It’s the 2017 Calgary RV Show this week
Automotive journalist Greg Williams says the call of the open road is what will attract RVers this January 26 to 29 to the world of recreational vehicles featuring everything from motorhomes to teardrop trailers at the 2017 Calgary RV Expo & Sale.
“I’ve been out to several manufacturer’s shows and on many factory plant visits,” said RVDA of Alberta’s Scott Vanderwerff as he spoke with journalist Greg Williams. “I’m seeing RVs becoming more compact, with a smaller footprint, but with the amenities of a larger unit.”
“A growing trend in the industry, especially in some of the 23-foot to 24-foot Class C motorhomes, is full wall slides,” Vanderwerff explained to Williams. A full wall slide allows the interior size of a motorhome or trailer to enlarge at the push of a button.
Vanderwerff indicated that motorhome and van conversion sales have climbed dramatically in the last few years. But, trailers remain perennial bestsellers in western Canada.
Other trends, Vanderwerff and Williams noted, in the RV industry for 2017 include greater adoption of Bluetooth technology, allowing handheld devices such as phones and tablets the ability to operate many systems found in a RV. Special ‘apps’ on devices, when paired via Bluetooth, allow RV users to operate systems such as the slide outs, power leveling jacks, lights and sound systems.
Vanderwerff also says he is seeing an increase, especially in smaller RVs, of the use of solar and inverter systems. Harnessing the power of the sun allows campers to get further off the grid while still being able to use lights or charge a phone or camera battery.
Scott Vanderwerff feels that the January RV show helps kick off the camping season.
“Consumers can check out all the types and styles of units in one space, and all of our inventory is freshly landed from the factories,” he told Williams. “It’s when we have the greatest selection, and there’ll be other products related to the industry on display.”
The RVDA of Alberta invites all RV'ers, veterans or newbies, to make a point of checking out the Calgary RV Expo and Sale this weekend. It promises to have something for everyone.
Calgary’s Annual RV Expo & Sale Show Info:
Calgary’s RV Expo & Sale runs Jan. 26 to 29 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Show dates and times: Thurs. Jan. 26 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $15 for adults, $11 seniors, $7 youth (13 to 17), children under 12 are free. A family of-four-pass (two adult and two youth) is just $35. Save on show admission with pre-sale passes at local Safeway and Sobeys stores: adult tickets for $11 and family passes for $30.
Source: Driving by Greg Williams
