By Gail Marsh
Just like most folks at the gigantic regional RV show, we had stars in our eyes. Those stars blocked our view, I guess. Or at least they caused our common sense to blur a bit. How is it that when spending tens of thousands of dollars on an RV, our main concern is the bell-and-whistle items that honestly don’t add all that much to the actual RVing experience?
Uninformed consumers
Here’s what I mean: Instead of looking closely at (or asking a manufacturer’s rep) how the cabinets are put together, we took note of the fashionable handle pulls and the cabinets’ soft close feature. Are the cabinet boxes simply glued together or are nails and screws involved? I wish we would have asked. Rather than inquiring about the grade of carpet used in the RVs and if any carpeted area had an underlaying carpet pad, we allowed ourselves to be blown away with the up-to-date color and style.
While watching in awe at how easily the company rep opened and closed the hide-a-bed, we failed to ask if there was any kind of warranty on the sofa’s fabric. The questions “Will the fabric fade easily?” or “What recourse do we have if the ‘pleather’ peels or chips?” never passed through our lips. Yep! Stars in our eyes for sure! Well, that was several years ago, and I hope we are a bit more informed as customers now.
Not again!
It happens so easily. Walking through RV after RV at a local RV dealer recently, we once again began to take note of the different floor plans and the flashy “extras” like a wine cabinet or integrated cell phone charging stations. Suddenly the actual idea of camping is once more out the window and, instead, we’re arguing the benefits of granite versus solid surface countertops. When we’re out in nature, will countertops still matter? We’ve never been wine drinkers, so why does the wine rack impress us? See?! It’s happening to us again!
Marketing ploy
Marketing, people. It’s all about marketing. RV manufacturers know that bells and whistles help to sell RVs. Gone are the days of a basic, well-built, functional RV. Now it’s all about exotic finishes, electronic accessories, and all of the comforts of home—all of them!
Sticker shock
And then there’s the cost. Wowza! How do folks afford these costly rigs? When did we make the leap from thinking a tent with an attached floor was absolute luxury, all the way to demanding a king-sized bed? Things have changed since we were younger, haven’t they? RV companies have changed, as well. I wonder if the last surge in RV purchases and the manufacturers’ push to crank out more and more units will continue to result in lots of bells and whistles but poorly constructed RVs. I wonder what the future holds for both the makers and the consumers in the recreational industry. Do you wonder, too?
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I have an inquiring soul. Salesmen hate me. We were at an RV show, there was a Super C that I spent a decent amount of time going through. The factory rep asked me what I thought. I told him he really didn’t want to know. He insisted. I am sure he is still sorry. I am a detail oriented, nuts and bolts person, I noticed things like cheap materials, poor execution. I realize that just about anything is built to a price point. However nothing says more about cost cutting than granite countertops with particle board drawer boxes, or an outside TV hatch cut out that is nearly 3/4″ off level. Then there were the over torqued and broken screws where the cap was attached to the body. $500k!
Bought a Grand Design fiver in 2017 with all those problems…down the trail to some other fools place it went. Live and learn.
A friend bought a grand design fiver a couple years ago it’s back at the factory awaiting frame repair. This years Arizona trip is not going to happen. Sounds like they haven’t even started it
2017 303RLS 5TH Whl, 1st the Springs broke, 2nd the spring brackets that hold the springs, welds broke, 3rd the Faux Leather sofa and recliners leather flaked off now looks like shabby furniture, warranties worthless! 4th FirePlace fan died, 5th Thermostat’s failed. 6th now the Frame tilts to one side, I think the Lipper frame welds that hold the frame together have failed or have broken!
Bedazzled by the bling!
All those amenities are weight and cost. That gorgeous sunken ceiling with accent lighting and crown molding? Weight with a price tag. That residential fridge and reclining theater seating? Weight and extra costs. The granite countertop, Italian marble floor and TV in every corner? Weight and a premium.
Chassis can only carry so much and consumers can only afford in a certain range so compromise comes into play. Walls and critical structures are assembled using lighter and lower cost material, screws get fewer and quality gets compromised for the bling. Consumers drive the market…..(sigh)
Right on Vince. We are not only penalized by the additional cost of all this cute stuff – but we get to pay for it every mile we carry it down – or – up the road! Compromises: sadly it is the “quality” which is passed over.
In the 60’s the Japanese came over with their inexpensive, frill less and very reliable autos. They stole our lunch. We were making junk with lights, bells and whistles. Eye candy. Are the Japanese, Korean or whomever going to do the same with the RV industry? Maybe Elkhart Indiana should take a lesson from Detroit of the 60’s-70’s. Quality, quality, quality.
Honda is building and selling what seems to be a well designed class C for other markets. I’m sure it won’t be long before it’s available here.
Quality is scarce anymore…in everything. It’s all about profits for greedy corporations.
Corporations and businesses should be required to sell at a loss?
About 6 years ago, my husband and I were out looking at an RV dealership, just nosing
around. We had just finished giving a good look-over to a lovely pop-up when another
couple entered it. The woman asked me what I thought of it….and I gave her my honest
opinion. She liked the kingsized bed on the one end and I pointed out that each and every
time they got into or out of that bed, they would have to climb up and over the u-shaped dinette.
Not so much fun in the middle of the night! And don’t get me started on the super-awkward layout in the bathroom, where functionality was only a dream! They left and said they were going to stick to tenting.
Welcome to our de-escalating culture. Bling sells better than practical application. Domestic RV industry needs the wake up call before more European manufacturers start selling their wares here. Is anyone else out there old enough to remember the Japanese invasion of Detroit in the late 60’s early 70’s, led by Toyota, Datsun, Honda? Who’s laughing at them now?
I’m not sure it’s fair to say trick. People are expecting nicer things these days in all manner of things. Look at 1/2 tons. People can buy base models or loaded versions costing twice as much. But consumers are choosing well appointed over base by a wide margin. And we can certainly find base RVs if we want as well.
Folks should research companies, components (chassis, frame, walls, and roofs…) they use or don’t use, warranties, etc. Decide what makes sense for you. Decide what makers you are going to look at and then go to the shows and look at the bling.
Sy Sym’s men’s store had the best tagline for their advertising ‘An Educated Consumer Is Our Best Customer”. Perfectly put.
“Gone are the days of a basic, well-built, functional RV” Statement of the century in the RV world. Gone are the days of Hitchhikers and Newmar along with the old heavy Red Dale units. Today’s RV world is about lies, deceit and profits. Buyer beware.
Too much fluff, very little substance.
After I purchased an Airstream Trailer in 2020, I have not been to an RV show. I guess I have not missed anything.
When shopping for a diesel motorhome we came across all kinds of what my wife calls “foo, foo” like ceramic tile floors, Aqua Hot, more TVs than a television studio, farm sinks, etc. all the while diverting your attention to the details that count like the electronics, plumbing, engine, and chassis and construction such as pointed out in the article how are the cabinets put together. I guess it’s part of the marketing and merchandising of the product.
Thank you, Gail! I am looking forward to seeing where things have gotten at an RV show next month. Certainly, I, too, am enamored by the bells and whistles. However, my over-riding consideration in contemplating a third RV is improved driveability. Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