Thread Number: 80171  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
Why Are RV’s So Ugly?
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Post# 1041221   8/9/2019 at 19:23 (1,692 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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.
Inside and out btw...mobile homes also suffer the same malady.
These things are by no means cheap, yet often times look like as hideous as the day is long.


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This post was last edited 08/09/2019 at 19:43



Post# 1041239 , Reply# 1   8/10/2019 at 00:25 (1,692 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Theres a Camping World opened near me-lots of those ugly camper things to see-BUT at the state of some Hotel/Motel rooms these days an ugly camper is better than a DIRTY ,GROSS,GERM laiden hotel room!

Post# 1041251 , Reply# 2   8/10/2019 at 05:20 (1,692 days old) by Vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Well, some are ugly,

But some nice. GM built a sleek one in the 70s. One neighbor had a top of the line Fleetwood with a full quien master, laundry, central vacuum, etc.
Why go camping? If course for touring cross country, can't be beat, except you have to house keep still.
Then there are expensive tires, etc. To maintain. If rather stay in hotels.


Post# 1041255 , Reply# 3   8/10/2019 at 05:55 (1,692 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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This is what driving your own house is like...

A plain body won't cut it, and the stripes and swirls of somebody who threw up his Hot Wheels race track set adds little to beauty, but you wouldn't worry too much about it being stolen...

The interiors aren't much better, but you buy these to see at least whatever parts of the world have enough stretches of roadway...

Expect more of this excess, as long as more retirees are going to advance into this new-nomadic lifestyle...



-- Dave


Post# 1041293 , Reply# 4   8/10/2019 at 13:12 (1,691 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

My next-door neighbor, who since moved had a bunch of these. He started with a little travel trailer, then moved up to a Fleetwood Bounder Class A, then a Newmar Class B, then finally back to a big Class A. Then he sold his house, went off in the Class A and ended up selling that and buying another house. LOL

I've seen inside a lot of the ones he had, some of them are quite nice inside.

Some other neighbors on our street recently got a Class A, and that's a weird looking one. It's all black, not the typical brown/beige or white with graphics.

I myself have always kind of liked the teardrop campers (they still make these) and also the fold up A-frame shaped campers, such as A Liners.

My parents had an Airstream camper for a while when I was a kid. 1969 was the year I think, it had a coppertone gas stove in it.

One day, I might get a popup camper just to go off on the weekends in.

Motorhomes, unless you're going to live in one full time, are just a hassle to maintain. IMO Everything has to be kept up on them and the tires get dry rot from sitting so much.


Post# 1041299 , Reply# 5   8/10/2019 at 13:51 (1,691 days old) by Revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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Just curious, what is SO ugly about them?

The size?

The shape?

Where they placed the door and windows?

The non-smooth sides?

The paint scheme?


Post# 1041303 , Reply# 6   8/10/2019 at 14:32 (1,691 days old) by cuffs054 (MONTICELLO, GA)        

Funny Thread. My 2010 Keystone was decent outside. The inside however, done in the "Cranberry Mist" option was something to see. So over the top with fabrics, woods, carpets, tiles and trim it could hurt your eyes. Loved it but it sure was ugly.


Post# 1041378 , Reply# 7   8/11/2019 at 02:36 (1,691 days old) by countryford (Phoenix, AZ)        

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I sort of agree with you on the looks of most RVs. I think that the interior of a lot of them are ugly and look like they are cheaply made. I've also talked with others who have purchased brand new ones and they complain with how many issues they have with them.

When we bought one, we bought a used one. It is a 1997 and I personally love it. I'll keep it as long as it is in one piece. I would not trade it in on a newer one for anything.


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Post# 1041387 , Reply# 8   8/11/2019 at 06:04 (1,691 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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I've always wanted one of those GMC campers from the 70's...they were even front wheel drive!  Had the engine and transmission from a Toronado in them.  People now are reworking them and putting 6.5 turbo diesels in them.  But we'd never use one enough to justify getting one.  Then there's the winterizing and critters....nah, I'll just stay at the Super 8....at least the one in NOLA is next door to an RV park.


Post# 1041390 , Reply# 9   8/11/2019 at 07:30 (1,691 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What style you like someone else is sure to hate.


