Lifestyles

courtesy Earthroamer

RVs Gone Wild

Chevy Chase and the infamous Griswold family vacation. Folks sitting around outside a motorhome enjoying their golden years. These are the popular images of the RV lifestyle, but it’s a far cry from the real story.

Lazelle Jones

Such stereotypes are being supplanted by those who use RVs to pursue the passions of a more active and imaginative generation. And RV manufacturers are responding with innovative and cutting-edge motorized and towable RVs to support the needs of those who enjoy extreme sports, hunting, fishing, recreational off-roading, motorsports, water sports and even winter sports. In addition, for the backcountry adventurer who prefers motorized exploring and primitive camping, this niche is being accommodated with a new array of motorhomes that are married to 4WD platforms.

The introduction of new and innovative RV products is in an explosive stage, with emerging technologies being applied as quickly as they appear. It is the creative genius and demands of the end users that are driving the discovery of new ways to join the residential side of an RV with a favorite avocation. Long story short, this burgeoning segment of the RV market is a phenomenon that heretofore existed only on the fringes, and is an evolution that cuts across all product types—truck campers, Class A, B and C motorhomes and towables (receiver hitch travel trailers and fifth wheels units).

Tips For Choosing An RV That’s Right For You

RV financing today can be as low as 5-percent, and dealers have arrangements with lenders who do RV loans. In many cases the interest paid can be taken as a deduction on your state and federal taxes, for RVs can often be treated as a second home. To help you decide on the RV that is right for you, first identify what your needs/passions are, then attend RV shows (several) and talk with others who have the same passions as you do. Visit gorving.com for tips. Visit rvda.org for dealer names and locations. Surf the Internet using RV manufacturer or RV product names for consumer comments. Before buying (if possible) rent the kind of RV you are interested in. Renting can validate your idea about ownership or quash it and prevent buyer’s remorse.

Outdoor sportsmen and fishermen have for years taken advantage of the synergies that exist between the truck camper and their passion (it’s a natural fit). Companies like Lance Camper have recognized that the appeal of their product is being embraced by other enthusiasts as well. By offering large exterior storage drawers, single beds, bunk beds, queen beds, roof storage pods, rod and reel holders, gun cabinets and a full litany of creature features, the truck camper continues to morph.

Lazelle Jones

Take, for example, Bill Huber who hails from Albia, Iowa. He is a legend in the pro rodeo circuit and has won the Annual Great Lakes Calf Roping Championship 22 times, as well as the Dodge National Finals Rodeo Championship. During rodeo season Bill and his wife Jackie live on the road 200 days a year, covering 80,000 miles. Towing a horse and equipment trailer, their Lance Camper is also their home away from home. Now on their third Lance, they sleep in their own bed, eat the foods they like and are in close proximity to their horses.

Hidden Costs Of RV Ownership

Depending upon the locale, type and size of the RV, insurance coverage and rates will differ. In many urban settings there are municipal codes that prohibit parking an RV on the street, or even in your own driveway, so depending upon the size of your RV, storage rates can cost upwards of $250 a month. Taxes, vehicle registration and the annual registration renewal fees vary dramatically from state to state, so call your DMV. The service and maintenance costs for RV systems can be many and complex. Consider purchasing an extended warranty policy, or if the RV is used, see if the existing warranty can be transferred. Fuel costs continue to rise, and most RVs require more fuel to operate than do transportation vehicles. Campground fees run between $10 and $50 a day.

Another truck camper that has emerged to fill a unique niche is the Western RV Alpenlite SUTC (Sport Utility Truck Camper). It features an interior cargo bay for two ATVs or a couple of motorcycles, and it, too, can be equipped with all the RV creature comforts.

Lazelle Jones

Heartland USA talked with Beau Durkee, whose genius lies behind the design and development of the SUTC. He told us, “It took me ten years to complete its development, and when I was ready to go into production I sold my house for startup capital.” Beau’s concept, however, is so original and finely tuned that Western RV (based in Yakima, WA) bought the rights to build the SUTC and brought Beau in to run production and do product development. Durkee’s story includes the typical Horatio Alger grist that makes the American dream possible.

