268- 44 Crawford Cres., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 52 No. 1 www.rvlifemag.com $14.95 DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 2023 CLASS OF 2023 TOW VEHICLES RV BUYERSRV BUYERS GUIDEGUIDE2023 PRICES & SPECS ON 150 RV’S IN CANADA MOTORHOMES | FIFTH WHEELS | TRAVEL TRAILERS PARK MODELS | TRUCK CAMPERS | TOY HAULER RVS FOLD-DOWN CAMPERS TRAVEL TRAILER FIFTH WHEEL CLASS B MOTORHOME YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR RV ADVENTURE PLUS CLASS C MOTORHOMECLASS A MOTORHOME 52-1cover-FINAL.indd 152-1cover-FINAL.indd 12023-05-03 3:27 PM2023-05-03 3:27 PMDISCONNECT TO RECONNECT. Formed out of a desire to build a better RV by building a better RV company, Ember set out to blaze an uncharted path by crafting innovative products backed by an industry-leading warranty, giving every adventure-seeking, memory-chasing owner the confidence to enjoy every mile. For more information, visit EmberRV.com Overland Series Touring Edition DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT. Formed out of a desire to build a better RV by building a better RV company, Ember set out to blaze an uncharted path by crafting innovative products backed by an industry-leading warranty, giving every adventure-seeking, memory-chasing owner the confidence to enjoy every mile. For more information, visit EmberRV.com Overland Series Touring Edition DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT. Formed out of a desire to build a better RV by building a better RV company, Ember set out to blaze an uncharted path by crafting innovative products backed by an industry-leading warranty, giving every adventure-seeking, memory-chasing owner the confidence to enjoy every mile. For more information, visit EmberRV.com Overland Series Touring Edition Ember.indd 1Ember.indd 12023-05-03 11:47 AM2023-05-03 11:47 AM3 CONTENTS BUYER’S GUIDE VOL. 52 NO. 1 The 2023 RV Lifestyle Magazine RV Buyer’s Guide issue includes a selection of recreational vehicles currently available in Canada. Please consult your local RV dealer to confirm availability and pricing on a full range of the 2023 models. 28 NEW RVS FOR ’23! 29 CLASS A MOTORHOMES 34 CLASS B MOTORHOMES 40 CLASS C MOTORHOMES 46 FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS 54 TRAVEL TRAILERS 72 FOLD-DOWN CAMPING TRAILERS 74 MULTI-PURPOSE RV’S – TOY HAULERS 78 TRUCK CAMPERS 82 PARK MODEL TRAILERS Departments 6 HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson Four Cylinder and EV Towing. 10 RV TIPS by Garth Cane Carbon Monoxide – the Silent Killer. 18 THE COOKING LADIES by Phyllis Hinz & Lamont Mackay Lotsa Garlic Chicken – a tasty delight from Newport Beach! 20 TOW VEHICLES – CLASS OF 2023 by Garth Cane Trucks and SUVs to match the RV of your dreams. 86 HOT NEW PRODUCTS FOR SUMMER 2023! A selection of accessories to enhance your RV experience. 90 FISHING TIPS by Patrick Campeau What Fish Eat... Follow us on Facebook! @ RVLifestyleMagazine Follow us on Instagram! @rvlifestylemagazine ON THE COVER The RV Class of 2023 includes vehicles to suit every family’s needs and budget! Main cover image courtesy of KZ-RV. 268- 44 Crawford Cres., Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 Publications Mail Agreement #43638025 Vol. 52 No. 1 www.rvlifemag.com$14.95 DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 2023 CLASS OF 2023 TOW VEHICLES RV BUYERSRV BUYERS GUIDEGUIDE2023 PRICES & SPECS ON 150 RV’S IN CANADA MOTORHOMES | FIFTH WHEELS | TRAVEL TRAILERS PARK MODELS | TRUCK CAMPERS | TOY HAULER RVS FOLD-DOWN CAMPERS TRAVEL TRAILER FIFTH WHEEL CLASS B MOTORHOME YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR RV ADVENTURE PLUS CLASS C MOTORHOMECLASS A MOTORHOME 52-1cover-FINAL.indd 152-1cover-FINAL.indd 12023-05-03 3:27 PM2023-05-03 3:27 PM RV Lifestyle Magazine archives are open for your viewing pleasure – check them out at www.rvlifemag.com Click on MAGAZINES, and use the password RVLFREE2017. Watch our road test videos at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ rvlifestylemagazine SUBSCRIBERS: e-mail editor@rvlifemag.com for FREE access to the latest digital edition! Volume 52 Number 1 | RV Lifestyle RV 52-1CONTENTS.indd 3RV 52-1CONTENTS.indd 32023-05-15 9:56 AM2023-05-15 9:56 AM4 As we break free from the stress and restrictions of the past three years, the opportunities to hit the open road and discover the many scenic vistas of North America have never been greater. At RV Lifestyle Magazine, our expert road test teams have been busy compiling this 52nd Annual RV Buyer’s Guide issue, filled with a cross-section of the latest in RV design and technology. The print edition is just the starting point for your journey on the RV road to adventure – for your convenience, we have uploaded a DIGITAL edition of