Why Are RV’s So Ugly?

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Well, some are ugly,

But some nice. GM built a sleek one in the 70s. One neighbor had a top of the line Fleetwood with a full quien master, laundry, central vacuum, etc.
Why go camping? If course for touring cross country, can't be beat, except you have to house keep still.
Then there are expensive tires, etc. To maintain. If rather stay in hotels.
 
This is what driving your own house is like...

A plain body won't cut it, and the stripes and swirls of somebody who threw up his Hot Wheels race track set adds little to beauty, but you wouldn't worry too much about it being stolen...

The interiors aren't much better, but you buy these to see at least whatever parts of the world have enough stretches of roadway...

Expect more of this excess, as long as more retirees are going to advance into this new-nomadic lifestyle...

-- Dave
 
My next-door neighbor, who since moved had a bunch of these. He started with a little travel trailer, then moved up to a Fleetwood Bounder Class A, then a Newmar Class B, then finally back to a big Class A. Then he sold his house, went off in the Class A and ended up selling that and buying another house. LOL

I've seen inside a lot of the ones he had, some of them are quite nice inside.

Some other neighbors on our street recently got a Class A, and that's a weird looking one. It's all black, not the typical brown/beige or white with graphics.

I myself have always kind of liked the teardrop campers (they still make these) and also the fold up A-frame shaped campers, such as A Liners.

My parents had an Airstream camper for a while when I was a kid. 1969 was the year I think, it had a coppertone gas stove in it.

One day, I might get a popup camper just to go off on the weekends in.

Motorhomes, unless you're going to live in one full time, are just a hassle to maintain. IMO Everything has to be kept up on them and the tires get dry rot from sitting so much.
 
Funny Thread. My 2010 Keystone was decent outside. The inside however, done in the "Cranberry Mist" option was something to see. So over the top with fabrics, woods, carpets, tiles and trim it could hurt your eyes. Loved it but it sure was ugly.
 
I sort of agree with you on the looks of most RVs. I think that the interior of a lot of them are ugly and look like they are cheaply made. I've also talked with others who have purchased brand new ones and they complain with how many issues they have with them.

When we bought one, we bought a used one. It is a 1997 and I personally love it. I'll keep it as long as it is in one piece. I would not trade it in on a newer one for anything.

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I've always wanted one of those GMC campers from the 70's...they were even front wheel drive!  Had the engine and transmission from a Toronado in them.  People now are reworking them and putting 6.5 turbo diesels in them.  But we'd never use one enough to justify getting one.  Then there's the winterizing and critters....nah, I'll just stay at the Super 8....at least the one in NOLA is next door to an RV park.
 
Greg,

There was just one of those GMCs for sale in our area recently.
I don't know what they wanted for it. And it's gone now, so someone must have bought it.
You definitely don't see them very often. At least around here.
I remember, in the Hess toy trucks that they sell around Christmas, there was a "Training Van" that was based on one of those GMC RVs.
I have a couple of them somewhere, in my hoard of toy and diecast vehicles.

Barry
 
If I were in the market for a motorhome, I'd have to go with a vintage GMC. Truly a ground-up, no-compromise design. And there's quite the aftermarket scene for the FWD drivetrain including EFI and OD-ratio chain setups for the THM-425 trans.

Plus no godawful graphics and leaky bump-outs!

http://www.gmceast.com/about/looking-back/truesdell.html

cadman-2019081120523301985_1.jpg
 
Back in the 70's, my aunt had a long-term boyfriend who worked at Delco Remy in Anderson, IN.  He had one of those GMC's.  Every year when they would come down for decoration they would drive down in it.  I remember he took us for a ride in it.  It was the neatest thing.  He had it for several years.  Then one year when they were here the brakes failed on a very curvy road to the cemetery.  There was a dead man's curve on that road and he was afraid it wouldn't make it but it did.  The next year when they came down he was in a new custom Chevy or GMC van...got rid of the motorhome.
 
Why Are Motor Homes So Ugly ?

They are designed to appeal to middle class Americans who are not exactly trend setters when it comes to good design and fashion, just look at the homes the typical buyers live in and the clothing they wear while enjoying driving their new motorized houses around, LOL

 

Motor homes and large trailers never make the cover of Architectural Digest let along any serious fashion magazine for their great looks, like many big ticket things in America they are designed for folks with more money than style.

 

The 70s GM motor home was an exception, two guys in our car club brought one to our annual car event the other year, it was really neat. 

 

After being briefly involved in my former partners 2004 40 foot diesel MH I would never again spend that much time on something that at the end of the day depreciates down to nothing, My 2nd home is a lot less work than that thing was and it is worth 3-5 times more than what we paid for it. 

 

John L.
 
Beauty is subjective and I don't see 'ugly' I see functional and comfortable. As for maintenance, we've had three motorhomes, all Winnebagos, over a thirty year period. They are not that maintenance intensive if kept clean and looked after. There are people look after their stuff and keep it clean, other people don't and one can always tell the difference.

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rapunzel-2019081207244202546_2.jpg
 
Beauty is subjective and I quite like the look of most RVs - they are purpose-designed and built. As for maintenance and costs, well, it depends on how much use and enjoyment one gets out of something. We have had three Winnebagos over three decades and without much issue. Because we enjoy RV travel we've never considered maintenance expenditure a big deal. There is annual registration, insurance, fuel costs, six monthly service...the same as with all other motor vehicles. Traveling by motorhome is great. It offers independence and we do camp wild quite often. We have solar panels and a generator that can run our microwave and during our travels. Our stays alternate between powered sites at caravan parks and free camp grounds, with no or limited amenities. Our motorhome has its own toilet and shower and it is a very comfortable and independent way to travel. I'd recommend it highly to anyone who is interested.

rapunzel-2019081209230600839_1.jpg

rapunzel-2019081209230600839_2.jpg
 
Shasta Airflyte

We just got back from a long weekend of camping one state over, and aside from a couple of pop-ups and a Scamp, we had one of the smallest travel trailers in the whole state park. It was like some sort of contest to see who could pull the biggest 5th wheel with the biggest truck, then setup camp to watch their outdoor flatpanel and ride their golf cart around.

On the other end of the scale is our Shasta Airflyte Reissue. This was a limited run (1941 produced) modeled after the '61 version and features scalloped aluminum siding, plywood cabinets, custom miami-style windows reminiscent of jalousies and some modern touches like a bath/shower and MWO. Unfortunately, the build quality was on par with all the other new trailers and I've had to completely re-engineer this thing, though it's been a fun project.

Because of the interest when these came out, there's a number of competitors running around that use conventional windows, conventional siding, mcmansion styled interiors, but throw on a set of whitewall tires and a colored stripe down the side and call themselves "Retro". Literally. And people can't get enough.

cadman-2019081211501501667_1.jpg
 
middle class?

In 1977 it was if you grossed at least $45,000.oo annually in a one income household. Do the math figuring in inflation over income growth. Some are higher today, most lower.
You need to be very well heeled to afford even a middle level 45 footer toady.
Move up to a diesel pusher, and the price sky rockets, and thats not for a Prevost, or one of that caliber at all. Those cost upwards of $300,000.oo. Thats more than an average house today.
 
Yep, Forest River quality...and unlike the auto industry, no real governing agency or quality standards that need to be met.

The Airflyte was a pet project the Shasta CEO had done in secret in order to get approval from the board. For production quantities, corners were cut to control cost, which obviously backfired when warranty started rolling in. End result: CEO canned.
 

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