Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/790275
10 who's who 2017 Manitoba RV Show & Sale By David Square C onsumers looking for vacationing options are turning to the affordability and versatility of recreational vehicles. With a wide range of styles to suit any budget, RVs can be a 'cottage on wheels.' "Whether people buy very small or very large RVs, the prices are still much lower than that of vacation homes and many of the costs associated with cottages are not applicable to RVs," says Can Am RV general manager Shane Lachman. Winner of a 2016 Consumer Choice Award, Can Am has grown into an industry leader since owner/president Michael Carson opened its doors in Winnipeg in 1983. A move in 2005 to a nine-acre site in Headingley has allowed Can Am to showcase a wide selection of motorhomes, campers, travel trailers and park models on its lot and inside a spacious showroom. The company also carries pre-owned inventory and offers financing. With more than three decades in the marketplace, Can Am sells brands from leading manufacturers and has a reputation of keeping up with industry trends. "We've experienced considerable sales growth, especially in lightweight towable family units," Lachman says. Smaller RVs are popular with young and budget-conscious consumers, who don't have to sacrifice comfort. One of Can Am's recent additions is Travel Lite's Falcon, a towable unit that features a wind-cutting aerodynamic design, five-cubic-foot fridge, large holding tank, aluminium-framed cabinet doors, stainless-steel appliances, roomy shower and bath and 18-inch tires. Attractively priced RVs have many advantages over a cottage, Lachman says. An average cottage in reasonable shape is still expensive to buy and includes many other costs such as taxes, maintenance and, in many cases, municipal upgrades to sewer or water systems. Another consideration is that cottages are often located hundreds of kilometres from where a family lives, making the vacation sites time-consuming and costly to access. RVs also offer the option to explore. "Towable units can be driven to a variety of vacation areas, as close to or as far away from home as RVers desire," Lachman says. RVers can also start small and move up to larger units as their disposable incomes increase over the years. While RVs don't require the costly repairs of cottages, they do need regular maintenance. Can Am has a large parts department and oversized service bays, where its factory-trained technicians keep customers rolling along. "Can Am is a full-service dealership capable of doing visual inspections that can save clients a lot of money if a problem is fixed immediately," Lachman says. Can Am has been approved to conduct warranty service on brands it doesn't even sell, plus it strives to have technicians work on the same vehicles to develop familiarity with the unit's needs and build relationships with clients. Staff can also restore or replace awnings, fixtures and many other components. ❙ Cottaging on Wheels For more information about Can Am RV, visit online at canamrv.com or call 204-895-8882. One of Can Am RV's recent additions is Travel Lite's Falcon, which features a wind-cutting aerodynamic design and all the comforts of home.