Hymer Aktiv? - Page 5

GeorgeB · 03-19-2016, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

220 amp alternator plus a 280 amp alternator must mean engine generator setup. 2 AGM 6 volts. Also mentioned automotive style windows, so the dual pane plastic ones must be gone.

Very interesting, hope to see one soon if the local Roadtrek dealer gets them.

For us, the side to side sleeping would be a non starter for DW, and don't care for a cassette toilet, but certainly not a bad first out for Hymer.

I guess the automotive style refers maybe to the Seitz S7P new flush windows (they looked flush on Davydd's photos)
They are plastic but nicer than the bulbous ones.

I don't like plastic windows. They get dusty and scratched easily. Safari Condo tried them first but since changed them (due to transport regulations concerning vehicles in Canada, not sure the DOT have those rules) to modified glass awning style which are much better.

The glass awning style windows (modified by SF)

.

mumkin · 03-19-2016, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markopolo

And I shouldn't have mentioned you specifically like that.

I think we'll all agree that it is not too much to hope/expect that the promoting is a two way street.

I just want to say that I have referred people a number of times over here from the RT Owner's FB page. Especially those who seem to really want to learn about lithium batteries and the more complicated electrical systems of the new RVs.

Meanwhile back to the topic. I look forward to seeing the Hymer, but not enough to drive into Phoenix. I'm hoping that Lake Region gets them.

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 02:29 AM

Scans of handout brochure at the show, all the typical Zion electrical stuff and options: inverter, engine generator, solar, Ecotreks, Voltstart, etc...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...8688635623453/

wincrasher · 03-19-2016, 02:42 AM

Looks like I was right about the length - it may be the 159" wheelbase, but it's only 19'7" long. It's also on the 2500.

wincrasher · 03-19-2016, 02:43 AM

FWIW, Marko, you can go on my group and see numerous links to ClassBForum.com

Davydd · 03-19-2016, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregmchugh

Scans of handout brochure at the show, all the typical Zion electrical stuff and options: inverter, engine generator, solar, Ecotreks, Voltstart, etc...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...8688635623453/

Notice they say nothing about plumbing? You can bet it is in flux.

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

Notice they say nothing about plumbing? You can bet it is in flux.

What details on the plumbing are you looking for? Roadtrek never seems to include much plumbing info in the brochures...

wincrasher · 03-19-2016, 02:49 AM

He's thinking they are getting cold feet about the cassette toilet. I can't say I disagree - showing it like this may just be getting more public reaction before they go into production.

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 02:54 AM

I think it would be smart to still leave the cassette toilet option even if they add a black tank as standard. I don't think they really know yet who will be buying these Hymer models, they have not seemed to attempt to reach people outside the traditional RV buyer community as yet...

wincrasher · 03-19-2016, 03:06 AM

It's very muddled from a marketing perspective. Some aspects and styling obviously to court the younger set, yet priced for only the most senior buyers. It's a head scratcher in my view.

Davydd · 03-19-2016, 03:31 AM

I agree with Wincrasher. These companies seem to want to grow the market beyond near retiree empty nesters and retirees. At $100,000 it is not going to happen. Aktiv is an obvious name attempt but active young people would rather have a DIY stripped down van dual use and maybe used with no windows for an active internal use.

Families can only afford inexpensive pop tops and trailers for minimal vacation use. I am here in Arizona and am fighting the spring break family users. I am in a 204 site campground full of kids and we are the only Class B. I am at the Lake Roosevelt - Cholla CG if you want to look it up. It is an NFS campground. I could say the same for White Tank Mountains Regional Park west of Phoenix an Picacho Peak SP this past week. All the Class B users the past 7 weeks have been as I described.

Davydd · 03-19-2016, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wincrasher

He's thinking they are getting cold feet about the cassette toilet. I can't say I disagree - showing it like this may just be getting more public reaction before they go into production.

I don't think it is cold feet more than a learning experience. In talking to one native German rep with a Roadtrek shirt on who fully understood the cultural and infrastructural differences that they know what the end results will be and it is only a matter of time. Jim Hammill is already pushing. Maybe that's why he remains the CEO.

