Disappointed in new RV interiors (mild rant)

LOL those brown cabinets are going to "look so good" in 25 years. Hahaha.

I couldn't agree more with the OP. We also went to our local RV show this year and have noticed how almost every trailer looks identical on the inside. Unfortunately, it is not a style that either of us really like. Between the dark floors, dark cabinets, dark window trim and the tinted windows, it feels like you're in a basement. I prefer the light, open, airy feeling at the best of times, but especially when I am camping. I know that a tent, or better yet a sleeping bag under the stars would be the ideal way to 'connect with nature' but even in my camper, I want to feel as if I'm camping. It's just unfortunate that none of the manufacturers seem to offer anything but that same color scheme. That being said, apart from the ugly floral interior of our 2004 Keystone Springdale, I quite like the openness and light that we get on the inside. That being said, we're not in the market for a new one, as this new-to-us camper was purchased last year.

Bigdog wrote:
I was looking again the other day at a couple of upscale TTs and fivers and couldn't believe the poor quality of the wood and fabrics. The leather furniture looks great, except that in one of the fivers, the recliner was stuck in the out position, but it seemed that if you wanted the darker fabrics you had to special order them. The salesman was gushing forth about the quality and I said thast if he wanted to see quality, he should see the inside of my '01 Tradewinds LTC. Quieted him right down.

We traded our 2006 Coachmen st the Tacoma RV show in February for a new KZ Durango Gold G384FLT, man is it bright inside, almost have to have sun glasses when inside in the new one :)

The old Coachmen had a new roof only one year old, inside was not dark at all, oak cabinets, king bed, had the surge protector built in, had just had all the wheel bearing etc just repacked. But wife fell in love with the Kz Durango at the RV show so the old one had to go after I put allot of money in it, it will make someone a nice 5th wheel at a low cost :)

wife made We clean it top to bottom, dealer said he had never seen one so clean inside, I said to him "then you will give me an extra thousand or two on the trade" he laughed and said don't push it ...

I remember 30-40 years ago seeing RV's with black on the walls, counter tops, etc and hated them. My truck camper was light colored but left something for quality. My '99 Coachman Ultra Lite 5th wheel was also light colored. Now my '15 Cougar Lite is white ceiling, tan walls and brown cabinets.

A little darker then I care for but it has bright white LED lights so yes I use them more then I used the light in my last two RV's but the LED lights take less battery power boondocking then the old style bulbs. It has more features and getting older those features become more important to me. To me the whole thing is a wash... give some, take some.

I no longer need to find a high spot to pitch my tent, blow up air mattresses, and leave the lantern on for heat. My truck camper added a shower, frig, furnace, and small black tank/toilet,. My first 5th added AC, microwave, shower, etc. my '15 5th wheel adds much more room, auto level, a standup bedroom (at base of bed) with closets, and everything else my s&b has including a 40 Inch flat screen tv. I'll put up with having to turn on the lights because it's a little darker or is it my eyesight getting dim?

It ain't what it used to be and WOW am I glad!

Bigdog wrote:
I was looking again the other day at a couple of upscale TTs and fivers and couldn't believe the poor quality of the wood and fabrics. The leather furniture looks great, except that in one of the fivers, the recliner was stuck in the out position, but it seemed that if you wanted the darker fabrics you had to special order them. The salesman was gushing forth about the quality and I said thast if he wanted to see quality, he should see the inside of my '01 Tradewinds LTC. Quieted him right down.

My guess is that it wasn't real leather and for the most part the furniture in RV's is not what most would buy for their home. JMO but RV furniture is not meant to sit in 24-7-365 like home furniture. RV's are recreational vehicles and thus are only use partially throughout the year. We've replaced all ours with home furnishings that should last many years. And at a much lower cost than RV only stuff.

Airstream and Lux both offer many models with light and airy interiors.

Well I guess we like the cave look since we traded off an 07 with honey maple cabinets and the ugly olive green and and yucky color upholstery. I'm not normally a fan of dark colors but the ceiling is white and I can put any color I want to give it some pop. It makes it easy to change and after being stuck with the ugly upholstery, I love it. The dogs are not a fan of no carpet and leather but they can get used to it. The skylights make it bright and we have lights everywhere.

Now my problem is everything I find I like I want to put in it, is stainless steel, brown or beige, can't find anything I like with color. I will sooner or later just fun to look.

I will say the upgrades in everything are sure worth the cave look to us. I like getting 10 years worth of upgrades greatly appreciated.

I was looking again the other day at a couple of upscale TTs and fivers and couldn't believe the poor quality of the wood and fabrics. The leather furniture looks great, except that in one of the fivers, the recliner was stuck in the out position, but it seemed that if you wanted the darker fabrics you had to special order them. The salesman was gushing forth about the quality and I said thast if he wanted to see quality, he should see the inside of my '01 Tradewinds LTC. Quieted him right down.

I think from experience is they are trying to compete model for model and use the same general colors and materials.
They certainly use a very limited palate of colors and materials.
If done by "professional" interior designers with a bit of free reign they must live in a cellar.
The trend for earth tones doesn't seem to match styles and colors either.
Stick to what works real wood cabinets in revealing wood finishes not painted and stapled hard board. Light colored ceilings and more lighting in ceilings.
Heat pumps in basements or at least quieter and delivery of air more effective, not super efficient that works somewhat.
The furniture needs to b designed by American standards not Chinese measurements.
Type, of materials, in construction, of furniture such as leather and not plastics and proper radiuses not sharp corners, and a new palate of colors based on what most people have in their homes, I think.
Trouble is th problems is top down. RV manufacturers like others are owned by hedge funds and wall street. Quality and warranty doesn't make them money, in their world today. They demand a higher margins and maxamizing profitabilty.
So everyone sells the same discount store stuff, until you get into Newels and Prevost etc and they bend over to furnish to the highest quality, because the fewer units they sell go to people, with enough money, to demand the quality or will take their money elsewhere.
There are now many places who will redecorate and re furnish an RV to any standard your pocket can afford. Perhaps $4,000.00 would be more than enough on a smaller RV to remake he interior.

It's all relative; I like the way my 2016 Springdale looks on the inside. I like the darker cabinet tones, grey and cream walls, and dark brown leather sofa. It's like interior design; changes with the times. If style didn't evolve we'd still have pink curtains like my 1996 Coleman Cheyenne had.