Change the Shell Order...

[Dave99gst-TMO]

Couldn't the shell order be changed ? If the rear shell was on top.. then a fan could be placed directly over the stove and a "bubble" could be added to the bathroom for more headroom.

 

[B&T2]

Couldn't the shell order be changed ? If the rear shell was on top.. then a fan could be placed directly over the stove and a "bubble" could be added to the bathroom for more headroom.

The big problem that i see with a complete redesign of this nature would be the possibility of the wind catching the rear shell while driving down the road -- breaking the latches and forcing the rear shell open.

It's really hard for me to imagine the amount of damage this would cause.

Tim

 

[Bill]

Everything about the exterior of a trailer, any trailer, is designed with the windstream in mind. Remember, there are hurricane-force winds out there when you are towing! The idea is that if something gets loose, the windstream should tend to close it, not open it. The shells, the entry door, the covers over the fans, the TV antenna, the cover over the air conditioner, and so forth all face "downstream" during towing. On bigger trailers with side-hinged storage compartment doors, the hinges are on the forward edge, too, for the same reason.

Besides the danger of an uncontrolled opening, the windstream would drive rain, snow, leaves, grit, and so forth under the leading edge of the rear shell if the opening faced forward.

Probably isn't going to make TM's top ten list of things to do.

Bill

 

[Dave99gst-TMO]

I didnt even consider Aerodynamics while towing :\

 

[ng2951]

Depending on the floor plan, you could reverse the interior on some TMs and accomplish the same thing. However, I think the improvements are small compared to the amount of engineering that would be required.

Frankly, I think TM ought to build the 3326 again with the modified dinette table area. This makes for the most open floor space of all the folding TMs.

TM should at least build one and run it by the rallies and see what the response is. If it could be priced close to a 3124 it could be a real winner.

Too bad the experimental, proof of copncept unit was destroyed in Florida this past June.

I know I am showing my prejudice that the 3326 is the best of TMs ever...

 

[mjlaupp]

...I think TM ought to build the 3326 again....

Agree

....with the modified dinette table area. This makes for the most open floor space of all the folding TMs....

Disagree - I like the dinette. It's one of the main reasons I have a 3326.

 

[ng2951]

...Disagree - I like the dinette. It's one of the main reasons I have a 3326...

Well, I don't want to hijack this thread, but you don't get rid of the dinette.

I am probably wrong about why you have your dinette, but if you think like us, it is like having a window seat at a resturaunt. TM, in my opinion, gives you great visibility out any side of the TM.

In contrast to our new TH, there are no windows on the ramp side. The master bedroom does not have a forward window or windows that with a turn of your head you can see outside. The Unleashed does have a big picture window which is definitely very nice.

The way I envisioned our modified dinette, is that the table folds down against the wall. With the north dinette seat foldable you gain several square feet of space in the galley area. The foldable dinette seat also gives you another chair to use anywhere, whether inside the TM or outside.

To truly improve it, raise the TM about 4" (the amount the floor of the dinette is above the main floor). This makes the floor continuous from bow to stern. I guess you could keep the south dinette seat as a multi-function couch/dinner/bench/bed since the heater still needs that seat to house it.

Marketing-wise, you have to remember that a TM, especially the folding TMs huge selling point is that it can be dragged by a rather cheap TV. The way we used our TM was as a 3 or 4 person trailer. Believe me with 3, a babe, a dacshund, an 20 pound dog we were at capacity and beyond. The fact we could fold the dinette seat out of the way made a huge difference.

Gaining 4-5 sqft at the at the galley area means near two-way traffic from bow to near midship. No more asking permission to slide around someone at the fridge or stove.

If done right, resetting the dinette should only a minute, if even that long. Building it to retain its bed functionality seems fairly easy too, at least to my brain.

With Hi-Lo off the market and TMs option electric lift system. It makes the TM a natural to fill the Hi-Lo niche. I am not a fan of powered lift systems as I find TM's manual system quite adequate, but other customers may not. I feel sure it would appeal to those who want to set their unit up for lunch or potty break at a roadside stopover.

I know one of the first things were noticed about Unleashed was the two-way traffic space. That is very nice. I don't think any of the other folding TMs but the 3326 have the layout to take of advantage of this floor plan mod...

 

[mjlaupp]

Hijack. What hijack?

I bought the 3326 for the extra storage including the storage under the "north" dinette seat. While your modification is a nice option, it would not be my cup of tea. :new_all_c

I usually have some type of hobby project in progress on one or both of the couch tables and it is a lot easier to keep the dinette table open for dining. Besides, my TV is hanging on the bathroom wall so dining with the TV is easier from the "north" seat.

 

[ng2951]

...Hijack. What hijack?...

Sorry did not mean to offend. No, this started out as a thread about reversing the order of the shell opening. I don't like to take someone else thread too from its original premise...

 

[mjlaupp]

Sorry did not mean to offend....

No problem - was supposed to be sarcastic.

 

[ng2951]

One of the big problems with forums...you cannot tell the tone.

Still I do think TM ought to look a little closer at their folding line. When the pardette and I were sitting in the new Unleashed last night getting it ready for the match this weekend, we were reminded just how nice the TM line is.

TM has had the advantage of one of their competitors leaving the market. Working hard to fill that void could be a marketing coup. I think carefully looking at the layout of the TMs and possibly optimizing might establish a new popularity.

One other tact would be hyping the advantage financial advantage of using cheaper V6 vehicles instead of V8s and diesels. To a certain extent TM does this already, but I have seen reaching out to potential firsttime owners of TMs telling them to amortize their TVs into their TM purchase. If the TV has a 7-10 year lifespan, the TM 20+, not having to replace your TV with a Tundra V8 or F250 diesel might be a better selling point.

You do this by writing articles for RV mags that soft pedals this point. At least that would be my thought...

 

[ThePair]

If I couldn't pull it with my Sienna, I wasn't buying it. So your point is right on the money (literally!)