Caravan of the future ?

[nsmg]

Cheers,

I'm doing a paper for the University about the caravan of the future and I would like to request your
help if you don't mind.

What would you like to see in the future available to owners of caravans, in terms
of funtionalities controlled by a remote control or your caravan key for exemple ?

Thank you for your time.
Best Regards.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The more you have which is remote controlled the more there is to go wrong. Also, remember that everything has to be powered from a 12v leisure battery and if not connected to an EHU all things remote may be an unnecessary power drain.

Perhaps the caravan of the future can be light weight, reliable and damp free.

 

[CyberCynth]

Must agree completely with W.C.'s comments; from my point of view, less is better. 'Comfort, towability (by a smallish/economical car) and simplicity' is a must! I'm sure there are lots of Forumites who will argue to the contrary though!

 

[RogerL]

Perhaps the caravan of the future can be light weight, reliable and damp free.

That sums up the requirement in it's entirety - the first manufacturer to achieve it will make a fortune.

 

[intransient1]

Basically what we want is a quality product that everything work correctly from the day of purchase, this is where you need to start from.
Most modern caravans have the level of equipment that people want, although that is open to debate.
We are already seeing smartphone operated options, but time will tell if this is a sucess.
Please remember that these options are usually only available on top end models at a premium price.
As a disabled caravanner I would like to see all vans fitted with self leveling systems as standard, and before I get slated on here for that let's look at the plus side, if items are fitted as standard the economy of scale will radically reduce the cost of systems.
Also all vans should be fitted with a motor mover as standard.
Refillable gas systems would be good as well.
These types of options would be far better that over the top remote control devices.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

what will caravans of the future be like, good question I would think they will develop into a living unit that is remotely controlled, you simply type in the destination and pitch number, and off it goes, self towing it arrives and sets it's self up,
so when you get there it''s already to go.

Oh forgot we have them already there called statics !!! :woohoo: :woohoo:

seriously though the future of touring vans is not good they get more expensive to own, more expensive to maintain, more expensive to use, and as time goes on you will need a law degree to understand the legislation before use.

 

[RogerL]

Basically what we want is a quality product that everything work correctly from the day of purchase, this is where you need to start from.
Most modern caravans have the level of equipment that people want, although that is open to debate.
We are already seeing smartphone operated options, but time will tell if this is a sucess.
Please remember that these options are usually only available on top end models at a premium price.
As a disabled caravanner I would like to see all vans fitted with self leveling systems as standard, and before I get slated on here for that let's look at the plus side, if items are fitted as standard the economy of scale will radically reduce the cost of systems.
Also all vans should be fitted with a motor mover as standard.
Refillable gas systems would be good as well.
These types of options would be far better that over the top remote control devices.

Whilst I sympathize with your need of self-levelling as an option - the idea of "forcing" it on everyone, at extra expense, just to bring th cost down for you isn't acceptable.

We all end up buying "features" we don't use and don't want - because we're all DIFFERENT - so the concept of a basic caravan with extensive option list has much appeal.

 

[Dustydog]

King WC said it all.
Alde already do a dial in set your temperature.
Give me a totally waterproof caravan and you are home and dry.

 

[CyberCynth]

I'm going to put my oar in again here and stress that simplicity is key! Start with a good, lightweight, dry entry model and let people add extras to their own requirements. As another posting pointed out, we're all different! In my experience, the more complicated things get, the more potential there is for problems to develop. This may not be an issue for the technocrats out there, but some of us prefer a caravan in which we can relax; warm, dry and comfortable, without the worry of electronic glitches!