Belleville RV Show

Oakman · 02-22-2013, 10:30 AM

There is an RV show at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville, IL this weekend. Many of the units on display are indoor but there is also a large number displayed outdoor. With the snow and sleet we had yesterday I would imagine the attendance will be poor. Petunia and I were planning to attend on Saturday but I think we’ll have to wait and see how much, if any, melts today. We’re not looking to buy a new RV, we just like looking all the time.

My favorite show to attend is the one in the fall of the year at what used to be called the St. Louis Mills mall. It’s an outdoor show and free to attend…that’s why it’s my favorite.

LaydBack · 02-23-2013, 10:17 AM

Considering going too. Like you, I just like looking.....even though we haven't even taken delivery of our new unit.

caper · 02-23-2013, 12:21 PM

We will be going to the Belleville (Ontario) On March 8th.

Dave_Monica · 02-23-2013, 12:52 PM

I think the RV shows need to flash a bulletin: 'Warning! Attendance may be hazardous to your financial status'. Unless, of course, you are truly in the market for a new RV. Unfortunately, there's alway something nicer than what you have...

Dave

caper · 02-23-2013, 04:01 PM

I do not go to purchase but DW and I like to see the new updates to the units. Most times we cannot find anything better then what we have.

Oakman · 02-23-2013, 04:43 PM

We just returned from the RV show in Belleville. There were a lot more travel trailers than fifth wheels on display. I did see a familiar looking logo hanging in a Sandpiper fifth wheel.

There were a couple of units that had features that I’ve never seen before. There was a V-Cross with the optional powered drop down bunks that were stowed over the couch and dinette. I believe it was a 29 VCRLS model. The bunks didn't fold down, instead they raised and lowered vertically. That seems like a great idea for grandparents that only take their grandkids camping a couple of times a year.

The other unique thing was a bedroom slideout on a fifth wheel. What was unique was the front cap was the slide out. I really couldn’t see much of an advantage to that design because the bedroom still looked very small. Personally I can see this feature disappearing in a year or two.

kenandterry · 02-23-2013, 05:12 PM

With the front cap of a 5th wheel being a slide, you'd want to hope they really know how to seal really well given it faces forward into the wind, rain, whatever.

A day's trip with even a small leak could be real trouble by the end of the day driving in nasty weather.

I'm just sayin'................

RalphieAdie · 02-23-2013, 05:58 PM

Wow Bob you've been busy. Guess the ice & snow melted enough so you didn't have to skate over to Belleville!

Capt. Mike · 02-23-2013, 06:18 PM

Oakman, I'm telling you, going to the RV show is DANGEROUS. When we saw you at the dome in St. Louis, we were "just looking", too!

dwaynerz · 02-23-2013, 06:31 PM

may go tomorrow. just to look

Capt. Mike · 02-23-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwaynerz

may go tomorrow. just to look

R r r r r i i i i i g h t !

Oakman · 02-23-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphieadie

Wow Bob you've been busy. Guess the ice & snow melted enough so you didn't have to skate over to Belleville!

The parking lot had been cleared but the melting snow turned it into a sloppy mess.

Have you two made it back to our area yet? If so, welcome back. If not, more snow is coming in Monday.

Oakman · 02-23-2013, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Oakman, I'm telling you, going to the RV show is DANGEROUS. When we saw you at the dome in St. Louis, we were "just looking", too!

Fortunately Mike we finally have a flooplan that we love. However, I do have to keep an eye on Joyce, she always want to buy a very small trailer for camping in the smaller campgrounds in the National Parks. She really liked a Coachmen Clipper 16FB that we saw at the show. It was just under 19 feet long and less than 10 feet tall.

Oakman · 02-23-2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenandterry

With the front cap of a 5th wheel being a slide, you'd want to hope they really know how to seal really well given it faces forward into the wind, rain, whatever.

A day's trip with even a small leak could be real trouble by the end of the day driving in nasty weather.

I'm just sayin'................

My thoughts too kenandterry.

Capt. Mike · 02-23-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

Fortunately Mike we finally have a flooplan that we love. However, I do have to keep an eye on Joyce, she always want to buy a very small trailer for camping in the smaller campgrounds in the National Parks. She really liked a Coachmen Clipper 16FB that we saw at the show. It was just under 19 feet long and less than 10 feet tall.

A camper to camp in, when ya' can't get your camper in...ya' gotta' love that logic

Oakman · 02-23-2013, 07:57 PM

I do have a hitch on the back of the Silverback Mike. I can see it now, my F250 towing the Silverback towing the Coachmen.

vp22er · 02-23-2013, 08:31 PM

Went to the Tampa RV Show in January, just to see the new ones and the latest options. Don't you know, wound up buying a new one!!! Don't think I'll be going to any more RV shows for a long time!!!

**F.R.O.G.** · 02-23-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

We just returned from the RV show in Belleville. There were a lot more travel trailers than fifth wheels on display. I did see a familiar looking logo hanging in a Sandpiper fifth wheel.

The folks at the plants have been very good about making sure that these tags get into each unit to promote FROG.

As for the shows, keep on "just looking," everybody. The plants are perfectly willing to "just look" at building more.

DDC · 02-23-2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

We just returned from the RV show in Belleville. There were a lot more travel trailers than fifth wheels on display. I did see a familiar looking logo hanging in a Sandpiper fifth wheel.

There were a couple of units that had features that I’ve never seen before. There was a V-Cross with the optional powered drop down bunks that were stowed over the couch and dinette. I believe it was a 29 VCRLS model. The bunks didn't fold down, instead they raised and lowered vertically. That seems like a great idea for grandparents that only take their grandkids camping a couple of times a year.

The other unique thing was a bedroom slideout on a fifth wheel. What was unique was the front cap was the slide out. I really couldn’t see much of an advantage to that design because the bedroom still looked very small. Personally I can see this feature disappearing in a year or two.

This should be real interesting when the frame cracks.

dwaynerz · 02-23-2013, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

R r r r r i i i i i g h t !

no, really lol. we have a 12 model 31rets6 that we were only able to use 4 times last year. we did buy it in august, so i dont feel too bad about not more nights spent camping.

i would like to check out the front cap slide tho. i bet i would have to upgrade tv because of a higher pin weight which absolutely is not going to happen. doesnt cost to look tho.

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