The RV or RV features of the future... want/hope to see
BiggarView said
11:09 AM Apr 21, 2014
The current crop of features on new rigs today is quite impressive compared to roughly 5 years ago and certainly compared to 15 years ago. Anybody got any ideas on what the next 5 years will bring, 10 years? Or what they'd like to see standard that is now optional.
Even now, residential reefers seemingly are going to be de riguer within a few short years. Flat screens are everywhere.
For me, improvements in trailer suspensions and brakes will be the next wave. Already several high end coaches are either offering or have as standard equipment things like Mor-Ryde IS and 17" H tires, larger and better brakes so fo forth. Stronger, lighter and more durable materials will also make inroads. Solar systems will become more prevalent.
One thing I find curious is some Mfr's have King beds as standard and Queens as options. While people may like a King, logic tells me the the Queen bed should be the standard and the larger bed the option. Somebody needs to explain why my logic may be flawed. Is it less expensive to put in a King and the necessarily smaller bedside stands than it is to put in a Queen along with something more substantial in a bedside stand? Thats as far as my thinking goes.
I'd also like to see more thought put into reducing routine maintenance, easy clean floors, less dust collecting styles of interior trim, etc. As a guy(yikes stereotyping) I walk into new RVs at the shows and I'm not supposed to see designs with ornate trim work and I think... who's going to clean and dust all that? But I do!(Cindi is rubbing off on me)
Excel's new entry door in the curbside slide is an interesting new idea, but I worry about the steps folding up and resting on the trailer side while in transit... accident waiting to happen in my book. One sideswipe and your entry is toast. I'd like to see it recessed enough to smooth out the side. Would only take a few inches away from the inside. I leave it to the engineers to figure it out. I can hear it now.... well then, don't sideswipe anything!!
So how about it seasoned FTers... what is the undiscovered country of RV design?
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Monday 21st of April 2014 03:51:33 PM
Lucky Mike said
04:34 PM Apr 21, 2014
Auto-pilot!!!!.........and auto park like the new cars!!!
Nanascots said
05:20 PM Apr 21, 2014
Those step-in whirlpool tubs you see advertised on tv!! (They might be too heavy)
Bill and Jodee said
07:16 PM Apr 21, 2014
Real recliners and/or loveseat recliners as option to replace the sofa! No need for a fold-out couch? Want something that is actually comfortable to relax in and watch tv or read? Why aren't there options for how couples live on the road??????
Terry and Jo said
08:47 PM Apr 21, 2014
Many are already ditching the RV furniture and going with better options. We sold our two uncomfortable stock recliners on Craigslist and bought a La-Z-Boy Reclinaway love seat recliner. The couch was sold and that space now holds a small recliner and Jo's sewing center. When we ordered our coach, we considered "deleting" the furniture and stocking it ourselves. However, the manufacturers tend to not discount the coach much when one deletes something.
I'd like to see the option of buying an RV without certain furniture. And, while this might rankle some, I'd like to see the option of including a gun safe. Our coach came with a "safe" that is really nothing more that a lock box fastened to the floor, and isn't very big at all.
With some manufacturers, if one comes up with an idea, they can always ask for certain things. When we ordered ours, we wanted an inverter and two extra batteries. In my research, I found that a pure sine wave inverter was best for any products that had computerized circuits, as well as the computers themselves. I put in a request for a pure sine wave and they penciled in the request on the order sheet. That wasn't an option at the time.
How about taller bathroom sinks? We had taller sinks in our last stix and brix and loved it. Wish I had thought of that when we ordered.
Terry
NWescapee said
10:48 PM Apr 21, 2014
I really think the RV manufacturers need to provide better furniture options. So few provide a real desk space and with so many of us now having multiple devices, even for one couple, at least one real work surface is important.
And outlets that charge using both 12v and USB devices!! I mean really, why are RV outlets so limited? We've installed 2 surge protectors in 2 different places just so we had enough plugs to charge all our devices.
