RV show offers a sure cure for wanderlust

When Tom Zachary spotted the vintage travel trailer, he quickly snapped some photos and sent them to his longtime camping buddy. He knew she would love the red and white 1950s-esque diner-on-wheels.

Jan Barnes joined Zachary at the 49th annual Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show on Saturday to scour for ideas and potential upgrades. But she quickly fell in love with the 2015 Shasta Airflyte, which was complete with decorative silver wings, red upholstery and black and white checkered flooring.

"I love the style. It feels a lot bigger [than what I have now]," said Barnes, of Stillwater, who owns a small Teardrop trailer about a foot smaller in size. "I like to keep it small and environmentally friendly."

And for about $14,700, Barnes said she might consider trading in her current model for the more spacious trailer so she can continue camping at state parks and do a longer trip down California's coast. The only problem: Barnes would need a bigger car to tow it.

"It's time for an upgrade anyway," Zachary encouraged his friend.

Event organizers expected about 31,000 people to attend the four-day RV show, which exhibits hundreds of deluxe camping vehicles ranging in size from tricked-out vans to goliath motor homes — with luxury interiors fancier than a five-star hotel and a price tag that will make your head spin. The show runs through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Adult tickets are $10.

This year, coordinators foresee higher consumer confidence because lower gas prices mean young families are looking to travel more, said organizer Vilma Fraguada. RVs typically run a little more than a new car — from $29,000 to $39,000 — but the showroom exhibits models on a much wider spectrum, she said. Some of the most basic pop-up campers are as little as $4,500, while the event's priciest motor home lands just under $500,000.

As a Valentine's present to each other, Kathy and Terry Wilson spent Saturday afternoon browsing for renovation ideas. They purchased their first pull-behind trailer three years ago when Terry retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Since then, they've begun traveling to surrounding states.

"I've seen lots of Europe, so now I want to see the U.S.," said Kathy, who teaches piano out of their Savage home. "I just want to be able to say I've done it, I've seen it."

The Wilsons were looking to simply improve their camper with LED lighting and small alterations, instead of splurging to replace it. Attending the showroom was a chance to see everything at once.

Avid campers Brian and Sue Running, of Eagan, are regulars at the annual RV show. They've gone through several models over the decades to accommodate their growing family.

"I don't want a cabin because these you don't have to do any work on," Brian said. "And you can go anywhere."

Liz Sawyer • 952-746-3282