Camping --- as opposed to RVing

[PEIslander]

I've noticed that practically all the Livin'Lite owners who participate in the forums seem to be "campers". As such we use our trailers to help us get out and experience nature & the camping experience. Where I live we have National Parks & Provincial Parks --- and their traditional campgrounds focus on facilitating those camping & outdoor adventure experiences. Then we have RV parks - many more of them than the traditional "campgrounds". Some call themselves campgrounds but they really are something different. Around here the vast majority of RV's are sold to people who use those rv parks. They happily pack themselves into the parks like sardines. Most do it seasonally and many keep their RV there all year round. I don't see most of these RVers as camping. They use their RVs more as cottages. I'm not suggesting camping is better -- just different.

I do think this stuff should be understood by Livin'Lite as it directly relates who buys their products and how their products are marketed/merchandised. The main business of RV dealers in my area is selling the RV's that will be used as cottages. Over the years the RV industry has trended towards more & more luxury (or cheap imitations of it). That trend is without a doubt driven by what sells. That is what sells to the mass market of towable cottages. To me the market for campers is something different. I also think most RV dealers don't really understand "camping" any more. If the average RV shopper is looking for a towable cottage with all the affordable luxury the industry can muster, then you can well imagine the feedback Livin'Lite gets from dealers. I'm sure Livin'Lite is hearing that buyers want Livin'Lite products to be more like everyone else's products. That homogenization seems to be another trend in the industry. I think it relates to how RVs are sold.

Buyers go to dealers hoping to buy something on the lot. Dealers want to sell them something on the lot. The more the products are the same the easier it is to post the "sold" sign. Those 'cottage' buyers settle on what's the best of what's available in inventory just as they do when the buy cars. Of course not all RV dealers operate the same -- some do understand camping and the kinds of buyers who are looking for "campers". I think Livin'Lite has a tremendous opportunity being part of the THOR family of companies. Campers World - another THOR company - sells lots of RVs. Livin'Lite likely can't change the whole industry but they might be able to change Campers World. One idea relates to adding "Campers" or "Adventure RVs" into the way they classify their inventory -- have them start seeing buyers of campers, toy haulers, and tent trailers as distinct from the broader RV market. Some modest marketing changes would more effectively "sell" the kinds of products Livin'Lite already makes. I really think the whole "Adventure RV" idea is a emerging trend. Livin'Lite can help lead that trend -- or they can listen to fool dealers who want to homogenize.

Any thoughts?

[DavidM]

Lets start with the fact that I am a dedicated camper, period. I would be perfectly happy to camp in an undeveloped place on the side of a dirt road in the middle of no where, overlooking a babbling brook.

I think that LL does cater to this market. At least when we bought our unit a few years ago the interior was plain and utilitarian, a result of the aluminum framed cabinetry and the Azdel panels. We looked at it, swallowed hard, and decided ok, that was one of the penalties of all aluminum, non fiber construction.

But I doubt if LL wants to place itself in the "adventure rv" category. Once you do that, no one will look at them for a "cottage" rv. I am sure that they do sell a few to the person who likes the lightness and non rotting nature of the interior, but wants to park in in an RV park.

Finally I am not convinced that a large number of LL buyers are not RV Parkers. I see a lot of posts over on the other site from people who only camp in the narrow commercial drive through sites and have no clue how to camp with no hookups.

David

[rideandfly]

We camp at National Parks, State Parks, Army Corps of Engineers Parks, and private campgrounds around the nation. Saw one campground we would like to camp at next visit out west, Two Medicine campground at Glacier National Park Montana. It does not have showers or electricity, but has beautiful scenery!  Have to admit I like AC when the temps exceeds 90F in the SE, with high humidity. Have camped in Montana with daytime high temps at 90F, 15% to 20% humidity, night time temps down to 60F, and did not need AC. Also like having a heater, did not have one when tent camping down to upper 20F, but really like having heat the older I become.

Currently planning to buy a slightly larger CampLite during 2015.  We tent camped until buying a Chalet A frame around 2010 & later trading the Chalet in on the 2010 CampLite 11. Also camped with wind gust up to 60MPH, in the CampLite, without issues.

The aluminum floor & structure attracted us to the CampLite.

Here's a couple shots taken recently while camping:

[Paul]

Am I the only one on this forum that use his Camplite as a seasonnal camper? I have the smallest camper in the campground! But I get out of the campground at least a weekend per month. I just returned from Kouchibouguac National Park. It's really fun to be able to go to my camper directly after work and everything is there ready waiting for me. I used my camper way more than if i was going out with it only on weekends. I am going to do a forum post later explaining my experience as a seasonnal camper.