Post# 1041391 , Reply# 10   8/11/2019 at 07:32 (1,690 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA)        
Greg,

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There was just one of those GMCs for sale in our area recently.
I don't know what they wanted for it. And it's gone now, so someone must have bought it.
You definitely don't see them very often. At least around here.
I remember, in the Hess toy trucks that they sell around Christmas, there was a "Training Van" that was based on one of those GMC RVs.
I have a couple of them somewhere, in my hoard of toy and diecast vehicles.

Barry


Post# 1041457 , Reply# 11   8/11/2019 at 20:59 (1,690 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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If I were in the market for a motorhome, I'd have to go with a vintage GMC. Truly a ground-up, no-compromise design. And there's quite the aftermarket scene for the FWD drivetrain including EFI and OD-ratio chain setups for the THM-425 trans.

Plus no godawful graphics and leaky bump-outs!

www.gmceast.com/about/looking-bac...


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Post# 1041478 , Reply# 12   8/12/2019 at 05:30 (1,690 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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Back in the 70's, my aunt had a long-term boyfriend who worked at Delco Remy in Anderson, IN.  He had one of those GMC's.  Every year when they would come down for decoration they would drive down in it.  I remember he took us for a ride in it.  It was the neatest thing.  He had it for several years.  Then one year when they were here the brakes failed on a very curvy road to the cemetery.  There was a dead man's curve on that road and he was afraid it wouldn't make it but it did.  The next year when they came down he was in a new custom Chevy or GMC van...got rid of the motorhome.


Post# 1041484 , Reply# 13   8/12/2019 at 06:39 (1,690 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Why Are Motor Homes So Ugly ?

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They are designed to appeal to middle class Americans who are not exactly trend setters when it comes to good design and fashion, just look at the homes the typical buyers live in and the clothing they wear while enjoying driving their new motorized houses around, LOL

 

Motor homes and large trailers never make the cover of Architectural Digest let along any serious fashion magazine for their great looks, like many big ticket things in America they are designed for folks with more money than style.

 

The 70s GM motor home was an exception, two guys in our car club brought one to our annual car event the other year, it was really neat. 

 

After being briefly involved in my former partners 2004 40 foot diesel MH I would never again spend that much time on something that at the end of the day depreciates down to nothing, My 2nd home is a lot less work than that thing was and it is worth 3-5 times more than what we paid for it. 

 

John L.


Post# 1041486 , Reply# 14   8/12/2019 at 07:36 (1,689 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        

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Post# 1041495 , Reply# 15   8/12/2019 at 09:42 (1,689 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        

Beauty is subjective and I quite like the look of most RVs - they are purpose-designed and built. As for maintenance and costs, well, it depends on how much use and enjoyment one gets out of something. We have had three Winnebagos over three decades and without much issue. Because we enjoy RV travel we've never considered maintenance expenditure a big deal. There is annual registration, insurance, fuel costs, six monthly service...the same as with all other motor vehicles. Traveling by motorhome is great. It offers independence and we do camp wild quite often. We have solar panels and a generator that can run our microwave and during our travels. Our stays alternate between powered sites at caravan parks and free camp grounds, with no or limited amenities. Our motorhome has its own toilet and shower and it is a very comfortable and independent way to travel. I'd recommend it highly to anyone who is interested.

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Post# 1041509 , Reply# 16   8/12/2019 at 12:13 (1,689 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        
Shasta Airflyte

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We just got back from a long weekend of camping one state over, and aside from a couple of pop-ups and a Scamp, we had one of the smallest travel trailers in the whole state park. It was like some sort of contest to see who could pull the biggest 5th wheel with the biggest truck, then setup camp to watch their outdoor flatpanel and ride their golf cart around.

On the other end of the scale is our Shasta Airflyte Reissue. This was a limited run (1941 produced) modeled after the '61 version and features scalloped aluminum siding, plywood cabinets, custom miami-style windows reminiscent of jalousies and some modern touches like a bath/shower and MWO. Unfortunately, the build quality was on par with all the other new trailers and I've had to completely re-engineer this thing, though it's been a fun project.

