qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
Senior Member
Joined: 09/17/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
I don't know if fuel prices will continue on the rise and that isn't necessarily the purpose of this thread, but for the life of me, what do manufacturers think the future of rving is?
I haven't seen any innovations, new designs, aerodynamics, to show that they are involved in improving the mpg or well-insulated units. I really thought that they would get on the wagon and develop some folding designs like that of Trailmanor and Hi-lo as they are good designs but way over priced for lack of competition and yes I have owned two Trailmanors and loved them.
Hi-Lo used to build a fifth wheel and don't know why that went by the wayside. However, they have come out with two new units, 15 and 17 foot that should compete well with the small TT market improving mpg because of their low profile and less weight.
I read the other day that there are many 40 and 45 foot rvs with three roof air conditioners. What does that say about the manufacturer and building a unit that is well-insulated reducing the need for mulitple units and less btus consuming electricity. At three units, that comes up to 45,000 btus. My house in San Antonio is 50 years old, has so-so insulation, and new 13 SEER central air unit that is 36,000 btus and the monthly bill is only 86 dollars with the thermostat set at 78 degrees. This is a house that is 1100 sq feet, or almost three times the sq footage of a motorhome. And to boot, the price of these luxury motorhomes is between 250K and up.
I am not knocking motorhomes and fifth wheels with three units or thier owners.
I just know I wouldn't buy a house that was so inefficient but yet at the same time I love to rv.
Why can't manufacturers get on the wagon and build more fuel efficient rvs and also better insulated units? Or is it that we as an rv community don't care what we rv in or we are not pushing the manufacturers to build more efficient units?
Please don't tell me that rv owners can afford it, that isn't the point here. Waste not want not.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
|
Moderator
Bowling Green, KY
Moderator
Joined: 01/19/2004
View Profile
|
Moved from ATC
|
KeninAZ
SE AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2002
View Profile
|
It's hard to redesign a breadbox and make it go down the road more efficiently.
I have had some 8 RVs now and although I cannot afford the higher end units you do get what you pay for. My new MH for instance has a basement AC and heat pump that is pretty efficient compared to running two units on the roof. It uses much less power and the unit is insulated pretty well too.
Add those facts to the issue that most are not full timing it and don't care as they are using the unit just a few weeks a year in nice WX.
These people have to be competitive and only build what they perceive that they can sell the general public in my opinion.
|
rockhillmanor
On the Road
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
It would be likened to stream lining a Harley or making jet boats that would get better mileage.
They are all toys!
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 BlueOx Aventa LX
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
|
mark1228
Helena, MT
Full Member
Joined: 04/19/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
You can only insulate a 2" wall so much. Insulation in many units has improved in the roof and belly of many RV's. Another area is windows and many more RV builders are offering thermal pane window options now, but they add weight and cost and are not near as efficient as in a home as they too can only be about 2" thick. As for fuel efficiency, many 5th wheels and travel trailers have changed designs to be more fuel efficient and you now have motorhomes being offered on the Dodge Sprinter chassis getting better mileage. It won't all happen overnight. It takes time to improve.
|
|
|
TxTwo
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 04/08/2007
View Profile
|
Seems like the OP has made some good points to me. There must be some innovative designs and improvements that would make RVs more energy efficient, and better built with newer techniques and state of the art light weight materials. I have to agree - if the RV manufacturers want to stay in business, like any other industry, they had better adjust to changing times. Bicycles are built better, lighter and faster, so are airplanes, boats and autos, why not RVs?
TxTwo
|
loveshack1
Whitewater, Wi
Senior Member
Joined: 02/08/2005
View Profile
 Online
|
These RV's may all be "toys" to some of us, but the poster is right.
If my '94 32' carri-lite can get by comfortably on one A/C unit, an 18,000btu furnace and give us enough room to be comfortable for a rainy 4 days, I think it's good. Some of the newer models - offered by all manufacturers - are ridiculous, but more power to the people that buy them.
I would love to see a hi-lo fiver come back on the market, maybe even buy one if it meets my high standards of reasonable weight.
Back to the original question: with all of the RV manufacturers shutting down or suspending lines, why don't they get the idea???
It could very well be because the RV buyers are still going for the latest and greatest and the companies are thinking - WHY CHANGE?
"she ain't heavy.........she's my fiver"
|
Get'n R Kicks
IN(The State of Confusion)
Senior Member
Joined: 11/03/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
You can buy a well insulated rig. But it will cost. Also the better it is built, the heavier it becomes. And maybe it is like mobile homes. Depends on where it is built. You buy a mobile home in FLA, it may have less insulation , than say a northern built one. But yet you can sell the FLA home in the north, and vice versa.
|
tallyo
Fort Myers,Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 06/12/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Weight will always be an issue with Rv's. So many newer designs will add weight if thee is a demand for size. Size does matter to so many.
Once we get past the entry level RV's; we all or most of us seem to want more luxuries, therefor more weight and weight requires a bigger platform and a bigger platform costs more and then the designs thingy comes around.
Busses haven't changed in years...Not sure 36 foot plus MH's can change much either keeping costs in mind.
Tallyo
2007 Winnebago Adventurer
W-24, 6 spd Allison
Saturn VUE w/ Brake Buddy Vantage
Drinks-6, Eats-4, Sleeps-2
Semper Fi
|
campknitter
WA
Full Member
Joined: 04/02/2007
View Profile
|
Fleetwood Folding (just sold their folding division though, operations are supposed to continue w/the new owner as before) introduced a New Tacoma Model this year. It is a popup hardside w/o the normal bunk ends. I haven't seen one in person yet, but I thought this was pretty innovative.
|
|
|