Herold Trailer Sales

Located in Indianola, Iowa, Brian Herold does a big business in towable toy haulers (hitch receiver and fifth-wheel format). His dealership represents Holiday Rambler’s Black Diamond hitch receiver toy haulers. Located in the bread basket of middle America, their clients use toy haulers both for work and for play. The utility afforded by the huge cargo carrying capacities these haulers yield is a welcome asset when working the earth during planting and harvest, and when time becomes available to play. Being able to use a single unit to haul farm equipment, ATVs and motorcycles is a level of utility and function that’s appreciated in America’s heartland.

(515) 961-7405

One of the hottest segments in the RV market is the towable toy hauler (hitch receiver/trailer type and fifth wheel). They range in length from 11 feet up to almost 40 feet, and can be equipped with all of the amenities associated with the good life. Bumper hitch (travel trailer format) toy haulers represent a lion’s portion of the toy haulers sold. They offer the added functionality of using as tow vehicles both pickup trucks and the many SUVs that stand idly parked in driveways across America. When coupled with a toy hauler, SUVs represent a major resource for recreation. A good example of this is the Black Diamond by Holiday Rambler. Another example is the Evolution, an 18-foot pop-up camping trailer by Fleetwood RV, which provides a comfortable habitat and can haul an ATV or motorcycles.

courtesy Let’s Go Aero

The GearLodge by Let’s Go Aero is an enclosed trailer that can haul 1,000 pounds of toys and equipment. With a GVWR of 1,490 pounds, it can be towed by most family vehicles. It can haul a full-size ATV, and when off-loaded the ATV can then tow the GearLodge. It converts into sleeping quarters and comes with a fabric vestibule that creates a living area off the back.

The size of fifth wheels facilitates them being able to haul several ATVs, motorcycles, dune buggies and even full-size vehicles. The hitch pin (below the forward landing) locks inside the jaws of the hitch that is mounted over the rear axle in the bed of the truck, a fact that makes towing heavy loads achievable. The forward landing incorporates a bedroom/bathroom, and makes the mid-ship and rear area available for hauling toys. With the toys off-loaded the galley, living and dining areas instantly become available for use. Some sleep as many as ten.

Recreational Vehicle Industry Association

Heartland USA spoke with Kevin Broom, director of media relations at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, and asked him about this burgeoning niche in the recreational vehicle market. He explained that the uses found for the RV are as varied as the people who own them. Some want to visit beautiful landmarks and stay in great campgrounds while others prefer a more adventurous vacation. In recent years, the popularity of the SURV (sport-utility RVs, or toy haulers) has exploded, attracting a much younger set of RV buyers. “In fact,” Broom explained, “the fastest growing segment of RV ownership is taking place among those who are under 35 years of age. Whether it’s tailgating at a sporting event or hauling bikes to a motocross race, into the mountains or out to the desert, the popularity of the SURV continues to surge.”

Toy haulers can be equipped with high-yield conveniences like refueling stations (tank, fuel pump and nozzle) that eliminate the need to carry fuel cans. Work benches provide impromptu machine shops for field repairs. Auxiliary generators can power small arc welders. Air compressors for inflating tires, high water pressure spray systems for cleaning toys and electric wenches for loading toys area are also available.

There are motorized Class C toy haulers like the Guardian Toy Hauler by Born Free Motorhomes and the Road Warrior RWT 3400 by Weekend Warrior. Both are built on the Chevy C5500 truck platform. And there are Class A toy haulers like Safari’s new Compression. It comes with a rear cargo bay for toys and a separate residence up front that is separated by an interior wall and door. The front engine can be gas or diesel.

