UGLY!!!

[coolmom42]

...new RVs, that is.

I went to the Nashville RV show today. Not with any serious intent to buy, but scoping out the different types/sizes.

I have never in my life seen such a collection of ugly mud-brown cabinetry, dirt-gray floors, and black trim. If I had 10X the money, I wouldn't buy a single one of the new RVs I saw on that floor.

To add insult to injury, most mfrs have used very cool blue-ish toned LED lights, and not nearly enough of them. A very bad combo with the colors inside.

The first one I walked in was a Roadtrek, in which the entire sleeping area was BLACK. It was a dungeon, especially given the poor lighting that was only half turned on.

Don't manufacturers realize that lighter colors would open up the small spaces they are working with?

Many other people were commenting on the dark colors, too.

And don't even get me started on the flashing rope LEDs that also changed color, on the outside of a big 5th wheel. This was the one with a 36" TV outside. I sincerely hope to NEVER be parked near that one.

The cutest thing there was the Little Guy MyPod. Add a screen room, enough space in the vehicle for food & supplies. and a couple could be really comfy.

[KatPalmertoyhau]

We went to an RV show two weeks ago and the difference between this show and the ones we used to go to every single year was: I couldn't tell by the outside colors and designs between one manufacturer and another. You used to easily tell which company made the campers you were looking at. They all seem to be the same dark browns and swirls on the outside. Insides were basicly the same colors and counters. We went in one that actually had light beize walls and it was so much lighter inside even with the dark cabinets and counter tops. I even told the salesman that it was the only one I entered that looks any different than every other manufacturer at the show. We were looking at big 5th wheels mostly. We were also looking for 5th wheel toy haulers but there were only two at the whole show. I do understand why toy haulers would be decorated in darker colors and vinyl furniture. To help hide the dirt brought in from using the toys. We are looking for a 5th wheel toy hauler to handle a large three wheel handicapped vehicle. However we aren't finding many options locally.

[wecamp04]

coolmom42 wrote:
...new RVs, that is.

I went to the Nashville RV show today. Not with any serious intent to buy, but scoping out the different types/sizes.

I have never in my life seen such a collection of ugly mud-brown cabinetry, dirt-gray floors, and black trim. If I had 10X the money, I wouldn't buy a single one of the new RVs I saw on that floor.

To add insult to injury, most mfrs have used very cool blue-ish toned LED lights, and not nearly enough of them. A very bad combo with the colors inside.

The first one I walked in was a Roadtrek, in which the entire sleeping area was BLACK. It was a dungeon, especially given the poor lighting that was only half turned on.

Don't manufacturers realize that lighter colors would open up the small spaces they are working with?

Many other people were commenting on the dark colors, too.

And don't even get me started on the flashing rope LEDs that also changed color, on the outside of a big 5th wheel. This was the one with a 36" TV outside. I sincerely hope to NEVER be parked near that one.

The cutest thing there was the Little Guy MyPod. Add a screen room, enough space in the vehicle for food & supplies. and a couple could be really comfy.

My wife and I were thinking the samething we both said we like the older colors better inside and out I don't like all the brown,black on the outside colors they all look the same to me.Kinda seems all the manufacturers got the same colors

[Steve_B_]

I guess I'll stick with my birch paneling, birds eye maple cabinetry, cracked ice vinyl dinette seats and 50s linoleum flooring. Kind of timeless.

[RobertRyan]

coolmom42 wrote:
went to the Nashville RV show today. Not with any serious intent to buy, but scoping out the different types/sizes.

I have never in my life seen such a collection of ugly mud-brown cabinetry, dirt-gray floors, and black trim. If I had 10X the money, I wouldn't buy a single one of the new RVs I saw on that floor.

A few importers have brought in mainly US Caravans and 5th wheelers over the years. General reaction here, is " they must be joking" It would appear they have a love affair with beige and dark colours
Early 50's Caravan with yellows, greens and blue, curtains and fibreboard cabinets

Australian Beige, Ugly and Dark, common up to the early 2000's

[atperci]

When I saw the article in the most recent issue of MH Magazine regarding this year's manufacturer's show in the mid-west, the first thing that came to mind was no wonder these people cannot build a quality product!

The author of the story stated that one manufacturer was introducing five new lines to their line-up. He even clarifies that its 5 new lines, not models, not trim levels. I think he was even taken aback by how many there were. He also says there are a number of other manufacturers were introducing a new line or two.

As many "lines" of RVs there are, its no wonder there are so many quality control problems in the industry. If they would stop trying to please every individual buyer's taste (or as in this thread repulse) and wasting the hundreds of thousands of dollars in the design phase, they could probably make a quality RV, every owner would be much happier with their purchase.

Do they REALLY have to produce a new design every year?!? What other industry does that for every single item they sell??? They should focus on quality and not worry about "keeping up the Joneses."

We have only bought one "brand new" RV, our first tent trailer. It wasn't too bad, only a few minor warranty items. But it still took the dealer almost two weeks to get to it. We now buy gently used RVs, figuring we'd let someone else take care of the punch list and take the depreciation hit for us. Only had one major problem in the four RVs we've owned (and that was my mistake for not inspecting the roof closer.)

