Be aware of what I call the RV manufacturers’ “WOW!” factor.
Just last weekend I saw a unit at my local fueling station just off I-35 that had two large sliding glass doors and windows all over the place. Ironically, Tony Barthel just did a review of a similar unit, a Wildwood-Salem Lodge 44 VIEW, and it prompted me to write this article about the “WOW” factor and windows.
I’ve been conducting RV seminars since 1988, starting with The Motorhome School while at Winnebago. I then developed more than 15 different seminars that I have conducted since at various RV shows across the country. My most popular seminar is the RV Buyers Seminar that cover the RV types, tips for choosing the right floorplan, and various other information designed to help clear up some of the confusion of shopping for a new or used RV.
What is the “WOW” factor?
Over the years I have seen RV manufacturers take what is hot in the residential market and put it into an RV, promoting it as the latest and greatest thing. I call it the “WOW” factor, something that makes the average RV shopper glance as they walk by and go “WOW!” All without thinking about how this item might work or not work for RVing.
It started way back in the early stages of RVing, with buyers wanting all the amenities of home while “roughing it” in the parks. Microwave ovens, TV/VCR/DVD, and then wireless everything. When I was young, we did a lot of camping and had none of that stuff! In fact, the toilet we had was not a fancy porcelain kind with sprayer, but rather a Folger’s can.
I remember when the Fleetwood Bounder came out with a Black & Decker rechargeable cordless vacuum and flashlight and everyone went “WOW!” Then they moved the entrance door on the Bounder from the middle of the rig to the front, put the engine in the back, and called it the Discovery.
A Bounder is still a Bounder
I saw the prototype at the Tampa Supershow in the Lazy Days display directly across the aisle from our Winnebago models. It looked exactly like the Bounder, but they promoted it as a high-line motorcoach, and everyone wants to be a rock star with a Prevost! It’s still just a Bounder with a plywood dash, particle board cabinetry, and carpet that Motel 6 wouldn’t even use!
But, hey, one of the buying triggers I learned years ago in sales training is the Ego Buy, and I see it all the time. I guess that’s why some of the larger rigs come with air horns so when the owner drives into a campground with a full body paint unit and someone is not gawking at the rig, they can hit the horns, and everyone will definitely take a look! My point is, don’t be overwhelmed by the “WOW” factor. Look at what it does or doesn’t do for your type of RVing.
RV windows, windows, and more windows!
I talk about this in my RV Buyers seminar and point out how many manufacturers put huge windows all over the place. This is especially true with 5th wheels, with a massive picture window either in the back, front, or on the side. They state: “Think of the view you will have. It will be breathtaking, and you will never forget it!”
Back in 1993 I took a Winnebago Adventurer out for an 8-week training trip. It had a set of three 6-foot vertical picture windows on the passenger side. It was a rip-off of the Thor Residency, which was selling like crazy, so Winnebago decided to bring out their own version.
I headed West to train LA dealers and drove 15 straight hours until I got into western Colorado or Utah, and got a campsite late at night. The next morning, I got up, poured a cup of coffee and walked out into the living room where the three full length windows were. The view I saw of the guy next to me in his underwear was breathtaking, and I will never forget it. So I guess they were right!
If you are parking the rig on a private piece of land with nobody around, it might make sense. But for most of us using campgrounds or other RV sites, it is a waste of space that could have storage or other amenities.
The RV industry is trying to paint this unrealistic picture of camping on the beach or in the mountains and you are the only one there! And besides, the best view I have ever had while camping is getting out of my rig and taking my granddaughters on trails in the mountains or at the beach—not sitting inside and saying “WOW!”
And what about practicality?
Most RVs have a 2” thick sidewall with block foam insulation similar to bead type used for Styrofoam coffee cups. That construction provides an insulation rating of “R9” which is less than half of a low-cost home. Some low-cost trailers will have loose fill insulation, which has a lower R-value. However, every window that is installed in the sidewall reduces that insulation rating greatly. Even the dual-pane windows are not gas filled, rather just an air gap, and only provide an insulation rating of approximately R-1.5-2. Single-pane windows are worse, at approximately R-0.8. So, more window means less insulation—which is not good for both winter and summer temperatures.