this magazine to our website at www. rvlifemag.com – and you can access the full content, with the convenience of hot- links to the RV manufacturer and supplier websites – just visit the website and click on the MAGAZINES tab in the menu bar, then scroll down to select the cover of the issue you would like to read. The first time you access our digital editions, you will be asked for a password – please use RVLFREE2017 to open the issue. On subsequent visits, the website will recog- nize your device, and you will not have to enter a password. We invite our subscribers and news- stand readers to share their access to the digital edition archives, just as you would pass-along a printed copy of the magazine. Our website at www.rvlifemag.com enjoys a North American audience that averages more than two million page views per month. We are the ideal por- tal for you to access websites through- out the RV industry - in March 2023, we directed website visitors to more than 650 RV related websites – and the list of “out- links” expands every week. For expert road test content, our video channel at www.youtube.com/ rvlifestylemagazine expands our print and digital offerings to bring you informa- tive videos of our RV road tests. If you are thinking about joining us on the RV roads to adventure, you are about to embark on a lifelong journey filled with wonderful opportunities to discover nature, the great outdoors, the historic sites, and events that formed our North American way of life, and every- thing that makes this the most amazing continent of Earth. As you become more comfortable with RV touring, please join our growing family of RV enthusiasts at our social media site - www.facebook. com/RVLifestyleMagazine . It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s the ideal place to share your thoughts on your RV adventures! Today’s recreational vehicles encom- passes everything you need to entertain, accommodate, and inspire the family as you discover new sights and new activi- ties in the great outdoors. Your freedom as an RV traveller is incredible – you can go virtually anywhere you might imagine, enjoy meals in the comfort of your own home away from home, and spend the night in the campground of your choice or nestled into a wilderness site at one of the National, State or Provincial parks across North America. The concept brings a new dimen- sion to family touring – just hitch an RV to your family vehicle or climb into a motorhome and chart a course to follow your dreams. Looking forward to seeing you on the RV roads to adventure! LET’S GO RVING! Publishers MESSAGE William E. Taylor, Publisher RV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 1 TMTM TM TM volume 52 number 1 Publisher: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR bill@rvlifemag.com Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS melanie@rvlifemag.com Editorial Director: NORM ROSEN nrosen@rvlifemag.com Technical Editors: GARTH CANE gcane@taylorpublishinggroup.com Art/Production Manager: GISELLE BANSAL Design: TAMARA TAYLOR Contributing Writers: PHYLLIS HINZ JAMES STONESS ANDY THOMSON Advertising Sales: info@rvlifemag.com 1-800-354-9145 EXECUTIVE OFFICES: TORONTO: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 Tel: 905-844-8218 Fax: 905-844-5032 MONTREAL: Tel: 514-856-0788 Fax: 514-856-0790 VANCOUVER: Bob and Carole Taylor, 1745 Rufus Drive North Vancouver, BC V7J 3L8 ADMINISTRATION: President/CEO: WILLIAM E. TAYLOR Group Publisher: MELANIE TAYLOR-WALLIS VP/Special Projects: NORM ROSEN Advertising Sales: TODD TAYLOR, Accounting: NANCY MUELLER Camping Canada’s RV Lifestyle Magazine is published seven times a year by Camping Canada Magazine Ltd. 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PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #43638025 Undeliverables to: 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, Ontario L0P 1B0 MONTREAL, QUEBEC © 2023 CAMPING CANADA MAGAZINE PRINTED IN CANADA RV 52-1CONTENTS.indd 4RV 52-1CONTENTS.indd 42023-05-15 10:26 AM2023-05-15 10:26 AM• MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 4X4 • 400-WATT SOLAR PANEL PACKAGE • 4 X 100AH ECO-ION LITHIUM (LIFEPO4) BATTERIES • DUAL 10-INCH TOUCHSCREEN CONTROL PANELS • XANTREX™ 2000-WATT PURE-SINE WAVE INVERTER • TRUMA VARIOHEAT 11,500 BTU FURNACE • TRUMA AQUAGO® COMFORT PLUS WATER HEATER • 2.1 CU. FT. TRUMA PORTABLE FRIDGE/FREEZER • 124 CU. FT. GARAGE STORAGE AREA • MURPHY BED SYSTEM 70” X 72” • 40 GAL. HEATED FRESH WATER TANK • FOUR SEASON COACH • PRIVATE WET BATH / GEAR LOCKER KEY FEATURES Tour the REKON 4x4 today at www.pleasureway.com/goliveRV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 1 www.rvlifemag.com HITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 6 Acouple of years ago, we took a 4200 