RV Mfg's Missing a new market segment

westernrvparkowner wrote:

fulltimedaniel wrote:
To all of those that responded with bunkhouse model suggestions and pointed out that I obviously was not looking. I think I stated in my original post that the bunkhouse was not a real option as they are mostly designed for kids and would require fairly extensive modifications. That is not something you really want to do with a brand new trailer. Most bunkhouse models have nothing more than a curtain between it and the rest of the floorplan.

Further for those full timing a real separate bedroom is a very real need. One needs privacy and sometimes solitude.

Camping for a weekend or week is another matter this is not what I was addressing.

One can certainly make an argument for the market. It would not be huge but would be significant I am sure. I meet many such folks on the road all the time.

Some few do exist but they are thin on the ground.

If you feel so strongly that this is a need that isn't being fulfilled and the market is so significant take the lead and work to make it happen.
Create a business plan. Get some actual market data. Organize some like minded individuals and build a manufacturing plant and build them. Don't have friends who want to be in the manufacturing business, present your plans to venture capitalists and be the CEO. Or, put your business plan out there on GoFundMe.
There is a saying in the automobile business, there is an Ass for every seat. That being said, you can't make a specialized vehicle for each of those asses. Heck, I saw recently where someone bought one of the Oscar Meyer Weiner cars. That doesn't mean that GM should start a production line to pump out a few hundred thousand of them. Taking that maximum of 400 square feet that is allowed in RVs and allocating much more than normal to bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens isn't going to leave much for what the average person looks for, which is living space. Your needs are very much a very small niche market, and the responses here seem to indicate there are some choices within that niche that could meet your needs. If none of those work, you have the next best solution, do it yourself. I don't think you are going to find multiple manufacturers that are going to do it for you. (BTW, there is another option, Newell or Foretravel would build what you want, right down to the colors and trim. All it would take is time and money, and I mean lots of both.)

I find your post interesting on several levels. One it seems that you assume I know nothing of business. Well I admit that I am not part of the Forbes 500 but I have been CEO of publicly held companies as well as my own. I have built several successful businesses from the ground up both here in the states and overseas.

I am retired and have absolutely no interest in getting back to work like that again. My first retirement (At 54) ended with me owning my Own hotel, land development, Hotel Rest supply and a paper supply company. I don't need to work anymore. My workaholic days are finally behind me.

I am only fulltiming until I return overseas to live. I may buy another trailer or not. I bought the one I am in because it fits into 90 percent of all Natl Parks and USFS campsites and has two separate sleeping areas.

But more to the point is this. Business grows by adding market share or creating or capturing new emerging markets. When Fed Ex first started many people didnt understand why we needed anything delivered Overnight. When Apple created it's first tiny, virtually toy home computer few saw the real potential. Including many smart business people. Those are just two famous examples of how the business world didnt get a trend that was out there.

The RV industry is lagging far behind, in technology, in build quality, in interior design and in design overall. They are still making a 1940's product stuffed with 1960's technology (with a few notable exceptions like usb outlets and smart TV's)

I am sure you must agree that much of the RV industry is just copycat follow the leader thinking. Just look at the floorplans of the available units on the market. Almost every Mfg has the same exact floorplan as the next guy. Right down to the Square feet allotted to each area. There really is very little original design or thinking going into most RV floorplans, interiors and their design. And given the number of complaints I read all over the press, internet and in person about the limitations of many RV's I'd say there is definitely a lot of room for improvement.

I am a bit surprised at the tone of some posts here and why this seemingly innocuous subject ignited so many pointed if not outright rude responses.(I am not citing yours here)

The more market segments you can deliver to profitably the more successful your business will be. Look at cars. The reason there are literally hundreds of models out there is to capture every market segment possible.

I never claimed that this shared housing/RVing segment was huge. Only that it was definitely large enough to cater to profitably.