Personally, I would be concerned about the structural integrity of the sidewall with all these windows. There is not enough space between them for aluminum framework and the sandwich design of sidewall materials. I have discussed this with several RV engineers that state a sandwiched window with frame in a sidewall is as strong as one without—but I can’t see it. That may be true when an RV is stationary, but driving down the road creates twisting that would be an issue. However, if this type of model is going to be towed to a spot and never leaves, it might not be an issue.
And the one last important issue is RV windows leak. It’s not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. So, the more windows the rig has, the more chances of leaks and the more maintenance that is required.
You might also enjoy this from Dave
Which works best to insulate RV windows – shrink wrap or bubble wrap?
Dear Dave,
Has anyone used shrink wrap on their windows for insulation in place of bubble wrap? —Tom, 2015 Dutchmen Voltage
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
Read more from Dave here.
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I like large windows to view nature and the animals roaming around or view the lake. I have my own lot to camp and camp at state parks so I haven’t experienced the neighbor running around in his underwear. My Jayflight 29RKS has a large window and patio door plus windows in the slide.
I guess it depends on what your definition of “large’ is. The picture of the trailer at the top of the article has inarguably large windows. We have a couple of what I call large windows in our Arctic Fox 25Y. One is the back window, which is a slider. The other large window is next to our dinette, which is also a slider. These are great for cross ventilation in warm weather. They are also dual-pane windows. We don’t do much really cold weather camping but they do well when we do. But, I can see the argument against massive windowage like the pic at the top.
It depends on where you stay most of the time. So, yeah, if most of your camping is in 15ft wide pull-throughs at RV parks, those giant windows are pointless. On the other hand, if you boondock or camp at less densely packed locales, the views can be awesome. They make even a rainy day pleasant. Most of the state campgrounds we visit offer nice to great views. When at RV parks, we prefer back-in spots with our TT, and we only wish the back window was larger. Especially at the beach.
Dave, it’s high time someone like you talked about excessively large RV window negatives. I have commented on this in some of Tony’s reviews where he “Ooohs & Aaaahs” over massive windows. From cooling and heat loss to condensation dripping messes on cool mornings, windows have drawbacks that are good to at least have buyers thinking about.
I’m not advocating no or only tiny windows, but there has definitely been a trend to ridiculously large windows in many models, especially 5ver slides.
Rather than windows to the ceiling, we’d rather have a row of useful cabinets up there. To each their own.
Hear, hear Dave! We like the light that comes through the windows, but rarely admire the campground scenery through those windows. [our larger RV’s rear windows back onto a large green space with trees, but better to view this from outside the RV]. And how often do we drop shades to reduce the solar gain? Pretty regularly. How often do we have to mop up condensation on the windows (even with a small dehumidifier running) after a chilly night? Pretty regularly.
Right on Dave! That Wildwood is grand appearing unit – but…. You covered it perfectly. The WoW factor is well overdone with supposed great ideas which prove to be short lived in many cases. On the other hand I love innovative ideas which are functional and do not create a penalty like huge windows do. Built in compressor and an air line reel are one example. (The penalty is weight of course – which is acceptable due to its usefulness.)
To each his own. Nice to have choices in life. Is that why they say “I gotta use the can”. There’s a fine line between wanting to see outside and feeling the freedom of walking around in your undies. Window’s do not improve structural integrity in a structure especially a moving one. As someone pointed out the RV is designed to give you a comforting at home experience AFTER spending the day outdoors in beautiful natural surroundings, whilst riding your e bike. To some people their RV is their home. This makes them houseless but not homeless. To each his own.
Thanks, Dave! Great discussion of RV developments, shortcomings, and potential problems. I admit to succumbing to the Ego Buy for our first one. I wanted a tag axle and diesel engine. My justification to myself and DW was that we’d live in it full-time and work remotely from it while our house was built. It was great once parked, but finding available campsites large enough to park it often was a problem. Consequently, we downsized 7′ and fit many more spaces. 🙂
About large windows – every motorhome has a gigantic window at the front – the windshield. These usually have the worst curtains/covering of any window in the RV for obvious reasons.
I say yes to more windows, not fewer windows. I go places so I can see them and that’s part of why I celebrate campers with more glass coverage. But then I camp in beautiful places and avoid RV parks wherever possible.
The idea of spending most of your time in RV parks is akin to living in a condo. An RV lets you avoid that crowded lifestyle.
And, as for insulation, we also chase weather where it’s comfortable to be outside so I don’t care about the R value. Just me.