And for those of us with external WiFi / Cell & data antennas to boost signals, why isn't there a built in waterproof hole in the room to pass the cables through? For FT'ers I think RV manufacturers are out of date in thinking about how connected we are all that time.
plhaw said
11:03 PM Apr 21, 2014
I'd like to see some dedicated space for a pet bed. We travel with a golden retriever and she squeezes into a tiny space. Some people travel with cats.....maybe some dedicated space to hide the litter box so it's not in the shower.
I keep wishing our rv had a tiny slideout that accommodates a pet bed.
As for furniture....when we bought ours we insisted they take out some furniture we didn't want and give us some $credit. They did.
Theresa
Camper Chronicles said
06:29 AM Apr 22, 2014
biggaRView wrote:
T
One thing I find curious is some Mfr's have King beds as standard and Queens as options. While people may like a King, logic tells me the the Queen bed should be the standard and the larger bed the option. Somebody needs to explain why my logic may be flawed. Is it less expensive to put in a King and the necessarily smaller bedside stands than it is to put in a Queen along with something more substantial in a bedside stand? Thats as far as my thinking goes.
I'd also like to see more thought put into reducing routine maintenance, easy clean floors, less dust collecting styles of interior trim, etc. As a guy(yikes stereotyping) I walk into new RVs at the shows and I'm not supposed to see designs with ornate trim
-- Edited by biggaRView on Monday 21st of April 2014 03:51:33 PM
We asked to have the King removed and put a Queen in when we custom ordered. The King took over the entire space and with the Queen we got a small bedside wooden ledge on each side.
As far as in the future I would like to see couches that recline. They have zero clearance reclining couches now and those should be standard. I don't know anything about the mechanical aspects but I will say the auto levering feature seems like it has a way to go technically.
-- Edited by Trace on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 06:30:05 AM
folivier said
08:41 AM Apr 22, 2014
"Those step-in whirlpool tubs you see advertised on tv!! (They might be too heavy)"
Ever thought about how long you have to sit there nakid waiting for the darn thing to fill up? Nice idea but not practical in use.
I agree with dual recliners rather than the jackknife sofa. Of course an uncomfortable guest sleeping space keeps them from settling in for too long.
manycats said
08:47 AM Apr 22, 2014
Ruth hit square on my pet peeve. Lack of electrical outlets and work space. Many small appliances come with very short cords and you can't find an outlet where you need it. Computers, printers, etc. need a safe place and outlets too. Uncomfortable, bulky furniture also a problem. How many of us need beds for six or eight people? RV designers should try living in a model rig before putting it on the market. You can't please everybody all the time but it would be nice if you could listen to your customers and their concerns.
dianneandsteve said
08:49 AM Apr 22, 2014
I've always wondered why manufacturers have'nt offered the option of a vented gas fireplace.
WestWardHo said
11:54 AM Apr 22, 2014
Ruth x2 on electrical outlets and mfgrs not being aware of how wired today's RVers are! In every coach we looked at, we count outlets especially in convenient places! Never enough. The desk isn't an issue for us but know it is for many, especially the more and more younger RVers who are working on the road.
Our particular rig doesn't have an outside electrical outlet so we have to run and extra cord.
Lighter weight furniture. We couldn't believe how heavy our two spare folding dinettes chairs were (dumped them right away and replaced with two light folding card table chairs.) Also had dealer remove two heavy recliners. Need the sofa for now as that's where my daughter sleeps when she visits.
Oh and DVD or other electronic components behind solid wood doors so you have to leave open to use!
Guess that's why some folks get custom built rigs!
Sherry
TRAILERKING said
12:48 PM Apr 22, 2014
That is why Jack Mayer gets his trailer "Custom Built". That way you don't need to settle for the "Cookie Cutter" option.
The current crop of features on new rigs today is quite impressive compared to roughly 5 years ago and certainly compared to 15 years ago. Anybody got any ideas on what the next 5 years will bring, 10 years? Or what they'd like to see standard that is now optional.
Even now, residential reefers seemingly are going to be de riguer within a few short years. Flat screens are everywhere.
For me, improvements in trailer suspensions and brakes will be the next wave. Already several high end coaches are either offering or have as standard equipment things like Mor-Ryde IS and 17" H tires, larger and better brakes so fo forth. Stronger, lighter and more durable materials will also make inroads. Solar systems will become more prevalent.
