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Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association and The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show provides donation to support Burlington Families during COVID-19 pandemic

Written by Shane Devenish on . Posted in Blog, Business.

Burlington, Ontario – For immediate release June 5th, 2020

Chamber of Commerce member the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show dropped by the Burlington Food Bank on June 8th and presented a check in the amount of $2500 to Executive Director Robin Bailey to support their food drive in the community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected Burlington similarly to that of every other major city in Canada” said Shannon O’Callaghan, CRVA’s Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show Director. “This crisis came at us so quickly and new families are needing to rely on the Food Bank as a result.  We are very fortunate to be able to support our community and our fellow residents during this unprecedented time of need” continued Ms. O’Callaghan.

We would like to thank Robin Bailey, Bernie Parent, Scot Cameron and all of the hard-working volunteers at the Burlington Food Bank for their efforts and personal contributions to help make our neighbors and friends in our community safe and healthy.

We would also like to challenge other businesses in Burlington to provide any financial support that they can afford to the Food Bank in their communities.

About the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association:

The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association has been in existence for over 40 years and works continually to promote the quality and safety in the RVs that are sold in Canada

About the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show:

The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show is the largest RV Show in Canada and the only RV Show produced by the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association.

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Media Contact: Shane Devenish

Contact Information: (905) 315-3156

[email protected]

THE TORONTO SPRING CAMPING & RV SHOW: 7 THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYES-written by Adam Doolittle

Written by Shane Devenish on . Posted in Blog, Business.

THE TORONTO SPRING CAMPING & RV SHOW: 7 THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYES

written by Adam Doolittle

This past weekend we were delighted to be visiting Toronto to take in the largest RV show in Canada – the Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show. We’ve been to a few RV shows in the past but nothing ever quite like this one. It was hosted at the Internation Centre in Mississauga where they jammed 5 massive halls with over 500 RVs in all shapes and sizes. There truly was something for everyone at this show. There was also an 11,000 sq ft parts & accessories location where we spent plenty of time eyeing up some new gadgets and accessories for our RV.

What was really exciting for us was that we were invited by the show to come and present on the Havelock Country Jamboree Stage where we talked about the full-time RVing lifestyle. We spoke about our journey into full-time RVing and took lots of questions from future full-time RVers about everything from condensation to mail to WiFi and everything in between.The Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show Adam & Kate Full Time Canada

Something that was a lot of fun during the show was that we were interviewed by Global News’ Jennifer Valentyne to help promote both the show and the full-time RVing lifestyle. Check it out…

In between our times on stage and chatting with fellow RVers we had a chance to wander the halls checking out all the beautiful new RVs and the various products being offered by various vendors. Here are some of the things that caught our eyes over the 4 days we were at the show.

RV Easy & Outdoorsy

Buying an RV is an expensive endeavor but there’s some good news – you can actually make money from your RV with RV Easy & Outdoorsy. Both of these brands offer a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can make your RV available for rent. It’s essentially like AirBnB for your RV. Considering the fact your RV likely sits unused (unless you’re full-timers) for the majority of the year this is a great way to make some extra cash to help pay off your RV and pay for your own adventures when the time comes to hit the road.

If you don’t have an RV and are looking to rent one, the available rentals across Canada and the US are a lot more comprehensive than the traditional RV rental centres. Perhaps you’re looking for a specific type of RV for your getaway. Maybe it’s a toy hauler that you want to use to take your motorbike out to the track with or maybe you’re looking for the sleekness that an Airstream provides. Every type of make and model can be found on these peer-to-peer marketplaces.Outdoorsy

Shark WiFi

The one question we seem to always get asked about full-time RVing is about staying connected on the road. Throughout our time full-time RVing we have used and been very pleased with using WiFiRanger as a wireless signal booster. This past weekend we got an introduction to another product on the market – Shark WiFi. Tim and the guys at Shark WiFi actually set us up with WiFi throughout the weekend so that we could play our presentation on stage including a rather large video file that worked effortlessly.

Shark WiFi offers personal mobile routers along with affordable data plans that keep you connected on the road through their own private network. Their units are super powerful compared to using data on your phone which is how you end up with a stronger and faster signal with their product. One of the highlights of the product is that they claim to be able to provide a strong signal in remote areas which is obviously a bonus since that’s often where you end up when you’re RVing.

