RV Mfg's Missing a new market segment

[fulltimedaniel]

After full timing for two years now and meeting and talking to hundreds of other fellow travelers one thing is apparent to me.

The RV Manufacturers are missing or unaware of a significant market segment that wants and buys RV's

I am talking about the many many people who travel together that are not married or a couple (of either or both sexes)that do not sleep together and need two bedrooms or at least two separate and private sleeping areas.

The overwhelming majority of trailers are designed for couples or for a family with children.

While this market segment isnt huge it is significant and growing. Some have dubbed it the Golden Girls...or Boys phenomena. There are an increasing number of non related older people living together and sharing expenses.

In my recent tour of about 5 Large RV dealers looking for such a trailer I got mostly dumb looks (a normal response at many dealers to any question) and rather condescending responses based on my marital status. And no trailers to look at.

It will be nice when the RV manufacturers wake up to good design, interiors that dont look like Liberaces Bedroom and more efficient and appealing designs...to say nothing of needed equipment like (gasp) shock absorbers on every trailer.

Instead we get over the top frothy designs that maximize TV viewing inside and out (a terrible idea that should be stamped out now)instead of true livability.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Walaby wrote:
Not to change the subject per se, but Im still trying to figure out the references I keep seeing about Liberace's bedroom. I've never been in his bedroom, so I can't comment first hand.

Seen the reference previous as well to a house of ill repute. Is this a Class A type of deal, because the TT and 5ers I've checked out sure aren't that way.

Every look at some of the $650K + motorhomes?

Mirrors on the ceilings, fancy decorative molding that adds nothing but costs and cleaning difficulty to the rig. Highly polished, almost mirror like wood finishes.

I've never see his bedroom, but I've seen movies of house of ill repute - as apparently have some of the motorhome interior decorators.

[CavemanCharlie]

I didn't read this whole thread. I once had a small Travel Trailer that had 2 full size couches on each side of the large dinette. The idea being that you put the dinette down used the cushions to make a double bed. When camping with a buddy We would just move the dinette outside and use the couches / cushions as 2 single beds. Worked wonderfully really.

With the TT I have now I just have a bed in the front and the fold the dinette down to be a separate bed. The dinette bed is shorter though so A short person has to sleep there. (That ends up being me. lol)

[BulldawgFan]

After reading this whole thread, a fee thoughts amd observations.

1) Any of us who rv know that the rv lifestyle is all about comprise. The point has been made and demonstrated that there are options out there. Ironically, the OP seems more caught up in the argument than being appreciative to those who took the time to research and find an option. Back to compromise, almost nothing will be perfect, having just attended a large rv show this weekend amd looking at a future upgrade, it's challenging to find the perfect rig. We all I bet had to compromise some feature. But there is another option, which leads to the next point...
2) Custom build. Mobile Suites recently finished their first travel trailer for a customer. All the benefits of a 5th wheel, to include storage, and built to the customers direct specs and appointments. Even so, there is still a compromise, cost amd weight. Final price was $215,000 and weight of just over 20,000 lbs. So agsin, there is an option, but with maybe the most major compromise.
3) Maybe there is an even more harsh reality. A more definitive compromise. Perhaps rving simply isn't in the cards for these folks due to cost. Perfect unit aside, we all know that even though on the surface it may seem affordable, rving full time is expensive. There are lots of things in life I would like to do, but at the end of the day there are many limiting factors. Yet another comprimise.

Perhaps the best lesson here this would teach us is have good financial planning in place directly towards your goals.

Oh yeah....and that life (like the rv industry) is a compromise.

And like the song say....You can't always get what you want.

[Lantley]

I agree there seem to be floorplans available to meet the OP's criteria.
Some of the debate concerning the matter is just banter for the sake of banter.
The floorplans already exist.

[2012Coleman]

Agree - there are at least two posts in this thread for units that come or can be optioned to offer two (closed off with walls and doors) bedrooms - from 2 different manufacturers. There are also lots of older units with this same option no longer being produced, so this covers those wanting to buy used.

So yes, manufacturers have filled this small market segment - now and in the past. And no, it's not a dumb idea as most commenters in the negative vein are not full timers, or can't think outside the box, or just want to argue about something they can't perceive.

Case closed IMO.

[Walaby]

Judging by the responses in this thread.. in particular the last few, which point out very viable options, and floor plans that accommodate the need, it would appear that the manufacturers have addressed (or are addressing), this niche need.

You can't expect anywhere near the options of larger audience, and quite frankly, probably don't want it. Look into the options that were presented.

Mike

[travelnutz]

Jayco makes an Eagle HT 29.5 bunk house 5th wheel model that has a full or queen lower bed at each end which each can also be closed off for privacy too. Each end has a closet for clothes. Has an outside kitchen option that slides in under the rear bed. Can also be had with bunks in the rear so it will sleep up to 8 with having the dinette eating area.

[drsteve]

I was watching some RV show on TV, and they showed a large BH floorplan trailer with a front queen BR, and a bunkhouse section in the rear that was a completely separate room with slide, with it's own bathroom, entertainment center, and an exterior door. Unfortunately I do not recall the brand of the trailer.

[MrWizard]

He isn't asking about separate beds, campers have always had extra beds

He thinks Mfg are missing a viable market
Having two complete separate bedrooms with walls and doors
Some place besides the bathroom to change into night clothes
And able to close the door to your own bedroom for the night
He wants two bedrooms

I guess Mfg could build them with a twin bed on each end of the tt
And a combo kitchen living area in the middle ?

