Photo by Kensie Wallner

Portable Get-Away

By Michael Black
Contributing Writer

The Fargo Civic Center will host the 5th Annual Recreation Rummage Sale on January 26-29 (free!). It is the only show that offers both new and used RV’s with over 70 of them to choose from. It will also feature new and used Yamaha Golf Carts, parts and accessories at rummage sale prices, and a score of brands with manufacturer’s representatives on hand. If you are in the market for a get-away portable home or just want to see some cool stuff, this will be the place to be this weekend.

I certainly could have used any one of them back in the 1980’s. An ill-conceived, last minute decision to “see the leaves” left me and two friends lying uncomfortably in the “Roach Hotel,” as we dubbed it. There being no room in any inns through all of Northern Minnesota, we took shelter in a truck-topper on a friend’s land.

I went to Outlet Recreation’s web site and found this out: The fanciest, most expensive thing there was a 39 foot, gently used (17K miles) 2006 Fleetwood Excursion—39J Class A Motorhome—at $129,995, but Outlet priced it at $109,900. It is powered by a 350 Caterpillar diesel engine on a freightliner chassis, and has so many options, you need to go to their website. Costing more than a starter home in Fargo, it should have all those features, and be De rigeur at Izod IndyCar races along with others that make this one look like a bargain.

The in between was a Keystone Outback, 279 RG Travel Trailer. It was not priced with the notation, “The manufacturer does not want us [to] post our outlet price until the customer makes the first contact.” That alone makes me want to contact them. The front of the thing looks like RoboTrailer—an aero-rounded futuristic appearance with lights making it look like it could drive on it’s own. It has the usual interior—bathroom with shower, slide-out dining area, full kitchen, a television in the wall that swivels between rooms, washer/dryer, and is probably more comfortable than many off campus apartments. Then it gets cool. There is an outdoor shower (somewhere) and a space toward the rear that opens up into a freaking outdoor kitchen! A large refrigerator to the left, a sink to the right with a counter top between, large cabinets above and a two burner stove! Whoda’ thunk it? Keystone, apparently. No frigging charcoals for this bunch.

For the economically minded there is the 2012 Palomino Pony popup for $6,542, $5995 Outlet price. Nothing fancy here but it has a table, sink, furnace, stove, refrigerator and, most importantly, beds without roaches. My little Montero four banger could have towed it easily and we sure could have used one back then.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: 5th Annual Recreation Rummage Sale
WHEN: Thurs. to Sun., Jan. 26-29
WHERE: Fargo Civic Center
INFO: tiny.cc/1u7ts