The Biggest Marketing Scam Success in the RV world
It seems to me that as a group (RV'ers) we are uniquely targeted and susceptible to some of the most clever Marketing ploys to get us to spend money on needless things that are of questionable utility if not outright useless.
Here is a list of things that I, after considerable thought and in some cases a good amount of research, or my engineering experience tells me are really just suplerflous products designed to separate us from our hard earned money and are of no real value.
Note: this is a personal list you may agree or disagree with items on it and that is fine with me. This list is not meant to be complete or exhaustive it's just a sampling of the Folly.
RV TOILET PAPER - probably THE biggest scam of all. Normal household paper works just fine.
EXPENSIVE BLACK TANK DEODORIZERS - I have tried both ways using and not using - My black tank doesnt leak odors into the trailer in the first place and when emptying I find the smell isnt affected one way or the other...it;'s always bad. And I have never noticed any difference in the...shall we say...consistency..of what is flowing down the drain?
SPECIALLY LABELED AND MARKETED SLIDE LUBE - Just go buy a can of Dry Silicone Lubricant from Home Depot at 1/3 less.
HONDA GENERATORS - Now Hondas are a great product and a very good generator. But I can buy THREE dual fuel Champions rated at 3800 Watts for the price of ONE 2000 Watt Honda.
QUIET GENERATORS - Perversly I believe the trend to really quiet generators is misguided. It seems to me that those with what they consider to be the "quiet" generators feel free to run them anytime they want for as long as they want. Those of us with slightly noisier units I think are more careful and tend to obey the rules on generator times better than many with the quiet ones.
PLASTIC DECORATIVE PINK FLAMINGOS - Nothing more need be said
ANTI SWAY BAR SYSTEMS - This is probably the most contentious item on my list. But there are absolutely NO independent third party tests that back up ANY of the claims of these products. They are marketed based on fear and with very dubious if not outright claims of safety all unproven. If you load your trailer correctly and know how to drive it and you do not have an underlying mechanical issue with axles or suspension or tires (which should be addressed anyway) you wont have a swaying trailer. If you think I am wrong I will come and drive your truck and trailer anywhere you say without the sway bars and it will pull true and straight for me. (that is if you are willing to make the necessary changes) As a piece of gear that may add peace of mind it may be valuable. But to me it engenders a false sense of security in place of driver competence.
SPECIALIZED RV CLEANING PRODUCTS - You can do it all with what is already available at the grocery store or Autozone. No need to pay extra to have the RV on the label.
There are many more I could add here and I am sure each has their own list. Likewise there are many products that are so idiosyncratic that it defies listing.
So if you have any to add feel free. I'd like to read them. If you disagree with my conclusions...no problem, but at least back up your claims with some sound reasoning and facts please don't just rant at me.
Here is a list of things that I, after considerable thought and in some cases a good amount of research, or my engineering experience tells me are really just suplerflous products designed to separate us from our hard earned money and are of no real value.
Note: this is a personal list you may agree or disagree with items on it and that is fine with me. This list is not meant to be complete or exhaustive it's just a sampling of the Folly.
RV TOILET PAPER - probably THE biggest scam of all. Normal household paper works just fine.
EXPENSIVE BLACK TANK DEODORIZERS - I have tried both ways using and not using - My black tank doesnt leak odors into the trailer in the first place and when emptying I find the smell isnt affected one way or the other...it;'s always bad. And I have never noticed any difference in the...shall we say...consistency..of what is flowing down the drain?
SPECIALLY LABELED AND MARKETED SLIDE LUBE - Just go buy a can of Dry Silicone Lubricant from Home Depot at 1/3 less.
HONDA GENERATORS - Now Hondas are a great product and a very good generator. But I can buy THREE dual fuel Champions rated at 3800 Watts for the price of ONE 2000 Watt Honda.
QUIET GENERATORS - Perversly I believe the trend to really quiet generators is misguided. It seems to me that those with what they consider to be the "quiet" generators feel free to run them anytime they want for as long as they want. Those of us with slightly noisier units I think are more careful and tend to obey the rules on generator times better than many with the quiet ones.
PLASTIC DECORATIVE PINK FLAMINGOS - Nothing more need be said
ANTI SWAY BAR SYSTEMS - This is probably the most contentious item on my list. But there are absolutely NO independent third party tests that back up ANY of the claims of these products. They are marketed based on fear and with very dubious if not outright claims of safety all unproven. If you load your trailer correctly and know how to drive it and you do not have an underlying mechanical issue with axles or suspension or tires (which should be addressed anyway) you wont have a swaying trailer. If you think I am wrong I will come and drive your truck and trailer anywhere you say without the sway bars and it will pull true and straight for me. (that is if you are willing to make the necessary changes) As a piece of gear that may add peace of mind it may be valuable. But to me it engenders a false sense of security in place of driver competence.
SPECIALIZED RV CLEANING PRODUCTS - You can do it all with what is already available at the grocery store or Autozone. No need to pay extra to have the RV on the label.
There are many more I could add here and I am sure each has their own list. Likewise there are many products that are so idiosyncratic that it defies listing.
So if you have any to add feel free. I'd like to read them. If you disagree with my conclusions...no problem, but at least back up your claims with some sound reasoning and facts please don't just rant at me.
