qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Back to my OP, can we find any manufacturer who is making a design change to improve mpg or a unit that reduces use of electricity by making the unit more efficient?
Does a manufacturer even offer a choice of a/c size or use of evaporative cooler, use of LEDs, and a full blown solar set?
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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OleRVer
Orlando,Fl.
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Joined: 04/06/2004
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qtla9111 wrote:Back to my OP, can we find any manufacturer who is making a design change to improve mpg or a unit that reduces use of electricity by making the unit more efficient?
Does a manufacturer even offer a choice of a/c size or use of evaporative cooler, use of LEDs, and a full blown solar set?
I believe Newmar offers most of the above. There must be others also, but, they must produce what sells to stay in business. Being inovative sounds good, but it does not always sell to the masses. You also have to understand, there were over 40,000 Yugos sold in this country at one time.........go figure....and, do you know why Yugos had rear window defrosters?........to keep your hands warm when you pushed them........
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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They are thinking that there is no money in the budget with which to speculate. They are thinking that if someone wants a Mechanix Illustrated/Flash Gordon motorhome they should place the order, and include full payment.
They are thinking they should've done it like Newmar,...don't build a unit unless you have a bonefide order for it.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
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apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
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Joined: 02/14/2007
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qtla9111 wrote:Back to my OP, can we find any manufacturer who is making a design change to improve mpg or a unit that reduces use of electricity by making the unit more efficient?
Does a manufacturer even offer a choice of a/c size or use of evaporative cooler, use of LEDs, and a full blown solar set?
Most RV manufactures offer an upgraded AC size, but I haven't seen an evap cooler for RV's. It seems water use would be an issue.
LED's are going to add a whole lot of cost to an RV, and for most users they aren't going to gain anything. In a sailboat where you can count on full sun most of the day and good wind most of the time for the wind genny, then you can use lots of things (such as LED's and cold plate fridges). Most RV's and RV'ers are not ready for being truly off grid and run such a low power existance. I see lots of posts from people putting Bigger TV's in, but almost none about folks trying to reduce their power consumption.
If you really want a low power consumption RV look at an Earthromer XVJP http://www.allpar.com/trucks/jeep/earthroamer.html .
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
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2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
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K3WE
Missouri
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Joined: 05/24/2005
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There's going to be some speed bumps.
What I think is dying is the 4-door F-150 GROCERY hauler and the 10-Ton Hummer with four captain chairs which is less seats than my Toyota RAV-4.
One article said something like "Pickup trucks will return to their old utility roots"
My real SUV pet peeve (and there's more than one thread here in recent years), is how they have lost UTILITY in favor of fancy-schmansy-looks-before-function kinds of things. Nothing sadder than a Suburban with four captains chairs- that DOES define conspicuous consumption.
Now, load up a 1970's suburban with 3 folks on the front bench, 3 folks in the middle row and 3 folks in the back and you have something that holds it's own in SEAT MILES per gallon, AND IN UTILITY. And order it with a Diesel and a manual tranny and any one of six engines.......And, as long as it's not hauling just you and a few sacks of groceries, you've got an efficient, useful vehicle!
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free radical
Alberta
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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qtla9111 wrote:Back to my OP, can we find any manufacturer who is making a design change to improve mpg or a unit that reduces use of electricity by making the unit more efficient?
until(if ever)they do the one solution imo is to burn cheaper fuel,
such as biodiesel/vegie oil
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
or ethanol in gas engine,
only problem is if you want to get it cheap you have to make it yourself,
heres a fancy but very expensive still
www.efuel100.com
I imagine one could find or build simple type of alky distiller much cheaper.
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wvojak
SW Washington State
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Joined: 05/05/2005
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Skid Row Joe wrote:Only two American autos make this list.......at the very bottom, and sporty economy portion of the current J.D. Power list of Highest Quality new cars list. Since economy cars are the present and future of American auto buyers, why aren't there more American cars making the economy car highest quality portion of this list.
Reason 1 - perceived quality
I travel on business a lot and get to rent many different cars. Recently I rented a Ford Focus. The interior was CHEAP! Cheap shiny plastic. Ill fitted. Doors that felt like tin.
Then I rented a Kia Spectra. High quality interior. Solid. Nice quiet ride.
Reason 2 - MPG
I've been shopping for a new small car. Most all of the small cars have good highway numbers. But MANY of the US cars have crappy city mileage numbers. So unless your on the highway 90% of the time, your average is going to be poor. So Toyota might have 27/35 while Chevy would have 22/34. That 22 instead of 27 makes a big difference.
Reason 3 - Dealer Attitude
I just bought a Kia Rio. . I'm averaging 34 mpg! The dealer and salesperson treated me like I was buying a top of the line Caddy. . In the past, my dealings with domestic dealerships and small cars has been more like "well if I have to, I'll take some of my precious time and write up your sale". This may be changing, or has already changed. But when I e-mailed the dealer and asked for a quote on a Rio, I got the quote with no hassles. When I went to the dealer to test drive there was no attempt to "move me up" to a more expensive car, or to jack up the price with options.
Reason 4 - Foresight
The foreign auto makers have been building and refining small cars for a LONG time. They have it down to an art form. Ford JUST announced that they are going to start concentrating on smaller, more efficient cars! After losing 8.3 BILLION dollars. . The foreign makers have been concentrating on smaller, more efficient cars for decades.
Bill Vojak
SW Washington State
2001 K2500HD Suburban LT w/Autoride - 6.0L/4.10 - Eaz-Lift w/WD
2006 Kodiak 214 Hybrid TT
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minnow
Upstate New York
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Joined: 08/30/2001
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And to add to that - Ford will take 3 years to get small fuel efficent cars to our shores that are already being sold today in Europe !! And does anyone need to wonder why the Big 3 are all swimming in the same toilet bowl ??
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