2023 RV Towables Available in British Columbia Have Great New Features

With a multitude of models and lines available choosing a towable RV is no easy task. Here are a few new standouts on the market for 2023.

Roamer Light Duty

Open Range RV’s shortest and lightest fifth wheel to date, the Roamer Light Duty packs plenty of features in its 100-inch-wide body. Half-town towable it has four-point automatic levelling, a PVC roofing membrane and triple sealed slideouts and corners. The modern interiors are fresh and inviting, with an oven and three-burner range with flush mount glass cover, theatre seating with heat and massage, 60”x80” queen size bed, flush floors, slides and LED lighting throughout. Its TravelLINK® Smart RV system allows for Bluetooth control of awnings, lighting, slides, heating, cooling and more. Options are aplenty such as a solar package, BBQ grill and folding dinette chairs, and observation camera. Length 27’5”/weight 6,910 lbs (unloaded); sleeps up to four. Open Range is by Highland Ridge RV.  Priced from $55,493 USD / $74,000 CAD.

Escape 5.0

Based out of Chilliwack, BC, Escape Trailer Industries allows RV owners to work directly with the factory to customize and personalize their units. Its Escape 5.0 is a one-piece fiberglass fifth wheel that’s easily towed with a mid-size truck.  Measuring 21’2” it allows for ease of maneuverability yet it’s roomy on the inside, with high ceilings for a spacious feel. Comforts include a lofted queen bed, separate lounge area, full wet bath and full galley and extensive storage. Options list includes a 12’ power awning and exterior shower package, composting toilet, stainless steel kitchen backsplash, stereo with four speakers, wireless back-up camera and 190W solar panel with charge controller.

The Escape 5.0 targets trucks with a minimum 5’6″ bed and suitable payload/tow capacity. Its aerodynamic design, tandem axle and low centre of gravity makes for excellent road stability, fuel economy and decreased wind resistance. Priced from $44,510 USD / 54,745 CAD.

inTech Sol Horizon

Style doesn’t have to go by the wayside when it comes to small travel trailers. Sol Horizon by inTech is a lightweight (4,000-pound-GVWR), 19’ aluminum framed travel trailer with flare. Its three-ply laminated glass windshield offers a panoramic view and its Tilt–Forward Design™ takes advantage of the unused space over the trailer’s A-frame. The exterior profile provides more space in the front and rear of the camper and delivers 6’6” headroom at the peak, thus allowing for room to move without feeling confined and maximizing the sleeping and lounge space. It has a sizable wet bath and a trendy kitchen with farmhouse sink, commercial-grade faucet and two-burner LP stove with a cast iron grate; the dinette seats up to five. The 10’ awning is standard, with extras such as solar power system and outdoor slideout kitchen on the long options list. The Sol Horizon sleeps four. Priced from $42,539 USD / $56,685.

Winnebago Micro Minnie

Looking for a functional and modern towable with good fuel economy? Winnebago totes the Micro Minnie as a “compact trailer without the compromise”. With no mirror extensions required, at just 7’ wide and 25’5” long the 2306BHS Micro Minnie can sleep five. SUV-towable with a dry weight of 4,672 lbs (max capacity GVWR 6,000 lbs) its layout includes an easy-to-use Murphy bed (54” x 74”) with a regular queen-size mattress and windows for cross-ventilation. Its dinette has a push-down table that converts into an EZ Glide Sofa Sleeper and the kitchen features a flip-up counter, microwave, three-burner cooktop, deep barn sink and refrigerator. The bathroom has ample storage space for linens and there’s headroom in the shower while its 28” x 72” flip-up bunk bed creates additional storage for outdoor equipment. The exterior features a Pack-N-Play portable sleeper and playpen, exterior powered awning with LED lights and off-road tires (Goodyear Wrangler 15″ radial tires on all models except the 1700BH). Starting prices for the 2306BHS are from $50,976 USD / $79,900 CAD.

There are 11 Micro Minnie floorplans and they accommodate from three to five people; purchase prices start at $37,182 USD / $49,350 CAD. Also check out the Micro Minnie FLX. With a full suite of factory-installed, integrated technology it can provide at-home comfort for up to five days when disconnected. Prices start at $64,421 USD / $85,700.

Apex Ultra-Lite

The innovative Apex Ultra-Lite Travel Trailers by Coachmen are ‘Certified Green’ by TRA Certification for energy code compliance and the company offers solar panel packages to allow customers to be self-sustainable while using them off-grid. The majority of the models offer pass-thru storage (some on both sides) and exterior camp kitchens. Functional bedrooms, pantries and under-booth areas provide for a smart use of space and the showers are spacious. Trailers come in various floorplans at 7.5’ wide (two models) and 8’ wide (11 models). All models are lightweight and designed with quality in mind and include USB ports, digital TV antenna with cable hook-ups and Wi-Fi capability, and AM/FM stereos with Bluetooth.

