the bedroom closet. This unit has three HD televisions.
Moving up in size and price, we finally toured the gorgeous 40 foot QXP Allegro Bus, offered by BYoung RV for $295,781. Made in Red Bay, Alabama by Tiffen, the Allegro Bus has a rear 450 hp Cummins diesel engine.
Inside you will find three more televisions, a residential all-electric refrigerator, solid-surface counter tops, tile backsplash, stacked washer & dryer and an all-tile floor.
With four slide rooms, the Allegro Bus is simply massive inside! Pretty!I really enjoyed my day at the RV show and met many interesting people. Sales seemed to be going well at the show - used and new units selling at about the same pace. Of all the RVs I toured, nothing interested me enough to trade-in my beloved Magna Peregrinus, so I guess we are stuck with her for a while longer.
This concludes your three-day tour of the Portland RV and Van Show.
Are your feet tired?
Until my next update, I remain, your Magna Peregrinus-loving correspondent.