Airstream vs Advanced RV - need input

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Hawk-ination

Leisure Travel vans fits a lot of your check list too. Don’t come at me...

I agree LTV makes a quality product. But they no longer make B-vans only Class-C models.

https://leisurevans.com/

[Brentsouth]

Well I went ahead and bought a used Advanced RV that was traded in. It is a quality product but they still have a few minor bugs to work out for me. It is not a 4x4 so now trying to decided if I will go through the process and $$ to get a custom one built. Thanks for all you all's input.

[InterBlog]

Congrats!

There are no campervans listed on the ARV site right now, just a people-mover named "Metrivan". So I am curious about how yours is configured...

[Brentsouth]

Here is a link to mine. If you go to their gallery and click on the pictures you can see the detail pictures of each one. Here are the details:

https://advanced-rv.com/gallery/wave-oceanranger/

2016 Ocean One Mercedes Sprinter Extended 170 Chassis

• 6 Cylinder Diesel
• 52,000 Miles Currently, 58,000 anticipated by May 2020
• Mahogany/White/Brushed Stainless Interior
• Bulkhead Curtain
• Micro-wired Heated Windshield
• Cavansite Blue Exterior
• Fiamma Power Retractable Awning
• 800 AH/Lithium Batteries w/ Heater
• Latest Battery Control System
• Second Alternator
• 2200 Watt Inverter/Surge Protector
• 220 Watt Solar
• VB Air Suspension with Ferry Option
• Sofa/Queen Power Bed with Headboard
• 6.8 c.f. NovaKool Fridge and Separate Freezer
• Frigidaire Microwave
• Tire Pressure Monitor System (Doran)
• Full-Time Rearview Camera w/ Dedicated Dash Monitor
• UltraQuiet A/C (upgrade per Advanced RV)
• MaxFan with remote
• Diesel Fired Heat (Espar)
• Floor Radiant Heat
• Built-in Induction Cooktop; 2nd Portable Cooktop w/ cord
• Keurig Coffee maker Integrated
• Extra AC Receptacles In Galley and Aft
• Quartz Countertops
• Bathroom Skylight
• LED Interior Lighting with Dimmers
• Samsung Smart TV / Apple TV
• WiFI Ranger Router
• WeBoost Cell Phone Amplifier
• Computer Desk with Power Adjustable 24” HD Monitor
• Brother Laser Printer (in wardrobe)
• High Quality JL Audio Sound
• Pioneer in dash Stereo with:
o Navigation
o Sirius/XM Radio
o Apple Carplay
• Over the galley Soundbar (a B-MO special install)
• Silverleaf Integrated Control and Touchscreen
• Rozie remote coach Monitoring/Command via Internet/Cellphone
• CompuStar Keyfob Security
• Exterior Keypad for Entry/Lock
• Mercedes Active Safety Plus package
• Mercedes Factory Warranty Extended through July 25, 2022

[Rig Rat]

Nice looking unit, congratulations! We've looked several times at their trade ins but want one with twin beds. So far, none to be found! We've used ARV to add solar and a rear bug screen to our AI. They do nice work!

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

There is a gaping market hole, a no-man's land between mass-produced Airstreams and custom-built ARVs.

Every once in a while, my husband and I get a wild hair and speculate about how we could fill it. ARV is that expensive mainly because everything that rolls off their assembly line is a one-off. We could produce vans that are near-ARV quality but in a small number of standardized formats that lend themselves to production economies of scale, thereby charging $150K for the same quality that fetches $300K at ARV. . .

There is an RV builder in Elkhart, IN that does what you suggest. Embassy RV offers what they call "controlled custom" that allows variations on their basic format that are in the price range you mentioned.

https://www.embassyrv.com/

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

There is an RV builder in Elkhart, IN that does what you suggest. ....

I bet there are multiple small shops across the country that do this. It's an obvious response to the market.

Generally speaking, old people have the money, while young people represent the biggest potential client pool. I would be conflicted about which segment to serve.

Embassy clearly designs for the former, which perhaps is the safer choice. But maybe it's safer in the shorter term only, because as waves of boomers pass away, their young people inherit their assets. And many younger people are going to want something more toward the Alphavan groove.

Everything is on the internet if we take the time to look for it. As bizarre as it is, there's a site that contains death clocks for every named generation (boomers, Gen X, Millennials). Couple these numbers with the reported fact that the average boomer household has a 7-figure net worth, and I see quite an emerging younger person van market. Maybe not young like twentysomethings, but active fiftysomethings.