One thing I find curious is some Mfr's have King beds as standard and Queens as options. While people may like a King, logic tells me the the Queen bed should be the standard and the larger bed the option. Somebody needs to explain why my logic may be flawed. Is it less expensive to put in a King and the necessarily smaller bedside stands than it is to put in a Queen along with something more substantial in a bedside stand? Thats as far as my thinking goes.
I'd also like to see more thought put into reducing routine maintenance, easy clean floors, less dust collecting styles of interior trim, etc. As a guy(yikes stereotyping) I walk into new RVs at the shows and I'm not supposed to see designs with ornate trim work and I think... who's going to clean and dust all that? But I do!(Cindi is rubbing off on me
)
Excel's new entry door in the curbside slide is an interesting new idea, but I worry about the steps folding up and resting on the trailer side while in transit... accident waiting to happen in my book. One sideswipe and your entry is toast. I'd like to see it recessed enough to smooth out the side. Would only take a few inches away from the inside. I leave it to the engineers to figure it out. I can hear it now.... well then, don't sideswipe anything!!
So how about it seasoned FTers... what is the undiscovered country of RV design?
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Monday 21st of April 2014 03:51:33 PM
Many are already ditching the RV furniture and going with better options. We sold our two uncomfortable stock recliners on Craigslist and bought a La-Z-Boy Reclinaway love seat recliner. The couch was sold and that space now holds a small recliner and Jo's sewing center. When we ordered our coach, we considered "deleting" the furniture and stocking it ourselves. However, the manufacturers tend to not discount the coach much when one deletes something.
I'd like to see the option of buying an RV without certain furniture. And, while this might rankle some, I'd like to see the option of including a gun safe. Our coach came with a "safe" that is really nothing more that a lock box fastened to the floor, and isn't very big at all.
With some manufacturers, if one comes up with an idea, they can always ask for certain things. When we ordered ours, we wanted an inverter and two extra batteries. In my research, I found that a pure sine wave inverter was best for any products that had computerized circuits, as well as the computers themselves. I put in a request for a pure sine wave and they penciled in the request on the order sheet. That wasn't an option at the time.
How about taller bathroom sinks? We had taller sinks in our last stix and brix and loved it. Wish I had thought of that when we ordered.
Terry
And outlets that charge using both 12v and USB devices!! I mean really, why are RV outlets so limited? We've installed 2 surge protectors in 2 different places just so we had enough plugs to charge all our devices.
And for those of us with external WiFi / Cell & data antennas to boost signals, why isn't there a built in waterproof hole in the room to pass the cables through? For FT'ers I think RV manufacturers are out of date in thinking about how connected we are all that time.
I keep wishing our rv had a tiny slideout that accommodates a pet bed.
As for furniture....when we bought ours we insisted they take out some furniture we didn't want and give us some $credit. They did.
Theresa
We asked to have the King removed and put a Queen in when we custom ordered. The King took over the entire space and with the Queen we got a small bedside wooden ledge on each side.
As far as in the future I would like to see couches that recline. They have zero clearance reclining couches now and those should be standard. I don't know anything about the mechanical aspects but I will say the auto levering feature seems like it has a way to go technically.
-- Edited by Trace on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 06:30:05 AM
Ever thought about how long you have to sit there nakid waiting for the darn thing to fill up? Nice idea but not practical in use.
I agree with dual recliners rather than the jackknife sofa. Of course an uncomfortable guest sleeping space keeps them from settling in for too long.
I've always wondered why manufacturers have'nt offered the option of a vented gas fireplace.
Our particular rig doesn't have an outside electrical outlet so we have to run and extra cord.
Lighter weight furniture. We couldn't believe how heavy our two spare folding dinettes chairs were (dumped them right away and replaced with two light folding card table chairs.) Also had dealer remove two heavy recliners. Need the sofa for now as that's where my daughter sleeps when she visits.
Oh and DVD or other electronic components behind solid wood doors so you have to leave open to use!
Guess that's why some folks get custom built rigs!
Sherry