Wish List to design better RVs

[magnusfide]

We haven't done this in awhile: a thread about our wish list for improvements in RV design in the hopes manufacturers will take notice and make a more practical and reliable RV. One suggestion from the past has begun to be offered - the hot water on demand water heater.

To get the ideas flowing, here's mine:
- More durable roofing: also stop cutting holes in the roof for AC units which make opportunities for leaking as the RV ages and makes the unit taller for air drag. Install them in the sides and use the floor ducting.
- Kitchen: two burner stoves as standard for more counter space. These are showing up more but it's not universal... yet:B
- Storage: modular closets/cabinets options. Think IKEA and let the customers create the configuration that suits them eg floor to ceiling tall or multiple short closets and everywhere in-between. This could be done easily with a designated wardrobe space in the floorplan. With twin beds the logical place is in between. :w
- Rear window: eliminate it. It's cold in winter and hot in summer, usually right over our heads in the bed. There's enough light in the bedroom which is for sleeping AND it can't be used for backing anyway.
-Fuel mileage: we're seeing improvements, thankfully but the class Cs need a fuel efficient gasoline option vs the diesels being used.

Any others?

[2gypsies1]

magnusfide wrote:
I'm with the 'no slideout' vote. Thieves have been using the vulnerability of the slideout to break into the rigs: re Cracker Barrel incident.

Huh? In our 16 years of full-timing and being around full-timers constantly we've never heard of a break-in instance, much less through a slide. This was, most likely, a one-time thing - breakins can happen anyplace to anyone with a regular house, car, etc. It's not a RV thing and certainly no a slide thing.

[ctpres]

Windows that allow air flow - the "new improved" frameless windows suck at that.

Emergency exits that can be used without injury. Example 5th and motor homes with rear windows. Side opening window - step out onto platform and climb down ladder.

Colors that don't make ovens out of RV's in the sun. Save energy and money - happier campers.

Start two year wty's and eventually move to three year - guaranteed to improve quality.

Listen to owners in forums. At least one employee per major product/line with full time job of keeping up with internet posts. Complaints, complements and suggestions. AND give that person input to future design changes.

RV documentation by model/year online just for current owner. Wiring, product manuals, specifications, recalls done and needed etc. Plug in VIN, proof of ownership and get as built info and more.

Fire alarms designed for occupant safety. Not very expensive to have each model and floor plan fire alarm approved by a certified fire alarm planner. RVIA is way off base on this subject. Last time I read RVIA fire spec's only one smoke detector required for any size RV. Any residential fire alarm planner would require THREE smoke detectors for our floor plan. Thanks to Thor it did come with two.

Require every vendor/supplier to maintain website with full documentation - warranty, installation, operation, maintenance/repair and parts list for supplied hardware.

Every RV mfg should provide a list of preferred service facilities. If they don't do a good job day in and day out - they get bumped off list. AND when they get really brave - a list of shops to avoid.

Any of the above in my lifetime? Probably not.

[magnusfide]

I'm with the 'no slideout' vote. Thieves have been using the vulnerability of the slideout to break into the rigs: re Cracker Barrel incident.

No holes in the rooftop prevents vulnerable spots for leaks. AC is a necessity in warmer latitudes.: put the unit in the back wall, not the roof and use ducting if needed.

I'm going to add: more electrical outlets.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

-Would not be without our micro/convection oven. It's what we have used in the stick house for over 30 years.
-Would NOT buy a rig with only a 2 burner stove and no oven. We do however store pots and pans in the oven.
-A really LARGE roof vent or at least side windows that open fully. Have you seen the European rigs? (Not the big 4X4s or 6Xs) where the roof vent is at least 3 feet by 4 and opens almost to the vertical? It will let a LOT of hot air out for dry camping in hot climates.
-Real batteries. I remember years ago we saw a 40 Class A with ONE group 27 battery and a 10KW generator! I remember hoping it would never park next to me!
-Cabinets and storage. Take a lesson from yachts for Pete's sake!
-As mentioned several times, having a few skilled tradesmen involved in the manufacture would be nice.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Less bling.

Less technology. Just use simple, dependable equipment.

YES, PLEASE !

Some people just don't want a TV or an outside kitchen.

Especially the neighbours. ("Neighbors") for those who insist on USA misspellings. :B

[GaryS1953]

We'd like to see a couples trailer WITHOUT a slide, longer than 23'. 25' to 27' would give enough room for the bedroom to have a wall and door, decent counter space, and room between the sofa and the counter. Also, I know many people don't want holes in the roof, but we LOVE the 3 roof vents / skylights on our 1996 small fifth wheel. The vents are the first thing we open when the trailer is too warm, hardly ever use the AC, and would never use it when boondocking.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab, 1996 Coachmen Catalina 25' Fifth Wheel. Looking for the perfect couples trailer.

[hokeypokey]

Those awful dead spaces ! We've opened up numerous dead spaces in our RV and made useable spaces. Door under the TV was awkward, since it opened the wrong direction. DH corrected it and now swings the other way. A dab of wood putty filled the screw holes.

[magnusfide]

Another wish (thanks to this thread): intruder alarms as standard. RV b&e are on the rise. One couple related how they were in a Cracker Barrel for about 35 minutes and when they returned to their RV in the parking lot, the thieves had made away with their valuables by breaking into the slideout.

