2007 RVIA Show Report

[swebster]

Well this year's Recreation Vehicle Industry Association show ended today here in Louisville and the theme seemed to be go big or go small. The most new development was in lightweight towables (single axle, no slides) and toy haulers with a few significant floorplan innovations in the big class A motorhomes (most notably a FIVE slide motorhome, a mid engine, rear garage with a smart car in it from Travel Supreme and a dual motorcycle hauler from Newmar. (it wasn't your typical toy hauler given that eacn motorcycle drove up a rear ramp into it's own seperate slideout garage on each side of the coach)

Workhorse unveiled their new UFO chassis which is a pusher that can come in either gas or diesel versions. Winnebago, Damon and Newmar already had models developed and at the show on the gas pusher platform. The Winnebago in particular had a very slick, modern interior on a four slide floorplan with a center shower and retails for $180K. Pretty amazing level of coach for that price point. Definately not your father's Winnie.

Airstream received some nice local coverage with their BaseCamp (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...=2006611290516) which looked much more developed and refined over last year. Not too much was new in the AS booth, some interesting floorplans and improved fit and finish in all models and trims but pretty much the same lineup.

There was an Airstream knock off called the StarStream which had a rounded profile in the nose and tail with a sleak silver (flat) sidewalls. The interior was pretty basic, low-end but it was across the aisle from the "real" Airstreams so I'm sure it burned up a few reps.

[CanoeStream]

Thanks Steven.

[moosetags]

Thanx for the report. I'd like to make it to one of those big RV shows someday. It sounds like Airstream is not intoducing any bombshells this year. I gues that their affiliation with the coffee company will be thie big news for this year.

[safari57]

Thanks Steven. Interesting news and I wonder what that StarStream is like. I'll have to google it and see what comes up. It's interesting to see how the market is changing with the towables and true lightweights.

Barry

[moosetags]

Go to www.starstreamrv.com. It's a very interesting looking TT. The back looks like one of the large modern garbage trucks (no insult intended).

[moosetags]

Going through the Star Stream website a little deeper, I came across a neat feature. They have an optional small gas grill that attaches to the side of the trailer. There is an LP gas line right next to the grill mount that hooks to the grill. The LP is supplied from the main tanks up front. It's a neat idea.

[safari57]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Going through the Star Stream website a little deeper, I came across a neat feature. They have an optional small gas grill that attaches to the side of the trailer. There is an LP gas line right next to the grill mount that hooks to the grill. The LP is supplied from the main tanks up front. It's a neat idea.

Thanks for posting the website MT. I was not having any luck finding it other than the reference to Star Craft. The gas line/outside stove option is a feature many have added to their trailers and something Star Craft have carried over from their hard top tent trailers. I'm not sure about the look - it's something I guess a person would get used to. It's sure no Airstream equivalent though but good on them for coming up with something a bit more creative than most SOB's.

Barry

[Silvertwinkie]

Thanks for the link, sharp lookin' RV.

If I recall, the Louisville show is dealer only? Even so, I too would love to have been a fly on the wall....or been able to go.

[ArtStream]

Steve,

Thanks for the report and link!

Michael

[swebster]

If I recall, the Louisville show is dealer only?

Yes, it's an industry only show. We get to go as exhibitors since my company is a supplier to RV dealers and this is one of our really big selling shows. When I'm not in the booth it's great to walk around the see all of the models from all of the mfgs in one place (albeit a very large place). It is truly amazing what is possible from an engineering perspective and interior accoutrements in an RV. It was also nice to see an emerging trend toward smaller, simplified RVs that allow "normal" families to get into the lifestyle much earlier in life than before.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Going through the Star Stream website a little deeper, I came across a neat feature. They have an optional small gas grill that attaches to the side of the trailer. There is an LP gas line right next to the grill mount that hooks to the grill. The LP is supplied from the main tanks up front. It's a neat idea.

Fleetwood popups have been doing this for a number of years -- a nice feature. I would probably have second thoughts about cumulative effects of greasy grilling smoke on clearcoat & the side of an Airstream. I already plumb into the top of my tanks and store an accessory hose up there for running a Weber portable grill -- which serves dual purpose as an outside stovetop.

I'd wonder how long the Star Stream name lasts after the legal team works 'em over...

[safari57]

Originally Posted by Canoe stream

I'd wonder how long the Star Stream name lasts after the legal team works 'em over...

Bob, when I googled Star Stream there were units from Star Craft (pop ups) from the mid nineties for sale so they have been using the name for at least 8 or 9 years, perhaps longer. After that period of time it might be difficult for Airstream to make them change it. I'd thought the same thing when the name was first mentioned by Steven and was quite surprised to find it already in long term use. I guess I've not had any reason to stay current on pop ups (thank heavens for Airstreams ).

Barry