I do believe in saving and going green but I just wonder in time how long these units will hold up for full-timers.
southwestjudy

Kevin,

Kevin,

You asked for input and so I will offer mine.  I can't comment on the materials you build with or how you put your trailers together.

However, I will tell you that the many, many mispelled words on your web site do you an injustice.  If you are attempting to convey attention to detail and a quality build, then let your advertising message reflect that.

And for the record, it is Chris Craft; not "Cris Craft".

Now having said that, I have to compliment you on bringing a new product to market in a down economy.  I truly hope you are successful.

Kevin,
There are several industries that are doing AMAZING new things with composite materials now. It truly is the wave of the future. I've been fortunate enough to be involved in aerospace's application of some of these composites.
I have a few suggestions for you regarding your product you may want to address on your website.

Put an MSRP on your website, some folks like the idea of being green without shelling out alot of green. 
Surely you have done some longevity testing with your initial units, people are going to want to know how these are going to last after being trailered down the road at 70 mph for 50,000 miles.
Temperature testing is very important too especially to Full-timers. Get one of your units in a freeze chamber and see how it does at 0 degrees (do the same for 100 degrees).  Check your composites after the freeze, thaw, and burn.

Your website claims to have see through LP tanks. Definately put a picture of that on your website!

Have you considered taking your product to the next level of safety with using resins and materials that resist fire and flame? (Imagine having the first truly fire-resistant RV.)

Have you considered taking advantage of composite technology and using the composites as the frame bearing the weight?  You can laminate a layer of Aluminum into the structure....By doing this you could truly change the shape and build of your product....doing whatever you want.

I share your enthusiasm for bringing composites into the recreational vehicle industry however, I have seen the questions people have about these new materials being used in new applications. With the volatility of oil/gas prices composite units will offer a cool option for folks that still want to RV without spending loads of $$$$. 

Best of Luck To You!
She-Nist

Hi Kevin,

I joined this forum after finding this thread through google solely to reply to your post.

I am shopping for a new RV but am very disappointed by the choices - so many cookie cutter units that are the same but with different cloths and paint...

...but this is different! Ever since reading of what Evergreen is doing, I have been lusting after having one of these units - but I'm having a hard time convincing my wife to wait to purchase.

I have 2 questions:

1. Is there any type of "test program" for your upcoming 5th wheel units (hopefully a bunkhouse)? I really need to get an RV soon and would welcome the opportunity to test your "green" RVs.

2. Is Evergreen a privately held company? Can you give any details on the company ownership and/or financial situation? With many RV manufacturers getting out of the game or scaling back dramatically, I have had trouble even convincing dealers to call your company to inquire about ordering me a unit.

Thanks!
Jeromey

I too joined this forum today after taking a look at the new Evergreen trailer.  I saw it at the northside rv outdoor show at the kentucky horsepark.  My wife and children and i have been "lookers" for several years and we happened upon this unit having never seen one before and i must say it stands out in a crowd.  Being a looker and having never yet bought a camper (we will soon) this unit is just awesome.  I cant say how it will function but it is very stout, very well designed and appears to best just about every other manufacturer I have ever seen, Plus it didnt make my wife and kids run screaming out of the thing from burning eyes and itchy skin since all the others were sitting in the sun without ac on,  the chemicals used in these things is just crazy and you cant tell me that putting your family in there could not possibly do them harm from the chemicals, you just cant.

Anyway for the naysayer I am also a pilot, learned to fly in some very old and rickety aluminum airplanes.  Then one day a friend asked if I had ever flown in a composite constructed plane.  Very close I would assume to the way this trailer is designed.  Anyway, the composite aircraft could do so much more in just about every respect and lasts so much longer than the conventional craft.  In fact many of the new jets are being made this way.  I remember some of the "old" pilots sayiing they woulndt be caught dead in a "plastic" plane.  I think its just a new technology.

Anyway my two cents are that this is the nicest camp trailer I have seen, doesnt look like all the others, doesnt smell like a death ****tail inside, is very very quiet and most likely wont suffer the same wear and tear of the current units being produced. 

