RV manufacturers really "extended themselves" for the Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow.
CW field editor Malcolm Street says the layout of Lifestyle’s monster-size Signature van (pic one and two) with two slide-outs many even suggest a shift in trends. “Lifestyle really moved away the front bedroom and rear bathroom configuration in this model,” observes Malcolm.
Meanwhile, VanCruiser’s concept van The Rock (pic three) at the other end of the scale raised the bar in other ways. “The pop-top is impressive – it’s a kid’s bedroom, you use a ladder to get to the top.”
RV innovator Anthony Wake (pic four) managed a smile, as buyers perused his newest incarnation of the wheelchair accessible Accessavan, with airbags and an easier to use ramp. “Anthony is very happy with DesignerVans, his new supplier,” confides Malcolm.
But it was Winnebago’s treatment of its new Escape (pic five) that really caught Malcolm’s eye. “It’s Winnebago’s first attempt at building for the motorcamper market. The Escape has a garage to carry all kinds of boys’ toys (including the quad bike shown). The seats fold down and the camper has an electric slide-down bed.”
According to Malcolm, the Escape has started to roll out the factory door. “A luxury version is due to out soon.”
The latest Menindee (pic six and seven) illustrates another change in direction for Winnebago. “That’s the first time in quite a while that Winnebago has used the Mercedes Sprinter (as a base) and they’ve really gone up market with it. It has an offside slide-out as well as a rear wall slide-out to give you more room in the bedroom.”
Malcolm also spotted Wirraway’s new A Class rig (pic eight). “The Itasca Sunover is a US-built A Class motorhome which is much smaller than many of the US motorhomes we’ve seen.”
According to Malcolm, Wirraway has wanted to introduce an A Class motorhome into its range for many years.