Sorry to ramble on. Just my $0.02! And now back to our regularly scheduled thread...

[noteven]

I'm with you on colors 4x4Dodger - but the very first thing you see posted on here when someone puts up a picture of a durable and functional European or Australian RV is "spartan" and/or "too plain" ...

[4X4Dodger]

In all seriousness I think part of this color scheme madness is that the RV industry heard us saying "I want fabrics that dont show the dirt"

Well if you are an older couple with no pets you can have sofas covered in white Silk in your motorhome. But for a young family with toddlers or teenagers or in-betweens this just isnt practical.

I think this is the market they are aiming at....and those weekend warriors with the 4 off road buzz bombs and two 12 year old boys.

They need to look at the European interiors which are modern, light, airy and easy to clean. There is also some real DESIGN going into those products as opposed to the "second hand store" look of so many of ours.

[4X4Dodger]

Wanderlost wrote:
I think sending this thread to every manufacturer is a great idea. Moving from a 2004 Class A with a lovely light-filled interior to a travel trailer with a dark interior is rather depressing. I've alleviated some of that with bright fabrics.

The space issues, though -- who designs this nonsense? People who don't actually RV? Who don't cook? Who don't need to store clothing, food, dishes, cookware, etc.?

Sheesh.

One of the problems in the design choices and what we get are the RAH! RAH! Cheerleading of the Editors of Motorhome and Trailer Life for these new products.

What would be really useful is an RV Press that wasn't the lapdog of the industry and actually listened to it's readers.

[4X4Dodger]

coolmom42 wrote:

Yeti plus wrote:
We went to the show in London,Ontario last weekend and looked at the 2016 version of our Jayco. The new colour schemes sure made it a different feel inside. Would not think of trading ours for a new one. They say they have a panel of mostly women who pick the interior colours. I would not like to see the interior decoration of their homes if this is what they are recommending.
The other thing that we noticed was the sofa and dinette cushions were leatherette (Vinyl ) and dark brown. I like the feel of fabric.
Brian

I do not believe for one minute that a panel of women pick those colors. If so, they started with a very limited palette.

And why would you need a PANEL of women (or men) to pick ONE color---mud brown???

Actually what they really need are some great designers like the young male couple pictured on Architectural Digest a while back...

It seems that all the RV manufacturers have interior designers that graduated from the Elvis/Graceland Jungle Room School of interior Design.

[qtla9111]

U.S. manufacturers solution for European styling although they are way off on that. Color it anyway you want, they have a long way to go to convince me to buy a new rv.

Construction, quality, size, interiors. No thanks. Hymer just bought Roadtrek, hopefully that will start to open doors to competition. Without it, nothing will change.

[Paul_Clancy]

Some people can afford trendy. I cannot. I buy for long term and so far have not regretted any Rv decor I've owned. There must be a trick to looking at something and knowing in a couple years I'll regret that. It's certainly not about $$ as there are some high dollar rigs that look like a Reno casino and some entry level rigs that are tasteful and welcoming. I would agree the new trends are coming from the toy haulers - garage race track decor -which is fine for those who like that. For the rest not so much.

[pconroy328]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Well we have evolved from mid century "cathouse" to 21st century "vegas strip". Someone (not me) would consider that progress. All of the design school drop outs have to work somewhere?

:B

Exactly.

I really try to keep my opinions to myself, I really do. But when I walked into one, with faux stone, beadboard, blue LED strip lighting, black and silver appliances and a cheesy fake fireplace - I burst out laughing.


Hideous.
No, "hideous" is still being too kind.



Faux brick.
Still cracks me up.

[Dtank]

coolmom42 wrote:
...new RVs, that is.

I went to the Nashville RV show today. Not with any serious intent to buy, but scoping out the different types/sizes.

I have never in my life seen such a collection of ugly mud-brown cabinetry, dirt-gray floors, and black trim. If I had 10X the money, I wouldn't buy a single one of the new RVs I saw on that floor.

To add insult to injury, most mfrs have used very cool blue-ish toned LED lights, and not nearly enough of them. A very bad combo with the colors inside.

The first one I walked in was a Roadtrek, in which the entire sleeping area was BLACK. It was a dungeon, especially given the poor lighting that was only half turned on.

Don't manufacturers realize that lighter colors would open up the small spaces they are working with?

Many other people were commenting on the dark colors, too.

And don't even get me started on the flashing rope LEDs that also changed color, on the outside of a big 5th wheel. This was the one with a 36" TV outside. I sincerely hope to NEVER be parked near that one.

The cutest thing there was the Little Guy MyPod. Add a screen room, enough space in the vehicle for food & supplies. and a couple could be really comfy.

You should consider submitting "New RV" reviews to TL and/or MH magazines...:C

Won't make it to print..:(.. - but.........



.

[Cloud_Dancer]

The only way we could end up with the fabrics, colors, accents, etc that we wanted was to study every thing that was offered, and then special order our motorhome. THEN, we picked it up at the factory so that they could correct their errors: