How Much More Would You Have Paid?

[Jayhawk 29]

In the old days house trailers were built with cheap materials and they were a fire trap. My company pioneered the use of fire resistant gypsum products, which we designed to only add minimal weight.

As far as the comments above, I can attest to that. Most every plant is a dangerous place to be.

The white pine studs, roof structures that forms the so called trusses and cleats for most of the cabinets that's still in most of the sticks and staples rvs is soft wood and not much better than kindling for a fire place .

Structurally in conjunction with the sorry fasteners and especially the short ones being used, owners needs to be mindful traveling on rough roads or stuff will fall always apart inside.

But gypsum and the intent of weight savings surely does not go hand in hand. But that sounds like an interesting career .

 

[Mesquiterose]

I also went low tech no slide outs and think it is what makes my trips so stress free.

 

[OnTheGo]

I also went low tech no slide outs and think it is what makes my trips so stress free.

Low-tech and stress free in the same sentence doesn't surprise me. I'm right there with you. Although I think there are folks out there who enjoy the experience more because of the tech related features.

 

[gypsmjim]

But gypsum and the intent of weight savings surely does not go hand in hand.

To reiterate, I was referring to Mobile Homes ("House Trailers"), not Recreational Vehicles.

Replacing the highly flammable wood paneling used back in the day with gypsum panels was done to "improve" fire resistance. Reducing weight was not the intent. However, the technology that changed the industry made a fire-resistant panel that had comparable weight to wood.

RVs are an entirely different animal. WEIGHT is the most important factor because they get hauled around all the time. The walls are not designed to be fire proof. Of course, they aren't usually lived in 24/7 like a house trailer. And those that DO need to be extra cautious.

 

[OnTheGo]

I’d gladly pay for a $20 box of screws to be used instead of staples during construction

I agreed with this response back in December. I really agree with it now. On a recent trip home we were on a two-lane road and had to detour around an accident. We were off the paved road for a stretch and the ride was very rough. Probably more than the staples could take.

 

[OnTheGo]

On a recent rip there was a 20 year-old Bigfoot Class C parked in the campground. The owner said everything was stock and worked, except that he had replaced his U-joints. I would gladly pay more, much more, for that quality. Whatever he paid for it, 20 trouble-free years is a bargain.

I would like to get Bigfoot's 25' rear twin bed model trailer. It doesn't have a slideout or recliners so DW voted against it. (We each get one vote and she gets the tiebreaker.)

 

[JFlightRisk]

Not sure how much more I would've paid, but it would be nice if the wiring was installed like a professional licensed electrician, the frame was powder coated, and I could order one new with options the way I wanted like the Spacecraft or Liberty Coaches. Still trying to muster up the millions. Not goin' well.

 

[Russc25]

I don't know about paying more but I'd rather option lower-tech options for the same price. I don't need the wireless slide controller. I don't need lighted oven knobs. I don't need a touchscreen for anything. I'd rather it just works than have a bunch of lights and sirens that break. KISS (Keep it simple/stupid)

 

[Kim Gass]

nothing more. Low tech here and we bought a good dealer who does address any issues we might have. Have had the unit in for service a couple of times ( sink separating and when a storm wrecked the awning) but we get it back the next day fixed. We did reinforce the seats and bed and build slide out drawers ourselves. Less to maintain less to break. No slideouts. As we have a permanent house the RV is regarded as a depreciating toy,

 

[OnTheGo]

I don't know about paying more but I'd rather option lower-tech options for the same price. I don't need the wireless slide controller. I don't need lighted oven knobs. I don't need a touchscreen for anything. I'd rather it just works than have a bunch of lights and sirens that break. KISS (Keep it simple/stupid)

X2 I enjoyed the ownership experience much more when I didn't have to live with my fingfers crossed. The low-tech stuff was more reliable and easier to dianose and fix if it did break.

 

[OnTheGo]

nothing more. Low tech here and we bought a good dealer who does address any issues we might have. Have had the unit in for service a couple of times ( sink separating and when a storm wrecked the awning) but we get it back the next day fixed. We did reinforce the seats and bed and build slide out drawers ourselves. Less to maintain less to break. No slideouts. As we have a permanent house the RV is regarded as a depreciating toy,

Enjoy that, it's a luxury. We had that at one time, but it's long gone. We started out at family owned dealership and we were treated very well whether it was sales or service. That dealer is now under a huge corporate umbrella and it's not the same. ( I would express that differently if I didn't have to use forum language.)

And then it got worse. We retired to Florida and developed an upside down symbionic relationship with our two authorized dealers. They don't want our trailer on their property, and we don't want them to work on it.

One of the dealers told me politely he would rather I take warranty work somwhere else. I asked why. He said he doesn't do more than break even on it. The other one makes an appointment for you months out - but it's bogus. It somehow gets lost (comes off the book like it never happened) before the date arrives. With that attitiude, I don't trust them to fix it right.