Low-end RVs Open up High-Recreation Possibilities
Recreational vehicles come in a wide variety of costs from “entry level” to “over-the-top” palatial luxury. So what drives people to buy the higher-priced units? Do they fit the application better and therefore deliver more of the RV lifestyle pleasures? Do they travel better and are they more overall efficient? Once at camp, do they provide things that lower-priced RV’s cannot offer?
Well, not necessarily! The unparalleled RV lifestyle enjoyment that many seek can be found even with a lightweight trailer. After all, camping is the primary application and function. It’s the whole experience. It’s the “Sizzle, not just the “Steak” that we enjoy.
Low-End RV High Life
Many times I have witnessed families with low-end RVs enjoying their outing to its fullest, while some others peer out of doubled dark tinted windows illuminated by the phosphorus light of a big screen TV. Children’s laughter is heard as they run and play, drowning out the monotonous hum of the roof mounted air conditioners that churn high above.
I think, in many cases, other than size, the higher-end buyer’s are seeking a more refined camping experience. Being able to exist at a destination campsite with that “All the comforts of home,” seems to be their style. From multiple TV’s, dishwashers, heated floors and all the other luxurious features that may be found in large newer houses. Here, watching a movie or a favorite team sport, replaces the beach frolicking and Frisbee toss.
Living the Dream
A very good friend of mine told me about an incident that really underlines the difference and the joys of the more simple life. He was relaxing, sitting on the aft deck of his 36-foot trawler, enjoying a cocktail with friends. It was late afternoon and the vessel was anchored in a placid, quiet bay. Several Boy Scouts could be seen following the shoreline in their bright red canoes. They soon crossed the bay with one canoe paddling very closely to the trawler. As the young, lone paddler made his way by, he looked up at my friend and said, “Eat your heart out!” Well, certainly in his mind, he believed he had a better life. Perhaps he did.
So, you don’t have to break the bank to join the RV lifestyle. But, as far as costs and amenities are concerned, to each his own. What’s your RV lifestyle? Whatever your RVing preference, you can find the right vehicle for your needs here.
Peter Mercer – With a Glimpse of Flexible Camping Styles
Anonymous
Good points. However, one of the major issues is the poor build quality of most RVs (particularly since about the 2012-2013 years when the industry exploded with sales. Some purchasers might also opt for more expensive RVs just to try to reduce the poor quality issues, under the assumption that the better built units and quality products might require more expense. As for most of my co-workers and friends (as well as my wife and I), we are out of the RV market due to the overwhelming frustration with RV build quality (even from supposedly better and more expensive manufacturers). We have all purchased units between 2013-2017 and the units have spent months at service departments, while we make loan and insurance payments. The units have also quickly depreciated $10,000-$30,000 within the 1-2 years we owned the units. We each lost a substantial amount of money getting out of the loans and selling the units after only using them a handful of times. We don’t spend $25,000-$250,000 on these units to have them at dealers’ service departments for most of our ownership life. In my case, mine was out of service for over 11.5 months (3-4 months at a time) of my 24 months of ownership. We have all had to cancel trips or re-plan them with hotels and rental cars due to these issues. My unit would go to the dealer with 11-37 issues on a list each time. Many of the issues should have never made it past the factory worker installing the item/section, the “quality assurance” check at the end of the build line, or the dealer’s “check-in” process when the receive the unit, or the “pre-check” list before we take delivery of the unit. At least 4 of my issues qualify as life-safety issues with the build. Some of us have tried looking to other products/manufacturers (since we actually love the RV lifestyle), but reading most blogs, visiting dealers, RV shows, and speaking to other owners, we are completely frustrated away from making any purchases. The overwhelming amount of 1-3 year old pre-owned units which are for-sale have lowered resale values as most owners become frustrated during that time period and opt to bail out of their units as quickly as they can. This is very sad! The industry will have to reach a point where they concentrate on quality again instead of mass production and sales.
Peter Mercer
Sounds like you have a “One of a kind” unique RV. Smaller trailers are quite popular, albeit not home built. I wish “Bear Necessities” and you have a wonderful time on your vacation. Be careful to avoid any fire areas in BC. There are still many active. Thank you for sharing your design, build and travel plans. The great outdoors awaits you!
Anonymous
This season the wife and I are parking the fifth wheel and are checking out dome out of the way campgrounds around Western Canada with a teardrop that we built ourselves. We modified a frame from a moldy tent trailer that a neighbour was trying to dispose of. We cut it down from 72″ wide to 60″ and lengthened it to accept a 8′ box.
The floor and sidewalls are made of Baltic Birch, and the roof is bent fir 5/16″ plywood. The front sleeping area accepts a queen sized mattress, and the rear hatch opens to reveal a small but complete kitchen. A Fantastic fan keeps the air moving, and a 100 Watt Renogy solar panel crowns the roof.
I am having a decal made for the side which shows a bear cub with his pillow and dragging a blanket. The name of the unit is “Bear Necessities”.
We are leaving tomorrow for two weeks with no particular destination in mind, and will have pictures to show when we get back.
Anonymous
If it’s all you can afford….it can!
Anonymous
I enjoyed my first camping experiences in a tent. Later in life my brother and I camped in a pop-up. That was fun too. Now I am still older and have a small travel trailer that is easier to set up and has a bathroom, more important as I get older. I camp to get away from everyday life. To be able to take my dogs with me on trips and to spend a lot of time outside. It is nice to have a stove for rainy days and heat for those cold nights but for me it is about the experience of a campground.
Peter Mercer
Great point!
Anonymous
RV is sort of like seeing the world in person from the comfort of home. And no hotel bed bugs!