By Stacia Kalinoski
EUGENE, Ore. -- As spring and summer inch closer, you're bound to see more RVs on the highway.
Local RV manufacturers and dealers say sales continue to rise since the recession. Perhaps the biggest indicator of that is the activity at the Oregon RV Show and Sale.
Dealers say the big improvements this year are lighter RVs that are also more fuel-efficient. Sutton RV General Manager Eric Benson says last year was basically the kick-off for lightweight sales. He says a small, silver RV is his top seller right now, and says he's never before seen more sales in this line of lightweights.
Last year, he says they increased by 40 percent. So this year, he brought in four different lines.
"Right now, we're on pace to do another 30 percent increase this year even with the gas prices the way they are. So lightweight is the key to the market right now."
"It's growing across the nation. Every show we've talked to has had more and more people coming this year than last year, so we are expecting an increase as people gain confidence," said Dave Weinkauf, Oregon Show Promotions.
Weinkauf is running the RV show, and he says everything, not just the lightweights, is now more fuel-efficient, even the motor-homes.
And with that, Benson says most models have been redesigned since the recession to be more affordable. He says some cost 20 to 30 percent less than a few years ago.
While you might not be able to tell from the outside that some models have become more fuel-efficient, one sure sticks out.
The Element by Evergreen RV made its first appearance at an Oregon RV show this weekend.
Designer Dan Rodabaugh says the streamline shape and that fact that it runs on a single axle, instead of a duel axle, helps it save on gas.
As for the shape, Rodabaugh says he was inspired by boats.
He calls the Element a yacht on wheels because most of the materials come from the marine industry. They're waterproof and rot-proof.
"I've always been in the marine lifestyle, and so when I got into the RV industry, I noticed there was maybe a little bit of a lack of styling and detail," Rodabaugh said.
The Element runs for $47,860 and is now available at Sutton RV in Eugene.
The show runs again Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lane County Fairgrounds.
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