Airstream

If there’s any type of RV at an RV show that automatically pulls you towards them it has to be Airstreams. They’re just an absolute classic in the RVing world. Even people who know nothing about trailers know about Airstreams thanks to their classic look and how they seem to always pop up in movies or tv shows.

Until this weekend, neither of us had ever stepped foot in an Airstream and were really looking forward to seeing some up close for the first time. One of the dealers at the show had a handful of Airstreams on display surrounded by large crowds going in and out of them. Our first impressions upon seeing the Airstreams were that they are truly built to last which, unfortunately, you can’t say about a lot of other RVs on the market. There’s a reason why you still see Airstreams from the ’60s on the road – their construction is superior.

If we were casually RVing on the weekend there’s no doubt we’d love to have an Airstream. The quality inside and out is second to none. While we enjoyed walking through the Airstreams, we both agreed that there’s no way we could full-time RV in one. The lack of slideouts means less space and also less storage which is important to us.

Airstream Globetrotter

StepAbove

One of the things that have constantly driven us crazy since we purchased our RV four years ago is our RVs exterior steps. They are so flimsy and seem like they’re always about ready to break. We even had them replaced with a newer set which are a bit sturdier but still was not very solid. As soon as we started walking into the various trailers at the RV show this past weekend we instantly remarked how great the steps were on the units. Then we realized that a high percentage of the RVs were outfitted with StepAbove RV steps. We both instantly remarked how great and sturdy these steps were compared to all the past RV steps we’ve had with our RV.

Later we looked into the parts & accessory hall of the RV show and discovered that there were various options available from StepAbove so that pretty much every RV could be outfitted with them. If you’re tired of bouncing up and down when you’re entering and exiting your RV you should definitely check out these steps. I’m pretty sure we’re going to be getting them for our RV soon.

Wayfarer Insurance

Insurance is never a fun topic to get into but it’s one that definitely requires some deep thought. It’s also not necessarily easy to get insurance for your RV if you live in it full-time. We stopped by to have a quick chat with the Wayfarer Insurance rep about some of their offerings. Wayfarer offers coverage for full-time RVers and additional coverage for a lot of different aspects of your RV. Be sure to check out their various offerings as there very well could be something that works better for you than your current insurance provider.

Maddie & Kiki

Cooking outdoors is such a big part of the RVing lifestyle but it’s something we’ve never done much of since we started full-time RVing. During the RV show, we had the pleasure of watching the Maddie & Kiki grilling demonstration which really fired us up and got us wanting to cook more outdoors with the grill. If you fancy yourself a bit of a cook or want to get more inspired to cook around the campsite be sure to check out their recipes. We had the opportunity to taste some of their grilled dishes during their demonstration and WOW were they ever tasty!

Grand Design Solitude

Since we purchased our RV four years ago we haven’t really looked at replacing our RV. Naturally, being at an RV show for four days there was no way we weren’t going to check out some of the 2020 models to see what was new and exciting for this year’s models of RVs. With over 500 RVs onsite there was no way that we could step into each and every one of them. With this in mind, we specifically set a plan to only look at fifth wheels that weren’t too large (35+ feet) and didn’t have bunk rooms. This helped us to efficiently look around at our possible future home. In the end, we found 3 RVs that we really liked and out of them, there was one that was above and beyond – the Grand Design Solitude 310GK.

We instantly fell in love with everything about this RV. It was the perfect size with the perfect layout and tonnes of storage. It had a full-sized refrigerator and a large stove, a king-size bed and so much more. Plus, you could tell that this RV was built better than most others. We both said to each other, “this is the one.” The only difficulty – we weren’t ACTUALLY looking to buy an RV this weekend but wow, did this RV grab our serious attention. It’s an absolute beauty and one that we’ll be keeping our eye on in the future whether its a used unit in a couple of years or a newer version.

Gran Design Solitude

While we attended the RV show mainly to talk about our journey into full-time RVing, we had a tremendous weekend meeting fellow RVers and also checking out the various RVs and products on the market. The Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show is a must-attend event whether you’re looking for a new RV or just want to get inspired for the camping season ahead.

