I went off to the California RV show the other day, a bit of work and curiosity. Sometimes I wonder why they let me in to these things.

Although a reader first brought it to my attention years ago, RV classification still leaves something to be desired. Since I pointed out that a Prevost-based coach was the same “Class B--living quarters added to an existing shell” as a van conversion, Class B is now described as a van camper, “sleeps up to 4, typically $41,000-74,000” (the bad English is theirs). The show had a few Bs. Class A, which “sleeps up to 6” and cost $58,000-400,000 were there too, with just as many up to twice that price. And the Class C cutaways typically “sleep 8 and cost $48,000-$140,000.” I didn’t see a single C in which 8 could sleep unless you include the floor.

“Super C’s” built on International, F-550, Top Kick and Freightliner chassis were ever more popular, at least ten manufacturers there representing. Can you imagine the fun you’d have in a 36-footer with a 450-hp (1550 lb-ft) 12.8-liter diesel under the real hood? Problem is some of these things cost upwards of $600,000, and are arguably better MOTORhomes than the majority of Class As, but since they don’t look like a Class A they get turned away from some campgrounds and even more “resorts.” Geez, if I’d dropped half a mil on a great coach and somebody said it had the “wrong front end” I’d inquire if hoods and bumpers became illegal when the minivan was invented or why their “personal front end” wasn’t asked to leave.

On the ‘net for competitive sets I visited Newell Coach’s site; these are popular at NASCAR tracks and typically seven digits. Newell’s site claims gross axle ratings of 18,700 front, 28,600 drive, and 16,000 tag, and GVWR of 63,600. This is the first time I’ve run across GVWR being higher than all the axle maxes combined and I’m thinking the owner needs to spend more time at his calculator and less in his Bentley.

The show had at least one trailer with tires that weren’t rated for the full trailer axle load, slideouts everywhere, and the usual optimistic weights. Since half-ton tow ratings max out at 11,000 now, many carried words to the effect the entire line could be pulled with a half-ton; oddly, there was no mention that you’d be going alone and with no cargo.

And when I entered a massive fifth-wheel with every amenity from dishwasher to fireplace I began contemplating the ongoing debate in RV manufacturing about making travel trailers larger than the current 400 square feet limit. I know people who live in 400-600 sq ft houses and apartments (with fireplaces and dishwashers).

Am I so far out of touch with “recreation” that one needs more than 400 feet to make a useful RV?