Photo TR: Nerd and Dad Hit the RV Show

[TheRapidsNerd]

What started as a lark 3 years ago after a hockey game has become a yearly January tradition. Dad and I hit the RV or Boat Show in town to have a fun day out and marvel at the design magic in today's leisure craft. How these folks fit so much stuff into such small spaces is fascinating.

 

Here are the hilights from this years show. Enjoy!

When the 42" plasma on the luggage rack swing arm just isn't enough, there's a another tv and speakers in the slide-out.

 

And we'll slide into more pictures after this commercial break.

I have to hand it to the design team. LED rails truly are a bright idea.

See? Only a 36" tv. The humanity of it all!

RV TV BUNK PoV! (Hobbit feet not included, and yes I was thinking it too.)

In some RVs, each bunk had it's own DVD with decent size screen. Kinda reminded me of those sleeping pods at Japanese airports. You all who've been to Japan, will know exactly what I'm talking about.

They were knocking off good bits of cash sell. Bigger figures to come in this TR.

Because only 1 slide-out and a full size fridge will just have to do.

Welcome to Party Barge Row.

The carving and sculptural details were very well done. Hard to believe this is a camper.

I think this is bigger than the TLQ (Temporary Living Quarters) at Andrews AFB.

Dad and I were really amazed just how much could fit in the smaller campers.

Sounds like a new gum, doesn't it?

Sadly, even Girls Gone Wild has had to scale back. They couldn't even afford the other two X's.

Speaking of Tear-Drops, here's a custom that our Bama contingent would approve of. Shout outs to BamaRob, CTU, Scaparri, and Brandy.

We'll start with the minis. I've always thought that these A-Liners, the Tear-Drops, and the smaller Airstreams were just cool for some reason.

[Speeddeamon128]

Nice TR! My family rented a huge RV before & it was awesome!

[printersdevil78]

This is awesome! I've always said if I had the extra time and cash, I'd buy a small RV and tool around the country for awhile. Just think of all the parks I could visit if I didn't have to worry about hotel stays!

 

Does Wal-Mart still allow RVs to park overnight on the periphery of all their parking lots? I heard something about it on the Travel Channel a few years ago. Not sure if it's still standard practice, but I remember on the show they said it was a good policy for them since the campers were more likely to shop at Wal-Mart when they needed supplies since it was literally at their front door. The store even published a location directory just for RVers, if memory serves.

 

Thanks for the TR so far!

[brilinjo]

I always wondered if those Tear-Drop vans were worth the effort, they're so small you couldn't swing a rodent, let alone a cat.

[TheRapidsNerd]

And now back gawking, already in progress...

Wings. (Ha! You thought I was going to say Everest or Beer Run didn't you!)

 

More family trucksters in a few.

New coasters sponsored by old bands. It's a dream come true!

Now here's something you don't see every day. I bathroom iwth a pass through to the bedroom...on a motor home.

Now that is a groovy couch. I like it!

This bus needs a good captain. Erik?

They also clean the shower and fridge when you're not around.

Tentacles come out of the washer and dryer and fold the clothes for you.

A drop in the well.

Well, if Six Flags can do hair, why not?

Man what a nice RV! Man apartment ain't looking so hot...

Reflection shot for Lou? Check.

That bed will eat you, especially the back pillow on the right.

One of the nicer and roomy showers of the day. Why yes, I'm a shower connoisseur. How did you know? (Not a word about Gold! Not one! I have a whole bag of Ssshhhh and I'm not afriad to upload it!)

And you thought my fridge was empty during the Insomnia TR.

Mad. Ninja. Parking. Skills!

Aqua-Ho... OR for the colored tube and pump enthusiasts.

A pittance.

Wow! The curtains really do match the fabric!

3 words. Mad Parking Skills! There has to be literally a couple inches between them.

I think a vinyl enthusiast bought this one. Even the tv was covered.

Decent size beds in most of these vehicles. The mod lights were a cool touch, but the pillows and bedspread have a gotta go.

Bunks and and a closet were something new in a slide-out. Neat idea!

[Philrad71]

Nice report!

 

My fathers RV has the walk through bathroom en route to the back bedroom. Not quite as fancy as some of these newer models, but still very nice.

 

My sister and husband just bought a fifth wheel a couple of months ago, so the plan is for all of us to be able to hit up some campgrounds and theme parks this summer!

 

Can't wait for spring!

[Team Thriller]

Honestly I would probably want to live in one of those instead of a house

 

--James

[TheRapidsNerd]

Whew! All this computing made me thirsty, so I went and had a Tab.

And lastly, I'll throw in the very stylish bathroom sink.

 

Thank you all reading and the kind words. Always appreciated.

This one had a fireplace for those relaxing times in the evening. Very nice.

It's not just a table. It's a transformer. No really. It transforms from a table to a bed.(Exotic twins not included.)

See? Here's a bed just to shake things up again. Looks comfy, eh?

More 5th wheel interiorage, because you haven't seen nearly enough kitchen tables and couches in this TR.

They even had leather chairs. I'm not a Lay-Z-Boy type, but I could possibly make an exception here.

And this is all on wheels.

Oh, and here too. Just wow!

Dude, I could live here.

This is where my camcoder battery revolted and I switched to the blackberry for the remainder of pictures. This 5th wheel has to be one of the nicest I've seen.

Do you REALLY need both kidneys nowadays? This is a bargain!

White-faced gauges were something I hadn't seen before on RV's. They're old new to the Tuners and custom fans, among us.

