Hymer to Exhibit Grand Canyon ‘B’ at Elkhart Open House

[BobB]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

He seemed to be implying that they (Hymer) thought it was going to be a cake-walk to get set up and start selling, and it's turned out to be anything but.

Maybe the timeline is taking longer - coming to a deal with Spartan and the time for the bureaucratic hoops - but Hymer built their first caravan (trailer) in 1957 and first motorhome in 1961 and is one of the largest motorhome manufacturers in Europe. They are not newbies to this industry, so I find it highly unlikely they did not know what they were getting into.

[ClassB4Me]

Interesting complementary story. I guess RVIA certification helps when securing RV financing.

(Not) RVIA Certification

[Davydd]

Originally Posted by Transit

I by no means meant to criticize your purchases or timing. I really appreciate people like you who are pushing RV technology forward and forcing prices down for the rest of us (not being sarcastic; it’s just a slow process and fortunately I have time to wait). Just imagine how expensive Alvar would have been if Advanced RV didn’t have enough customers to exist.

All periods are unique but some are dangerously so if people make decisions that rely on the trend continuing. Many home buyers (hopefully) learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago. Over the next decade I think there’s a good chance B price increases will need to return to the mean. So for those of us still in the accumulation stage, assuming little to no depreciation is a very dangerous gamble.

I can confidently tell you if Roadtrek could build my B and match quality and spec down the line (but I know they couldn't) they would have to charge way more than Advanced RV. The dealer network system adds a tremendous overhead to the cost.

I don't believe in making decisions based on what might happen in the future based on another model and I don't think you can equate it to home buyers. The Baby Boomers hit the retirement market right at the height of the recession and buoyed the Class B market. It could have another 15 years to run. That's too far out in the future for me to worry about. On the other hand Boomers could disrupt the housing market with shifting living conditions.

My whole point is retirees have diminishing time and no luxury to wait on the Hymer or Ford Transit for instance, or other promised improvements. I would have bought a 4x4 but wasn't about to wait an additional six months. Maybe my fourth B.

[ClassB4Me]

I love the stealth nature of AVR and use of tech where it adds value but for those of us of modest means, it is difficult to add AVR to the list of RVs to consider. AVR used to provide prices online of units to give the prospective customer a sense of what the starting price point will be.

I suspect the starting point for AVR products in their most modern iteration is over $150K.

[BobB]

Originally Posted by ClassB4Me

I love the stealth nature of AVR and use of tech where it adds value but for those of us of modest means, it is difficult to add AVR to the list of RVs to consider.

But it is nice to have someone pushing the envelope on what an RV could be, quality and tech-wise, and have customers supporting that - those "early adopters". It is not so different from the boating, automobile and housing (and other) industries, where there a few companies setting a particular quality and technical standard and, usually (not eventually because some initiatives don't "take") others follow their lead. Costs initial $$$ but over time some of those standards and practices are adopted and then it costs $.

Wish an AVR would show up at a Hershey, just to see a few of their models in person.

[Jostalli]

My Promaster has 40gal water 32gal grey no black since Separett toilet.

[Davydd]

Hershey and most all shows are dealer shows. You won't see Advanced RV there. Go to Willoughby, OH and tour their facilities and see several RVs under conversion at different stages. You learn a lot more there than any RV show.

[BobB]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Hershey and most all shows are dealer shows. You won't see Advanced RV there. Go to Willoughby, OH and tour their facilities and see several RVs under conversion at different stages. You learn a lot more there than any RV show.

I know that Davydd.

It would just be "nice" for them to show up once and a while at some "public" show so people can learn first hand about them and their cutting edge designs without traipsing cross country. They might actually interest a few potential customers or get a customer, but I guess that's not their goal.

[Davydd]

Their goal is to reach 50 ARVs per year and the last I heard they have a backlog of over a year with a business plan to work directly with customers to provide each what they desire. There are no two ARVs alike in design, finishes or amenities that I know of. I would say under that criteria if you were serious you would take the time and effort to go see them. Or had you attended the annual RV.net B Rally the past three years you would have two or three of them in attendance including Mike and Neundorfer, the owners there as participants and RVers. The rally always had an open house so attendees could look at each others' B's.

[Scottbaldassari]

Originally Posted by Jostalli

My Promaster has 40gal water 32gal grey no black since Separett toilet.

cool. Is there a link/page/blog to your build/brand RV? I'd love to see how that was done...

[Nomad32]

The Hymer-USA Facebook page has some photos posted from the Elkheart show.

https://www.facebook.com/HymerCar/ph...=page_internal

[ClassB4Me]

Thank you.....

Several things stand out from the pictures

• Truma heat/water
• Left side compartment may indicate cassette toilet
• Acrylic insulated windows
• Two trim levels?

Looks like a standard wheelbase version

For Comparison...

Standard Length
Camper Nueva Hymer GRAND CANYON

Extended Length - Deluxe Trim (high resolution pictures)
Hymer Hymercar Grand Canyon Motorhome For Sale - Travelworld Motorhomes

[eric1514]

No TV or A/C. Would not own.

Eric

[BobB]

Originally Posted by eric1514

No TV or A/C. Would not own.

Eric

Sure looks like some type of Dometic unit on top. Not A/C?

TV is relatively easy add - don't have one now, so don't miss it.

[Scottbaldassari]

Originally Posted by eric1514

No TV or A/C. Would not own.

Eric

Huh?
I'd guess that big white thing on the roof that says "Dometic" is A/C..
..And isn't the big black flat screened thing above the guys head at the dinette a TV?

[eric1514]

Originally Posted by Scottbaldassari

Huh?
I'd guess that big white thing on the roof that says "Dometic" is A/C..
..And isn't the big black flat screened thing above the guys head at the dinette a TV?

I didn't see either of those in the two links provided by ClassB4Me. If they're included in the NA version, I stand corrected.

Eric

[Scottbaldassari]

Originally Posted by eric1514

I didn't see either of those in the two links provided by ClassB4Me. If they're included in the NA version, I stand corrected.

Eric

No, they were in the prior link by Nomad about the Elkhart Show:
https://www.facebook.com/HymerCar/ph...=page_internal
Apparently, this is the US version...

[eric1514]

Originally Posted by Scottbaldassari

No, they were in the prior link by Nomad about the Elkhart Show:
https://www.facebook.com/HymerCar/ph...=page_internal
Apparently, this is the US version...

My bad. If it says "facebook" in the link, I don't click it because 9 times out of 10, it won't let me in because I'm a luddite and don't have a facebook account.

[wincrasher]

Resistance is futile Eric. You will be assimilated!

[ClassB4Me]

Sorry for adding confusing.... I'm constantly comparing the US Grand Canyon spec to the European models to see what functionality will change. I'm hoping many of the useful features available in European markets will be available in the US markets.

GSM remote control of heat and water is a nice feature I have not seen in other RVs

Truma INET
https://www.truma.com/int/en/press-e...net-system.php