Westworld Alberta

toolkit RV Shopper's Guide Buying new? Buying used? Everything you need to know about getting 'hitched' by Scott Messenger A sked which recreational vehicle I could tow with my Tow or go? Toyota Yaris, Terry Gairdner offers a polite chuckle. Not If you're thinking trailer, begin by considering that issue of pulling capacity, says Gairdner. Usually, "Your tow vehicle is going to determine the way you go." Ask for the RV's dry weight, which accounts for all factory-added features. Water, propane, food and gear are extras, so ensure you've got the torque – especially for long hauls or mountains trips. "Leave a minimum of 1,000 pounds [450 kg] between the capacity of the tow vehicle and the dry weight of the unit," Gairdner advises. Check your vehicle owner's manual for your limit. Motorhomes sidestep the towing issue and vary in style, including the bus-style caravans of nomadic retirees, sleeper-over-cab models and camper vans. While many manufacturers are delivering increasingly efficient diesel models, many RVs still run on standard fuel. Expect to guzzle more gallons with every foot of length. RVers can reduce refuelling by packing light, slowing down, fully inflating tires and keeping the rig tuned up. that the general manager of All Star RV is at a loss for an answer. With RVs, there's a model for everyone – even if your ride is an aging subcompact. "Maybe a tent trailer?" he says. The suggestion takes me back. My earliest memories of family vacations play out in a tent trailer, pulled by my parents' Jimmy throughout the Prairies and British Columbia. It was simple accommodation, but extraordinary for how it immersed us in unfamiliar landscapes and lesser-known sites of Canadian history – without exceeding the means (or towing capacity) of a young family. At his Sherwood Park dealership, one of Alberta's largest, Gairdner encounters people daily who are seeking such experiences, but are unsure how to "get hitched" and hit the road. Selecting the RV that best suits current and coming needs involves staying within budget (don't forget maintenance, fuel, storage and insurance), but also depends on vacation dreams, family and more, says Gairdner. It requires introspection and research, and it's best done before visiting any of Alberta's more than two dozen dealerships. A R I G FOR EV ERYO N E Whether you aspire to the status of lakeside weekender or king o Folding camping trailer Truck camper Travel trailer Fifth-wheel Class C motorhome C The classic "tent" trailer; these are collapsible, inexpensive and easy to tow. Popular with young families. $12,000–$30,000* Slides into the bed of a pickup, eliminating the need for towing. $10,000–$50,000 The classic towable trailer; around 4–12 metres long. Hybrid models feature foldout bunks. $15,000–$40,000 Lauded for ample living space. Towed with a pickup truck and a special hitch. $24,000–$100,000 The familiar bed-over-thecab RV. Under 10 metres long is standard; over 10 is known as a Super C. $50,000–$130,000 (Class C); $140,000– $250,000 (Super C) M e C a $ 52 W e s t w o r l d p52-55_Toolkit.indd 52 >> f e b r u a ry 2 0 1 3 courtesy Recreational Vehicle Industry Association 13-01-23 6:00 PM

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