kilometer trip through Europe. I was surprised to see that there were far more trail- ers on the road there than there are here in North America. Most of the trailers we saw were 20-24’ long and most were being towed by four cylinder cars. Obviously, the European RV market has adapted to the fuel situation, and the prevailing trends in family transporta- tion. Trailers in Europe are very light, with good suspensions. European RV manufacturers neither understand nor use equalizing hitches, and believe it or not, they still use mechanical brakes. The four cylinder cars were cruising without diffi- culty at highway speeds, and they seemed to be handling the aerodynamic drag of their trailers without a problem. Even more interesting was the observation that the RV enthusiasts we encountered were towing on roads that were generally more challenging than ours. THE NORTH AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE Over the years we have set up plenty of four cylinder tow cars, starting with Volvos in the mid-70s, but until a few years ago we had never actually toured to any great extent with the smaller engine options and lightweight trailers. Following our European adventure, we decided to add a four cylinder tow vehicle to our corporate fleet, and we currently have two vehicles in our fleet that have very different personalities, but tow suit- able trailers very nicely. The first of our four cylinder tow vehicles was a 2005 PT Cruiser con- vertible, which we used to tow light- weight 7.5’ wide aerodynamic trailers and Airstreams up to 22’ long. The PT Cruiser had a turbocharged 2.4 litre four cylinder engine and the same transaxle as the one used in Chrysler vans with V-6 engines, so it had plenty of extra capacity. There are a few special consider- ations to keep in mind when towing with high output small displacement engines. When towing with a turbocharged engine, it is important not to operate the engine under boost for long periods of time. It is fine for entering an expressway or pass- ing slower traffic, but not to climb a five mile mountain pass or drive all day at the speed limit, into a strong headwind. To prep the PT for towing we added a transmission cooler, vacuum gauge to measure boost, and the hitch and wiring. There is not enough room under the back Andy Thomson has been writing for RV Lifestyle Magazine for more than 25 years. He also owns and operates Can-Am RV Centre located in London, ON. continued on page 8 FOUR CYLINDER TOWING On a recent trip, my brother Kirk took the TDI and Airstream to the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Tail of the Dragon is one of the coolest roads you will ever experience, with 318 turns in 11 miles, combined with 14% grades. The Cherohala Skyway climbs to over 5000 feet and is very scenic. Most drivers go there to ring out their sports cars, but Kirk thought it would be just the place to try out the Jetta and Airstream. It took him two days to stop talk- ing about it and wipe the smile off his face so I think he had fun. Visit www.tailofthe- dragon.com for more information. Hitch Hints 52-1.indd 6Hitch Hints 52-1.indd 62023-05-10 3:22 PM2023-05-10 3:22 PMBUILDING DREAMS ...ONE DETAIL AT A TIME. (800) 768 - 4016 Go. Camp. Live. K Z-RV.com At KZ, we build RVs that last. Our team of dedicated technicians perform full system checks on all our units, as well as an extensive 300-point inspection on randomly selected units. Our attention to detail is how we make your dream RV a reality. Visit a dealer today and experience the KZ difference. Untitled-4 1Untitled-4 12023-05-09 12:32 PM2023-05-09 12:32 PMHITCH HINTS by Andy Thomson 8 continued from page 6 RV Lifestyle | Volume 52 Number 1 www.rvlifemag.com of the car for both a solid hitch and a spare tire. Fortunately, the spare fits easily in the trunk with plenty of room left over. The body structure is surprisingly strong for a convertible and easily handles the torque from the 550lb. torsion bars. The PT Cruiser had what would seem to be a short 103” wheelbase, but the rear overhang is only 37”, or 36% of the wheelbase. The rack & pinion steering is very precise, and the 205/55HR x 16” tires have virtually no side sway. At highway speed with the Airstream the combination is rock solid and passing trucks and cross winds have no effect on handling. The lightweight trailers are barely affected by passing trucks or cross winds however there is some buffeting when following a transport. Performance with the PT Cruiser was excellent and few RV combinations are as much fun to drive. 