My Thoughts on the 2016 Hershey RV Show

On Friday, September 16, 2016, I met up with my Facebook group at 8:45 AM to take in the Hershey RV show.  This is arguably one of the biggest, if not THE biggest RV show in the country.   Sue Valentine and Angel Roman I knew from other events and chatting online, but the others I met for the first time.  This was us:

Don't expect this write-up to be an exhaustive report on all the things at the show.  Below are only the things that drew my attention as a jaded connoisseur of Class B vans.

ROADTREK

The Link was back.  Why they keep beating this dead horse is beyond me.  I just don't see where it fits in their lineup or who it's supposed to appeal to.    I doubt this will turn into a real product.  I suspect that it's just a place holder to have something "new" to trot out at these shows.   It does look like they refined the shower arrangement.   It has the shower curtain now supported from a ring that pops up when you lift up the counter.   Improved I guess.

Pretty large footprint.

What didn't improve was the commode.  They chose this huge model you'd normally find on a large deisel class A.  Don't get it.

The sleeping arrangement is cross-wise.  Fine if you're on the shorter side like Sue here.

I was asked to get a picture of the "underhood generator" that is being used on the Promaster.  The party was interested in seeing how they protect this alternator from roadside debris and ice/snow/slush.  The short answer - nothing!  They even remove and don't replace the plastic splash guard that Chrysler ships the vans with.   Appalling!

Roadtreks big design breakthrough this year on their Promaster models is a hinged sewer panel door.  Last year, they had a klunky removeable panel you had to fiddle with at each dump.  Baby steps, folks, baby steps.

The new product  for my viewing was the Simplicity.  I had yet to see one in person.
I was really struck by the decontenting compared to the Zion.    First, the screen door system was a fairly simple netting setup with snaps at the door jamb.

Steel wheels, not aluminum on the short one.

Hard to see here, but the black band is not windows.  It's a painted surface - only the rear quarter was glass.   Winnebago does the same thing on Travato, but they don't have full glass on any of their Promasters.  Roadtrek stocks these parts which they buy in bulk.

At first glance, looks like a Zion.

No sofa though.

Large drawer, but the materials are cheaper - all press-board with vinyl wrap.  Very disappointing.  The bottom of the draw was so weak, it bowed easily.  Can't imagine using this as a pot drawer as is the intent.

Simplicity has their dual dump system.  Macerator & gravity drain.  The Zion they had looked like macerator only.   I would have expected Simplicity to have gravity only.

It is cheap though.  I think Roadtrek can stake the claim as lowest priced Promaster based B.   It's cheap and it shows!

The short wheelbase version - the difference comes out of the bed area.

No counterspace to speak of, but does have a flip-up.

Bathroom same as Zion.  Not very usable for showering.

Refrigerator is compressor type and up high, which is convenient.

No motorized step for Simplicity, just a running board.

This short wheelbase 4x4 caught everyone's eye.  It was pretty neat.

Pretty impressive off-road style tires and a sizable body lift.

And an impressive price to match!   Someone posted to me that they did a correction later in the day, as this one was "slightly" too high.  How much I don't know.

For this size van, the cabin seemed roomy enough, and not as dark as the Simplicity or Zions.

Tried to get a shot of the roof to see what they had for solar on this one.  Appears to be room for at least a 100 watt panel.

This TV antenna caught my eye.  Like the way this is mounted at the rear - leaves the roof less cluttered for other things like solar.

These are the battery packs on the 4x4.   Two Ecotrek 200 modules.   What struck me about this is that the casing, wiring and mounting looked much more professionally done than what I saw at last year's show.   The bad news is that these modules and their wiring are hanging down and exposed on what is supposed to be an off-road vehicle.   I'd at least add a skid-plate.

There was nothing new I could discern on the Adventurous line, so I have no photos to share.

Chinook (Mid West)

The new owners of the Chinook line were there with a handful of their models to show.
They've resurrected this brand name with a line of very plush Sprinter conversions, but have plans to bring back the fiberglass bodied B+ units like the Concourse of year's past, but not on a Ford, but on a Sprinter.   I'd rather see them do this on Transit, but that is not going to happen I suppose.

Their pricing is middle of the pack on the high-end offerings, so on par with Roadtrek Adventurous (minus the lithium tech) and Airstream Interstate (minus the brand recognition).

They were very pretty though, with nice Alcoa aluminum wheels...

Quartz counter tops and shiny cabinetry, and sumptuous leathers.
You can tell they were in the limo business, if you like that kind of aesthetic.

