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

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FMCA Rally, Brooksville FL. -- An Airstrip full of Motorhomes!

FMCA Rally Brooksville Florida - 2012

It is quite a sight to see about 1,300 motorhomes arranged on and around a local county airport. Such was the case at the South East Area, Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Rally held each year at the Hernando County Airport just outside of Brooksville, FL. Many of the RVs were parked on the tarmac in rows side by side for almost a mile. Others were on the aprons and others were along the sides of the tarmac on the grassed areas. Events were held in large tents fully enclosed with fixed entry doors and lighting which were setup in various locations on the runways. For the true air enthusiast there still was a runway open which added to the adventure as a low flying plane came in for a landing or gained speed to take off. Many of the RVers were “dry camped” which means they were self-sufficient using water they carried and kept all waste in their own holding tanks for the duration of the rally. Electricity was supplied by their battery systems and onboard generators. Others were in sections of the Rally which had “miles” of wire run with outlet boxes at regular intervals connected to large “portable” generators which provided the power needs of the coaches connected to them. All other facilities are onboard. Similar generators provided power for the entertainment, vendor and seminar facilities. 

Events ranged from early morning, prayer and worship sessions, to partaking of free donuts and coffee or listening to music provided by the Frustrated Maestros, to seminars on travel and RV interests. Some seminars featured new products, others taught about RV maintenance and care to general interest topics and others featured camp resort options. The vendor tent had displays for those attending the rally to walk through allowing them to stop and talk, ask questions and gain information on topics of interest to them. There were vendors with outdoor booths set up around the outside of the tent with larger products and the ever present installers are onsite to install products offered for sale.

Each evening there was a live entertainment offered in the special events tent and there was always a variety of activities spread around the Rally facility throughout the day. Some RVers took in attractions found in the area around the Rally location, taking advantage of specials offered by many of the local merchants to Rally goers. Of course the various restaurants in the area were blessed by the RVer’s presence. Conversations often centered around which restaurant to attend tonight based on the recommendations of those that went the previous evening.  For those that stayed at the Rally for evening meals there are local chapter events and impromptu gatherings of friends new and old who setup their chairs and a few tables and had a pot luck dinner. The variety and amount of food found at these gatherings often rivalled some buffet selections at restaurants. All in all the sharing of ideas, travel experiences and growing friendships endure and some choose to travel together, when there is common interests and many develop long lasting friendships after meeting at these Rallies.

I recommend joining FMCA and then taking in one of the local area Rallies.  Meeting others that share the lifestyle is a great way to expand your horizons and add to the enjoyment that is RVing.

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Now that approximately 1 in 7 people in the world are on Facebook, and about half of all internet users, we decided that we should create a presence there as well.  We've been online since 2001, delivering Motorhome and RV users top quality products, information, and technical tips since that time.  We're in the process of launching a completely new website filled with information, pictures, video's and more to help our users get the most out of their RV's.  The new website will allow us to get information up instantly, and will no longer be a "static" site.  If you have questions about products, or maintenance questions, or even just general RV questions, we'll be addressing them from our Website, this blog, and of course our new Facebook page.

We think that Facebook is going to be a great way for us to share information with you, and we hope that you feel free to interact with us there.

RV-Parts Plus is home to the RVing FuseSwitch™and we'll be filling our Facebook page with great information about that product and more.

So if you're on Facebook, (and almost half of you are) go to www.facebook.com/rvpartsplus and like us!

Thanks!

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