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The desire to travel for Adam first started as a kid while he traveled around Ontario playing baseball. Because of hectic summers playing baseball and the usual desire for the family to hibernate during the winter, Adam didn’t travel much outside Ontario as a kid, aside from a trip to Disney World as a 6-year-old. The growing wonder of what existed outside of Ontario carried with Adam until he was an adult and could save up to travel with friends or family. Adam has now been to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, St. Croix, Ireland, Scotland and most of Canada and the Eastern United States.

  

How to get the most of attending an RV Show

Written by Shane Devenish on . Posted in Blog, Business.

written by Adam Doolittle
Guest Article by Full Time Canada

While we may be in the dead of winter, you may already be dreaming of warm summer nights by the lake or tucked peacefully into the forest with your RV. Starting around this time of year, RV shows are popping up all over the country in anticipation of the camping season ahead. On display are all of the new and fancy models, flashy new camping gear and a lot more.

 

Kate and I are very excited to be attending Canada’s largest RV Show – the Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show from February 27 – March 1. Not only are we excited to get to check out all of the new models of RVs on display, but we’re also excited to announce that we’ll be presenting on the Havelock Country Jamboree Stage multiple times over the course of the RV show talking about our full-time RV lifestyle. We’ll be talking about our journey into the full-time RV lifestyle in hopes of inspiring others to consider this alternative lifestyle. We hope you can join us at the show.

Since we’re attending Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show, it had us thinking about how you can get the most out of attending an RV show whether it’s this RV show or one in your hometown. Since we’ve been to a few RV shows in the past we’d like to pass along some tips that can help you navigate and better experience an RV show.

When To Go To The RV Show

More often than not, RV shows take place over 3-4 days during a week. Usually, they run from Thursday or Friday through Sunday. So when should you attend? Does it really matter? In the past, we’ve found that the busiest times at RV shows tend to be Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday. With that in mind, we’d recommend visiting on Thursday (if it’s an option) or on Sundays as both days tend to be a bit quieter. Why does this matter? We found that the busier an RV show is when you visit the less likely you’re going to get the most out of the show. For instance, say there are a couple of models of RVs that you particularly want to check out but once you get to the show you quickly discover every model seems to have endless amounts of people coming in and out of the RVs. This can make it difficult to fully check out the RVs and make it difficult to find a representative to talk to if you wanted to. The same goes for the booths with all the cool new camping gear. Usually, there are large groups of people surrounding the booths making it more difficult to check out everything. Sure, a little patience can go a long way but why worry about testing your patience when you can simply go when there are fewer people there.

Attend With A Plan

Before attending an RV show, have a clear idea in mind as to why you’re attending the show. Are you just there to pass the time and look around? Are you there 100% to purchase an RV? Do you just want to see the new gadgets and toys? Whatever reason you’re attending an RV show it’s good to go in with a plan so that you know exactly what you want to learn and look at and where to find it. The best thing you can do prior to attending an RV show is to check out the RV show website and take a look at the floorplan. From that floorplan, make a detailed plan of attack of how you will navigate through the show to see exactly what you want to see. Be sure to check out the schedule for seminars and other events happening at the RV show so that you can make sure to fit them into your schedule.

Check Out The Seminars

Whether you’re just getting into RVing and camping or you’re a seasoned veteran, you should make sure to check out the various seminars at RV shows. There’s a lot of valuable information to be discovered at these seminars that you might not easily get otherwise. Usually, each RV show will have a set of expert presenters who will talk about various topics pertaining to RVing. You’ll likely learn about RV maintenance tips, how-tos and a lot more from these seminars. Check the full schedule of seminars before attending the show so you make sure you get to see the ones that are most valuable to you.

Look At The New Products, Toys and Gadgets

If you already have an RV, one of the highlights of attending an RV show can be checking out the new RV products, gadgets and toys. There are a lot of great new products being released each and every year that can make the RV lifestyle easier and more enjoyable so it’s worth checking out the vendors at the RV show to see what’s new. If you’re looking to update your current RV, you can also find a lot of interesting new gadgets that can be helpful. It’s amazing how many different RV products can be found that use Bluetooth technology these days.

