The RV lifestyle

Get to know the types of RVs

Buying an RV can be an overwhelming task, and one of the easiest mistakes to make is to show up at a dealership and start shopping without doing a little homework, according to a blog on Kunes’ RV website.

“Sure, this may be fun, but you’ll quickly realize that there are hundreds of different makes and models… add to that the everincreasing number of floor plans available in each model and your options are literally limitless,” it states.

In an effort to make the shopping part easier on customers, the blog shares a list of the main types of RVs and a brief summary about each type. • Class A motorhome – resembles a bus with a flat, vertical front, measuring between 30 and 40 feet in length and recognized as top of the line; • Class B motorhome – known as the “van camper,” an RV built on a van chassis with the roof raised. Although small, it has a bathroom, stove, sink, mini-fridge and bed (that often doubles as a dinette during the day); • Class C motorhome – instantly recognizable as the RV is built on a truck chassis and the cab covered by an overhang. The luxury of the larger class motorhomes at a smaller price point;

RV The lifestyle

HEATHER RUENZ Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Local dealer catches wave of strong demand

by Heather Ruenz

STAFF WRITER

Kunes has long had a presence in automotive sales and service in Wisconsin and Illinois, and now has numerous RV dealerships that sell and service a wide selection of RVs, trailers and campers.

Coming off a great year for the industry as a whole, Scott Remer, general manager of Kunes RV of Elkhorn, said sales aren’t quite at the level they were last year but are solid nonetheless.

“Things are going really well. We’re not quite as busy as last year but we are on pace and see it being this way well into this year,” he said.

Remer said the revitalization the pandemic brought to the camping industry is still prevalent.

“It’s a new lifestyle because of COVID, which again taught people how much fun it can be, the great times with family it offers and the traveling that comes along with it,” he said.

Remer, who has been in the industry for 25-plus years, said he doesn’t see things leveling off for some time.

“Camping is continuing to grow and campgrounds are exploding. Plus, families that go RV-ing or camping pass the enjoyment and passion along to the next generation and so it carries on. Our hope is that it continues to be that way and we think it will,” Remer said.

MATTHEW OSBORN/UNSPLASH Spirit of Geneva Lakes

from top: Kunes RV in Elkhorn offers a wide selection of RVs, trailers and campers as well as service. Though they’re not quite as busy as they were last year at this time, General Manager Scott Remer said things are going well overall and the camping industry is continuing to grow, which bodes well for RV sales; Fifth wheel trailers offer many of the comforts of home and good maneuverability for families that are out to find adventure on the road.

Organic growth

Kunes is family owned as Gregg Kunes started the company with Kunes Country Ford Lincoln in Delavan in 1996. Over the years, the company has grown to 30-plus automotive and RV dealerships.

A variety of new RVs and campers are available at Kunes RV in Elkhorn – including travel trailers and fifth wheels – that range in price from about $20,000 to more than $100,000.

On the used side of things, the current lowest priced unit is a 2011 model listed for just under $16,000 while the highest priced used unit is $36,000-plus.

Remer said there are many benefits to owning an RV, which is like a second home to many.

“If you hook yourself up with a great dealer who will help you get a unit that will work for you and your family, and keep you traveling, it’s a great thing,” he said.

For those interested, Kunes’ website contains complete listings of new and used inventory as well as a form customers can submit to learn the approximate value if they were to trade in their current RV or camper.

There is a tow rating guide on the website as well, which is designed to help consumers understand the tow rating capacity for their vehicle based on year, make and model.

Renting is an option

Kunes RV has a wide selection of rental units available, including some motorized RV options,

People have rediscovered the joys of camping due in a large part to the coronavirus pandemic forcing them to pursue alternative vacation outlets in the past year. RV dealerships offer a variety of trailers and motor homes to fit many budgets and lifestyles.

BLAKE WISZ/UNSPLASH Spirit of Geneva Lakes

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• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

• Fifth wheel – can stretch in size from 25 to 45 feet with numerous options and floor plans. Offers the most spacious “living area” for its size; • Travel trailer – the No. 1 selling RV type in the history of the industry, ranging in size from 10 to 35 feet, can be towed by a vehicle most people already have. Considered by some as an apartment on wheels; • Pop-up trailer – also known as a tent trailer or fold-down camper, it encompasses the novelty of tent camping with the conveniences of an RV and features beds in slide-outs, a table (that often collapses to another bed), a small kitchen and there are many upgrades available; • Truck camper – mounted on the bed of a pick-up truck so compact yet spacious with the conveniences of a toilet, shower and cooking facilities. Also allows the option of towing a small boat or trailer at the same time; • Park models are also worth mentioning – a compromise between a house and an RV, these units are typically placed on rented, leased or purchased sites in campgrounds, RV resorts, etc. They often come standard with sliding patio doors, residential cabinets, full size appliances, a washer and dryer. They’re also bigger inside with 8-foot ceilings, and usually have better insulation and energy efficiency.

Many camping devotees say having a travel trailer creates great opportunities to celebrate family togetherness.

MATTHEW OSBORN/UNSPLASH Spirit of Geneva Lakes

beginning as low as $140 a night.

“Our friendly staff can help you find the perfect RV for you and your family,” the website states. “Whether you’re looking for a travel trailer, fifth wheel, toy hauler, or motorhome – we can help you find the perfect fit for your family, lifestyle, and budget.”

Kunes RV is at 9 Deere Rd., Elkhorn. The RV dealership can be accessed from downtown Elkhorn and those traveling on I-43 can exit at Highway 67.

Kunes makes an effort to not only serve its customers – with their automotive and RV needs – but also serve the communities where the company has dealerships, according to management.

“Our mission is of course to deliver exceptional customer service, but also to serve our communities well in the form of projects, promotions support, donations and wherever else is needed,” the website states.

Sales hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The service department is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other Kunes RV dealerships can be found in Green Bay, La Crosse, Neenah, Sheboygan, Slinger, Stoughton – all in Wisconsin, as well as a store in Monmouth, Illinois.

For more information, call 262-723-2260 or visit kunesrvelkhorn.com.

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