There were so many great stories that came from attending the RVIA National Trade Show in Kentucky that we had a tough time deciding which ones made the final cut for publication in 2011.
Contributing editor Mark Quasius spent several days on the floor of the convention, weeding through the huge lines and talking to as many attendees as possible in order to get an idea of what the future holds for RVing.
There were many standouts at this year’s show, but overall RVing is going “green” at least that is the new thinking for manufacturers of Class A, B and C coaches as well as trailer manufacturers.
Mark predicts that composite construction will be the future for RVs, which will encourage stronger, lighter and more shapely designs. Evergreen is likely going to the leader in this regard.
Other stories coming out of Kentucky will include a look at companies like Tuson RV Brakes, which has a unique trailer brake controller that plugs into the OBDII buss of your pick-up truck. It has a detailed readout and controls the trailer brakes according to the data supplied to it. It can warn of high transmission temps, and a bunch of other things. Tow Daddy has two products of interest to our readers. One is the Plug-N-Tow, which simplifies the wiring of taillights on a vehicle towed behind a motorhome.
About the same time that Mark was in Kentucky I was on the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center looking for products specifically for tow vehicles at the SEMA Show.
I discovered a fantastic assortment of products designed to make an ordinary tow vehicle a powerhouse, and in fact, I'll be heading to Diesel Tech to install the EZConnector and one of B&W Hitches' 5th wheels on a Ford F-350, both of which were on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
I also met up with Hankook Tire reps in Las Vegas and just completed the test of their new E-load tow rig tire that's designed specifically for mud and snow.
There some real surprises are in store for RV’ers in search of the latest and greatest products to make vacationing more enjoyable, and RV magazine will bring you complete coverage in future issues.