Preparing To Shop For An RV

While a lot of people are simply at an RV show to simply just look at the RVs, there are a lot of people there who are seriously considering purchasing an RV. If you’re one of those people that are there with the goal in mind of buying a new RV there are a few things to consider. First, it’s best to know exactly what type of RVs and makes/models you’re interested in before attending the show. You can do some pre-show research online that will help you spend your time more efficiently once you arrive at the show. This will give you lots more time to fully inspect the details of the models you really want to check out and also more time to talk to the representatives onsite.

It’s also good to look around online at the prices of the models you’re interested in. Often, you’ll hear that RV shows have the best prices of the year. Yes, that can be true but it can also simply be a ploy to get you to attend the show. If you already know the rough price range a certain model is selling at in other locations, you’ll be able to enter negotiations a lot easier and be more likely to end up with the deal you were looking for.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re purchasing an RV at an RV show is don’t feel pressured to buy. RV salesmen have a job and sometimes they can be a bit pushy in their sales tactics. You’ll likely run into every type of salesperson at an RV show. If you don’t feel comfortable with a certain salesman, don’t hesitate to walk away. At an RV show, a salesman might use the tactic that, “you won’t get a better price than now.” That could possibly be true but if you needed a little extra time to make a decision you could likely get the same deal a week or two later by visiting the dealership directly.

Make sure if you’re buying an RV to always negotiate. Never simply purchase an RV at the listed price. There’s almost always some wiggle room. If there’s not much wiggle room in the price, you can also ask that the dealer throw in some additional products that you would likely have to buy when setting up your RV. We did this when purchasing our RV and it helped us save a few hundred bucks in products.

Here’s a full list of RV shows happening in Canada via GoRVing

What tips do you have for attending an RV show?

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The desire to travel for Adam first started as a kid while he traveled around Ontario playing baseball. Because of hectic summers playing baseball and the usual desire for the family to hibernate during the winter, Adam didn’t travel much outside Ontario as a kid, aside from a trip to Disney World as a 6-year-old. The growing wonder of what existed outside of Ontario carried with Adam until he was an adult and could save up to travel with friends or family. Adam has now been to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, St. Croix, Ireland, Scotland and most of Canada and the Eastern United States.

  

Etiquette Essentials For RV Newcomers

Written by Shane Devenish on . Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

Special to The Big RV Show – Courtesy of Katlyn Maddison

RVCanadians are taking up RV usage in droves, with a 6% rise in RV ownership reported by CTV’s analysis of the latest industry statistics. With this new influx of interest have come owners and families who aren’t as au-fait with the RV culture of Canada as they could be. As a result, seasoned owners are presented with a great opportunity to spread the good word of what RV ownership is all about, and teach new enthusiasts how to become a part of the community.

Being a good visitor

RV owners love to socialise and get acquainted with other enthusiasts’ vehicles, as exemplified by events like the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show. With this sense of trust comes responsibility, and one of the most important parts of RV etiquette is being a good visitor. This begins with being sociable, but extends to treating an RV as you would your own home. Families with children that are likely to become travel sick on a guest trip should look into methods of controlling this – any preparations that you make for your own vehicle should be replicated elsewhere – for instance, having a chat with the RV owner beforehand to arrange centre-vehicle seating for the kids, and having helpful snacks like ginger and cold water on hand. Similarly, users of RVs who end up staying for food, drink or sleep, should make sure they treat it with full respect. The alternative is huge costs and damaged relationships as a result; Canadian cost-cutting watchdog estimate a full reupholster will set a family back up to $10,000.

Treating the land with respect

RVs are a gateway to experiencing camping with good levels of comfort. That level of relaxation and the home comforts that are bundled with it are often a precursor to acting thoughtlessly with regard to the land they are enjoying. Accordingly, one of the most crucial rules of RV etiquette is having respect for the natural land. Parks Canada have listed many of these rules, making them accessible to all, and they include properly disposing of waste, removing used equipment, and keeping garbage in appropriate areas. Treat the land as you would your RV.

