Chicago RV and Camping Show

See our calendar of Best 2023 RV Shows this winter. See other show and RV links at the bottom of this page.

ChicagoLand RV Show

The 2023 Chicagoland RV and Camping Show  will be held February 16 -February 19, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. (see links lower down this page)

Here’s an idea of what to expect from our attendance at previous shows. I particularly enjoyed touring a number of Retro Campers and Travel Trailers (pictures below).

Airstream Bambi Sport
The AirStream Sport 16 is the pinnacle of compact luxury RV Traveling

The Chicago RV-Camper Show is about 10 times larger than the Madison RV Show we attended a few years ago. Hundreds of pull-behind campers, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and motor homes from Class B to mammoth luxury coaches.

We scored some discount coupons online which saved us “seniors” $4 off the regular $12 show price. But we got clipped real good at the nearby parking – $15 and still had to walk almost two blocks to the Convention Center. A better deal for parking and only about a block more of walking is the CTA Blue Line Depot at 5801 N. River Road (2.5 blocks north of the Convention Center).

While the Donald E Stephens Convention Center is a large facility the exhibit space was quite odd-shaped so it was really easy to get turned around and lose your sense of direction. If I went again I’d want to bring a compass to help navigate. Many times we stood around trying to figure out if we’d been down this aisle or that one.

Some of the highlights for us. Getting a chance to tour some of these luxury Motor Coaches. We see them often during our travels but never have been in one before. Another unit we’ve admired from afar but have never seen up close and on the inside are the famous Airstream Travel Trailers. One dealer had several sizes from a compact 16 footer to the larger, more luxury models. We spent some time admiring the new Winnebago Fuse, built on a Ford Transit chassis. I think this one is going to be a winner for Winnebago. We also liked the Winnebago View 24J, a very classy and well-appointed compact Class C motorhome built on a Mercedes chassis.

TearDrop and Pod Trailers

We did some Pod & Teardrop Trailer profiles a few years ago in an earlier RV Show article. We saw a few new models at this show and some we were familiar with but now tricked out with more accessories and distinctive styling.

Pod or teardrop trailers like this Tab are offering stylish and compact camping alternatives to tents.
Pod or teardrop trailers like this Tab are offering stylish and compact camping alternatives to tents.

Vintage & Retro Travel Trailers & Pods.

Our favorite camping units at the show were the Retro & Vintage travel trailers that have become more popular recently. Love the shape and the moon hubcaps. One both Jo and Eileen thought was really neat was one made by Amish craftsmen, the SunRay Travel Trailers in Shipshewana, IN.

Sunray Campers
We loved this Sunray Retro Camper made by Amish Craftsmen

The “most” Retro of the show was Riverside Whitewater RV’s Retro available in a variety of sizes and styles.

Moon hubcaps, whitewall tires, fire engine red, classic looks from the 50s
Moon hubcaps, whitewall tires, fire engine red, classic looks from the 50s
Sunray Amish Craftsmenship
Real wood interiors in Cherry or Oak, decent quality finishing touches on appointments
The Red & White theme carried through in the interior on the naugahyde benches. Check out the formica table and checkerbox tiles on the floor!
The Red & White theme carried through in the interior on the naugahyde benches. Check out the formica table and checkerbox tiles on the floor!
Retro bedroom
The Whitewater Retro features warm wood interiors and more red and white in the bedroom area.

Gulf Stream’s Vintage is their entry in Retro Travel Trailer category.

Gulf Stream Vintage
The shape, moon hubcaps, hammered stainless rock guard, and red and white exterior mark Gulf Stream’s entry in the retro line.
stylish kitchen of the Airstream Bambi
This is the polished “art deco” interior of the Airstream Bambi trailer pictured at the top of the page.
Art Deco interior of Gulf Stream Vintage
I liked the rounded art deco look and the intimate bedroom layout of the Gulf Stream Vintage.

Links to more Retro and Vintage RVs

winnie-brave retro motor home
Winnebago’s Brave recalls vintage Winnies from many years ago, but with modern conveniences.
VW bus style travel trailer
The Dub-Box recalls the classic VW bus in its travel trailer design
The Scotty is a classic
The classic Serro Scotty comes in 3 different models
shasta-airflyte
CH Camper re-creates the look of the 1961 Shasta Airflyte Travel Trailer
happycamper
The HCI Happier Camper marries modern engineering with a retro look.
Bowles Road-Chief Travel Trailer
The Bowles Road Chief re-creates an innovative design from the 1930s with luxurious interiors and features.

Really loved the Bowless Road Chief but I’d have to sell the farm to afford it!

RV Show and Information Links

Ross

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