Topic: Cost of options (Read 2597 times) previous topic - next topic

Hi there. I'm not a current owner but am considering becoming one - preferably for the rear lounge version. It'll also be my first RV. In rolling though LTV's website build and selecting options, I have some questions, mostly related to the pricing, which seems a tad high on some items:

• The Macerator option.I could buy one for significantly less here in Canada - somewhere around $400 at the high end, so $1125 seems rich. Then again I see the stock toilet is a macerating one, so why would I need another macerator? I'm assuming to simplify pumping out the black tank?
• Lithium batteries. Again, the pricing thing. I could actually buy the same batteries elsewhere for around half the price. Is there anything LTV changes in the power setup to accommodate lithium batteries?
• Same with solar panels. I don't have anything at hand, but from what I've seen these are also considerably less via third party. Is there anything LTV does to accommodate solar that a third party wouldn't do?
  

Thanks!

I have some questions, mostly related to the pricing

When I placed my Wonder RTB order a few weeks ago (with an estimated 18 month delivery), I had similar questions.  But I was told that I could adjust options right up until it was scheduled for production, which is a LOOONG time away.  So I ordered very few options; and doing lots of research would give me something to do while I was waiting. 

I have a 2022 Wonder FTB nearing the beginning of production — hopefully — and I have experience outfitting a prior off-road capable van.

When making decisions about options it’s worth considering that LTV as done extensive research on the options they are willing to incorporate. After all, guarding their reputation as a quality manufacturer is a part of the R&D. Before you decide to omit an option be sure to talk with them about their decision-making process. Ask them why they selected the options they did versus other options in the market. Get their pespective on the pricing.

For example, the lithium batteries they offer are produced by one of the best lithium battery manufacturers, Battle Born (Dragonfly Energy is the commercial brand). The batteries cost more because they include a 10-year warranty (8-years full replacement), internal circuitry to minimize battery damage when temps drop below 40 degrees F and they utilize a portion of the batteries charge to maintain battery operability in colder temps using internal heating, not exterior heating pads.

Before my LTV, I owned a custom built 4x4 van. I did a great deal of research on every aspect of the van and its accessories. For many of my choices I relied upon the builders 50 years of experience regarding durability and reliability. As with LTV, the builder was interested in customizing my van to my specifications, however, they were also interested in seeing that the final product worked reliably and met my expectations. After 7 years of use (and a tearful goodbye — that’s another story), I was thankful that I had followed many of their suggestions.

Sometimes saving a few hundred dollars, even a couple of thousand, may not offer the end product you thought you were purchasing, especially after waiting months or years for it to be delivered.

It can be daunting. We went through same process with our order and found LTV to be very upfront and honest with their answers. The only option I can comment on is the batteries. LTV told me that from the 2020 model year on, aftermarket lithium battery upgrades should be a direct drop in process. For that reason we elected to keep the standard AGM package and in hindsight I'm glad we did. Lithium can be a bit problematic in cold weather and winter storage. If the price of lithium keep dropping and the technology keeps improving I may revisit lithium when the AGM units are needing replacement.

Thanks for the replies! As far as the batteries are concerned I think I'd go the same route - buy and install later. The same heated battery from Battleborn is $899 US so I suspect two would cost significantly less to do myself, even with shipping, duty (?) and conversion to Canadian currency unless they can also be purchased here. Hopefully the Canadian dealer will have one here on display at next week's RV show so that I can ask them as well.

We are wondering about MPG in Ford gas model.  Another post mentioned the possibility of a larger fuel tank. We are also concerned with wind resistance on the road with the Wonder. That will also affect MPG. Anyone have issues with wind resistance? It seems very low profile for wind to be an issue. Any feedback from Wonder owners?

Every motor home has wind resistance.  How do you compare, never have read a RV review where they compare windresistane.
Gas people mention 13-15 mpg, I have a diesel, towing a car I have gotten 15.5 mpg for the last 18,000 miles.

I would disagree that they do their homework on the options they offer. They basically double their price on every option that they offer which is OK but anybody that has any handy personal experience can easily do it and upgrade it for half the price usually like I did.

They sure did not do their reaserch on the glue on solar panels so I would be carefully to give them as much credit as you did. I would get the Lithionics LI³ 315ah $4k any day over the Battle Born batteries or Dragon Fly battery? Smart battery vs dumb battery really. Love my LTV and I did all the option upgrades myself that I could and got twice the product for less cost. Same with 2,000 watt Invertor mine went bad 1st month and they are having problems with them. Switched to Victron 3,000 and it is 100% smart vs dumb option they offer.

Re solar i added 600 watts and a much better Victron 3,000 watt Invertor at half the price. LTV does run a wire for your solar if you don't add on. I did not use it as 8 upgraded wire and ran in a different location.

Dealers make their money from add ons not the vehicle itself or at least double profits with add ons.

Thanks for that. I got the sense a number of the options are priced pretty much the same way as they are at car dealerships, i.e. far more than at retail anywhere else. Someone on one of the other forums had mentioned they installed their solar panels on racks as opposed to gluing them, which worked better for them. Good to know that LTV has prewired for solar, though.

Cheers
Chris

I installed mine on Electrical Struts Aluminum. I put tracks down both sides and the cross bars that can be skid back and forth for exact fit. I have 6 100 watt panels, a spare tire and a Thule Alpine rack that all fits on my roof.

I will be showing what I did soon on my hobby YouTube channel soon. If you want to see it follow me at LTVnIT is my handle on YouTube.

2021 wonder rtb,  southeast US, 14000 miles...  Avg 14 ish, high 17tsh, low 12ish
...the big factor seems to be speed..  Best mileage is running 65 on interstate for long distances