Because of the interest when these came out, there's a number of competitors running around that use conventional windows, conventional siding, mcmansion styled interiors, but throw on a set of whitewall tires and a colored stripe down the side and call themselves "Retro". Literally. And people can't get enough.




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Post# 1041511 , Reply# 17   8/12/2019 at 14:25 (1,689 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
middle class?

In 1977 it was if you grossed at least $45,000.oo annually in a one income household. Do the math figuring in inflation over income growth. Some are higher today, most lower.
You need to be very well heeled to afford even a middle level 45 footer toady.
Move up to a diesel pusher, and the price sky rockets, and thats not for a Prevost, or one of that caliber at all. Those cost upwards of $300,000.oo. Thats more than an average house today.



Post# 1041516 , Reply# 18   8/12/2019 at 15:52 (1,689 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Yeah, Cory I deliver parts to Shasta, their build quality leaves a bit to be desired.


Post# 1041550 , Reply# 19   8/12/2019 at 18:38 (1,689 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Yep, Forest River quality...and unlike the auto industry, no real governing agency or quality standards that need to be met.

The Airflyte was a pet project the Shasta CEO had done in secret in order to get approval from the board. For production quantities, corners were cut to control cost, which obviously backfired when warranty started rolling in. End result: CEO canned.


Post# 1041554 , Reply# 20   8/12/2019 at 18:46 (1,689 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

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My former partner only paid $13,000 for the 2004 40 foot diesel MH @auction, I lot of people did not buy them new, and he is the personification of middle class tastes, LOL

 

John L.


Post# 1041666 , Reply# 21   8/13/2019 at 23:26 (1,688 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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I have a '67 Chevy Van, long wheelbase. I plan on using that for motoring hither and yon. No, you can't stand up in it, but it would do just fine for sleeping and even cooking/eating in a rainstorm (which are rare ion the summer in CA anyway).

I'm used to back packing and car camping. The main goal is to get away from it all and appreciate a bit of nature up close. A big fancy MH would just get in the way of that.


Post# 1041673 , Reply# 22   8/14/2019 at 04:10 (1,688 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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I like nature and all, but in this Southern heat and humidity I need my AC!


Post# 1041711 , Reply# 23   8/14/2019 at 11:21 (1,687 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"Auction" purchases;

I presume they work the same for an RV as for an automobile or truck.
So, you may visually inspect the vehicle, operate it on their property only, then place your bid. If you win it, it's an as is purchase, and caveat eamptor then applies. Buyer beware.
The price may be significantly less than at a retailer, or a private owner sale, but you are limited in knowing it's true condition.

Also, back in the mid to late 70's, when the blue collar or middle class period was at it's peak income earning potential, families could not only afford a nice suburban home, but also a second car, a cottage, or boat, pool, RV, or perhaps even all five.
In addition to also being able to budget and save for the kids college, and their own retirement.
As mothers began leaving their kitchens, laundry rooms, and grown kids to get decent paying part or full time jobs, companies took great advantage and began inflating prices on many goods and services. This greed sparked a surge in the share price of stocks, but also high inflation. This also sparked the desire, and need for even higher pay. Divorces also skyrocketed, stressing the family unit.
My dad used to preach to us that a nation divided or torn from within in one or several ways is weakened.
Now I'm not saying that couples should remain together just for the kids sake, or because money is very tight, but do the math. Many fail to consider the well being of their offspring in favor of their own wants or happiness. Any one can reproduce. Good parenting is a learned or inherited skill set, as may be a good marriage. Both are not only a lifelong commitment, but also a life long growing and learning experience. The rewards often come much later than sooner, including better finances. Intelligent money managing is key, especially today. Abusing credit is a recipe for disaster, and many have no qualms over filing personal bankruptcy once, or repeatedly, and that costs us all money in the long run in inflated prices and cost to live.
It's a bittersweet symphony this life. Making ends meet, you can be a slave to money then you die. Money is a tool for living, We don't take it with us, but neither should we leave our kids and the next generation in debt when we pass on the next realm of where ever.
Every high level corporate mogul who is part of a large bankruptcy in their company receives a generous golden parachute and retirement package.
No apology for the long post.




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