Research Expected to Give Jayco Market Advantage in Class A Launch

Lambright: "We are making every effort to ensure that Jayco's motorhomes are well built and meet customers' expectations. Once our processes are in place, we intend to be in a position to produce the most desired motorhomes in the marketplace."

Owners Reveal Motorhome Irritations

The amount of noise inside a motorhome when traveling is high on the list of irritations for motorhome owners, according to research conducted by RV manufacturer Jayco Inc.

More than 400 motorhome owners were queried about what they disliked in a motorhome, what they expected and what delighted them. Jayco, which is debuting a new Class A motorhome line later this year, commissioned Message Factors Inc., a major U.S. market research firm, to conduct the survey.

Wilbur Bontrager, chairman of Jayco's board, said, "This is the type of insight we we're hoping to gain from the interviews. Noise is a distinct problem in many motorhomes - noise from the engine, from the wind traveling around the unit, from the tires and just the general squeaks and rattles. Couples have told us they have a tough time carrying on a conversation or listening to the radio and CD player while driving. And, unfortunately, many of them feel that this is an inevitable irritation that they'll be forced to put up with, no matter what motorhome they purchase."

Jayco is using this research, as well as its considerable experience in the RV industry, to eliminate as many common irritations as possible before bringing its new products to the market. Bontrager said, We want to show consumers that they really don't have to put up with so many things that irritate them today,"

Bernard Lambright, president of Jayco, said, "We were already aware of a number of the facts revealed by the survey, but we also had a few surprises. This research has been very valuable to us in learning what is important to motorhome customers and in ensuring Jayco motorhomes are on the cutting edge of industry development."

Among the issues that motorhome owners today feel strongly about, and are frequently disappointed with, are inadequate or poorly designed storage space, bathroom design, plumbing problems, inadequate engine power and cockpit design.

Lambright said, "We found out that many manufacturers pay too little attention to how functional their cockpit is. Our engineers have conducted extensive research in a cockpit simulation module to determine how our cockpits should be laid out. We think this will result in a more user-friendly, less fatiguing travel experience,"

Features identified by the survey as important but essentially expected by motorhome owners: Adequate holding tank capacities, interior and exterior styling, quality workmanship and well thought out floor plans. If these, or other basic features, are missing, the motorhome shopper most likely will go elsewhere.

Lambright said, "The conventional wisdom is that the floor plan is the No. 1 factor people consider when buying. That may be true, but our research shows it to be a basic element that essentially every manufacturer satisfies."

This major research project is part of Jayco's plan to move very deliberately in its launch of the Class A lines. Bontrager said, "We are paying attention to the details. We are paying attention to quality issues. And, we are paying attention to issues like service and delivery of the product. We have developed an attitude that if you're going to do something, you should do it right. We are determined to provide our customers with more than just a motorhome; we want to give them a complete experience."

Other facts the survey turned up include:

* Motorhome owners see their units as an inexpensive way to travel but expressed concerns over the cost of maintenance  , the cost of repairs and the cost of fuel.

* More than 50 percent of those questioned were dissatisfied in some way with the motorhome they owned.

* About 60 percent of those queried said recent higher fuel prices had no effect on their use of their motorhome.

* Younger owners (60 or younger) are generally more satisfied and see more value in their motorhomes compared with older owners.