ChicagoLand RV Show
The 2017 Chicagoland RV and Camping Show was held Feb 16 – 19th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The Donald E Stephens Convention Center is a large facility but the exhibit space is quite odd-shaped so it was really easy to get turned around and lose your sense of direction. At last year’s Chicago RV Show I told myself if I went again I’d want to bring a compass to help navigate. Well I forgot the compass and got turned around several times – again!

We again scored some discount coupons online which saved us “seniors” $4 off the regular $12 show price. We also saved some money by parking at the CTA Blue Line Depot at 5801 N. River Road (2.5 blocks north of the Convention Center.
In addition to checking out “what’s new” across the spectrum of RV Motorhomes and Travel Trailers, our personal goals for this year’s show was to look closely at Class B and smaller Class C motor homes and also lightweight and retro or vintage-style travel trailers. We might be in the market for either of these two kinds of RVs.
Retro Travel Trailers
In last year’s post on the 2016 Chicago Show we showed several pictures and manufacturer links to Retro or Vintage Travel Trailers, an increasingly popular style. One of the originators of this new “back to the 50s and 60s style of travel trailers” is Riverside RV who makes the Whitewater Retro trailer. This year they have expanded their line of Retro style trailers with Retro Toy Haulers.
My favorite retro-style travel trailer is Gulf Stream’s Vintage Cruiser. As they say in their promo the Fun of the 50’s married to the Technology of the 21st Century. The Vintage Cruiser comes in a variety of lengths and floor plan configurations. My favorite is the 17rwd as it weighs less than 3000 lbs, is a compact 20 feet long, yet feels roomy in the interior. | |
Sort of semi-retro looking is Forest River’s R-Pods. The RP-179 has a slide-out dinette area and was Jo’s favorite. Like the Vintage it is a compact 20′ long and weighs less than 3000 lbs. | |
Links to other RV articles on ScenicPathways.com
- Pods & Tear-Drop Campers and Travel Trailers
- Vintage & Retro Travel Trailers
- Extreme Campers – Conveniences for Back Country Camping
- Best RV Shows
- Information on the 2018 Chicago RV & Camping Show
Article and photos on our Favorite Class C Motor Homes
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