Tampa RV Super Show

Ace · January 15, 2011, 05:35:13 PM

Just got home from spending the day at the show and all I can say is WOW, how things have changed! Most converters are utilizing the space more than ever before. The colors weren't that impressive but the paint jobs were pretty decent. There were a few truck conversions there and they were pretty impressive. Looks like the Euro styling is on the way back on just about all the motor homes all the way from very large class A's with the swooped front ends and long hanging very large mirrors down to the smaller travel trailers with the frame less windows.
Personally I think the show was good but has been better in past years IMHO.

Of course the 1 point million dollar class A's caught my attention but my question was, WHY have them locked up an open by appointment only. I mean this IS supposed to be a show so show them! I WAS able to meet up with a pro converter friend who allowed us to enjoy the interior of his and I came away with some neat ideas to change and add to my own relic!

Anyway, if you have never been, it's always a good experience but plan on taking the two days they give you for one ticket Although we had parking and entrance passes from another friend who was working there, we will opt to just today and stay home tomorrow!

Ray D · January 15, 2011, 07:45:09 PM

Watched RV2011 on TV and they now have a telescoping slide out, the first section comes out 12" and the telescoping comes out another 36", making a 48" slide. I sense a 2,000 sq. ft. bus around the corner, both sides go out, the back goes out and it goes up for 2nd story; hell, maybe there will be a built in backhoe for a basement.

Ray D

white-eagle · January 16, 2011, 06:24:33 PM

Ace, all of that is called Glitz. The whole, real idea for our bus, was to enable us to eat and sleep comfortably, with a reasonable place to stay if it rained. Slides just break down, and another thing to fix

. The best RV or Bus Conversion, allows maximum comfort outside next to it, without having to constantly fix things. Keep it simple.

Now if you had said you found a neet device that told you how full the tanks are reliably, or a new valve that unfolded a dump hose with remote directing to the dump hole, that would be a time saver. Mirrors, slides, fancy ceilings just don't get it. Not practical.

But thanks for the report on the show. now i re-affirmed why i spent my time in the Keys last week .

Ace · January 16, 2011, 06:44:58 PM

Not sure about what your saying but the more slides I see, I more I really want to punch a hole in the side of mine and put one in. The pro's quoted me a price of 97,000 bucks for FOUR installed but I think I can do one or maybe two a LOT less than that IF I were to happen across a salvage piece that had slides in it! Re-doing the inside won't take much at all and I have a welder/fabricator that is biting the bit to get started!
Who knows, now that this whole household is virtually unemployed come Feb 1 it could come down to just winning the lottery. If that were to happen, I may even get NEW paint, 2-3 slides and a 4 stroke!

Ok going to bed now to finish my dream!

luvrbus · January 16, 2011, 07:10:48 PM

I never was a slide person my wife always wanted slides but now the more I am around the slides the better I like it.
We have friends that have a fairly new Marathon with 4 sure does open it up looks like a house when they are out.
Maybe just me but it leaves me wondering why would people spend the money for a slides that only goes out 12 inches like I have seen on some buses why not 30 inches doesn't look like it would cost that much more to me I know the inside would be a problem if they were not out but it makes no sense

good luck

Ace · January 16, 2011, 07:36:11 PM

Yea I know it doesn't make much sense but it makes a big difference IN the coach. If I could ever sell what I have, I think I would do another bus WITH 2 slides. I know they have up to 4 but for just the 2 of us and Bud, 2 would work a LOT better than none! Besides, I would probably go up to 45 feet long. The H340 is nice but man after using it more, the extra room is really needed when you like to bring everything from home with you!

robertglines1 · January 16, 2011, 07:44:54 PM

Ace I did 2 36 inch slides in the 89 XL and am doing 3 in the 98 XLE believe me if I can do them they are not that hard. Extra material cost around $1000 for all them. Sure opens the coach up. If you did two 30Inch in front you would still have about 28 inch isle way. Will be in Ocola march for month maybe we can visit. Bob

JohnEd · January 16, 2011, 08:26:23 PM

Robert,

Did you ever post pics of the 89 Pre bus you have for sale?

Thanks,

John

Ed Hackenbruch · January 17, 2011, 07:13:09 AM

Ace, about 3 years ago at BusN'USA we went on a tour of the Marathon factory. They were just starting to do the 4 slides and said that each slide was $75,000. 4 for $97,000 is a steal!!!

Ace · January 17, 2011, 08:01:35 AM

That was supposed to be 197, 000

luvrbus · January 17, 2011, 08:23:07 AM

B&B charges around $2000.00 a lf for slides on a on a non converted coach little more if already converted.
Cole paid FeatherLite (VanTar'e) big bucks to do his converted Eagle with HWH floor level slides with no outside flanges very nice job you need to know he has slides or you never know they are there.
Ed the reason Marathon charges so much they have to redo the slides twice before they get it right lol

good luck

garhawk · January 17, 2011, 09:06:21 AM

We just bought a previously converted Eagle model 20 with a 14' slide-out. After attending the Bussin' 2011 with two grandsons, I now can appreciate the extra width while parked.

The GM RTS we've been building for some time now will not have a slide-out but, the extra six inches in width plus a tighter design will be satisfactory under the same circumstances, I believe - maybe the wife won't - she really (!) likes the slide.

Jeremy · January 17, 2011, 10:27:10 AM

Quote from: Ray D on January 15, 2011, 07:45:09 PM
Watched RV2011 on TV and they now have a telescoping slide out, the first section comes out 12" and the telescoping comes out another 36", making a 48" slide.
Ray D

I had that idea years ago when I was planning mine; it's Monaco who are now offering it apparently, but as you would expect it looks a bit clumsy from the inside - see image 4 on this page:

http://www.monacocoach.com/modelsxml/monaco.aspx?model=dynasty&content=gallery#

The problem with deep slideouts is of course what to do with them when they are closed - which is why the telescoping idea is attractive. I genuinely considered doing it myself, but I was worried about all the extra sealing issues it would bring, plus of course a lot more weight and load on the mechanism of the first slide.

Jeremy

PS. How about a slide-up as well? Can't be long before a motorhome manufacturer incorporates this technology

MARKMC7 · January 17, 2011, 11:29:09 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on January 17, 2011, 08:23:07 AM
B&B charges around $2000.00 a lf for slides on a on a non converted coach little more if already converted.
Cole paid FeatherLite (VanTar'e) big bucks to do his converted Eagle with HWH floor level slides with no outside flanges very nice job you need to know he has slides or you never know they are there.
Ed the reason Marathon charges so much they have to redo the slides twice before they get it right lol

good luck

How would one get ahold of B&B I would like to see about putting slides In my 7 .

Mark

luvrbus · January 17, 2011, 11:39:06 AM

Gary Bennett at www.bbcoach.com in Las Vegas

good luck