There are also expeditionary type motorhomes, with one such animal being the Class B Sportsmobile. Offered on three different platforms, one is built on a Sprinter Chassis with a Mercedes diesel (with 4WD), and is perfect for slick, icy, snowy conditions. Other platforms include the Chevy and the Ford ladder frame chassis with 4WD—the kind that are required for rock crawling, fording streams and engaging in extreme off-road adventures. All platforms offer all the residential goodies found in a full-service motorhome.

Richardson’s RV

Twenty-seven years in the RV business and with four locations in Southern California, Steve Richardson explained to Heartland USA that with the ocean, desert and mountains all immediately available as a playground, the sale of toy haulers continues to be hot in the California market. He carries multiple brands and product lines of trailer-type and fifth-wheel toy haulers). For Richardson this segment of the RV market over the last several years has been huge. He says, “There is simply no other way to put it.” Call them at (877) 205-8820.

Chris and Ginger Lofgren have a Ford 4WD Sportsmobile. They have incorporated it with their love for backpacking. They four-wheel into a primitive setting and use it as a base camp for day hikes. The way they have it equipped permits them to do two weeks of stand-alone RV camping. They also combine the use of their Sportsmobile with their love of horses. Frequently they will tow a horse trailer to a primitive setting and explore by horseback, again retuning at night to their Sportsmobile base camp.

For the aficionado who wants 4WD traction in snow country or on a primitive road, but is not looking for rock-crawling capability, RoadTrek offers a 4WD Chevy chassis Class B. It includes an auxiliary generator, furnace, air conditioner, sleeping capacity for two, shower, marine-style toilet and a full service galley.

Special attention needs to be paid to Earthroamer. They build two models—the recently introduced XV-JP on a Jeep Wrangler platform and the original XV-LT, which is an expeditionary vehicle built on a truck platform with a Class C-type profile. The prowess of both models goes undisputed. In fact, Carl and Nancy Noah have one they have used extensively to explore the Mohave Desert, the Maritime Provinces and Arizona’s Sonora Desert. They chronicle their adventures on their website.

BLACK DIAMOND by Holiday Rambler
(receiver hitch toy hauler)

MSRP: $36,540 (nicely appointed)

HVAC/Electrical: 30M BTU furnace; 13.5M or 15M BTU A/C (optional)

Tank Capacities: (fresh, waste, gray): 110, 40, 40, 60 gal., respectively

Standard Equipment: stabilizer jacks; dual axles; galley; shower; sofa; dinette; refrigerator; water heater; oven; cook-top; pull-down bed; docking lights

Optional Equipment: refueling station; auxiliary generator; exterior speakers; outdoor grill; rear screen door; awning; microwave; LCD TV; dual electric beds

(800) 634-0855

GEARLODGE by Let’s Go Aero
(receiver hitch toy hauler)

MSRP: $4,495

HVAC/Electrical: NA

Tank Capacities: NA

Standard Equipment: tent w/vestibule; decking; leveler kit; solar vent

Optional Equipment: bike mount kit; spare tire kit

(877) GO 4 AERO

XV-LT by Earthroamer
(Class C expeditionary motorhome)

MSRP: $235,000 (nicely appointed)

HVAC/Electrical: 6.2M BTU A/C; 13.6M BTU diesel heater; 30-amp shore power; 2,000 watt inverter

Tank Capacities: (fresh, gray, fuel): 85, 26, 59 gal., respectively, w/cassette toilet

Standard Equipment: polar package; sink; hydronic water heat; water filtration; hot/cold shower; inverter; dual pane windows; refrigerator; diesel cook-top; microwave/convection

Optional Equipment: front & rear winches; Hella lights; 90 gal. fuel tanks; queen bunk; GPS navigation; LCD TV

(720) 304-3174

COMPRESSION by Safari Motor Coach
(Class A toy hauler motorhome)

MSRP: $150,000 (nicely appointed)

HVAC/Electrical: 15M BTU A/C; 31M BTU furnace; 50-amp shore power; 5.5 kW genset; two house batteries

Tank Capacities: (fresh, waste, gray, LP, fuel): 60, 70, 40, 20 and 75 gal., respectively