They have a nice big bathroom though, with a usable size shower.

Beautiful leathers.

Multiplex wiring.

AVION

Tucked away in a corner was the Avion.   Back in the day, there was a cheaper line by Airstream for their iconic aluminum travel trailers that was called Avion.  It was the poor man's Airstream.   I have literally no idea if there was any relationship at all to Airstream, or they just "borrowed" the name.  But thier lonely Sprinter definately had the vibe to match the name.

On the lower end for a Sprinter!

I did not care for the quality of the laminated cabinetry.   Just looked too cheap for my taste.

Spartan and looks dated.  Low budget electronics too.

Floor plan looked workable.  Microwave up high.

Two surprises on this one though.  First was very nice leather and elaborately stitched.

Second was that this was an east-west sleeper.  Each side had 3" bump-outs to accommodate heads and feets!   Just like the old Gulfstream Cruiser's.

HYMER

Hymer seems poised to take the world by storm.  That is if enough of us take on European sensibilities.

On display were two versions of their new caravan trailers they intend to produce in the new Kitchner factory.   These units were for display only, as they are Euro models and not modified for use in North America.   The silver one is the high-spec model, and the white one is the low-spec, or economy, model.   Pricing is expected to be $21-$29k, but you know how that goes.

Both are pop-tops.  The Hymer reps told me that these need to be re-engineered to carry the weight of roof-top air conditioners that us North Americans demand to have that Europeans don't.

All have dual pane, acrylic awning style windows with integrated shades & screens.

The silver, smooth shiny fiberglass exterior is very automotive looking.

Note the gas-bottle locker.  Very integrated look.  All windows look to open fully.

The exterior on the white model had the look of styrofoam, but it's hard and durable like fiberglass.   I have no idea what this is made of, but it seems extremely tough and resistant to marring/scuffing.

As you'd expect, the interior was compact, but open.  Note all the overhead storage, but smooth fitting euro-style cabinety like you see in B-vans.

Small dinnette in the front.

Extremely lightweight.  That will be a big selling point - no need for a truck or an SUV to tow it.

Some had permanent beds like this one, others were a u-dinette that made a bed.

Big fully opening rear window.

Gobs of storage under the big bed.

The Hymer Aktiv was their B-van offering.  I was poo-hooing this van in pictures I've seen, but seeing it in person is another matter.  I was fairly impressed with it and can see the appeal to the demographic they are pursuing.  Weather they will bite on this at $100k, may be debatable.  Time will tell.

This is the first Promaster I've seen with leather/ultraleather seats instead of the standard cloth.  Supposedly this wasn't possible, but I guess maybe in the 1500 series it is?  Also, they are not using the standard U-Connect radio.  Looks like a bigger touchscreen with a different brand of Nav.   +1.

Big drawers.  I'm a fan of drawers.   All looked to be a laminated plywood - much better grade of cabinetry than the Zion or Simplicity.

The bathroom makes this van.  Since it's on the short Promaster, there is not alot of room to work with.  Especially if you are wanting a north-south sleeping arrangement, which this van has.   The bathroom is about a 24" square cubicle.  What makes this work is not only the flip-down sink, but the rotating head commode.  You can make a nice large space to take a shower without having to stoop over, or sit down.

The sink is a thing of beauty.

Gobs of storage everywhere.  I don't think Hymer wastes an inch of space in any of their designs.

Hard to tell, but this is the cubby over the cab.  What struck me was that is was nicely finished around and inside it.  Normally on Promasters, this area is pretty sloppy.

In the previous show models, Hymer had a ridiculous, 42" pull-out LED TV in this space. They tell me you can still opt for that if you are a big tailgater type customer.  But on this example, it's just storage for long items.  Wiser choice in my view.

Even the edge of the flooring was nicely finished with a durable material.  In a Winnebago, this piece is plastic.

The controversial cassette system.  Some folks will love it, some will hate it.  Nobody is sure how the market will react to it.   I think the kids moving up from pop-up and truck campers will not have a problem with it, but traditional van buyers will probably balk.

Seemed easy enough to deal with to me.  The mechanism seemed to work smoothly.   About 35 lbs to pull out and set down.   But the handle extends and it has wheels, so the rest is not so strength dependent to deal with.

PLEASUREWAY

Nothing really new to report with Pleasureway other than a shinny finish cabinetry (reminded me of Airstream Interstate)...

and slightly higher prices..

