Trends in RV design

Erv Troyer

Erv Troyer

Member
Nov 20, 2002
209
3
18
Lagrange, IN
There is a letter in the "Reader's Forum" in the February issue of the FMCA magazine that really caught my attention.

Original letter quote:
Simplify Exterior "Designs"

Dear Editor:
The greatest motorhome design flaw may be the exterior paint. Where is it written that motorhomes have to be painted with a bunch of scrawling lines? No matter what brand or make, they all look alike. My computer can generate endless variations of these mindless, cluttered designs, but in the end, they all look the same.

How about a nice, solid color or two-tone paint? One of the neatest paint jobs I ever saw on a motorhome was in the 1970s. It was a "Coca-Cola" red GMC.

Mel Smith, F121703
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
unquote

This man is standing up and telling everyone "The Emporer has no clothes!" and he is echoing what I have been trying to tell the local RV manufacturers for years - those "swoopy swirls" you put on your coaches look stupid, and they make your RV look like everybody else's RV. And the writer does include GMC content in his letter.

I sent a reply to FMCA Magazine which let them know what I think. I would like to get some opinions from others on this Forum, and especially on what you think about putting these swoops on our Classic GMC's. I might even post a copy of my reply letter if this doesn't create too big of a stink.

Please remember - this is my opinion, and your reply is going to be your opinion, so keep it kind - no yelling please. :>)
--
Erv Troyer Lagrange, IN
74 Sequoia
reo43
 
There is a very good reason why the big class A vehicles have gone to those swoops and swirls. From a design point of view, it makes the vehicle look less like a box on wheels and provides the illusion of some aerodynamics.

The fact is, the big class A vehicles look like giant toasters. This is an attempt to avoid being mocked for owning a rolling toaster after you've paid 200K-500K and have 20years of payments on a vehicle that is underwater the moment it leaves the lot.

As for our GMCs, they are already more aerodynamic looking and less toaster-like. The swoops and swirls are more a matter of personal preference than a disguising necessity.

I have nothing against the current paint preference and don't really think it looks that bad. To be honest, a blindingly white 40 foot class A rolling down a sun-baked southern highway would probably cause more than a few accidents from people blinking the reflection out of their eyes.
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
Erv Troyer opined today what I have asserted often.
Those 'swirls' embellishing the sides are there only to fool ones eyes into
avoiding the obvious; the SOB motorhome is a big, bulky box on wheels.

The beauty of our GMCs is that the design is streamlined , not only looking
but functionally.

I much prefer a two tone or three toned scheme, judiciously applied, sans
all the gimmickry and diversions which are quite transparent.
My 2 cents from one who has been certified as possessing a critical design
eye. :),
And challenging Chris of Az. for smart-axx of the year
 
OK, folks.

This is America. Everyone is welcome to an opinion.

Personally, I don't like some of the swirls. I also don't like some of the
color choices. However, I've also seen some pretty ugly designs on a GMC
that, to my eye, ruined the beauty inherent in the design of the body. But,
to each his own.

Chris' scheme is his own design that suits his own tastes. I see no reason
to be critical of it.

As to the Coke GadAbout - nice use of color and curvature that accentuated
the brand for both Coke and GMC.

--

Byron Songer
1978 GMC Royale
Louisville, KY
http://www.gmceast.com
http://web.me.com/bnsonger

> Erv Troyer opined today what I have asserted often.
> Those 'swirls' embellishing the sides are there only to fool ones eyes into
> avoiding the obvious; the SOB motorhome is a big, bulky box on wheels.
>
> The beauty of our GMCs is that the design is streamlined , not only looking
> but functionally.
>
> I much prefer a two tone or three toned scheme, judiciously applied, sans
> all the gimmickry and diversions which are quite transparent.
> My 2 cents from one who has been certified as possessing a critical design
> eye. :),
> And challenging Chris of Az. for smart-axx of the year
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
Not owning a GMC Motorhome (yet) I get to speak from a neutral standpoint - and that is... the GMC has a look that is recognizable on it's own. It doesn't even need color! Like many things i.e. think of the shape of a VW Beetle, be it pleasing to the eye or not, it is it's shape that defines what it is (imho).

That's pretty high praise for an object as there's not too many cars or whatever vehicles that you can really say that about - its also one of the reasons I love the GMC... the shape is gorgeous and 30-some years later still looks modern and unique, so that puts it in a class all on its own.

Now, given the paint and the blank canvas, I have a feeling I'd first tend to go for one solid color - maybe not even a stripe, maybe not even a rub-strip. Second would be a stripe or two but only following the lines of the coach design as it is now.

