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Tags: Design Travel / Camping / RV Travel / Architecture Travel / → All Tags

RV Travel: Now Actually Stylish?

Most campers and RV's on the road are unattractive and plain. They're unwieldy, lumbering beasts that function well enough as a mobile living space, but fail in the looks department. But fortunately for caravan enthusiasts, a gust of fresh air has blown in from Austria.

The Mehrzeller caravan concept by Christian Freissling and Theresa Kalteis from Graz University of Technology, looks like no other camper you have ever seen. Think cool space ship not beige metal box.

Made up of angular planes and organic cells, the Mehrzeller can be infinitely customized to your needs with an online design tool. Just tweak the settings, hit send and your one-of-a-kind RV is on the way.

The interior is a minimalist, modern mix of light wood and white paint, and is well appointed with everything needed for comfortable living--except a gas card.

Related Stories:
· Mehrzeller [Official Site]
· A New Angle on Camping, the Mehrzeller Concept Caravan [Core 77]
· Design Travel coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: RV Travel / Forum Ferreting / Travel Discussions / → All Tags

Forum Ferreting: People Still Love RVs

Staying in hotels is nice and even hostels can be decent. Camping in a tent is down right thrifty. But if you ask the folks at RV Travel they'll tell you the 10-wheeler is the only way to go.

It turns out despite high gas prices and insane summer traffic, people still love the great American Road Trip. It's just these days they like knowing what they're getting into. Just listen to this:

People don't get into RVing to save money...they do it so that they can go places they want to go where there are NO motels...and so they can sleep in their own bed and use their own bathroom. (Have you ever seen the reports on TV where they've gone in with a blue light and shown the stuff that's still all around the room even after it's been cleaned? It's disgusting!)

Turns out avoiding bed bugs and worms tops the list of RV travel positives. (And seriously, we've all seen that Dateline.) But those in the know say it's best to avoid KOA camps, too. After all, there are plenty of places that let you park for free. (Word is Wal-Mart's a good place to try). But past that, they've been a thorn in RVer's side for way too long.

Our reason for avoiding KOAs is a purely political one: KOAs, along with ARVC, are usually behind the "can't park any place but an RV park" ordinances in local communities. We refuse to support any business or organization that tries to push these.

We say if you can handle one of these rigs on the open road, more power to you. But for us? Well, we'll stick to backseat driving on this one.

Related Stories:
· Road Trips coverage [Jaunted]
· RV Travel [Official Site]

[Photo: Stewart]