Easy RV Makeover Ideas

Above, inside a 2018 Winnebago Intent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RVs over the years have changed. Exteriors and interiors have evolved to a certain extent making them more attractive. But some people still find fault with the looks of their rigs.

Gone are the days of bright yellows and split-pea greens of the 1970s and the God-awful mauves of the 1990s. Plain RVs have made way to the exterior graphics of today.

Do It Yourself RV has 8 easy RV makeover ideas that will make a rig more personally attractive.

They begin their article with:

Whether you choose to buy used or pull out the big guns and purchase a brand-new RV, taking your first trip in a new motorhome or travel trailer is an exciting time. That said, most RV decor is not exactly appealing to the average individual. After all, drab browns and grays are not really interesting to look at, as they are completely devoid of all character. 

This may be great for making sure the RV doesn’t offend any potential buyers, but it also makes for an uninviting living space. Of course, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your new home-on-wheels, you definitely don’t want this to be the case.  It’s a great idea to a personal touch to the bland factory decor of your new tiny home. 

Now, most people aren’t jumping up and down to get to paint the interior of an RV. After all, these rigs aren’t very roomy and working a paintbrush into all the nooks and crannies can be challenging. 

By a similar token, there also aren’t many people who add new furniture in their RV. Finding furniture to fit properly is close to impossible, and getting it through the tiny door is even more so. 

Without these options, it’s important that you find other, less drastic ways to change the look and feel of your rig without putting in quite so much effort. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to add that special touch that makes your space yours. Here are a few super easy ideas.

To read more, go here. 

6 Million New North American Campers Since 2014

Above, a new Winnebago Intent under transport to a dealer at
the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When sitting on my outside deck and watching the traffic go by on Interstate 40 through New Mexico, the vehicles I've really noticed (besides semi-trucks) are recreational vehicles of all types. There's many of them passing by.

Additionally, I've noticed a lot of RVs being transported from factories to dealers while at the local Flying J travel center. The Flying J is a popular refueling and rest stop for transporters. The RV business is booming and Business Wire has noted that there is a big growth in camping families going on.

They wrote:

BILLINGS, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 6 million new North American households have adopted the camping lifestyle since 2014, with the number of campers who camp three times or more each year – the most avid group of campers – having increased by 64 percent. This growth, according to the results of the 2018 North American Camping Report, an annual independent study supported by Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), is an indicator that camping is fast becoming a lifestyle attribute among U.S. and Canadian households – and there is no indication this trend is slowing down.

In the U.S. there was an increase of 2.6 million new camper households in 2017. Further, representation among all ethnicities is beginning to appear more like the overall population. Building on 2017 report findings, campers at all experience levels and among all ethnicities continue to express the desire to camp more and are equally likely to say they intend to increase their camping trips in 2018: 45 percent of all campers indicated they will increase camping trips in 2018, an increase of 3 percent from last year’s report, while 39 percent of new campers in 2017 will increase camping trips in 2018.

To read more, go here.

Books and A Winnebago Intent

Above, a 2018 Winnebago Intent at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I finished up loading my bookcase with books, thereby eliminating a total of 10 boxes that contained them.

I discovered that a support part for the bookcase is missing and it sags in the middle. Luckily, I found some wood blocks to put underneath to support it. But, the bottom line is that I will need to get a new bookcase in the not-too-distant future.

After I was done with that, I headed down to the Flying J to pick up my mail. Among the pieces of mail was my new New Mexico driver's license.

When I arrived at the Flying J, I spotted a new Winnebago Intent, the new entry-level Class A motorhome with the sticker price of $100,000. This is the second one I've spotted since I first walked through one at last year's California RV Show in Pomona. Based on the stickers on it and no plates, I think this one is headed to a dealership somewhere. Frankly, I am not impressed with the front end design.

Oh, well.

The 2017 California RV Show

Above, shopping for a new RV? This is a good place to start. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Life isn't fair. The fair's in Pomona!" - Lee Sholem, Adventures of Superman Director.

Indeed it is! I spent nearly three hours today at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds (known as the Fairplex) in Pomona for the 2017 California RV Show.

There were RVs of every size and description from motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up trailers, truck campers, toy-box trailers and fifth wheel trailers.

Above, the show has grown since the last time I attended. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

All the big manufacturers were represented. The show has grown considerably since the last time I attended, at least about 13 or so years ago. It has grown so big that there was a golf cart shuttle service (many were sponsored by RV Trader) to take people around the show.

Above, inside the "big tent". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For myself, I was mainly interested in seeing what RV parks and resorts were there as well as accessories. As for RV parks and resorts, there were plenty in the big tent. As far as accessories, not many. At least none that I was interested in. That was disappointing.

My only purchase were some jewelry and eyeglass cleaners. Plus, a Coke from Pink's food trailer.

Above, Pink's was one of the refreshment stands available. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The starting time for the show was 10:00, but I got into Pomona at around 9:00. I spent about a half hour at a local Subway restaurant. Following that, I headed to the parking area for the RV show. After parking (I got a good parking spot close to the show entrance), I noticed people were being let in at 9:30. So I headed to the ticket booth and was let in.

Above, the new Winnebago Revel Class B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At that time, there wasn't too much of a crowd. So I bee-lined it to the big tent. 

Above, the 2018 Minnie Winnie 22R. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the interior of the 2018 Minnie Winnie 25B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the 2018 Minnie Winnie 25B. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After perusing the vendors in the big tent, I then wandered around (KOA Kampgrounds sponsored a free Ferris wheel for the kiddies) and headed over to the Winnebago area. I looked over the new 2018 Minnie Winnies, the new four-wheel drive Class B (the Revel) and the new entry-level Class A (the Intent). 

Above, the 2018 Winnebago Intent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the interior of the 2018 Winnebago Intent. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Intent's outside galley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I wandered around to see other brands of RVs, such as Jayco, Fleetwood and Coachmen. 

The show was much too big to see everything. The best way to do so is to decide what brands one wants to see and particular models. At least the free shuttle would help getting one from one dealer to another.

Above, some Class A motorhomes were like small apartments. This one has a fireplace. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another interesting item that I saw was an old, beat-up travel trailer. It was actually part of a display for a vendor called Vintage Camper Trailers. They specialize in restoring vintage campers and put out a magazine for vintage camper fans such as "collectors, restorers, admireres and dreamers."

Above, an old trailer at Vintage Camper Trailers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This little jaunt to the California RV Show whetted my appetite for a few years. It was fun to browse around. If anyone is thinking on buying a new RV, going to one of these shows will be a big help in the decision-making process. I noticed a lot of "sold" signs on RVs at the show.

Above, a Jayco Class C. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh, yes. Sierra got something from the show too: a little football from the KNX-1070 Newsradio booth.

Above, an aisle in the Winnebago area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The show runs through tomorrow.

Don't Forget Your Dog Before Taking Off!

Winnebago just inveiled their new Class A gas motorhome, the Intent. The unveiling is currently in progress live on Facebook.

It has an interesting feature, one that could present a major problem. It has a "Pet Pal" tie on the outside. If someone forgets to bring in their pet, well, it could be what Clark Griswold did in National Lampoon's Vacation.