This past weekend saw Westland Camping at the RV show in Novi Michigan, where We got the opportunity to show off one of our favorite units, the Flagstaff 30WFKSS.  This Trailer is part of the V-Lite series, identified by the distinctive V shape in the front.  Come on and take a look.  you can also read more about it in this article on the Gr8 lakes camper blog.

SABRE 34 TBOK

Every day, people walk into Westland Camping looking to purchase a new travel trailer 5th wheel or pop up camper, and we ask them some basic questions about what they are looking for.  An alarming number of people really have no idea.  I am going to talk about the basic steps you need to take to find the right RV for your family’s needs.

First of all, how many people are you looking to sleep?  Is it just you and a spouse?  Do you have kids or friends you need to accomidate?  This is an important first question, because your answer can eliminate over half of the floor plans out there, making your choice that much easier.  For example, this 831 FKBSS is great for sleeping 2, and equipped to sleep up to four, but utilizes the air mattress hide-a-bed.  This 831 BHWS unit is set up to sleep 10.  Both are about the same size, and about the same price, but are set up for very different families.

The next thing to consider is what kind of tow vehicle are you planning to use to pull it?  Or are you planning to pull it at all? any vehicles can either narrow down your choices or open up opportunities you hadn’t considered before.  Small tow vehicles such as the Ford Escape or Dodge Caravan are limited to 3,500 pound tow limits (if equipped properly), a Jeep Liberty can tow up to 5,000 pounds.  The Ford F-150 can tow over 10,000 pounds if properly equipped.  If you do have a smaller tow vehicle, then maybe you should consider a Walkabout trailer, designed fromt he ground up to be Ultra Light-Weight.  (like, super light).  Knowing the answer to this can help you direct your attention to units that fit your vehicle as well as your family.

One last thing (at least for this article) is what type of camping are you planning on doing?  If your dream is a lot of longer trips where you do a fair amount of moving from place to place, maybe you would like a unit with less set up, like a travel trailer.  But if you like the feeling of sleeping outside, then perhaps a tent camper (or pop up camper) or hybrid travel trailer is the right unit for you.

These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself when choosing the right camper or RV for you and your family.  Obviously, this doesn’t take into account new/used, price ranges, financing, or that sort of thing, but that is going to have to wait for it’s own article.  If you have any questions, about what RV is right for you, then give us a call, and we will be glad to help.

Westland Camping Booth February 2012 RV Show

This February, we have the opportunity to show the latest and greatest RV’s for all to see at the Suburban Collection Showplace.  Here are the details from the RV show website, from MARVAC, the Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds:

When

February 8-12, 2012
Add this event to your calendar)
(If prompted to OPEN or SAVE, choose OPEN)

Hours

Weekdays 2-9 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Display

All types of new recreation vehicles—over 250 units and 50 brands displayed; folding campers, motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, fifth wheel travel trailers and toy haulers, ranging in price from $4,999 to more than $400,000. Booths featuring parts and accessories, campground information, on site RV financing and RV rentals make this the complete RV show experience. Consumers can pick up the new 2012 RV & Campsite. This guide to camping and RV dealers in Michigan now includes coupons.

Where

Suburban Collection Showplace (formerly the Rock Financial Showplace)
46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374.
On Grand River, south of I-96 between Novi Road and Beck Road.

This like new, light weight travel trailer packs a lot of trailer into 23 feet, for an unheard of price.. There is sleeping space for five, with a corner bed in front, fold-over sofa, and convertible dinette. It has a full galley with microwave, refrigerator, and double sink furnace, A/C, roof vents, mini blinds, accordion privacy door, and awning. The interior is a neutral beige and green with really nice plank-look flooring, and plenty of large windows to let the light in! Customer owned unit available for viewing on our lot. Shipping weight is approx. 4200 lbs.

Westland Camping featured by Erik Sharp and the Detroit Free Press

Westland Camping was featured in an article and video posted by their acclaimed outdoor columnist Erik Sharp.  He visited our booth at the show on Saturday, and the article ran in the Sunday edition.

Also Featured, our friend from the Michigan Kayak Fishing Club, Lucian Gizel.

The article (and video) featured a look at our Ocean Kayak angler edition boats, and on the Bitin’ Titan Lures, also available from Westland Camping.

Westland Camping Supports the MIchigan Kayak Fishing Club

This is right from the Michigan Kayak Fishing website:

“To all our fellow Great Lakes kayak anglers, we want to share information that will help you plan your next kayak fishing adventure. Bringing together others with the same interest in this great sport. For those who seek the greater challenge of endurance, skill and of course luck.

This site is an on going collection of useful information on the sport. Such as launch sites, fishing reports, upcoming trips, lake data, Kayak Fishing gear, etc… Feel free to explore…And Good Luck Yak Fishing!”

They offer tips, tricks, a calender of events, and a link to their forum, where you can get in on all the conversations!  You can also check them out on Facebook.

If you want to start joining the fun in person, and you need a new boat, or just a tune-up on your old boat, then call us at 877-533-6623!  or Email Kevin, at kev@westlandcamping.com

Here is an Awesome video of our friend Lucian Gizel, who is one of the founders of the Michigan Kayak Fishing Club.  He is a great help to all those who have questions about fishing from their kayaks.

If you have questions, We at Westland Camping have answers, and if we don’t know, we’ll call Lucian…