Cant say that I can afford the new unit but it will certainly be at the top of my list.  What is very funny is that it appears the "campers" are reluctant to give any credibility to a newcomer to the market.  My guess is this company isnt aiming at you anyway but at least show the guys some respect for doing something different.  Pointing out they mispelled some werds really is kind of lame and the passive agressive way of your posts isnt very nice.

Give em a chance, at best this impoves the past time of camping/travelling. At worst the market doesnt agree and these people go bankrupt and you can recycle all there trailers into other stuff you like better.  Me I am all for new technology and less nasty chemicals leaking out of my unit while I sleep and giving me cancer...  cheers

P.s.  Hey Kevin!  My wife and kids are all willing to sacrifice our summer and fall weekends to "test" one of your units. It will be a sacrifice but we are willing and able newbies.

That was a pleasant 1st post.

Thank you for your positive comments. I too, spent time at the Horse Park sale. Our product is a show stopper. We are very proud of what we are doing.

I'm happy to see that some of the Pilgrim folks landed on their feet but I wouldn't want to live full time in one of the Ever-Lites. 

Just one man's opinion.

Mallo

Kevin Slater wrote:

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Why is that? Too small?

---

Yup, you only have 1 floorplan right now ( in 5'ers) that doesn't suit lot's of full-timers.

I'd like to see a bedroom slide and open rear living area, and larger cargo area.  Right now, your 5'er would only appeal to me as a part-time camping unit.

Probably in the 32-36 ft range.

I like the idea of composite materials, and I'm sure it'll be commonplace in a few years.

You just need more floor plans in your 5'er lineup to give snow-birders and full-timers something to think about.

 

 

Better than ever, since they cannot delaminate from heat and moisture. Very durable.

TRY THE COMPOSITEK ICON ON THE HOME PAGE....MAYBE YOU ALREADY DID. THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR NOW.

Kevin Slater wrote:

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I assure you they will hold up better than those using wood substrates. We did a 100,000 mile endurance test before marketing the materials. The entire shell of the coach cannot rot, mold, or mildew. The adhesives and materials are water proof. You can enter our new trailers on a hot day after they have been closed up and you r eyes will not burn. Saving trees and keeping your eyes from burning seems green but no "smug" to me.

It sounds like you need the room of a big fifth wheel for the space. We will offer them in the future.

---

Yep it may not rot that doesn't mean it won't pull apart or the frame come apart from the miles.  A unit ment to be on the road for a few weeks out of the year doesn't always hold up over a ton of miles.

You cite a 100,000 mile endurance test was that over the road or simulated?  If it was over the road was it interstates or back roads?  Or was it 100K miles in a wind tunnel.  I'm very familiar with how a test can sound impressive yet not be what people think it is.

~ Saving trees and keeping your eyes from burning seems green but no "smug" to me.... ~

Interesting only look at the amount of ecological destruction caused by the Prius with it's "Green" footprint.  Yep it burns less fuel to run but the manufacturing process for it... well not so green.  Not saying that is your case but when a companies only selling point is "it's saving trees" I have to wonder.

Mallo

PS Oh nice commercial your running if you ignore me I'll go away and you can get back to the folks willing to buy your product.

 

My 1st post folks, so bear with me.  We're dreamers too right now, but someday!!

My wife and I saw the Evergreen's in Richmond, VA a couple of weeks ago and were very impressed with them.  We're not full-timers - at least not yet!  We came upon the Evergreen's near the end of our walk through the show.  You know, the time when they all begin to look the same...and your feet hurt.   Well, those trailers are unique in so many ways.  We spent over an hour extra just learning about all the great things they've done to set their product apart.  It was so refreshing to see something different -  finally - that doesn't tap the bank account like Airstreams do.  I don't know if we'd  full-time in one either, but it wouldn't be out of concern for how it will last.  Heck, wait a couple of years and you'll be able to read all about that on forums like this.  Mallo's point about the type of testing is a good one.  I too would like to know more about the testing.   I strongly disagree that the "green" aspect is the RV's "only selling point". Far from it.  While it's a big part of their marketing, it's sure not the only thing they have to talk about.  It was the smart interior and exterior design features, the comfort, the looks and the potential for a truly long lasting RV that got our attention.  The only big green thing I really appreciate is the light weight that will save me gas money.  Honestly though, I just gotta give them credit for having the guts to try something different in this tough economy, and for using the best technology available to bring some real innovation to the RV market.  It's something the industry desperately needs right now, and I'm glad to see it.

