New Expedition Camper Build (CRT14)

[ahb1989]

Really nice!

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[ahb1989]

Do y'all feel that most potential customers would want to purchase with a 12 volt refrigerator already installed or would most already have them? I'm trying to come up with the best pricing plan. I feel like I have a good pricing point fully loaded, but wonder if it's better to have a base trailer and let people simply add what they want. Overall considering the changes made it could be cheaper overall to have only a simple set of options, but then I feel like I could lose potential customers due to the high buy in.

 

[trailscape]

Do y'all feel that most potential customers would want to purchase with a 12 volt refrigerator already installed or would most already have them? I'm trying to come up with the best pricing plan. I feel like I have a good pricing point fully loaded, but wonder if it's better to have a base trailer and let people simply add what they want. Overall considering the changes made it could be cheaper overall to have only a simple set of options, but then I feel like I could lose potential customers due to the high buy in.

One of these days I'd like to purchase a trailer like this. I don't have the means to build one myself from scratch, so I'd prefer a basic no frills model to customize to my needs without all the added expense for stuff I can do. Making it mine is the part of the build I really enjoy doing. This trailer looks great and I wish you success in this endeavor.

 

[ahb1989]

One of these days I'd like to purchase a trailer like this. I don't have the means to build one myself from scratch, so I'd prefer a basic no frills model to customize to my needs without all the added expense for stuff I can do. Making it mine is the part of the build I really enjoy doing. This trailer looks great and I wish you success in this endeavor.

Thank you very much. It's something I've always wanted to do. I prefer USA businesses, never really thought how much it takes to operate one but its coming. I want to provide to both sides, the finished and the not but I don't want to end up like some and have a one year wait. I mean I guess there is worse problems to have but I would not want to be that far behind.

The biggest thing I can think of is model separation. I would hate to sell one for $85xx as a no frills model that looks exactly like the $14xxx model but costs twice as much. Maybe it isn't a real concern.

I'd be open to offering one that was structurally sound, but no finish, paint, or interior but then you would have those that wouldn't finish it properly, or have issues, or make it look like junk and bring the perceived line value down.

There is a lot to think about. I can easily see why many have pages of options. But you have to add so much more cost to them if they aren't planned for each one. I may make a visibly different, but similar, one to be offered in kit form so to speak. One big box or a rolling chassis.

 

[M35A2]

Do y'all feel that most potential customers would want to purchase with a 12 volt refrigerator already installed or would most already have them? I'm trying to come up with the best pricing plan. I feel like I have a good pricing point fully loaded, but wonder if it's better to have a base trailer and let people simply add what they want. Overall considering the changes made it could be cheaper overall to have only a simple set of options, but then I feel like I could lose potential customers due to the high buy in.

Whatever you come up with for a built trailer and associated 'add' or 'delete' options, personally I believe you should offer a stripper version with just the trailer. Think of it as a body in white.

Many customers will be shopping price and part of their equation will be to repurpose stuff they already have. Plus, there is always someone whose religion prohibits cold food ( or whatever), so they won't want whatever it is you would include. Don't carve these customers out.

It's the same reason to avoid a wrap (aside for the durability/longevity issues already discussed). Wrap is expensive in terms of your margin. IOW, you may be hard pressed to make a decent profit on each unit sale in order to hit certain price points -- why strain the profit equation with wrap, which adds a lot of cost but very little margin, and can push your value prop over the edge?

So my suggestion is to always offer a stripper model - just the bare rolling trailer.

 

[trailscape]

The biggest thing I can think of is model separation. I would hate to sell one for $85xx as a no frills model that looks exactly like the $14xxx model but costs twice as much. Maybe it isn't a real concern.

I think for brand recognition and simplicity, it's best to keep the exterior design minimal and as complete as possible. I guess you could look at it like a work truck version and a fully loaded edition, both can look pretty similar on the outside. Better comparisons are found in the popup truck camper market. Take a look at Four Wheel Campers shell models in comparison to the standard models.

 

[1store]

The out fit we make frames for that uses molded fiberglass skins found out it was cost effect to pant Camo . Than wraps even after buying a printer . At times they print a picture on fiberglass not rice paper that debonds and in bed it.As your just starting out I get some stencil and have as a up sale. Why are you not planing to sale to the ones that have 4 banger eng ? How heave is it going to be?

 

[calicamper]

Rumblings that our predicted 2yrs of cheap gas prices may end sooner, but thats all hinged on Geo Politics which can never be predicted. The fuel efficient RV type options always seem to survive during hard times on the big heavy RV biz. The downer being profits are far far less on the smaller rigs that can demand just as much time and effort to build and sell. Stay focused on the smart light efficient stuff and deversify with smart design of stand alone items other campers could purchase and use thus reducing your risk having all eggs in one product. ;-) The small smart trailer thing is a better fit to younger generations who have near zero interest in the RV thing.

 

[ahb1989]

Whatever you come up with for a built trailer and associated 'add' or 'delete' options, personally I believe you should offer a stripper version with just the trailer. Think of it as a body in white.

Many customers will be shopping price and part of their equation will be to repurpose stuff they already have. Plus, there is always someone whose religion prohibits cold food ( or whatever), so they won't want whatever it is you would include. Don't carve these customers out.

It's the same reason to avoid a wrap (aside for the durability/longevity issues already discussed). Wrap is expensive in terms of your margin. IOW, you may be hard pressed to make a decent profit on each unit sale in order to hit certain price points -- why strain the profit equation with wrap, which adds a lot of cost but very little margin, and can push your value prop over the edge?

So my suggestion is to always offer a stripper model - just the bare rolling trailer.

That is some helpful insight. I suppose there are plenty of people that have fridges, water pumps, or who knows what else laying around already. There may even be those that don't want any infrastructure and would be fine with a solar water heater and a Coleman stove. I think that there needs to be a fully finished, all included model for those that don't want to have to do anything but also one for those who might not weld, or have the space to take on a full build.

 

[ahb1989]

I think for brand recognition and simplicity, it's best to keep the exterior design minimal and as complete as possible. I guess you could look at it like a work truck version and a fully loaded edition, both can look pretty similar on the outside. Better comparisons are found in the popup truck camper market. Take a look at Four Wheel Campers shell models in comparison to the standard models.

Thanks for the advice, I never realized that they offered plain shells so I guess it isn't out of the ordinary then.