Yep, really glad to be 5'10" right now.

That is a pfabulous pfaucet.

[Jds03]

Wow, those are absolutely incredible.

 

When I grow up, I want to be rich. Then I can buy an RV and a DeLorian.

[DenDen]

I LOVE RV shows. I go to the one here in Fort Lauderdale every year. I even got friends to buy one a couple years ago at the show. (Yes, I got a complimentary camping trip for it, they love it!)

[spaceace12]

Where is the picture of the family truckster.....make promises you can't fullfill, you should be a politician.

 

Enjoyed the pictures...I am going to a motorcycle show in a couple weeks that also has a boat, sport and travel show with it.

[ebl]

 

Wow! My house wasn't even that much.

 

I'm not much of a camper, but one of those little teardrop campers wouldn't be bad. I could probably even tow it with my CR-V.

 

Eric

[TheRapidsNerd]

This is awesome! I've always said if I had the extra time and cash, I'd buy a small RV and tool around the country for awhile. Just think of all

the parks I could visit if I didn't have to worry about hotel stays! Does Wal-Mart still allow RVs to park overnight on the periphery of all their parking lots? I heard something about it on the Travel Channel a

few years ago.

 

Agreed. I could see doing that later on in life, hopefully with a nice lady who enjoys traveling and theme parks too. Think you still can park overnight at Walmart and some shopping malls. Have seen RV's both

places here in town up to even a few weeks ago. Unsure on the rest of

the country.

 

I always wondered if those Tear-Drop vans were worth the effort,

they're so small you couldn't swing a rodent, let alone a cat.

 

Those and A-Liners are basically a hard tent. Depends on what you like.

There are full on enthusiast groups that meet up and show off their

custom travel trailers.

 

Nice report! My fathers RV has the walk through bathroom en route to the back bedroom. Not quite as fancy as some of these newer models, but still very nice. My sister and husband just bought a fifth wheel a couple of months ago, so the plan is for all of us to be able to hit up some campgrounds and theme parks this summer!"

 

Many thanks! Sounds like a great way to hit the parks and do some

traveling. Would love to see a TR when you all go.

 

Honestly I would probably want to live in one of those instead of a house

 

Sounds like a few of us would, and not a thing wrong with that.

 

Wow, those are absolutely incredible. When I grow up, I want to be

rich. Then I can buy an RV and a DeLorian.

 

Me too my friend. Me too.

 

I LOVE RV shows. I go to the one here in Fort Lauderdale every year. I even got friends to buy one a couple years ago at the show. (Yes, I got a complimentary camping trip for it, they love it!)

 

That's really cool and I never knew that about you DenDen. Sounds like a

few of us could have a great time hitting RV shows AND parks. Hey, I'm

all for that and if I'm down your way we'll have to go.

 

Where is the picture of the family truckster.....make promises you

can't fullfill, you should be a politician. Enjoyed the pictures...I am

going to a motorcycle show in a couple weeks that also has a boat, sport

and travel show with it.

 

LMAO! Ok, Truckster pic on the way. Looking forward to your TR and

thanks.

 

Wow! My house wasn't even that much. I'm not much of a camper, but one of those little teardrop campers wouldn't be bad. I could probably eventow it with my CR-V.

 

And that's just to buy. Upkeep, gas, campground fees, etc, come AFTER

all that as you know. Agree with you. If I took the plunge, it would be

a small Tear-Drop/A-Liner/Airstream, or a mid-sized camper with a

slide-out. Better value than some of those conversion vans.

 

Well thanks everybody!

Well, so much for that political career...

[dino]

Wow...When I grow up I want to be an RV now.

[Brandy524]

Aww, the Bama one is so cute! Thanks for the shout out! It's hard to believe those are campers. They're bigger than my house!

[gisco]

Wow, my first house was cheaper then those last three. How many gallons to the mile do these things get?

[spaceace12]

The figure I have heard on those Diesel pushers are about 8-10 mpg. And they normally have around a 100 gallon tank.

[Hotlanta]

I love your random TR's. Please keep them coming. You have the ability to make even the mundane things seem fun.

 

 

Not that a trip to the RV show is mundane or anything.

[astroworldfan1]

I love camping in a Camper! We have one, but it's not an RV.

 

-Tatum

[TheRapidsNerd]

I love your random TR's. Please keep them coming. You have the ability to make even the mundane things seem fun. Not that a trip to the RV show is mundane or anything.

 

No worries friend, and thank you. I try my best to keep it light-hearted and fun.

 

Aww, the Bama one is so cute! Thanks for the shout out! It's hard to believe those are campers. They're bigger than my house!

 

(Chuckles) You're most welcome. Yes, the apartment was just not as cool after seeing some of those 5th wheels. Did get some good design and decorating ideas to spruce up my place though. Learned something and not a total heartache going back home.

 

Wow...When I grow up I want to be an RV now.

 

Well, we all have dreams, so whatever drives you. Have a feeling you'd like the driver to be cute and single, maybe even looking for a coaster dork to sweep her off her feet? Don't blame you. That's what I'd want.

 

I do have a good time at these random TRs and glad you all enjoy them too. Good way to learn about your brother and sister TPR members likes, other than what we all agree on...parks and coasters.

 

No kidding, depending on schedules and locations, it'd be great to make a day trip somewhere and do an RV or Boat Show aside from (or in addition to) the usual parks stuff.

 

Thanks again all, and my best to you.