www.RV-PartsPlus.com Blog: Exclusive Interview with Jeff Hanemaayer about the Roadtrek N6 Active

2012 Roadtrek N6 Active

Since we first posted about the Roadtrek N6 Active when we were at the RVIA show in Louisville Kentucky, you have made it one of our most popular blog posts. With the tremendous interest in this new RV, we decided to contact Roadtrek to see if we could get an exclusive interview with them to provide our readers with some inside information about the Roadtrek N6 Active. We consider this type of thing to be a part of the Plus in RV-Parts Plus.

The following are a series of 5 questions that we asked the Co-Chairman of Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. Jeff Hanemaayer.

2012 Roadtrek N6 Active front quad captains chairs and table

RV-Parts Plus: The Roadtrek N6 Active has really taken off on our blog since we first posted about it while at the RVIA show in Louisville Kentucky. Can you talk to us about where you see the N6 Active fitting in to your line-up, and who you see as the target market for this type of RV?

Jeff Hanemaayer: The N6 is very different than anything else that we (or anyone else) has produced. Our other models are fully-equipped class B motorhomes that can be used as a second vehicle (or at least all but our largest models). The emphasis is on the capabilities as motorhome, the ease of driving/parking while used as such and less on the convenience of using as a 2nd vehicle. Although small families do buy our other models, the far majority of our buyers are retired or soon-to-be retired empty nester couples (and some singles, especially women who have lost their spouse but still want to RV).

The N6 still qualifies as a class B motorhome from an income tax perspective but it does not have a toilet or stove. That's because it's primarily intended to be a daily-use 2nd vehicle for a family that would otherwise own a large passenger vehicle such as a full-size SUV, large crossover, minivan or conversion van. When you review the N6 on our website you'll see the features that we have provided to make the N6 a great alternative to these vehicles for active families.

2012 Roadtrek N6 Active (rear quarter, top up)

RVPP: Two unique features of this RV are the Pop-Up top, and the Nissan Chassis. Can you tell us what you like about the Nissan Chassis, and why you've chosen to use a Pop-Up top which differs from every other RV in the RoadTrek line?

JH: The Nissan NV van is the newest full-size van so it incorporates the latest improvements, especially in interior ergonomics. See http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/nv. Plus the Nissan brand offers an "import" brand alternative to a Chevy Express van, the other platform we considered for this model. (It's still assembled in the U.S.) We decided to go with the pop-up roof to keep the overall height down when used as a daily driver. This improves appearance, fuel economy and handling while allowing the van to be parked in a garage with an 8 foot door.

RVPP: Talk to us about the pricing of the N6 Active. Is this a price point that you needed to hit? Is this a sign of the changes in the RV industry over the past couple of years?

JH: We needed to keep the price down to appeal to families with kids at home who are middle class and up.

RVPP: Do you have sales projections for this type of RV? Do you expect this to be a dominant player in your line of RV's or is this more of a niche vehicle that will compliment your more traditional Class B motorhomes?

JH: We do have sales projections but it's really hard to forecast how well the product will do. With 2010 US sales of 290K full-size SUVs and 260K mid-size SUVs and large crossover (at least 200" long), there is a large pool of potential buyers out there even though it obviously won't appeal to everyone.

RVPP: When can our readers expect to see the N6 Active at their local dealers?

JH: 5. We started shipping already. They're already at more than 15 dealers.

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Roadtrek N6 Active Quick Facts:
Retail Price: $67,000 U.S. (approx.)
Sleeping Capacity: 4 + 1 -- Lower Double Bed, Upper Queen Bed, Optional Captain's chairs mattress
Notable Amenities: Sink, Microwave, 12 Volt Fridge, Shower head (for exterior use, but mounted inside) Nissan NV Commercial Van Chassis, 9000 lb Towing capacity.

Website: http://www.roadtrek.com/n6_active_features.aspx

If you have more questions about the Roadtrek N6 Active, let us know on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RVpartsPlus and we'll follow up with Jeff as he's allowed us to follow up with him if you have questions.

If you haven't stopped by our website, check it out. We're working on launching an entirely new website soon, which will include all of our products, and many more features just like this interview. Visit us at www.rv-partsplus.com and bookmark us or save us to your favorites!

Click pictures below to enlarge