The golden rule

According to Hart Ranch camping resort, a USA based facility, the golden rule of all camping is to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. While this seems basic at its heart, thinking about the statement in depth can help you to realize how to put that into action. Always keep other campers in mind when you’re setting out your stall – keep your own mess down, don’t take over the campsite, and always consider the feelings of fellow campers first. If you can make their trip a happy one, yours will be too.

RV culture has some specific etiquette, but it all goes towards making the experience a happy one for every visitor. Rather than being a selfish pursuit where you look out for yourself, campsites are where like-minded people can share their passion in a constructive way. Newcomers can be an instant hit in the community by simply acting with common sense.

RVSo, if you seek more information about the RV and camping lifestyle and want to speak directly to manufacturer representatives about the latest and greatest products head over to Mississauga in February 2020, to learn about the RV & Camping lifestyle and talk directly to Manufacturer Representatives about the right recreation vehicle for your family.

Click here to get your ticket to adventure 

About The Show:

Toronto’s Spring Camping and RV Show is the only RV Show produced by the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) who has teamed up with the largest RV Dealers in Ontario to offer consumers the best deals on your new RV. This exciting one of a kind show will showcase the largest display of RVs from respected Ontario retailers of every Model and Type of RV and for every budget. Contact us today for more information.

“The Big RV Show Blog” Brings You Up-To Speed With All-Things Camping and RVing!

Written by Shane Devenish on . Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

Calling all campers and RVers! It’ll soon be time to rev up your engines as “The Big One”, Canada’s biggest Camping and RV Show rolls into Mississauga’s International Centre from February 27th to March 1st, 2020.

In anticipation of “The Big One”, the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show is making its blogging debut, offering “all-you-need-to-know” information for beginners, full-timer’s and everyone in between just wanting to know more about the RV Lifestyle.

Camping and RVing are becoming all the rage in North America! According to the 2019 North American Camping Report:

  • Over 7 million North American households have joined the camping family in the last five years.
  • In 2018 alone, over 1 million new North American households have embraced the outdoor lifestyle.
  • 27% of Canadian campers traveled more than 200 miles on their camping getaway.
  • Over 2.2 Million Canadian Households own RV’s.
  • 46% of Canadian campers want to have a “glamping” experience.

With all this in mind, some of the topics that will be covered in our blog in the run-up to “The Big One” are:

  • Camping tips for millennials: The North American Campground Report survey indicated that camping has become increasingly popular among millennials.
  • Gift ideas for campers: With the holiday season fast approaching, we’ll bring you popular camping gift ideas that will make your camping experience unforgettable.
  • Camping in winter: Brrr … ace yourself! Don’t let frigid temperatures ruin your camping plans. Our winter camping tips will prepare you for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
  • Why should you ditch the tent for an RV: We’ll put an end to the tent versus RV debate by listing the advantages RVs bring to your camping experience.
  • How to choose the right RV: Is a gas motorhome better than a diesel motorhome? Are travel trailers better than pop-up campers? Let the experts help you make an informed decision.
  • Full-time RVing: Tired of being stuck in one place? Why not RV full-time. It’s estimated that there are over 1 million full-time RVers in North America.
  • Best places to camp in Canada: Statistics Canada has estimated that there are over 4200 recreational vehicle (RV) parks and campgrounds across the country. We will help you pick your ideal camping playground.
  • Camping recipes: From pizzas to barbeque ribs, from nachos to spaghetti, the options are endless. We’ll help you make the most of your camping experience by dishing out some of the finest one-pot recipes.
  • RV Show buying tips: “The Big One” is your one-stop-shop for all your RV-related queries. From financing options to educational seminars, from the latest RV’s, camping gear and accessories, you’ll find it all at the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show and Sale.

So, head over to the Toronto International Centre on February 27th to March 1st, 2020 to get all the information you need about the RV and camping lifestyle and to speak directly to manufacturer representatives about the latest and greatest products.

Click here to by your ticket to adventure

About The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show and Sale

The Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show and Sale is the only show produced by the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA). This exciting, one of a kind event will showcase the largest selection of RVs and camping equipment, from the most respected manufacturers and dealers in our industry. For more information about the show, visit our website at Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show and Sale.