Fooling around, (anybody crafty with Photoshop?) I'd love to see one done i.e. military camouflage - so if you were parked out in the woods or maybe out in a desert, it would just vanish. ;)

Swirls - not a chance (again, imho). I get their 'usefulness' (if that's a fair term) to rid of the rolling billboard that some coaches are, but on a GMC... nope. They would take away from its shape and that would be a bad thing best as my eyes see.

Gord :)
 
I think owning a GMC requires or at least indicates a different mindset.
When I walk into a modern SOB, it really seems like they are trying very hard to impress me with how rich they are. Dual slideouts with 10 feet of open floor space? Marble counter tops? Seriously?

Then again, If I were full timing and living it it for the next 10+ years, it might be more interesting...

FWIW, I really like this paint scheme. It makse the GMC look long and low. Being mostly white it should stay cooler than my dark blue does now...someday!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37730&title=dream-paint-jobs&cat=5186

http://tinyurl.com/4emnceb
--
Keith
69 Vette
29 Dodge
75 Royale GMC
 
There's a beauty too - I'll critique that one though, that if you
concentrate on the 'belt-line' paint on it's own, it's ok, but if you look
at it considering the bottom of the coach, hmmm... Something goes out of
balance to my eye. Maybe if the bottom of the beltline was horizontal and it
angled up rather than angling down? - anyway, I'd still take it if someone
threw it my way, no question!

Gord :)

-----Original Message-----

I think owning a GMC requires or at least indicates a different mindset.
When I walk into a modern SOB, it really seems like they are trying very
hard to impress me with how rich they are. Dual slideouts with 10 feet of
open floor space? Marble counter tops? Seriously?

Then again, If I were full timing and living it it for the next 10+ years,
it might be more interesting...

FWIW, I really like this paint scheme. It makse the GMC look long and low.
Being mostly white it should stay cooler than my dark blue does
now...someday!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37730&title=dream-pain
t-jobs&cat=5186

http://tinyurl.com/4emnceb
--
Keith
69 Vette
29 Dodge
75 Royale GMC
 
Keith,

Two points:

1) Are SOB manufacturers trying to impress you or your wife? I suspect it's
the latter! ;-)

2) I laude Dan and Teri for being able to basically full time in a GMC, it's
a bit too small as far as I'm concerned. It's a GREAT touring vehicle,
however!

That paint job is nice.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces
[mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Keith V
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 7:14 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trends in RV design

I think owning a GMC requires or at least indicates a different mindset.
When I walk into a modern SOB, it really seems like they are trying very
hard to impress me with how rich they are. Dual slideouts with 10 feet of
open floor space? Marble counter tops? Seriously?

Then again, If I were full timing and living it it for the next 10+ years,
it might be more interesting...

FWIW, I really like this paint scheme. It makse the GMC look long and low.
Being mostly white it should stay cooler than my dark blue does
now...someday!

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37730&title=dream-pain
t-jobs&cat=5186

http://tinyurl.com/4emnceb
--
 
I think the RV industry moves a lot of crap to a largely uninformed buying public.

It's different from cars. We all have cars, we drive them every day, all our friends have cars so we are pretty informed about what works and what we want.

But people seem so willing to spend obscene amounts of money on this big stupid box and not ask any questions about it's design.

After the first payment the denial kicks in and they keep a deathgrip on their belief that they made a wise purchase.

But hey, it's got granite countertops.....

--
Dave & Ellen Silva


Check out the website:

http://www.oldrv.net
 
Dave,
Well, an obscene amount of money is defined by the beholder . . . Don't take this the wrong way, but GMC motorhomes attract people who are not "spenders" They value functionality, timeless design, uniqueness, and often the ability to be both self-reliant and able and knowledgeable enough to do their own work. These values can be independent of income and asset levels.

If your Jimmy Johnson, dropping $2 mil. or so on a Prevost is sort of like me deciding to go out for lunch instead of having chili at home. His values are fewest hassles and time spent possible (and when something goes wrong someone else is in charge of getting it taken care of) keeping the Ms. happy (common for married people I'm told) and to a large extent, perceived prestige and acceptance among his peers. If spending amount was part of his value system, he could by a 3 year old one and save 50% or more, instead of getting a new one every season. But, that would look bad to his peers when he was out by Lake Norman.

Just a few thoughts,
--
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
 
Fooling around, (anybody crafty with Photoshop?) I'd love to see one done i.e. military camouflage -
____________________________________________________

I've come a long way with Gatsbys' CRUISER :d , most of the credit I MUST give to the PO whose work, If I did not have to redo most of it, would have been much less work in the long run.

The fastest and easiest way to play with a gmc pic is MicroSloth PAINT. If you have a clean copy of the body, you can change colors instantly. If not clean, you have to change the 1st color manually and save in TIF. then the color changes will roll. You can play with stripes, curls and rolls all you want an if you don't like it, you can take it off easily.

