LightShip 4 is Getting Wrapped

[turbopilot]

I'm sure the big question many are now thinking...Is Lightship going to offer or consider switching to a white option?

The fashion fad to use black and other dark heat absorbing colors is widespread in the RV industry. The buyers seem to prefer these dark colors without understanding the consequences of their choice.. The Lightships HVAC system is quite robust compared to the average RV because it carries the extra duty of cooling the big HV batteries. For the LightShip the use of dark heat absorbing colors takes a toll on battery efficiency when operating off grid. Again a nuance not understood by many.

The use of light, highly reflective paints or wraps is a must in the Southern tier of states for any RV. Less important if your operating range is the Northern tier of states and Canada.

 

[Neal]

The design question "what time of year do RVers mostly travel?" should help answer the requirement.

 

[turbopilot]

The design question "what time of year do RVers mostly travel?" should help answer the requirement.

Unfortunately, the average RV owner has no basic understanding of the laws of thermodynamics. The RV manufacturers are selling against the standard of "how it looks". LightShip has held "Form follows Function" as a design principle throughout the design of the RV, except exterior color choices. I would guess that is going to change.

Fortunately, exterior color is very easy and relatively inexpensive to change with modern vinyl wrap products.

 

[Neal]

A wrap is not a long term solution and I don't want to buy a RV and then have to find someone that can wrap it, and incur the additional expense. My hunch is either "black looks cooler" or the location of the manufacturer being Colorado mentally/emotionally played a part into the design. The market will tell and people seeing what you've done is going to play into it. Good or bad.

 

[turbopilot]

A wrap is not a long term solution and I don't want to buy a RV and then have to find someone that can wrap it, and incur the additional expense.

Vinyl wraps have come a long way. Bottom line for wraps is that you do not want to use them on a vehicle that is always parked outside. Average serviceable lifetime for a vinyl wrap always parked outside is 2 to 3 years. For vehicles primarily parked inside with intermittent outside use, vinyl wraps will last 8 to 10 years.

The neat thing about wraps is that they come off very easily if repair is necessary. Get a big scratch on paint, you have to repaint. A big scratch on a wrap just requires pulling of that section of wrap and reapplying the wrap.

If your RV is stored under cover, wraps are a good solution for exterior color change or partial change combining wrap and pained surfaces.

Wraps also offer the ability to have a textured surface. That is what the brushed aluminum wrap on my LightShip incorporates. You can't do that with paint. The brushed aluminum surface of the wrap helps to reflect light without a glossy look. The wrap actually glows in sunlight without a mirror like surface.

 

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

We appreciate you, @turbopilot for pushing us to evolve as always! We had several ongoing investigations into a white canopy following the form v function principle. But your experiences certainly have accelerated that work. This is one of the key benefits of going direct to manufacturer and vice versa. Quicker response cycles!

 

[Neal]

Another concern as you've had your forward side glass protected is just that. It seems at high risk for damage, I would suggest a clear protection solution added at the factory that will be the first line of defense from road debris. I had it added to my Porsche, well worth the cost. I'd want it on forward facing risk areas.

Edit: I’d get the entire front side clear bra’d.

 

[turbopilot]

Edit: I’d get the entire front side clear bra’d.

We considered that. The polycarbonate front facing windows had a "Windshield Protection Film" installed (previous post in this thread). In considering the thicker, clear "Paint Paint Protection Film" on the forward facing vinyl wrapped, painted surfaces we decided to use the standard brushed aluminum wrap. The reason is economics. It is very easy to remove and reapply the vinyl wrap with road rash damage. Paint protection film on a wrap has a poor cosmetic look and it you have to remove that paint protection film it will pull up the wrap underneath.

 

[turbopilot]

We appreciate you, @turbopilot for pushing us to evolve as always! We had several ongoing investigations into a white canopy following the form v function principle. But your experiences certainly have accelerated that work. This is one of the key benefits of going direct to manufacturer and vice versa. Quicker response cycles!

I considered using a glossy white wrap. You will definitely get the lowest skin temperature readings with glossy white, maybe 20F lower than brushed aluminum. But I made a "modified" form follows function decision to go with the "slightly warmer" brushed aluminum look to avoid that glossy white explosion look that goes with an optimal choice for skin thermal absorption. I personally like the "glow" that you see with a textured brush aluminum surface versus the glossy look. That is a subjective choice and has nothing to do with thermodynamics.