Forum Discussion
- I like it, though that might be because I own something similar, albiet less fancy. I like most of the entire concept, except it needs a kitchen, but overall I think it is a very neat concept. Airstream has been trying similar things for years now, from the Basecamp to the Eddie Bauer trailers. They all have a similar design to this, just different functions.
I don't see how someone could think that it is claustrophobic. The giant skylights, wrap around front window, and unobstructed view out the rear would make the trailer feel bigger then it is. I really dislike most trailers sold here in the US because they don't have enough light. I don't go camping to sit in a box with a handful windows that you can barely see out of.
I'm definitely drawn to trailers that have a lot of windows, it is just a shame there aren't many. Some 5er's do ok with windows, but I don't want to lose the bed space. Motorhomes are nice because of the windshields and they typically have more windows throughout, but I really don't want the $$$ that come along with one. Airstreams are nice for their windows, but again $$$ for what you are really getting.
Manufactures can do better, but American buyers need to step up and be willing to pay for it. I think we are slowly getting there though. 5 years ago it was unheard of for people to spend 25K on a compact car. Now, people like myself, are buying them for more than that and car manufactures are taking notice. Just for example, look at the Ford Focus interior lately, the car tops out a little over 30K now:
wilber1 wrote:
Like this one or not, North America is not the place to look for innovation in smaller, lighter more efficient RV's. The trend here continues to be ever bigger and heavier.
I've seen the opposite in my neck of the woods, but I'm sure each area of the country is different (Ford is having a big boom on F-150 sales, for example.) I am guessing that I'm seeing smaller rigs due to fuel prices constantly on the rise.
One place, Princess Craft, which sells smaller TTs and TCs is having a booming business. Any short "C"s or "B"s go at inflated prices.
I'm just hoping things change in some direction. Last RV show I went to had models that were identical to last year, except the RV makers went overboard with putting televisions everywhere, especially on the larger fifth wheels.
I'm sure things will be changing in the next few years. Sticking the same old square box on the Ford E-series chassis is going to be a thing of the past pretty soon, because the T-series that replaces it is a completely different design. The RV industry is going to have to start from the ground up with motorhomes.
It will be interesting times as we see the V10, the staple of most class C rigs, be replaced by a V6 on the gasser side, and a I-5 on the diesel side (assuming RV makers continue with Ford and don't jump to the Dodge or Mercedes chassis.)- Some of the replies on this thread remind of when the 4 cyl engines in toads started being the norm, how they would blow up at 50,000 miles because they ran way to high RPM,when diesels would get you 12-14 mpg in a big rig,the Ford V-10 would never make it to a 100k, on and on, change comes hard and slow.
- Like this one or not, North America is not the place to look for innovation in smaller, lighter more efficient RV's. The trend here continues to be ever bigger and heavier.
- Way too "George Jetson-esque" for me. Reminds me of those sterile "homes of the future" newsreels from back in the 1950's.
JJBIRISH wrote:
I hope you are right about the transitions, but my experience with the RV industry for the last 40+ years has shown any transition to be painfully slow… if there is cost to the industry involved it’s like a permanent road block… an example is the 50’s style brakes still being their staple brakes… I mean come on self-adjusting drum brakes are 30 years late even being an option and 20 years late as being standard equipment, coupled with the lower quality suspension parts, still of vintage style…
I am getting too old to hope or expect more from them…
I agree there will be some advances in the high end units that in time will work their way down if they can command and become cheaper from volume purchasing…
X2
I'm still waiting for tires with a safety margin greater than 1%!
Steve- UGLY
sgip2000 wrote:
I'd much rather have a big, ugly box than that POS.
OK, Here you go!
Only $11,000. on the local CraigsList!
cdlaine wrote:
JJ,
You are absolutely correct, I was splitting hairs...nit-
picking.
I'm thinking the transition to newer tech. in the RV industry
will happen sooner rather then later... too much global marketplace
competition to remain static. The cool thing about it... the changes
won't just be eye candy... they will be functional eye candy.
Charles
I don’t care if you are splitting hairs but I wouldn’t say nit-picking…
I know my explanation sounds more complicated than theirs but it’s really not the information is pretty straight forward… MH”s are more complicated because of the passenger allowances…,
I hope you are right about the transitions, but my experience with the RV industry for the last 40+ years has shown any transition to be painfully slow… if there is cost to the industry involved it’s like a permanent road block… an example is the 50’s style brakes still being their staple brakes… I mean come on self-adjusting drum brakes are 30 years late even being an option and 20 years late as being standard equipment, coupled with the lower quality suspension parts, still of vintage style…
I am getting too old to hope or expect more from them…
I agree there will be some advances in the high end units that in time will work their way down if they can command and become cheaper from volume purchasing…- JJ,
You are absolutely correct, I was splitting hairs...nit-
picking.
I'm thinking the transition to newer tech. in the RV industry
will happen sooner rather then later... too much global marketplace
competition to remain static. The cool thing about it... the changes
won't just be eye candy... they will be functional eye candy.
Charles