They did move the lithium battery pack out of the well in the floor of the van and placed it in the storage area under the rear sofa.   Probably easier temperature control in this location.

The Lexor is all painted now instead of having black trimwork and bumper covers.  More in keeping with their upscale look.   They use the Winegard Rayzar TV antenna up on the roof. Not sure how well this works up against the metal awning housing.

I did get to meet Dean.  He does all their youtube video.   A good bit more reserved than the "other Dean" over at Leisure Travel Vans.

COACH HOUSE

Nothing new at Coach House.  A few tweaks on the Arriva model, but not enough to write home about.  Pricing still about the same - no big run up like some others.

WINNEBAGO

Nothing really new to report.  No preview of the Paseo model like I'd hoped.  No display of the new roof rack and ladder system or the new bike rack that will be offered on Travato in the coming days (Fiamma is going away at WGO).

I did notice this bike rack setup on the Fuse, which looks pretty cool.  Nice, usable height to lift bikes without alot of effort.

They are using the diesel cutaway Transit for the fuse.  This one had the better nav dash that doesn't look so far-out at the base unit dashboard with 100 buttons on it.

If you are in the marked for a B+ or C unit, the Fuse has a lot to offer for the low price point.  Granted, it's not a Navion or an LTV Serenity, but it's roomy and bright interior.

Big shower and bath....

Huge drawers made of real wood.

Eras on display had new interiors.  It looks like they've done all of them now, including the big seller the 170 A model.   Cool use of LED light tubes.

Multiplex wiring now and a new touch screen monitor panel to move it up-market from Travato.

Still has the nice slide-out storage tray.   The post is one of those hitch mounted flag poles.

COACHMEN

The Galleria is their introductory product in the B space.  Not really impressed with Coachmen's other products, or their reputation, but upon close inspection, these vans look well done.

This optional rear step I could do without.  It just slides into the hitch receiver, so easily removed.

They are wheelin' and dealin' though.  This is really cheap for a Sprinter!

Induction cook top option.  Truma is standard.

Plenty of storage.  Their floorplans copy Roadtrek's Adventurous series.   The salesmen/reps were bold in their claims that they were competing with Roadtrek and copying their plans.  They were quite chagrined when I told them that they compete with Winnebago, not Roadtrek.  They have a looong way to go before they will compete with the tech that is available on a Roadtrek.

Since they got smart with the sink, the bathroom ends up being roomy enough to stand-up shower in.  Joy!

Small fridge in this layout, but you get a long counter and a convection microwave.

But through and thru, some really excellent all-wood cabinetry.   Clever pull-out drawers.   All dove-tailed construction.  Very impressive wood shop they must have.

Although I don't have pictures, they did have a nice CS clone with a bigger two-door fridge. And for the same $99,999 price, which would put it $60-$80k cheaper than Roadtrek depending on options selected.

The biggest negatives I see on the Galleria are the brand reputation and that they don't use AGM batteries.  They are using old-time lead acid batteries.  They are mounted underneath and behind the rear wheels - making a very difficult placement to check water levels.  Their response was that people wreck their batteries so quickly, that they expect to throw them out every two years anyways, so why buy expensive batteries?  LOL!

AIRSTREAM

I really wanted to see the new Basecamp.   Nothing new on Interstate to report - guess they are also resting on their laurels like some others.

I was struck by how big the thing was!  The old version was much smaller.

Here's a pic with a man in it to give you some perspective.

Same wonderful riveted aluminum construction though, with a clear-bra material applied to the front side for rock-chip protection.

All the kids will like the cool wheels.

Integrated pockets in big rear door.

Roof-top air conditioner.   Well integrated into the design.

Loading area for big items if you removed the tables.

Expensive though for this size trailer, but their cheapest model overall.

Pop-out windows as if you would leave them open while travelling down the road.

More hooks and cubbies.

Integrated window shades.

Storage cubby on top of propane bottle locker.

Not much carrying capacity for such a large trailer.  Guessed they scrimped on the axle.

Storage.....

Wet bath.  Looks big enough to be useful.

More storage but I'm sure you are overweight by now.  ;)

The top part that says Airstream is all a storage area.

That's about it for the RV's.

The vendor area was a bust generally speaking.  The only thing that tempted me was this folding bamboo table from Camco.   Cheaper on Amazon too and I wouldn't have to carry it back to the car, so I passed.

Well that is it for this year's show.  Sorry no bombshells to report on.  Maybe if they had revealed the Paseo here instead of at the dealer show in Indiana, I'd have more to report.