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(Serious Q) - I'm thinking of starting a new company. Input please?
- Thread starter AudubonB
- Start date
The only way to make this work is to minimize the alterations to the semi-tractor. You don't want to be in the EV business, just the RV business. Think about how much trouble Tesla gave the person who was trying to make a stretch Tesla, or how much trouble the Zurich police had to do police-car modifications; they're not even cooperative with wheelchair modifications.
The fact that being able to walk from the cab into to the rest of the RV is an important and valuable feature is a problem. An RV which simply acts as a trailer seems to be a totally viable business from the manufacturing end, but the question is whether demand for that would be too low. I think possibly not: there are enough "trailer" RVs without walk-through access to the cab that this seems like a viable market.
You'd still want to be able to tap the traction battery for the house. But the house could easily be designed to run off solar under normal circumstances.
The fact that being able to walk from the cab into to the rest of the RV is an important and valuable feature is a problem. An RV which simply acts as a trailer seems to be a totally viable business from the manufacturing end, but the question is whether demand for that would be too low. I think possibly not: there are enough "trailer" RVs without walk-through access to the cab that this seems like a viable market.
You'd still want to be able to tap the traction battery for the house. But the house could easily be designed to run off solar under normal circumstances.
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
Just add the RV to a rental fleet for or AIRBNB to resolve the downtime
NeverFollow
Active Member
I love this concept
But it looks more to be based on the future Tesla Pick-up truck than the Tesla Semi?
love that concept above!
I was thinking along similar lines as op recently, after having looked over options for a part-time plop-down mini-home on property somewhere (like this on Amazon),
"Each part of the house is made of hot galvanized light steel frame, it's very safety." Perfect!
'so wait why trailer it to a spot instead of just setting it up on a tesla semi?'
I was thinking along similar lines as op recently, after having looked over options for a part-time plop-down mini-home on property somewhere (like this on Amazon),
"Each part of the house is made of hot galvanized light steel frame, it's very safety." Perfect!
'so wait why trailer it to a spot instead of just setting it up on a tesla semi?'
Just saw this thread, cool idea. I imagine the market would always be limited by the high cost. But that said considering the FSD horizon it could grow a lot, it would be very appealing to have your home on wheels and not have to drive it too. I could see young people that want to do some van-life, or even Grandparents the that have a bunch of spread out kids/grandkids selling the house and hopping from one to another.
adiggs
Well-Known Member
I have some thoughts!
My first thought / question is how big is the existing, diesel engine based market that you would be targeting? It looks like there are a range of RV sizes, from vans with a bunk bed, up to full size houses that sit on axles. Presumably there is a subset of that larger RV market that you're thinking about targeting. I'm wondering how big you think that target market is currently.
-- first order approximation, that's the theoretical size that your EV version of the market can be
Next question - I'm wondering about the operating expenses of one of these, and the fraction of total cost of ownership goes into those operating expenses. On the commercial truck side, with class 8's being driven 100k miles/year (average), I figure the fuel costs along are around $50k/year ($0.50 / mile). So the electrifications of commercial trucks carries a pretty big cost benefit.
-- I'm wondering if there is a similar cost benefit that would drive buyers to this market as well. Or at least enough of a cost benefit to offset the incremental up front cost they'd be paying.
My guess is that the operating expenses won't be enough of an advantage to make much of a dent in the desirability of buying one of these (driven too few miles / year mostly). But the driving characteristics are probably worth a lot to people buying in this market - no need to use the right lane on long mountain climbs
My first thought / question is how big is the existing, diesel engine based market that you would be targeting? It looks like there are a range of RV sizes, from vans with a bunk bed, up to full size houses that sit on axles. Presumably there is a subset of that larger RV market that you're thinking about targeting. I'm wondering how big you think that target market is currently.
-- first order approximation, that's the theoretical size that your EV version of the market can be
Next question - I'm wondering about the operating expenses of one of these, and the fraction of total cost of ownership goes into those operating expenses. On the commercial truck side, with class 8's being driven 100k miles/year (average), I figure the fuel costs along are around $50k/year ($0.50 / mile). So the electrifications of commercial trucks carries a pretty big cost benefit.
-- I'm wondering if there is a similar cost benefit that would drive buyers to this market as well. Or at least enough of a cost benefit to offset the incremental up front cost they'd be paying.
My guess is that the operating expenses won't be enough of an advantage to make much of a dent in the desirability of buying one of these (driven too few miles / year mostly). But the driving characteristics are probably worth a lot to people buying in this market - no need to use the right lane on long mountain climbs
adiggs
Well-Known Member
Bit of research....