Its largest model, the 300BHS, measures 34’5″ and boasts an 18’ power awning. With an impressive rear private bunkhouse it can sleep nine. Priced from $59,695 USD / $79,650 CAD.

ALTA

ALTA is East to West’s premium laminated travel trailer line. It is offered in ten feature rich floorplans, from the 25’ 1900MMK couples coach to the 37’8” 3150KBH family-oriented bunk house with an impressive outdoor kitchen. Spanish for ‘high’, its models feature high ceilings with six-sided aluminum construction. The line, a division of Forest River, Inc., aims to be well-crafted yet is considered to be entry-level with features that RVers would find in luxury models. MSRP prices range from $39,650 and up, depending on the model.

Its 27’11” toy hauler model, the 2400KTH, was named 2023 Travel Trailer Toy Hauler of the Year by RV News magazine. It has front storage and an outside air compressor and a fold-down ramp door; inside are two comfy Euro incliners and there’s a built-in electric space heater, full-size fridge/freezer and lots of sleeping space. Priced from $71,790 USD / $95,650 CAD.

For camping accommodations in British Columbia check out the Camping Map.

Share your BC travel and camping photos using hashtag #campinbc #explorebc

Camping in British Columbia Millennial Style

Many of us remember the “good old days” when camping meant hauling out a heavy, musty, canvas tent with way too many interlocking poles. Campgrounds had only basic outhouses and meals consisted of canned beans and hot dogs roasted over a campfire. That’s the way it was 25 years ago when we took our daughter Sondra, camping. Now that she’s a Millennial, things are changing! She recently called to tell me her friend had made homemade, “gourmet” marshmallows to bring on their camping trip to use for S’mores.

The 2019 North America Camping report published by KOA, states that 1.4 million people tried camping for the first time in 2018. Out of those people, 56% were Millennials! It’s safe to say that Millennials don’t bring those heavy, musty tents with them. No, it’s more likely that my daughter and her friends enjoy “glamping”, a combination of glamour and camping. That means renting comfy RV’s or staying in campgrounds with yurts, cabins or even treehouses.  Sondra went to one campground where the staff had the fire ring ready to go with kindling, fire starters and larger pieces of wood to make a blazing campfire. She laughingly told me that three of her friends with Master’s degrees had never made a campfire before so the extra help was appreciated.  At the suggestion of a Pinterest account, one of Sondra’s friends brought silk sheets to use in her camping cabin.

As we camp in various locations, we often see Millennials sitting in their camp chairs with built-in cupholders next to their tents with integrated LED lights. We’ve noticed more campgrounds rearranging sites so larger groups can camp together. Millennials enjoy camping with friends, which allows for socializing while posting on social media!

Judging from the photos my daughter texts me while camping, social media plays a large role in why this age group enjoys camping. They want unique and interesting activities worthy of an Instagram photo to share their experiences with family and friends. By staying in a large tent complete with a Queen size bed and antique furniture, my daughter and other Millennials like her can post photos of their unique time camping.

Yes, the accommodations can be a bit more expensive, but as my daughter says, “Mom, I could spend the same amount of money having dinner at a nice restaurant with a few glasses of wine. Why not splurge and spend the weekend glamping in a yurt?” I’ve noticed more and more campgrounds are now adding tipis, stationary RV’s or deluxe cabins to appeal to Millennial campers.

Here are a few BC campgrounds which provide that “something extra” for memorable glamping experience. Remember…You don’t have to be a Millennial to enjoy the fun!

Kumsheen Rafting Resort: We had an amazing time at this resort, three hours north of Vancouver. Our wet and wild river rafting experience gave a great contrast when we returned to our large, cozy canvas cabin. Each cabin has a private deck and lounge chairs so you can recuperate from the exhilaration that follows your whitewater rafting trip. Tenting and RV spaces available also. www.kumsheen.com

Barefoot Beach Resort: Here’s a chance to not only stay in a yurt, but to stay in a Yurt Village! 14 yurts with decks are connected with paths to get you in the community spirit. Bring your pet and choose from a studio yurt or one with two bedrooms so you can really stretch out. The campground offers a private beach near Penticton. www.Barefootresortbc.com

Woods on Pender: Want to try camping in an RV but don’t want to drive one? No problem. Woods on Pender has cabins in addition to eight shiny Airstream trailers. Spend the night in an air-conditioned RV that comes with a French press and gourmet coffee. Enjoy the comforts of glamping without worrying how to maneuver a large RV. Located on Pender Island, of course. www.woodsonpender.com

Maybe Millennials are on to something. A few nights camping with pillow-top mattresses and gourmet marshmallows gives a whole new meaning to camping!

For camping and RVing options in British Columbia go to the Camping Map.

Share your BC camping photos using hashtag #campinbc, #ExploreBC, #BCNice

Published: August 21st, 2020