By Mike Wiser
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
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LOVES PARK — At just under $200,000, a 36-foot, diesel-powered Meridian RV with a tan leather interior, master bed, lounge couch and shower could soon be in your driveway.
Or, hopefully, under your command on the road heading toward Destination: Anywhere.
But, you say, 200 Gs is a bit out of reach? Well Terry Franklin of Winnebago Motors, says that’s only the sticker price and he can be talked down a bit.
Still, it is a higher-end RV, one of many ranges of campers and recreational vehicles on display at this weekend’s RV show at the Indoor Sports Center on Riverside Boulevard, which opens for its last day today at 11 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
Living as you please
So even if you’re not looking for a mobile home that rivals the cost of your permanent home — not to mention gas, the Meridian gets 12 miles a gallon from its 100-gallon tank, which Franklin says is “pretty good” — there’s plenty to see.
“People that can afford this,” says Franklin, who’s standing next to the Meridian, “usually don’t worry about gas prices too much.”
But, he says, there are plenty of starter models for those just getting into the RV scene.
Like Sam and Cindie Ruch of Ashton, who were checking out the trailer-model campers Saturday afternoon.
They already own a pop-up and weren’t planning on buying anything this weekend, but made the half-hour drive just to see what’s new and, perhaps, dream a little.
“South Dakota was my favorite,” Sam said. “The Badlands.”
“We camped in the Badlands,” Cindie said.
“Yeah,” said Sam. “Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial. We stopped in South Dakota on our way to Montana and ended up liking South Dakota the best.”
The Ruchs take a big trip about once a year and smaller regional trips year-round. Sam said the prices at campgrounds are so much better than hotels, and you can come and go as you please with an RV.
“It’s like living like a gypsy,” Cindie said with a smile.
Destination guides
While the main attractions were the motor homes, vendors sold everything from motor-oil treatments to spicy mustard and pet loaders, which are collapsible steps that make Fido’s climb into the car or back of the truck nice and easy.
Showtime Productions President Duane Nichols couldn’t say exactly how many vendors there were both inside and outside the center, but said there were more than 100.
And, of course, there were the destinations. Campground proprietors and folks from the local tourism boards of places like Jackson County, Iowa; Marquette, Wis.; and spots in-between were quick to tell passers-by about the uniqueness of their little spots of America.
Nichols said he hopes the show will bring 15,000 visitors by the end of its run today.
“This is something that people love,” he said. “It’s about spending time with the family, or enjoying your retirement or just seeing the country.”
Staff writer Mike Wiser can be reached at 815-987-1377 or mwiser@rrstar.com.
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