Show Posts
196
Bus Blog /
« on: February 28, 2007, 01:03:27 PM »
I wish there was a greater choice of smaller campers in the US. I had the idea of a US van with a slide-out. I saw Coleman had a design patent on such a few years ago, but I've never seen one.
I think what limits the US choice for small campers, is the same with small house. You get "1/2" the camper (or house) for 85-95% of the price. While with the camper, I still make an argument for the smaller model at nearly the full size price, re-sale would be poor.
Also a used van front (class C - Class A? - Hell I don't know what these are called) camper can be had for 1/2 the price of a new Sprinter-based camper. Still, I hope when I retire there is more choice and that I can afford a Sprinter or something similar camper.
They look top heavy, but a slide-in pick-up truck camper for an 8' bed (do they still make those with all the double cabs now) would allow you to "park" the camper and use a bare truck for exploring out of the camp site or a functional vechicle for the rest of the year.
I think the bottom line big campers sell is because we have marketed to too strongly. People are always asking if I have seen such and such a TV show (I only recently got basic cable) what my favorite hi-end restaraunt (I'm saving for kid's coledge).
They have remote starters so they burn more gas to save 5 minutes in a somewhat cold vechicle. One guy has a remote for the TV/stereo, ect that cost $600.00 installed! While he can afford it, we as Amercians expect a level of living that was true luxury as little as 10 years ago. A Jacuzzi tub is now no big deal, neither is a hot tub ona expansive deck. And with China cranking out these items cheaper than ever, some of these are not so hard to purchase - its just that some of us want it all.
Still lots are buying more than they can afford. People keep asking me when my wife is going back to work. Why, so the kids can spend summer with someone else? If we can afford to live on one salary, why not? Luckily I make enough money that we can - I just can't afford that BMW or a new car every 3 years.
I'm lucky, I have a great home I bought before real estate took off here. I own a new car - Honda Civic, but is only 2-3 years old. It's not that luxuries are all evil, it's the desire to have them all that is driving America into a hollow living.
The camper is to escape, but some just want all the trappings with them.
OK I getting too bloggy here! :oops: Time to sign off.
JR
I think what limits the US choice for small campers, is the same with small house. You get "1/2" the camper (or house) for 85-95% of the price. While with the camper, I still make an argument for the smaller model at nearly the full size price, re-sale would be poor.
Also a used van front (class C - Class A? - Hell I don't know what these are called) camper can be had for 1/2 the price of a new Sprinter-based camper. Still, I hope when I retire there is more choice and that I can afford a Sprinter or something similar camper.
They look top heavy, but a slide-in pick-up truck camper for an 8' bed (do they still make those with all the double cabs now) would allow you to "park" the camper and use a bare truck for exploring out of the camp site or a functional vechicle for the rest of the year.
I think the bottom line big campers sell is because we have marketed to too strongly. People are always asking if I have seen such and such a TV show (I only recently got basic cable) what my favorite hi-end restaraunt (I'm saving for kid's coledge).
They have remote starters so they burn more gas to save 5 minutes in a somewhat cold vechicle. One guy has a remote for the TV/stereo, ect that cost $600.00 installed! While he can afford it, we as Amercians expect a level of living that was true luxury as little as 10 years ago. A Jacuzzi tub is now no big deal, neither is a hot tub ona expansive deck. And with China cranking out these items cheaper than ever, some of these are not so hard to purchase - its just that some of us want it all.
Still lots are buying more than they can afford. People keep asking me when my wife is going back to work. Why, so the kids can spend summer with someone else? If we can afford to live on one salary, why not? Luckily I make enough money that we can - I just can't afford that BMW or a new car every 3 years.
I'm lucky, I have a great home I bought before real estate took off here. I own a new car - Honda Civic, but is only 2-3 years old. It's not that luxuries are all evil, it's the desire to have them all that is driving America into a hollow living.
The camper is to escape, but some just want all the trappings with them.
OK I getting too bloggy here! :oops: Time to sign off.
JR