-- Edited by VaVet96 on Monday 8th of March 2010 08:24:43 PM

Racerguy wrote:

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Mallo,I think you are being very unfair with Mr. Slater in your statements.Never once did he advertise his units as full time trailers.His trailers wouldn't meet my needs either but I don't quite understand your need to demean him and his product. Some of what you have posted is uncalled for IMO. What's your point ?

---

Racerguy,

Never once did he advertise his units as full time trailers... yet he never said that they weren't full time rigs either did he?

He comes to a forum aimed at / directed toward full time RVers and wannabe RVers and begins his spiel.  The implication is that "Hey you full timers need to save the planet and full time in these."

When I pointed out that there were size issues and other issues I have with his product he replied.  The biggest point he keeps making is "green" OK "green" is good only does his rig meet the needs of the full timer or full timer want to be that is this forums target market.  In my opinion no.

If you disagree with me (and I'm sure there are people here that do) I'm OK with that.

Mallo

 

 

Kevin Slater wrote:

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It is clear, no matter what I say, you will reduce to some low quality assumption that I am selling something. My original issue was formaldehyde and the lack there of in our product. I wanted to know if this was viewed as a concern by full timers.

We DO NOT even build a big fiver for full timers.

---

Kevin,

I  went back and read your first post because the part in bold above made me think I had misunderstood that you were simply looking for thoughts on formaldehyde.  Only when I re-read your original post I don't see a question in there.  At no point was there "I want to know if formaldehyde is viewed as a concern by full timers." or some variation on it.

Since that is your question though.  No I don't see it as a concern the first while we owned our Hitchhiker it outgassed for a while and we kept it well ventilated.  Most of the outgassing was in the summer when it's easy to keep the unit opened up and vented.  it wasn't an issue.

The section of your last post in Italics is what I noticed about your company and felt was odd that you'd come to a full timers forum and post what read to me as an add.

Mallo

 

Children,Children go to your rooms

Mr Slater, Fred stated it perfectly. I am not full time and will probably be more of a snow bird.Never once have I felt unwelcome.

Wow, I feel like I went to see a boxing match and a hockey game broke out!
The following is MHO from a person that does not own an RV yet has rented them and is considering the lifestyle in the future. I have been reading every new post on this forum for the past 1.5 years plus the blogs of several FT RV'ers daily. If this forum was strictly for FT RV'ing, a certain amount of posts would be deleted. I already know enough to read of what some people have bought to say "Yes, that's a FT rig or No, that's not a FT rig" yet I don't see posts criticizing what some people have bought. Instead I have seen positive words of congratulations or encouragement.
What I like about this forum is the acceptance of opinions from all walks of life in order for each one of us to make an opinion based on our exact needs, on what we would purchase or not purchase.
Even to put a definition on what is considered a FT rig can have a huge variation. The use of an RV from mild to wild both in road use, climate and terrain use, and personal use can end up creating completely different lists of what is considered FT.
Mr. Slater's concept is new and refreshing and I hope that he does not go away. I want to hear more about this product, and have a direct funnel to Mr. Slater through this forum of whatever concerns other RV'ers have about this product.
We are all smart enough to recognize a sales pitch or not. I don't think many, if any, of us would make a purchase decision based soley on how 'green' a product is. This just happens to be a unique selling feature of this RV and that is why it is so stated. This does not influence me to buy just from this feature alone.
From the posts of what I have seen of those owners that have bought this RV, it is definitely one to consider based on needs that may fit into your budget, towing capability or personal lifestyle.
So Mr. Slater, stay on board and continue to address any issues that may come up with your product. It is a new company with some good ideas and concepts and I only see this as something that will improve the product over time.

Just a note, in case you have questions about Evergreen RVs, and Mr. Slater doesn't return to the forum, try the "Contact Us" link on their web site. I had a couple of questions and wrote to them. They are still a fairly small company, so it was nice to get a fast reply from some pretty senior people. They responded thoroughly and answered questions enthusiastically. It's clear that they really are excited about bringing a new concept to the market.