Would have to be a towable , not practical in a mh because of driving is done from the front

[drsteve]

Hybrid TTs have beds at both ends, as do bunkhouses. Separate bedrooms aren't unusual, you just have to look for them.

[fulltimedaniel]

cmcdar wrote:
OMG!!!

Someone wishing for camper with two private sleeping areas is thought to be an 'unusual demand'.

I can't imagine for the life of me why people can not imagine two or more elderly, not married, people wanting to travel together comfortably.

Just because you are older and now ALONE does not mean you do not still enjoy camping just as much as you did when you were younger. A great many older folks continue to snowbird alone but many do find a friend/companion to travel with.

Why is it unusual to desire a private sleeping/dressing area?

Somewhere someone decided that it would be "highly disireable" to have a kitchen outdoors and lo and behold...

Somewhere someone decided that it would be "highly desirable" to have a FIREPLACE in you camper and lo and behold...

Somewhere someone decided that it would be highly desirable" to have a GARAGE in your camper and lo and behold...

There are a plethora of options available in RV/campers that I would have no use for. No problem, I don't have to buy one because there are CHOICES.

For crying out loud, changing a layout to make a sleeping area on both ends is not ROCKET SCIENCE. Some people act like the OP had appearantly stepped over that invisible line into the unthinkable...

Thanks for your post and I think it is a fitting place to end this conversation.

Here is a statistic to think about: According to the Population Reference Bureau and the US cnesus:

"(February 2014) The U.S. baby-boom generation – those born between 1946 and 1964 – is the largest generation in American history and a major force in the country’s demographic future. And given that 33 percent of these baby boomers are single, they may face economic, social, and health disadvantages because they aren't married."

There are those that will always be satisfied with the status quo and those like me who are not. I simply see it differently.

[fulltimedaniel]

free radical wrote:
There are always people with unusual ideas,demands (nothing wrong with that btw)
And this tread reminds me of someone on expedition forum being set on designing building and selling humongous self contained home on wheels and also pulling trailer with hidden 4x4 all over the world,,allegedly aimed at very rich retired couples..nice idea but slightly out of touch with reality of who exactly would be interested in such vehicle

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/124789-TerraLiner-12-m-Globally-Mobile-Beach-House-Cla...

This may be a bit off topic and I am not sure if you meant your post satirically or not but actually those expedition vehicles (Not necessarily like the one pictured) are very popular with the Europeans and at any given time there are thousands of them traversing the Globe.

Their history goes back to the 1960's and 1970's when companies primarily in Britain started doing what was called Overland tours using trucks very similar but that could carry up to 15 people. these tours usually started in London and ended in CapeTown South Africa.

Those tours were very popular with my generation in Europe and in retirement those same folks have bought their own Expedition Vehicles and travel the world with them. It is not unusual to see them in the US.

Last year when I was in La Paz Baja 3 or 4 of these come through there every day headed either north to the States from South America or back south. (they take the ferry from La Paz to the mainland)

When I lived in Asia and in Egypt I saw these on an almost daily basis. Some of them are quite amazing and usually based on European Military vehicles or commercial trucks. It seems like a good way to see the world to me.

[Walaby]

Not to change the subject per se, but Im still trying to figure out the references I keep seeing about Liberace's bedroom. I've never been in his bedroom, so I can't comment first hand.

Seen the reference previous as well to a house of ill repute. Is this a Class A type of deal, because the TT and 5ers I've checked out sure aren't that way.

Maybe I grew up wrong and don't recognize it.. I dunno....

Mike

[fulltimedaniel]

MrWizard wrote:
These hundreds of people that you talked to
They are RV people already traveling that Would prefer having separate totally private bedrooms, but share an existing RV now?

Or people not traveling that said they would IF they could get a tt with two bedrooms ?

Actually they are both. And part of the problem here is that my guess would be that some of the posters do not know anyone in that situation and therefore have a hard time believing how many there are.

Doesnt it strike you a bit odd the adamancy of a few here in their responses to what was essentially an innocuous and harmless statement? The people who I have met who are traveling express the desire for a decent two bedrooom layout that of course isnt 40 plus feet long. and those that I have spoken to who want to RV and don't is because they really want and require the two bedrooms. Many of these are women by the way who do not want to undertake a renovation of an existing trailer.

There are lots of niche markets catered to by the RV industry (have you seen that trailer with the deck on it?)I just believe they are missing an important and valuable market here. 🙂

[cmcdar]

OMG!!!

Someone wishing for camper with two private sleeping areas is thought to be an 'unusual demand'.

I can't imagine for the life of me why people can not imagine two or more elderly, not married, people wanting to travel together comfortably.

Just because you are older and now ALONE does not mean you do not still enjoy camping just as much as you did when you were younger. A great many older folks continue to snowbird alone but many do find a friend/companion to travel with.

Why is it unusual to desire a private sleeping/dressing area?

Somewhere someone decided that it would be "highly disireable" to have a kitchen outdoors and lo and behold...

Somewhere someone decided that it would be "highly desirable" to have a FIREPLACE in you camper and lo and behold...

Somewhere someone decided that it would be highly desirable" to have a GARAGE in your camper and lo and behold...

There are a plethora of options available in RV/campers that I would have no use for. No problem, I don't have to buy one because there are CHOICES.

For crying out loud, changing a layout to make a sleeping area on both ends is not ROCKET SCIENCE. Some people act like the OP had appearantly stepped over that invisible line into the unthinkable...