Camping in an RV is the summer vacation of choice for many Alberta families, and moms are always looking for ways to make time in the great outdoors as fuss-free as possible.
Nathan Peesker, sales manager at RV City in Morinville says a lack of adequate counter space has always been one of the biggest complaints that women have had when it comes to RV living.
Manufacturers are trying to address this issue with counter extensions that either pull out of, or clip on to, counter tops.
Storage is always another challenge in RVs and companies are incorporating more storage space under beds and couches, creating taller cupboards, and increasing fridge space for families.
“Jayco has upgraded quite a few of their trailers to the eight cubic foot fridge, whereas it used to be the six cubic foot,” Peesker says. “They’re also putting little fridges on the outside in a lot of the units, in the storage compartments, just to add space.”
And it’s not just fridges that are moving outdoors. Outside televisions and kitchens are creating outdoor living spaces for campers.
“Outside kitchens hit the market huge a couple years ago and they’ve been putting outside kitchens in everything they can,” says Peesker. “I think a lot of people don’t cook inside. Most people cook outside so (manufacturers) are trying to give the best of both worlds.”
These breezy kitchens flip-up to reveal an up to four-by-four-foot cooking space complete with fridge, sink, microwave and stove.
Other developments for families include increased sleeping space and larger showers.
“Bunks have been a big seller,” Peesker says. “Even this year it’s been crazy with bunk models. But the newest thing is the big double over double. They’ll have a double bed with another double bed above it, which really has hit the market big.”
He says that companies like Jayco have also begun upgrading bathrooms to include 60-inch showers.
While camping is often a family affair, Peesker knows quite a few moms who hook up the trailer and head out with the kids. He says features like electric awnings, jacks, levels and slides are making it easier for moms to back into a campsite and set-up easily.
Instead of being inside the unit opening up the slides, mom can be outside opening slides with the touch of a button while the kids are running around.
Peesker has some advice to offer families in the market for a used RV this summer. Fraudsters are buying and then reselling trailers that were badly water damaged in last summer’s floods in Calgary and High River.
He says to check for water damage, kick the bottom of the unit and push on the sides.
“If it’s soft and squishy there’s some water damage.”