GeorgeB · 03-19-2016, 04:10 AM

I agree with the fact that the market for such an RV is not yet there. Will the euro-appeal convince the more sophisticated urban design-oriented crowd to buy one. Maybe, but in very limited number. It would be a hit at 20K less than the advertised price, with the underhood gen and good battery capacity. Then it would have to be mass-produced with very efficient cost-cutting techniques. And that won't happen overnight at the RT factory.

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 05:19 AM

So, how many urban well paid active young people from Seattle, Silicon Valley, Boston, Chicago, Research Triangle, Southern California, etc. do you need find who would want one of these and who can afford the $100,000+ price for it to be a success?

I will suggest that there are enough of these people who currently are well outside the current RV or do-it-yourself van communities to make these Hymer vans successful if they start targeting these people with the right marketing approach. They are not at RV shows or at any of the places you see families camping in less expensive trailers or Class C units. They have never even considered buying a typical RV, even the Class B vans currently available. I think there is not enough thinking outside the current box and I wonder if the people at Roadtrek or their current dealers are really the right people to handle the marketing of these vans.

SiennaGuy · 03-19-2016, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markopolo

It would interesting to find out if there are any differences to the Grand Canyon model.

OK Hymer, what's the name of your new product? Let's forget about the features or the price and get down to basics. What is its name?

The homepage for Hymer North America has a link titled, "AKTIV." There's no link for the Grand Canyon.
http://hymer-usa.com

The homepage for the Aktiv shows it against a backdrop photo of the Grand Canyon. The badge on the vehicle also says, "Grand Canyon."
http://hymer-usa.com/models/

Another page on the Aktiv site also features a photo of the Grand Canyon but the text on that page calls it, "Aktiv."
http://hymer-usa.com/experience/

On the Aktiv Highlights, Layout, Interior and Standard Equipment pages of the Aktiv site, it's referred to as "Aktiv."
http://hymer-usa.com/highlights/
http://hymer-usa.com/layout/
http://hymer-usa.com/interior/
http://hymer-usa.com/standard-equipment/

On the brochure page for the Aktiv, it's referred to as the "Grand Canyon." The text in the brochure also calls it "Grand Canyon."
http://hymer-usa.com/brochure/

On the new Hymer North America page on YouTube, the video is titled, "Introducing the HymerCar Grand Canyon." It's the only video that they've uploaded. There are no official Hymer videos with "Aktiv" in the title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzi1rqL80zg

There's also a Hymer rep, Troy Bechtel (sp?), talking about the "Grand Canyon" elsewhere on YouTube. It looks like this non-official video was shot at an RV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwJzIoyf0AA

Hymer, if you're not quite sure about the name of the product, you'll create instant confusion in the marketplace. That's not a good way to introduce or market anything. I'm sure you don't want people calling it the "what's its name."

SiennaGuy · 03-19-2016, 07:34 AM

Maybe they could give away Hershey's "Whatchamacallit" candy bars at the next show.

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 12:46 PM

No sure if this was a question about the name or an observation on the fact that they have not completely updated the US website and brochure and video to reflect the name change. Last year they were planning to keep the European model name, the Grand Cnanyon, but now they seem to have changed the model name to Aktiv for the North American version. I don't know anything about brand and product naming, my only question is whether they have boxed themselves in a corner, what to you call the next model? In Europe they use geographic place names from around the world.

booster · 03-19-2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

my only question is whether they have boxed themselves in a corner, what to you call the next model?

HyperAktiv?

gregmchugh · 03-19-2016, 01:08 PM

From a comment by Jim Hammill on the Roadtreking group...

That old brochure is not accurate. It was for a different product that has been substantially altered from the prototype concept units. If you sleep three there is one across the front seat and one setup where there are two folding mattresses in the front. It sleeps 2,3 or 4.

Here is the full post with some more pictures including the underfloor storage and some plumbing with a winterizing valve...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...8622018963448/

Davydd · 03-19-2016, 03:35 PM

Heed what Hammill says about the information and don't bother to over analyze.

As for the front sleeping I could not detect any origami like fold out of those passenger seat ala a Travato. What I suspect is optional stored away pads like Roadtrek has used for years.

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