[cltkids]

Pay more attention to sleeping areas. Usually they are way to small for adults. Bunk beds and dinette convertibles are only good for kids or very short people

I agree! We have a 24 year old autistic son who is 5ft 10 who will be with us for some time and we cannot find very many DP bunk models with bunks larger than 72 inches! Only the new Newmar Ventana has 76 inch bunks... If you know of another, let me know!

[skrams]

magnusfide wrote:
Rear window: eliminate it. It's cold in winter and hot in summer, usually right over our heads in the bed. There's enough light in the bedroom which is for sleeping AND it can't be used for backing anyway.

Our bed is in the slide so no window over it. But we like having the back window, both to look out when camping, and to have a quick peek at the toad when travelling - sometimes the rear view camera isn't clear enough

[magnusfide]

Great list, ependydad. You just reminded me of another "hole in the roof": bath fans. At the top of my suggestions list for maunufacturers is to stop cutting holes in the roof! And make more durable roofing (read no more membranes)! Leaking from the holes made for fans, skylights and the AC cause the whole rig to deteriorate and lose value = very unhappy customers.

To the Manufacturers:
Fans, AC and Windows on the sidewalls are by and far, less likely to cause leaks. As one poster put it: it's not 1966 anymore! The roof doesn't need to withstand atmospheric re-entry at 3 Gs. It just needs to hold up for 15 years. So put that American ingenuity to work and re-design the roofing for more durability then stop cutting holes in it!

[ependydad]

Heh, I've been working on a detailed list of requirements if I ever do a custom build... I fulltime with my family of 4.

- 42' to 45' fifth wheel
- bunkhouse model (with the ability to sleep 3)
- plenty of closet/drawer space in the bunkhouse for clothes and misc.
things like games/diapers/etc.
- 1 1/2 bath
- a side bath for the master bath, not a walk through one (unless both
the shower + toilet are behind separate doors)
- queen size bed in master bedroom
- power fans + vent covers in each bathroom
- outdoor kitchen with fridge, sink, and maybe a microwave (cooktop is
not required, but an outdoor mountable grill would be preferred)
- In the fullbath, using a large shower size (48x30)
- 2 way fridge, double-door with ice maker
- desk space in the master bedroom
- seating in the living area that faces the TV
- seating in the living area that you can sit across/diagonally from
each other to talk (vs. in a line)
- if possible, u-shaped dinette
- stackable washer/dryer hookups
- able to access the fridge, a bathroom, and master bedroom with slides in
- interior steps should be residential height
- exterior steps should be 4-steps
- exterior steps should have flip-down supports (2 per sets of steps)
- WifiRanger Elite pack installed
- Wiring conduit from roof to basement for solar installation
- Power - 12v + 120v + USB (4) in a "tech cabinet"
- 12v USB charging outlets near most power outlets (bedrooms, near TVs)
- Outlets in/at each bunk
- PSW inverter installed to operate camper when on battery
- 6 deep cell batteries
- 17.5" wheels
- generator
- 3 air conditioners - QUIET for bedrooms
- lights inside of closets + shoe cabinet (if one exists in the nose
of the fifth wheel)
- dual pane windows
- high rated/good insulation
- no sewer handles under slides
- storage for sewer hose (similar to 5" PVC fence post mod)
- 6 point hydraulic leveling system/landing gear
- hydraulic slides with individual switches/controls
- residential-sized convection microwave in kitchen
- lock on bathroom & master bedroom doors
- dishwasher
- midship turn signals
- side and rear camera (with sound)
- fire supression in basement + fridge areas
- under bed storage has lifts
- high pressure LP hookup before regulator to support external grill
- hard-wired EMS installed
- mounting for Watts whole house regulator
- smoke detectors in each bedroom, wired together
- Corian counters (that don't scratch easily!)
- large grab handles at each door
- light switches that are all opposite to the door hinge inside the
room you're going into
- insulation in nose of fifth wheel
- deep cabinets should have pull out shelves
- water manifold system to shut off specific lines/areas of the camper
at one shot
- large tanks - fresh water, gray, black

[3oaks]

I'd settle for better workmanship and quality work during the construction.

I spent more time reworking more things on my new 2016 Arctic Fox TT than I had in all the ten years we owned our Sunline TT which we had outgrown. :M

I convinced there aren't any skilled tradesmen working in the RV industry today. 😞

[Chrisatthebeach]

No more rubber roof. I do not mind the sound of the rain. I have not had good luck at all with any membrane roof for the long term. Give me a one piece aluminum roof, rubber over the slide outs as they do not have vents or the a/c unit.

Route all of the plumbing lines together within a conduit that could also house an electric 12V or 110V heat tape to prevent plumbing freeze ups for winter use without having to run the propane furnace. Low point drains could be incorporated to take the water away from faucets above. Being able to leave for a day or two and not having to winterize to protect plumbing or being able to use electric heat when on campground electricity without concern for freezing plumbing would be a plus for cold weather use.
Less tacky design elements.

[2gypsies1]

Don't get carried away with your wants....how much more are you willing to pay? 🙂 Customizing to suit you would add to costs.