In a perfect RV world, owners wouldn’t change a thing about their vehicles. Human nature being what it is, however, that rarely seems to be the case. There’s always room for improvement, as the old saying goes. Several FMCA members comment on their motorhomes in response to this month’s question:
What one thing would you change about your motorhome if you could, and why?
We have vacation traveled in many motorhomes over our 40 years of RVing, and every motorhome, no matter how much we enjoyed the floor plan, suffered from this design flaw. Motorhome cabs, like trucks and cars, center all functions around the driver. While motorhoming, we travel as a team. Until recently we were able to share driving, with the copilot navigating and watching for interesting stops along the way. The navigator has little or no ability to reach comfort-control functions. It would be nice if the navigation screen swiveled so it could be seen and controlled from the passenger’s seat; same for the radio. Temperature features centered in the dash also might be nice. Designers continue to increase livability in new motorhomes with such features as balanced lighting, residential refrigerators, comfortable beds, etc. If only they would make the cab more travel-friendly for pilot and copilot teams.
Gary & Cookie Kalyn, F174633
Northridge, California
We would like to see motorhome manufacturers add more illumination to the exterior of coaches for greater visibility at night. No matter how we plan, we always seem to drive at dusk at some point during our trip. As RV paint technology evolves, we would think that new paint varieties could be developed to make a coach stand out more in the dark. We often notice reflective tape and lights on the sides and rear of tractor-trailers. We are not looking to add more weight to the coach — just more visibility for our safety. Every year motorhomes seem to get taller, wider, and longer, so why not make them easier to see? Why not illuminate the base of the unit, along the sides and back, where other drivers’ headlights would shine?
Richard & Phyllis Cicchetti, F387705
Plymouth, Massachusetts
My husband dreamed of converting a bus into a motorhome. That happened in 1998 when we bought a 1971 35-foot GMC. The bus has four 8-foot-by-4-foot underfloor storage bins, and we even have an apartment-size freezer that rolls out for easy access. You could put a small car underneath! After all, the storage area was designed to hold luggage for 40 passengers. In 2000 the engine was rebuilt, along with many other mechanical changes, and the bus was painted. We added new appliances and every modern feature. The 8-foot-by-8-foot bathroom is a good size, with a stacked washer-dryer. If only there were more space in the living room and dining area. A slideout would make this possible. The bus has all-metal construction, and a 16-foot slideout would be heavy and, we have been told, not a good idea to add. Does this stop our traveling? No. We just keep dreaming and driving.
Weta Berger, F205425
Brownsville, California
Future questions:
1. Describe a great lunch spot you’ve discovered in your motorhome travels.
2. FMCA’s next Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase takes place August 3-6, 2016, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Do you have a favorite New England attraction or travel stop?