rvhippo
USA
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My wife and I have been looking at RVs and she noticed that, in general, interior design was, to put it politely, really, really dated.
I would put American RV interior design at about the late 1980's to mid 1990's American residential construction -- the "colonial" or "traditional" style. Basically, just past the "disco" era. Shopping for RVs has been like getting into a time machine set for the Back to the Future movies.
It'd be nice if manufacturer's would update to at least the level of Ikea (please note, I'm talking about "styling and design" and not "engineering". The cheap, nasty, heavy materials that Ikea uses are not suitable for RVs. I'm just talking about the "look" or appearance of the interior).
RV styling seems to go from 1980's American traditional (most RVs produced today) straight to 2000's private-jet/mega-yacht (big-dollar tag-axle A's and Airstream) with nothing in the middle.
Prices also reflect this. I can get a four-season 27' TT for $25,000 with the "grandma's house" interior, or I can pay $90,000 for a three-season Airstream International Serenity with an interior that looks like the interior of a mid-size private jet. There is nothing in between, and it's the same with MHs (strangely enough, quality seems to be bad (relative to modern automotive standards) in general regardless of price, but I figure RVs are built to residential housing quality standards, which means a punch-list and spending the first year working out problems with the builder).
I figure that it's because of age demographics. For the most part, it's either seniors or young families buying RVs. For the seniors, the 1980's and 1990's are familiar and comforting. For the young families, all that matters is price. By staying traditional, the manufacturers can cut back on the parts inventories and just stock one style of material satisfying their two largest purchasing demographics.
In my very, very limited experience, there just isn't anything in between "American-Classic-Traditional" and "mega-dollar-private-jet" on the market.
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Artemus Gordon
Redding California
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My Komfort has lasted over three weeks, has not fallen apart yet! Now I am worried!
2012 Montana 3750 Hickory Edition, 2003 Ford F450, 4x4 off Road, 7.3 liter, Air bags, Longbed Dually. Curt Q24 hitch, Moride pin box, P3 Brake Controller
2012 3750 Montana
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Almot
Vancouver
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With all due respect, Airstream is quite an old design, speaking of body shape. True, many makers now are trying to make conventional box-shaped trailer look more "round", but, given the size that many people want, with slides and other gizmos, and the resulting weight, the overall handling is usually so-so. If the OP is looking for better aerodynamics, there are really modern designs with new materials and/or more airstream-ish shape like Forest River Aviator, or V-nose models. As with anything new, they are expensive.
Though, I am not sure what the OP is looking for. If it's interior - yes, many look like grandma's house because it's mostly baby boomers generation that's buying it now, and the trend will continue as more of them are coming into retirement, while young families are struggling with poor economics and high real estate costs. BB generation will peak out somewhere in the next 10-15 years, as I recall from statistical data.
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McClain00
Dallas
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This is what I am talking about. Nicely written. Maybe we should make one.
Matt
rvhippo wrote:My wife and I have been looking at RVs and she noticed that, in general, interior design was, to put it politely, really, really dated.
I would put American RV interior design at about the late 1980's to mid 1990's American residential construction -- the "colonial" or "traditional" style. Basically, just past the "disco" era. Shopping for RVs has been like getting into a time machine set for the Back to the Future movies.
It'd be nice if manufacturer's would update to at least the level of Ikea (please note, I'm talking about "styling and design" and not "engineering". The cheap, nasty, heavy materials that Ikea uses are not suitable for RVs. I'm just talking about the "look" or appearance of the interior).
RV styling seems to go from 1980's American traditional (most RVs produced today) straight to 2000's private-jet/mega-yacht (big-dollar tag-axle A's and Airstream) with nothing in the middle.
Prices also reflect this. I can get a four-season 27' TT for $25,000 with the "grandma's house" interior, or I can pay $90,000 for a three-season Airstream International Serenity with an interior that looks like the interior of a mid-size private jet. There is nothing in between, and it's the same with MHs (strangely enough, quality seems to be bad (relative to modern automotive standards) in general regardless of price, but I figure RVs are built to residential housing quality standards, which means a punch-list and spending the first year working out problems with the builder).
I figure that it's because of age demographics. For the most part, it's either seniors or young families buying RVs. For the seniors, the 1980's and 1990's are familiar and comforting. For the young families, all that matters is price. By staying traditional, the manufacturers can cut back on the parts inventories and just stock one style of material satisfying their two largest purchasing demographics.
In my very, very limited experience, there just isn't anything in between "American-Classic-Traditional" and "mega-dollar-private-jet" on the market.
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rgolding
Southern Illinois
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Interesting theories about it being a choice in the recreation industry of "American-Classic-Traditional" and "mega-dollar-private-jet". I was trying to come up with other styles, like "Art Deco", "Italian or French Provincial" and it seems to be difficult. I have seen the"Art Deco" in some of the MH's and in the Airstreams and it is similar to "mega-dollar-private-jet" or the stateroom of a sleeper roomette on an overnight train, but it certainly isn't a comfort I'm wanting. Yes, I like the "American-Classic-Traditional" and I am 63 years old, so maybe it is exactly what you are stating. However, it has to be built light or we couldn't drag them around. And it can't be the spindly European designs with out being free standing and I guess you could build that out of a cargo trailer with windows cut in the sides and then spend all kinds of time securing the furniture before you travel, but do you really need a four poster canopied bed in a travel trailer. I guess I'm seeing a problem stated, but little in the way of a solution offered. As in boats, it seems that everything is a compromise and weight is a major factor. Just my thoughts.
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Tonyckomfort
Auburn Washington
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Earthbound RV
2011 Ford F150 FX4,3.5 V6 EcoBoost. Max Tow package. towing a 2011 Earthbound Morrison
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gandude
east bay
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Joined: 02/05/2005
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This is not what you are looking for, but it has that european look and design. It also, (to me) seems very well made and thought over. The MPG is not bad either.
Winnebago Vista
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wildwood32
east moline,ill
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I my opinion,an airstream is no better built than an average trailer.I have several friends that have spent $60000 on thier new airstream and have nothing but trouble with them.Just my opinion.
If its Friday,see ya on monday.Have camper,will camp.
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gregrc75
New Bedford, Massachusetts
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Checkout the new line of Keystone Vantage travel trailers of the Element travel trailers. They are modern but the interiors feel warmer than the Airstreams. I like Airstreams, but touring the interiors at the RV show reminded me of an operating room with the harsh lighting.
* This post was
edited 02/09/12 08:20am by gregrc75 *
Greg, J, and Sam (the Golden Retriever)
2011 Keystone Bullet Premier 28RLPR
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jwoodie
Folsom, CA
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I think you are referring to modern styling as opposed to utility. There is a reason boxes are shaped like boxes: They hold more stuff. Rounded TTs look nice, but give up storage to get that shape.
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