Tile Shortage?

[Jim]

I think I may have stumbled onto the answer here. I’m not sure how the process worked back in 2020, but as of today, Newmar only builds coaches that are pre-sold. During that process, there’s a design stage where the future owner works directly with Newmar (or the dealer they are purchasing from) to customize the interior.

I’ll know more after speaking with Newmar tomorrow, but it’s possible they simply followed the specifications chosen during that design phase, including how the tile is installed and how much of it is used.

One thing does seem clear though, if anyone is planning to order a new coach, it would be wise to confirm that the tile extends throughout the coach. That way, if you decide to change furniture or modify the layout later, you won’t find yourself on a tile-matching scavenger hunt.

 

[FLSteve]

During that process, there’s a design stage where the future owner works directly with Newmar (or the dealer they are purchasing from) to customize the interior.

I’ll know more after speaking with Newmar tomorrow, but it’s possible they simply followed the specifications chosen during that design phase, including how the tile is installed and how much of it is used.

@Jim ... figured I’d chime in with my opinion as well. I think the answer you’re gonna get is what @Neal said, it’s a weight consideration. We’ve ordered multiple Newmar motorhomes and did participate in what kind of specials we wanted, but were never asked about how far the tile runs back. I think it’s based upon what furniture you get. One time we had recliners and it did go all the way back because the recliners could be pulled out, but I think when we had theater seating, it only went back a little ways.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Steve

 

[Underboss]

@Jim ... figured I’d chime in with my opinion as well. I think the answer you’re gonna get is what @Neal said, it’s a weight consideration. We’ve ordered multiple Newmar motorhomes and did participate in what kind of specials we wanted, but were never asked about how far the tile runs back. I think it’s based upon what furniture you get. One time we had recliners and it did go all the way back because the recliners could be pulled out, but I think when we had theater seating, it only went back a little ways.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Steve

In three Newmars my tile went all the way under the theater seating to the wall as it can be seen behind the theater seating.
As I posted earlier, its due to the couch. If you upgrade to theater seating or recliners, its built into the option price.
When they sell a new coach there is no reasonable reason for Newmar to think that it will be remodeled. It is also not a reasonable business plan to think of every possible owners future plans.

 

[Neemer]

For the record, I have theater seating and the tile does not go all the way to the wall.

 

[Chargerman]

Jim the only place that didn't have tile was under our refrigerator in the dutch star. When we had the coach tetiled two years ago they went wall to wall leaving no space except under refrigerator. When picking up the coach they gave us extra boxes of tile. I guess that's what $54,000 gets you.

Wait a minute….you paid them 54k to replace your tile?

 

[FLSteve]

In three Newmars my tile went all the way under the theater seating to the wall as it can be seen behind the theater seating.

@Underboss ... I was curious so I just went out and looked in my current coach that came with theater seating and the tile only goes half way back. One picture is looking under the seat and the other is looking straight down behind the seat at the back wall.

 

[purring along]

Wait a minute….you paid them 54k to replace your tile?

That was the total cost. We paid part of it and nirvc paid the money back to Newmar they received after creating a mess. Newmar ate the balance of the cost.

 

[purring along]

Sorry Jim ,we need to stay on topic.

 

[Jim]

When they sell a new coach there is no reasonable reason for Newmar to think that it will be remodeled.

Which, of course, doesn’t make much sense. Furniture wears out, people change layouts, and not everyone wants the same seating configuration forever. A desk today, theater seating tomorrow, coaches evolve with their owners.

In the grand scheme of building a true luxury coach, we’re not talking about a major redesign. We’re talking about a handful of tiles under a couch. Installing them seems like an easy way to cover all the bases for future owners, no matter how their needs change.

 

[Neal]

And then we realize Newmar coaches are not truly luxury coaches. They are marketed as such. They are extremely overpriced production coaches. As was stated there is no difference in the Bay Star production from a King Aire production. A little more polish, a little more gloss and slap a status symbol badge on the front. The last laugh lies with Newmar.

I love my 2017 Newmar and am thankful I paid under 300K for it.

 

[Neal]

I’ll add. Newmar makes some beautiful coaches. We all dream of the high line coaches because they are gorgeous but for true luxury coaches seek Marathon, Liberty, Prevost, and Newell. There are amazing deals on pre-owned. I do not believe Newmar’s command current pricing therefore will suffer massive and rapid depreciation.

 

[Underboss]

All three of my coaches, a 19 Ventana, a 21 Ventana and a 24 SS all had tile to the wall. I am pretty shocked that you all own higher level coaches and do not have the tile to the wall. Maybe they feel for us poorer guys and know at some point we may have to hock our theater seating and sit on the floor.

 

[Holdmybeer]

And then we realize Newmar coaches are not truly luxury coaches. They are marketed as such. They are extremely overpriced production coaches. As was stated there is no difference in the Bay Star production from a King Aire production. A little more polish, a little more gloss and slap a status symbol badge on the front. The last laugh lies with Newmar.

I love my 2017 Newmar and am thankful I paid under 300K for it.

The RV industry is first cousin to the Manufactured Home ( trailer house) industry and their business model has always been spend what's necessary to distract attention from where the money should have been spent. It's a lot cheaper to make something look well made than to make it well.

 

[lostinfla]

We removed the couch and bought two recliners up at Bauer this year, and ours does not have tile to the wall as well. the issue is probably, as mentioned, to save weight as well as expense. (Newmar board meeting.... "Hey, if we delete like 10 tiles from under the couch, we could save.. uh.. lets see,.... a gillion dollars at the end of the year!) I went to Home Depot and bought a small piece of plywood the same thickness as what they used (like what used to be called 1/2", now something like 62/128" ), removed the seatbelts, and filled in the area with it to level it out. Then found a small area rug and cut it to fit the area just to finish the trip. I really don't mind the small amount of carpet as our lowly DS isn't a show piece. (and I really LOVE the recliners) Not quite sure what I'll do as a permanent fix, but for now it works and I have enough other problems to deal with on the coach, so It's going to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

 

[Neal]

I think at this point @Jim it's a great opportunity to show your creativity. I know Newmar and owners are accustomed to uniform tile throughout but imagine an area that has black "styled" tile as a frame for an area? I think with some creativity you can come up with a winning design in the end. Trying to turn this to a positive for you