0-100 KPH takes only 23 seconds with a 19’ Airstream. As you might guess, maneuverability is excellent, and you can easily whip in and out of tight spaces. We have 60,000 kilometers on the PT now, with 16,000 of that logged while towing trailers. It has been completely reli- able and has never had a warranty claim. While solo fuel efficiency is quite good, towing with the PT Cruiser produces mile- age data not much different than a larger tow vehicle. Towing an Airstream at 100 KPH the PT Cruiser can deliver 16.4 miles to the Imperial gallon or 17.2 L/100km. If you are looking for an economical day to day vehicle that can tow a small trailer for your annual vacation it is a good choice, with a Jetta Diesel the first assumption is that it is a very small car to be towing with. Most people don’t realize that the Jetta grew up a few years ago, and it is now a far more substantial vehicle with independent rear suspension. As well, the Diesel engine grew to 1.9 litres with 100 HP and 177 lbs ft of torque at just 1600 RPM. The Jetta’s wheelbase is 101.5” and the rear overhang is 45”, or 44% of the wheelbase. This is more of an overhang that we would normally like, but com- bined with the independent suspension and the very tight tire and wheel com- bination it handles very well. It is not quite as stable and aggressive handling as the PT Cruiser, but if you did not do the direct comparison you would find it excellent. The ride is neither harsh nor soft, just a nice balance. The Jetta is a comfortable car to drive long distances - it is also very quiet, with the diesel only noticeable during cold starts. Interestingly, in Europe, where they don’t use equalizing hitches and unbelievably still use mechanical trailer brakes, the Jetta has a 3000 lb. towing recommendation. In North America it is rated at only 1000 lbs., likely because they don’t see the towing capability as a marketing advantage. We were able to install a very solid hitch platform on the Jetta that reaches forward of the rear wheels, we use a 550lb. Eaz-Lift hitch with a welded ball mount. THE NEXT WAVE OF TOW VEHICLES… EV cars have been getting a lot of attention lately, and we have been towing with Teslas since 2018. The more con- ventional TDI engines deliver fantastic economy and performance, and they have a long track record, lasting hundreds of thousands of kilometers. It will take a lot of driving to offset the additional cost, but the payback will no doubt be there. If you would like to try these vehi- cles in a real-life situation they are available for test drives at Can-Am. Simply call ahead to ensure they are not off on a trip to pick up another new lightweight trailer! I think it is the only convertible available that can carry four adults comfortably. The sedan version offered more interior space than many small SUVs and is quite rea- sonably priced. DIESELS ARE AN OPTION The most efficient tow vehicles for travel trailers and smaller fifth wheels are powered by very efficient, high- torque small displacement diesels. We decided it would make sense to gain some experience with these new die- sels. At the time, the only modern die- sel available in North America was in the VW Jetta. Our Jetta diesel is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. So far, we have logged more than 13,000 kilometers while towing 25’ and shorter Airstreams as well as a range of aerody- namic lightweight trailers less than 26’ long. We use our Jetta to tow new trail- ers from the factories back to our deal- ership. The fuel economy is amazing: 50 - 55 MPG is very easy to attain on a solo highway trip. Towing Airstreams the Jetta runs easily at 27-32 MPG, and we regularly log 24-28 when towing the conventional lightweight trailers. While the Jetta easily handles 22’ Airstreams & lightweights, we would not recom- mend it for towing trailers this large over mountainous terrain. Like all diesels, the acceleration is not blistering, but the torque pulls steadily and once up to speed it holds it easily. Amazingly it tows in fifth gear most of the time. When I mention that we are towing Mr. Tanaka, the Airstream dealer from Japan, visited us a couple of years ago to learn more about hitches and towing. He was so impressed with the PT Cruiser that he now has his own combination running around Japan. Hitch Hints 52-1.indd 8Hitch Hints 52-1.indd 82023-05-10 3:23 PM2023-05-10 3:23 PMYour RV, your coverage Visit aviva.ca/rvlife or talk to your broker to learn more. Class A | Class B | Class C | Travel trailer | Tent trailer | Horse/Stock | Truck camper Toy hauler | Fifth wheel | Park model | Permanently parked trailer Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions, which are outlined in our final policy wording. Please speak with your Aviva insurance broker to learn more. Insurance products are underwritten by Elite Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aviva Canada Inc. Product availability varies by province. 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