If you're like me you love RV shows and the Hershey RV Show of 2018 did not disappoint. Its claim is America's Largest RV Show and if you have ever had the pleasure of attending you will see why. 33 football fields of RVs with just about every manufacturer being represented. Most have factory reps on-site so you can pick their brain with any question you can imagine.
The week long show also has more seminars than any one person can attend. The picture shown here is of Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, giving one of his many seminars that week. Vendors, vendors, vendors, are everywhere. Any new RV product that wants to break through the market is there. The latest and greatest are displayed for all to see and plenty of reps to explain (and sell) you their product. If you wanted to see every RV there it would take several long days. Hopefully if you're RV shopping you at least have it narrowed down to what type you want.
I try to pick a few stand-outs every year but this is a tough task. I love everything RV and well, I like them all in their own way. Of course picking the right RV is purely subjective and each person has their needs, wants and likes. I try to pick units that are fairly priced for what you get. In addition I look at construction, layout, quality, features, etc... Below are my top three picks, which includes a video.
The 2019 Forest River Forester took my Best in show Class C RV. The Forester is a good priced Class C compared to other manufacturers. It sits on a Ford E450 chassis and has some nice features. Some of the better features include a simulated
woodgrain dash, solid countertops, Furrion stove and oven, Truma water heater furnace combo, Waste Master sewer management system, full size queen bed and even a porcelain toilet. One of the nicest features is the total LCD touch screen "My RV" control center. The entire RV can be operated from the control panel. You can even pull up a video to learn about something your having trouble with. The "My RV" system even lets you connect wirelessly with your smartphone to operate everything remotely.
There are so many travel trailers at the show it can fray your nerves. Picking one that's right for you can be a daunting task if not overwhelming. They are priced from downright
cheap to completely ridiculous. I found an impressive line of travel trailers from KZ-RV that appeared to be well built and in the middle price range for families. The Sportsmen takes my pick for best overall family travel
trailer in the mid-price range. With over 20 floor plans there is plenty to choose from. Pictured here is the very large 364 Bunk House. This model was too long to be considered a weekend traveler in my opinion but would be an awesome travel trailer to set up on a seasonal site.
Now to the real big winner of the show. I usually have a hard time with this choice but not this year. I have friends Patrick and Patty from the YouTube Channel 'Travels with
Delaney'. They love their NuCamp T@b 400, but everyone loves their RV for their own reasons, so I thought. Hands down NuCamp wins my pick for overall Best in Show. NuCamp has the finest quality product I have seen in a very long time. In addition to superior construction you can get the latest innovations in an RV. If you're looking for Airstream quality but with all the latest and greatest this is the manufacturer to consider. Attention to the smallest detail can be seen in each of their models. NuCamp made a splash on the market with their innovative teardrop trailers, the T@G and T@B, but have expanded their line.
They have a truck camper, the Cirrus, that will amaze and wow you. It's the nicest I have seen. I actually pondered selling the Class C so I could buy a truck to put this camper on. The show stopper though is NuCamp's new travel trailer prototype called the Avia. (Availability in the Spring of 2019). Pictures and words cannot give this trailer justice. Simply put it is a home run.
Every detail was superior and nothing like any travel trailer I have seen. I immediately thought I need to invest in this company. The layout and attention to utilizing space to its maximum efficiency is impressive. The construction is solid and top notch. This is a high end trailer. You wont find any staple holes filled with crayon in this unit. They also use state of the art systems like the Froli Sleep System, Stargazer Windows, and Alde Heat System. Unfortunately no specs or price on the Avia as of yet. If you're in the market for a travel trailer or truck camper, NuCamp should be at the top of your list. My only hope is that some day they decide to venture into the motorized RV market.
Now for the coolest and most innovative new product of the show. That award goes to Gripstic.
This straw like device replaces those bulky chip clips that always break and don't fully seal the bag.
I had the chance to meet the owners and I let them know that their idea was the best I have seen in a while. You can seal anything imaginable that is in a bag. They can even be used in the freezer.
I purchased the multi-pack that has several different lengths. I searched Amazon and found they boast 5 out of 5 stars with over 400 reviews. Be sure to check it out on their website at https://www.gripstic.com/
Informational Websites:
Lou