The perfect RV

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

Just bit of shoppers rant, I guess:
DW and I have been kicking around ideas of what we want in our "perfect RV" now that we have a few years of "hard shell" camping experience behind us with our first TT. We are not full-timers and likely never will be, but we would like to buy everything we want in the next unit and hopefully use if for a very long time and be prepared for anything.
After a recent camping weekend, this issue really became a hot topic and so I have been doing the preliminary research.
The frustration is in the fact that in order to get features we really do want, we end up with stuff that we don't. We don't need super fancy trim and accent lights everywhere and blue-tooth controls and a TV on a "lift" that hides in the cabinet, heated / vibrating cushions and LED lit cup holders on the couch. But we do really want a few things like a king bed with more bedroom storage, a kitchen with a larger fridge and more cabinets. It just seems like this feature seem to equal a unit that's "luxury" appointed (though I think half the junk is just gadgets to make the average buyer go ga-ga and open their wallet wider.....I guess there aren't many people buying RV's like me.....

[Gjac]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
Part of me wants to treat another RV purchase like a gov't purchase bid -- give a list of must have spec's to a few dealers and tell 'em to call me with the price when they find one that meets those spec's.

I have browsed around a bunch of custom mfr's sites and it sure seems like they really cater to full timers / large units, but I did see some info that I will research more.

I'd like to stay with something no longer than our current TT / TV setup, even though I know we may end up getting a new TV (truck) and going for a 5th wheel. A few feet longer over the bed could still be under our current OAL.

Grand Design and Jayco units seem to be in the top 10 units we see that fit our most important wants / needs.

I have done this with 4 different dealers but never heard back from any of them. They just want to sell you what the have on their lot.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

Part of me wants to treat another RV purchase like a gov't purchase bid -- give a list of must have spec's to a few dealers and tell 'em to call me with the price when they find one that meets those spec's.

I have browsed around a bunch of custom mfr's sites and it sure seems like they really cater to full timers / large units, but I did see some info that I will research more.

I'd like to stay with something no longer than our current TT / TV setup, even though I know we may end up getting a new TV (truck) and going for a 5th wheel. A few feet longer over the bed could still be under our current OAL.

Grand Design and Jayco units seem to be in the top 10 units we see that fit our most important wants / needs.

[bukhrn]

You can have anything you want or don't want in your perfect RV. $$$$$

[Walaby]

This issue is not unique to RV's. Automobiles, cell phone plans, even cable TV is a compromise. In order to get channels you want, you have to accept channels you don't.

I think the only choices you have are custom, or find the best fit and upgrade/modify as necessary to suit you.

Just the way the market seems to work these days.

Mike

[Campfire_Time]

Even if you can customize an order there is always some compromise. Find the best fit and make modifications that are closer to your needs and live with it.

[2012Coleman]

Take a look at Grand Design

[Old-Biscuit]

Simple solution.

GO CUSTOM

http://rvsandcargotrailers.com/towable-rvs/

http://www.travelunits.com/

http://spacecraftmfg.com/

http://www.colmansrv.com/Hidden/RV-Builder.aspx

http://horizonsrv.com/

http://trekkertrailers.com/



Or find a Brand/Model you basically like and then talk with factory rep about 'deletions/additions' and order it

We did ------deleted some items we didn't want and added some other items on our factory order

[kknowlton]

Agreed: there is no such thing as the "perfect RV." There's always something you don't want, some issue you have with quality or construction, some part of it that doesn't work quite right, some "perfect" combination of features or floorplan that absolutely no one makes. Sigh. Such is life.

[Tiger4x4RV]

I've had RV's in my life for over 60 years and I firmly believe that there is no perfect RV. You choose the one which is the best fit for you and you go out and enjoy it.

[3oaks]

I know your frustration. Just like purchasing a new vehicle. To get a few very useful options we want, we had to select the top tier packages with all the bells and whistles, some of which we will never use.

Now for TTs, the manufactures seem to think people like my wife and I that want a trailer no longer than 26'or 27' also don't want the luxury trim and upgraded upholstery they only offer in their much longer trailers. Naturally I'm not talking larger appliances and furniture, just a little more upscale furnishings.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I think it's almost like RV have out-thought themselves. We now own a 2009 unit that was top of the line back then, and still suits us quite nicely. Trouble is, modern technology gets built into everything now.

We have not used the DVD player, rarely use the main TV, but we do enjoy coffee in bed so I added a nice little TV into the bedroom. Also, we like to have fresh ground, but we like to boondock too, so an inverter was also added.

But the idea of outside kitchens, outside TV's, and sound systems just isn't us. But wait... the electric awning is just wonderful.. but the steps are still manual, not electric.

Going top end used to mean quality, now it seems to mean added junk but not solid quality.