Community Forums

bdpreece · 05-02-2011, 11:31 AM

The future of RVs themselves will be toward smaller more fuel effecient units. The biggest change is going to be in the number of people using them is probably going to decrease. Companies like ELS which own Thousand Trails and many RV resorts seem to be betting that snowbirds will be more inclined to lease lots and put park models on them.

dsbike · 05-02-2011, 12:49 PM

With 10 + years till retirement, I am planning on seeing this great country by RV & not buying a park model. But the future is always open for change & if we decide to stay in just a few locations then the park model at 2-4 different regions of the USA would make sense. Although I think at that point I would get away from the RV line & buy a couple of condos, better chance of not depreciating.

RedneckExpress · 05-03-2011, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edj

I would agree with you about the majority of members in this forum having above average income. The average income is roughly around $50k. It is unlikely that anybody is going to buy a new RV and get a loan from the bank in if their income is much below that.

No, those of us below that just pay cash and buy older, smaller stuff.

My last contract paid me roughly $33000 and I bought the camper when I was netting even less than that.

Monacoach · 05-03-2011, 08:07 AM

Retirement could consist of two Rvs that dont move more then 1 mile from storage to campground if fuel gets to high.

Rick Long · 05-03-2011, 08:23 AM

We've been at $4 before... We adjust.. and life goes on.

John H... · 05-03-2011, 08:38 AM

It's not the RV industry that needs to change, but it's the oil industry that needs to change.
The majority of RVers it hurts are the people than can marginally afford to be an RVer.

Wayne M · 05-03-2011, 09:02 AM

The future looks good.

Take a look at the Freightliner ecoFRED

Dave and Jaime · 05-03-2011, 09:32 AM

My prediction is a further decline in the build quality of new RV's. The pressure to cut costs to keep MH affordable in light of higher costs associtated with use (fuel) will likely lead to even cheaper materials and more corners being cut (hard to imagine!).

Compare the quality of what used to be US-made, high quality leather shoes (now almost non-existant) to the Chinese-made synthetic replacements. The Wal-mart mentality (lowest priced barely useable products) will cause the industry to go into an all out effort to reduce prices (which means poor quality materials). Our throw away society will make further inroads into RV's.

So, 5-10 years from now, the demand for older, well-built coaches will be great. When I see so many current lower end 5er's and MH's built today that substitute undersized screws and poor hinges on cabinets (that might save $50 on the total build cost), I shudder to think what will be used in the future to save costs. Staples and glue instead of screws? More vinyl-covered pressed board instead of real wood? Lots more plastic?

Automobilist · 05-03-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave and Jaime

My prediction is a further decline in the build quality of new RV's.

When I see so many current lower end 5er's and MH's built today that substitute undersized screws and poor hinges on cabinets (that might save $50 on the total build cost), I shudder to think what will be used in the future to save costs. Staples and glue instead of screws? More vinyl-covered pressed board instead of real wood? Lots more plastic?

Gee, that sounds a lot like our old Forest River motorhome...

TW · 05-03-2011, 11:39 AM

My thoughts are: I'll keep the Unit right now, keep the car. Will not upgrade and just watch, what happens down the road. We are lucky, and don't have to put too many miles on the Bay Star (Best selling Unit from NEWMAR).
Hopefully we can afford one trip a year going south and play snowbird.
Here in BC we have every type of landscape right in front of our windshield for the summermonth. Whatelse do we need - space and a campfire !?
Oh - I know, Pension, CPP and OAS

Superslif · 05-03-2011, 02:08 PM

If the RV industry all built quality products that held up over time, there would be no need to buy a new unit every few years. They build them to fall apart and leak......so you go out and buy another one. da...

That's the American way....Their not dumb.....

I'm a buy and hold RVer...were in our 7th season in our current RV....(about 320 nights) next move might be the same type or go up the RV progression...have no complaints with the RV we have now....

I will pay for "quality".....to get a unit I see that is built better, with better materials....

dportem · 05-03-2011, 02:48 PM

How can we get our diesel to run off of propane? Is it possible, economical or just a fancifull idea? I honestly don't know, but I know the price is right. Just asking...

dagray · 05-04-2011, 09:19 AM

Maybe natural gas will be the future. If they get enough places selling it. Buses and trash trucks run on natural gas. It is cheaper about $2.35 a gallon right now. A gallon doesn't go as far as other fuel but it could work.