Standard Equipment: pantry; laminate tile flooring kitchen/bath; living/bedroom area carpeting; day/night; leatherette Hide-a-Bed sofa; topper slide-out awnings; double door refrigerator; cook-top; convection/microwave; 37-inch LCD TV; hook-ups for DSS dish, cable; cargo netting inside storage area on sidewall

Optional Equipment: Sirius¨ Radio; GPS navigation; camera rear vision system w/audio and camera; privacy sun screens; CB prep; driver’s side door; four-door refrigerator with icemaker; central vacuum; Surround Sound; weatherproof exterior speakers; LCD TV; garage area; surged carpet cargo area; cargo door screen; metal utility center; awning; second entry door in storage area

(800) 633-0855

LANCE 825 by Lance Camper
(truck camper)

MSRP: $19,400 (nicely appointed)

HVAC/Electrical: AC/DC converter; GFI circuit protected outlets; pre-wired for roof AC

Tank Capacities: (fresh, waste, gray, LP): 30, 14 , 5 gal., respectively

Standard Equipment: furnace; wet bath; queen bed; dinette/bed

Optional Equipment: bunk bed; shower/toilet; water heater; microwave; awning; roof rack; refrigerator; cook-top; roof A/C

(800) 423-7996

SPORTSMOBILE
(Class B expeditionary motorhome)

MSRP: $100,000 (nicely appointed)

HVAC/Electrical: See equipment possibilities

Tank Capacities: NA

Equipment Possibilities: leather seat covers; A/C; attic fans; furnaces; water heaters; solar panels; microwave/convection; generators; TVs, sound systems; awnings; roof racks; custom striping; Sportsmobile or Quigley 4x4; aluminum bumpers; Hella lights; entry steps; recovery tools; compressors; custom wheels/tires; custom sound systems

(559) 233-8267

Reading in National Geographic about an expeditionary vehicle that would go anywhere, Michael Van Pelt designed and built a prototype that he and his wife Rene took on a shake-down cruise to the tip of South America (see their travels at www.gxvtravel.com). Returning home, Van Pelt decided to offer it to other adventurers. The GXV rolls along on 50-inch diameter wheels, has high- and low-range 4WD, and is totally self-contained. The production units incorporate lessons-learned during their South America expedition. Everything is fueled by diesel (the auxiliary generator, furnace, cook-top, house air conditioner, hot water system and the engine) since diesel is available around the world. LPG is not used because often it cannot be accessed due to the lack of universal fittings when refueling. Also, the Mercedes and Cummins engines used offer worldwide service. The GXV comes with dual A/C electrical systems (60-cycle, 110-volt and 50-cycle, 230-volt) for, as discovered in the southern hemisphere and is true around the world, A/C power is 50-cycle and not 110-volt. Van Pelt likes to characterize this unit by saying, “With the GXV you’ll run out of world before you ever run out of vehicle.”

Sources

Lance Camper

Let’s Go Aero

URSA Minor

Born Free Motorhomes

Weekend Warrior

Fleetwood RV

Global Xpedition Vehicles

Western RV

Necessity is the mother of invention, and URSA Minor proves once again this to be the case. Jim and John, who are surfers and composite fabricators, take the Honda all-wheel-drive Element and add a 5-inch composite top to the existing roof. When unlatched, the top pops up into a sleeping quarter that’s reminiscent of the old VW Westphalia. You enter the canopy sleeping area via the Honda factory-installed sunroof. Roof racks haul surf boards, kayaks and storage pods, which is why this RV is a hot ticket among water sports and winter sports enthusiasts, tri-athletes and anyone who wants to enjoy RV-type camping and still be “green.” It’s applications are limited only by the imagination.

As you can see, the latest round of innovative RV designs and technology have effectively shattered the old stereotypes. For dedicated adventure seekers, life in the great outdoors can be grand indeed.

As a California resident who’s plugged into the extreme motorsport lifestyle, Heartland USA contributor Lazelle Jones knows a thing or two about recreational vehicles, as well as off-beat and off-trail adventure.