I agree with you all, the big boxes are painted to fool the eye. And what a deal, the more difficult the paint job, the more expensive.

The GMC was generally found with a horizontal stripe. It tends to give the GMC a long stretch look. I think a few gentle curves work on the GMC. But the standard BOX paint jobs are too much for the GMC's nice body design.

Ya'll neet to play with MS Paint and see where your imagination can go. sometimes it looks pretty good. Sometimes, no.

I tend to believe on a GMC, Less is more.

Simple mid stripe with a slight curve, maybe a bottom stripe and a fairly simple graphic between the side windows generally make a great looking GMC. People will vary the look so they don't look like someone elses GMC, but its all good


--
Gatsbys' CRUISER :d
74 GLACIER X, 260
455/APC/4 bagg'r(ver3)
Remflex Manifold gaskets
_______________________________________________
Purchased 08-18-04

_


 
> Dave,
> Well, an obscene amount of money is defined by the beholder . . . Don't take this the wrong way, but GMC motorhomes attract people who are not "spenders" They value functionality, timeless design, uniqueness, and often the ability to be both self-reliant and able and knowledgeable enough to do their own work. These values can be independent of income and asset levels.
>
> If your Jimmy Johnson, dropping $2 mil. or so on a Prevost is sort of like me deciding to go out for lunch instead of having chili at home.



First, a Prevost is a well designed coach. Jimmy gets what he pays for.

I think the GMC attracts people who appreciate good design but can't afford the Prevost.

And I think the RV industry thrives on people who fall in love with cabinets & curtains.

But unlike them, we enjoy our motorhomes even when they break (mostly)

--
Dave & Ellen Silva


Check out the website:

http://www.oldrv.net
 
> There's a beauty too - I'll critique that one though, that if you
> concentrate on the 'belt-line' paint on it's own, it's ok, but if you look
> at it considering the bottom of the coach, hmmm... Something goes out of
> balance to my eye. Maybe if the bottom of the beltline was horizontal and it
> angled up rather than angling down? - anyway, I'd still take it if someone
> threw it my way, no question!
>
> Gord :)


You know I tried it with 1/2 of the pointy stripe and with no stripe. this is the one I like best.
I'll upload the runners up to the same location

--
Keith
69 Vette
29 Dodge
75 Royale GMC
 
Well, Erv, and George, You are certainly entitled to your opinions, but opinions are like assholes, and everyone has one.

It took a lot of sketching on my and my Son's part to come up with something that updates the coach without going too far, and makes "her" happy too.

I thought long and hard about the colors, using a lot of perl white to keep the heat load down, using some silver and/or champagne to bring a modern accent, and it still needed something, so we added the few ribbons, (Which may still change a bit)

So this is what I will probably paint my coach like. Sorry if the paint scheme offends you guys so much. Let's see yours!

Thanks to Byron Songer for doing a very nice job of taking my MS paint rendering and producing such a professional rendering. I am actually partial to his simpler ribbons than my own.
--
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The Engineer's Motorhome
Scottsdale, AZ

Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
 
I think it's really a neat scheme; I LIKE it!

It's not overdone or gaudy and gives a suggestion
of air flowing over the coach at speed! PLUS, it
can reasonably be expected to be just about as
cool in the sun as a fully white coach.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

> To: gmclist
> From: cchoffataz
> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:38:47 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trends in RV design
>
> Sorry, forgot the link, and misspelled Pearl.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37825&title=final-with-ribbons&cat=500
> --
> -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> 77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The Engineer's Motorhome
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
> Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
 
Chris,
You probably already know this but a good paint shop can run your
colors on the windows with a see through dot technique. This keeps
from interrupting the flow of the design.

Nelson Wright
Orlando FL
78 Royale rear bath

>
>
> Sorry, forgot the link, and misspelled Pearl.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37825&title=final-with-ribbons&cat=500
> --
> -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> 77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The
> Engineer's Motorhome
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
> Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
 
Yep, pretty much.

Thanks!


> I think it's really a neat scheme; I LIKE it!
>
> It's not overdone or gaudy and gives a suggestion
> of air flowing over the coach at speed! PLUS, it
> can reasonably be expected to be just about as
> cool in the sun as a fully white coach.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
>
>
> > To: gmclist
> > From: cchoffataz
> > Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:38:47 -0600
> > Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trends in RV design
> >
> > Sorry, forgot the link, and misspelled Pearl.
> >
> > http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=37825&title=final-with-ribbons&cat=500
> > --
> > -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> > 77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The Engineer's Motorhome
> > Scottsdale, AZ
> >
> > Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist


--
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The Engineer's Motorhome
Scottsdale, AZ

Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
 
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