At the last minute, we decided to check out the New England Camping & RV Show this afternoon. This year the show is in Foxboro, MA at Gillette Stadium. Easy access off Rt 1. Free parking. $9 adult admission.
The show was much smaller than when it was held in Boston; Mike estimated that it was only about a quarter to a third the size of past shows.
Quite frankly, we were disappointed, and I don't know if we will be back next year. The list of participating campgrounds has dwindled. In their place, were typical commercial advertisers, like gutter installers, Newpro, and financial services. Advertisers that really had nothing to do with camping or RVs. Danforth Bay (and the Bluffs) bowed out of the show, as did a lot of the other regular campgrounds. From the NAExpo web site, here are the campgrounds that participated:
There was a much smaller area reserved for the camping supplies store. (They had the same outdoor patio rugs and lounge chairs for sale.) The Pro Bass (Outdoor World) store had more reserved space than some of the RV dealers, showcasing their boats and ATVs. I believe there was only one dealership with pop-up trailers on display (Forest Marine), but the big thing this year seemed to be the Toy Hauler RVs.
Here are some observations and photos (click each thumbnail for larger view)
Why do RV designers put sinks and showers in the bedroom. I have noticed this consistently in 5th Wheel trailers over the past few years. I don't understand it. Yes, I know it saves space, but remove a few inches from the bedroom and put up a wall and door where it should be. There obviously must be some campers that don't care about this, but I would rather have a separate room for my bathroom.
This was a campsite display set up by Outdoor World (Bass Pro Shop) - I thought the mannequin models were funny, but a little creepy.
I like the Lance truck campers. Lance is one of the few RV manufacturers that make a good solid quality product. I think we would consider a larger truck camper to travel in our retirement years. The Lance model #1055 - (10ft 11in) looked good. Not a lot of storage, but fairly roomy for a truck camper. And the bathroom is full sized. Check out all the Lancer photos in our show web album.
The Lance Truck Camper model #1191 - (11ft 6in) is very large, with a slide out. Still not massive amounts of storage, but there is a lot of room to move around. You need a super super duty (450 or 4500) to carry this camper. Here is the dinette area. Check out all the Lancer photos in our show web album.
When we walked past one of the Sprinter bunkhouse RVs, we noticed that the bathroom was at the back with an external door. It's right beside the bunk room. I asked a saleswomen about it, and she said that families like it because kids don't have to traipse through the RV to go to the bathroom. They can open the door from outside and visit the bathroom without tracking dirt through the whole RV. Hmm, I am not sure how I feel about this. Do parents like this sort of thing? It might pose a security issue if someone forgets to lock the door when leaving the campsite. We also saw another manufacturer had the same option on their RV too.
Fuzion RV makes toy hauling 5th Wheels, but their decor is butt-ugly in my opinion. Mike loved it, but I thought the black & red was hideous. No offense Fuzion, because I really did like the layout more than any other toy hauler I have seen. The good thing about the Fuzion is the "garage" area is completely separated from the living space with a sliding glass door. Most toy haulers don't have enough room, and the toys are stored in the same area as you sleep and eat. If gas or oil is spilled, I can imagine how bad the RV will smell. Yuck!
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It really sounds like the review of the show is more negative than positive, and yeah, it was a disappointing day, but we ended up visiting the Outdoor World store next door, and that made the drive down to Foxboro worth it. More on Outdoor World in another review. 
Be sure to check out all the show photos in our web album or the album slide show.
We bought the keystone sprinter 311bhs that you have a picture of. We like the bathroom back near the kids room, And we also like the outside entrance directly into the bathroom, It looks like a great traveling feature. ( No more looking for a clean restroom on the highway ) just my 2 cents. Thanks for the RV show review.
Posted by firemedic16 on 02/13/08
Thanks for your comment, firemedic16! Good to hear that you are happy with the bathroom!
Posted by That's Camping in the Northeast on 02/13/08
Wow! What great pictures. Sorry to hear that the show was disappointing.
I never knew that you would want a truck camper. Looks much bigger than I expected!! I would be somewhat concerned with all the weight on the back of the truck though.
I can see how the Fuzion toy hauler decor would be pleasing to some people. I’m with you though. Not something I would choose. Maybe its the wild side of Mike that likes that decour. LOL!
Posted by Bob (NewEnglandCamper) on 02/26/08
Hey Bob, we have always liked the truck campers, but it would certainly be a huge difference in size. We wouldn’t consider anything until years from now though.
Mike and I clash on our taste differences all the time. I can tell just by looking at something that he would love it! And it’s usually the exact opposite of what I like!!
LOl
Thanks for your post, Bob!!!
Posted by That's Camping in the Northeast on 02/27/08
Wow they look very well furnished and quite spacious. The RVs overseas are a lot bigger then the ones here in New Zealand. I’ve never seen one here in New Zealand with a bathroom or shower… because they use the camping grounds facilities.
I would really like to view one of these luxurious RVs.
Thanks, Sarah.
Posted by camping grounds on 08/28/08
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