Page 12 - MARVAC2024

Choosing an RV
FOR THE “LIGHT” REASONS
More and more people are choosing to purchase RVs, hit the road, and go camp- ing. Michigan has always been an attractive destination for RVers for decades, and it’s ranked the seventh best state in America for camping.
As potential RV owners look to pur- chase their own RVs, lightweight and ultralightweight RV models continue to be of high interest. “Since 2020 we have seen this segment blow up. They are not ‘intimidating’ to tow, and it has allowed
a lot of first-time buyers to come into
the market. The main segment we see is retired couples and single travelers. We do sell some families in this segment, but it’s very rare to see that,” explains Matt Veurink, Veurink’s RV, Grand Rapids.
These RVs range from 1,000 pounds
to around 6,000 pounds, dry weight, which has a lot to do with the chosen materials. “Lightweight generally refers to laminated-built trailers,” says Veurink. “What this means is that instead of a traditional wood frame and aluminum exterior, the manufacturers will build the trailers with aluminum framing and fiberglass siding. They finish the pro- cess by laminating the walls to create a superior bond and strength. On average, the same size camper can be around
ten percent lighter. The manufacturer also uses lighter materials in the walls to keep the weight down but not cause issues to the integrity of the wall. This is a more expensive construction, but many consider a much superior build.”
Michael Fegan, Woodland Airstream, Grand Rapids, adds, “Lightweight means that you do not need a full-size pick-
up truck to be able to tow. With Air- streams, we would say anything under 5,000 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), or fully loaded with all your gear, would be called lightweight.”
Sound interesting? Let’s go through some of the reasons why a lightweight RV might be a good option to consider.
TOWABILITY.
Many lightweight RVs and ultralight- weight RVs can be towed by a wider range of vehicles. “If you have an SUV or minivan, you are limited on what you can tow. But a family can fit into these vehicles, so the RV manufacturers build trailers light enough for a family to comfortably travel and camp!” says Veurink. It’s also a “safer towing ex- perience for newbies,” says Fegan.
Check the towing capacity of any ex- isting vehicle that you intend to use for towing to see if it matches the RV you would like to purchase. Better yet, start with this information and trim down your search by your tow vehicle’s tow rating, which can be found in your own- er’s manual. “Everyone has an opinion on what you can and should tow,” says Veurink. “My recommendation is to leave 800-1000 pounds between what you can tow and what the RV weighs unloaded.” Using an existing vehicle is helpful in that you don’t need to think about purchasing a new vehicle to
accommodate an RV’s weight. Don’t sim- ply take an RV’s “dry” weight (meaning, unloaded) as your starting point. Your tow vehicle needs to be able to tow
the RV fully loaded with all your gear and any possible liquids. Truck stops often have scales to make sure you are not overloaded before you start out.
PRICE POINT.
Compared to a lot of RV types, a lightweight or ultralightweight tow- able RV can be more cost effective to purchase, new or used. It’s a great way to get started with RV camping and traveling with an RV in tow if you’ve never done so before. A lightweight
or ultralightweight travel trailer on the upscale side can run $20,000-$40,000, but you can definitely find models that are much lower than that. “You can get into a small lightweight camper in the low to mid-teens price point,” explains Veurink. “NuCamp [which is sold at Veurink’s RV dealership] start as low as $20,000 and can range over $60,000.” At Airstream, their lightweight model
is called Basecamp. “Used Basecamps can be anywhere from $30-50K de- pending on year and size. New Base- camps are between $50-60K depending on size and options,” says Fegan.
10 • 2024 MICHIGAN RV & CAMPGROUNDS
MichiganRVandCampgrounds.org
LIGHTWEIGHT RV OPTIONS
Almost every manufacturer has a light- weight option, which is wonderful for potential buyers. A couple options were provided by our experts in this article. It is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to lightweight campers. Speak with a MARVAC member dealer, who can help guide you in the right direction.
NuCamp (Veurink’s RV): “When it comes to teardrops or lightweight campers, there is no one better. From the start of produc- tion to the final end user, this company goes above and beyond. They only source the best materials in their RVs. They are always working on something new be- hind the scenes that will make their com- pany grow but also improve quality. They are a relationship-type company and take what their dealers say very seriously. I highly recommend the brand to other dealers and of course, our customers.”
Basecamp (Woodland Airstream): “Base- camp is for a customer that loves being active and is sick of tent camping... likes to bring gear like bikes, kayaks, fishing gear, etc. Basecamp is Airstream’s #1 sell- ing travel trailer across the board.”