Looks like these would be luxury / premium Type A motorhomes. I got close to finding a market definition, but I couldn't find units / year - only numbers that aggregate campers / trailers up to Type A motorhomes together into a single blob. Not helpful.
Historical RV Data
I found a link to the 2018 annual report, but now I can't find it again. More info, but didn't break down the shipments by category - only the total shipments.
Here is one of your competitors. They build Type A motorhomes with a semi tractor front end:
https://www.renegaderv.com/designed-for-your-life
But heck - when the starting price is practically $750K, you've got some room to operate. The entry level of these starts in the high 2's ($280k). Which I figure is below what you're talking about.
Interesting tidbit from that industry report I can't find again - Indiana is apparently the overwhelming manufacturer of these. My guess is that will naturally lead to placing your own manufacturing in the vicinity, as that'll get you good access to supply chain for most of what you'll need to build these.
(I are not RV'er, or manufacturer of anything like these - so be sure and chew that grain of salt!)
Looks like these would be luxury / premium Type A motorhomes. I got close to finding a market definition, but I couldn't find units / year - only numbers that aggregate campers / trailers up to Type A motorhomes together into a single blob. Not helpful.
Historical RV Data
I found a link to the 2018 annual report, but now I can't find it again. More info, but didn't break down the shipments by category - only the total shipments.
Here is one of your competitors. They build Type A motorhomes with a semi tractor front end:
https://www.renegaderv.com/designed-for-your-life
But heck - when the starting price is practically $750K, you've got some room to operate
. The entry level of these starts in the high 2's ($280k). Which I figure is below what you're talking about.Interesting tidbit from that industry report I can't find again - Indiana is apparently the overwhelming manufacturer of these. My guess is that will naturally lead to placing your own manufacturing in the vicinity, as that'll get you good access to supply chain for most of what you'll need to build these.
(I are not RV'er, or manufacturer of anything like these - so be sure and chew that grain of salt!)
Brando
Active Member
The vast majority of motorhomes and RV's have been built in and around Elkhart, Indiana.
The origins were basically from traditional 'mobile home'/'house trailer' technology.
That was technology intended to be semi-permanent applied to actual truck chassis.
As technology has advanced the industry is becoming less Elkhart-intensive.
You'd want to choose based on access to higher technology than traditional Elkhart.
The famous GM was not an Elkhart product.
To my eternal chagin I have had some roots in that immediate area.
Brando
Active Member
Might ask EVwest to do a conversion?
or even Rich re-builds for east coast
These guy would only do power plant electrification. NOT the interior stuff.
or even Rich re-builds for east coast
These guy would only do power plant electrification. NOT the interior stuff.
LasVegas2019
Member
I advise on IPO's and VC money for a major firm and I love this idea. (I am an RV guy so slightly bias.) I think not only could it be a great business, it could take the whole RV industry ($114 billion) in a new direction. We need to talk.
Brando
Active Member
I suspect someone will offer to rent SEMI.
- easy to drive - no gear box
- Zack & Jesse talk about buying a SEMI.
- Tesloop - Mission — Tesloop might they offer rentals of SEMI ?
- might Tesla add a SEMI to their FSD Network?
Only limits seem to be our imaginations
- easy to drive - no gear box
- Zack & Jesse talk about buying a SEMI.
- Tesloop - Mission — Tesloop might they offer rentals of SEMI ?
- might Tesla add a SEMI to their FSD Network?
Only limits seem to be our imaginations
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Would Tesla enter into an agreement with the aftermarket to build an RV The Motors and battery would have to be warranted by Tesla Would Tesla warranty it.? Modifying the frame and electrical system to support an RV with the Water tank and Black and grey water tanks.
Would a campground be able to support the charging and powering of the Motor home. People expect luxury at the price point that this would sell at. For 500,000 to 750 thousand I want an outdoor kitchen and outdoor T V Also a Washer dryer hookup.
2020 Renegade RV Classic 45CMR Super C
Stock: 12385
Status: Available
Condition: New
Type: Super C
Fuel: Diesel
Floor Plan: 45CMR
MSRP: $574,437
MAKE OFFER EMAIL FRIEND
MORE INFO PAYMENTS
WHY
Would a campground be able to support the charging and powering of the Motor home. People expect luxury at the price point that this would sell at. For 500,000 to 750 thousand I want an outdoor kitchen and outdoor T V Also a Washer dryer hookup.
2020 Renegade RV Classic 45CMR Super C
Stock: 12385
Status: Available
Condition: New
Type: Super C
Fuel: Diesel
Floor Plan: 45CMR
MSRP: $574,437
MAKE OFFER EMAIL FRIEND
MORE INFO PAYMENTS
WHY
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
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