Missing Item

It’s funny how something can be so obvious that you don’t see it. For years I’ve always thought that the wall with the light switches by the entry door looked too plain. At times I would think that perhaps I should hang a picture, shadow box, or something other bobble on the wall so that it didn’t look so plain. It wasn’t until this weekend that I realized that the wall didn’t have the wallpaper border on it. How could I miss something so obvious for so long?

I'm sure I won't be able to find wallpaper border that matches what's in the Wildcat.

Even if you could get some from FR, there is no guarantee that the shade of color will match.

That blank wall would drive me crazy. I'd have to hang a key rack or something on it..... maybe a couple hooks for jackets. If there were an inch or two of space inside the wall, I'd want a cabinet.

Tater

OOPS!!

TC

Yep, I have the same model and year. Mine is also missing the border at this area. Not sure if it was missed or if FR was trying to save 3'+- of border per trailer. At the Hershey show I saw a fifth wheel ( don't remember brand ) that had a raised panel at that location and had coat hooks mounted at the top. It was a nice touch. That mod may be in the cats future if I can locate a door similar to the style that's on the cats cabinets.
KH

Scruffy and Tater wrote:That blank wall would drive me crazy. I'd have to hang a key rack or something on it..... maybe a couple hooks for jackets. If there were an inch or two of space inside the wall, I'd want a cabinet.

Tater

The real reason that wall is still so plain is that I’m a procrastinator. I just keep putting things off. I’m sure I’ll do something to improve the look of that wall this week though.

I am sitting in my 28RKBS right now. Looked up and mine is there.

John

Next time I'm in our Cat, I'm going to have to look at our wallpaper trim. I think ours might be missing someplace, but I just thought it was supposed to be that way.

Tater

Wildcat no longer uses decorative border (what looks like wallpaper trim) and hasn't for 2 years. Although it's often a standard item, especially in lower cost units, our designers felt that the addition of more windows and soft window treatments made the border unnecessary. Personally, I think it's a cleaner look.

Please call Kyle Hilliard in our parts department if you're searching for Wildcat parts: 574-206-7615

Mine is also missing at the same area and the other side of the stairs. It's funny now that I look they put it in the slide out and the bunkhouse up front (under a bunk bed where you can't even see it!). I'd rather not have any but a little leary about peeling it off.

Wildcat Chris wrote:Wildcat no longer uses decorative border (what looks like wallpaper trim) and hasn't for 2 years. Although it's often a standard item, especially in lower cost units, our designers felt that the addition of more windows and soft window treatments made the border unnecessary. Personally, I think it's a cleaner look.

Please call Kyle Hilliard in our parts department if you're searching for Wildcat parts: 574-206-7615

I always thought, and still do, that the decorative border added a touch of class and warmth to the Wildcat. To each his own of course. While we were attending the Forest River Owners Group (FROG) rally this year a very nice couple showed off their brand new Rockwood fifth wheel to us. They had removed the border because they didn't like the look of it. Personally I didn't like the look at all.

I've looked at the new rear kitchen like I have and really don't like the changes that have been made. Kitchen storage space has been reduced, spice rack gone, and wall border gone. Here are two photos of the rear kitchen, the first one is my 2008 RKBS and the other is a 2012 model.

That would be jebby at the dinette surfing the Internet. BTW, I love the storage under the J-couch and our little Wildcat pillows.


Without the wall border the kitchen area looks very plain to me.

I'll agree richard. I do like the new rounded storage at the end of the counter though. that looks nice and neat.

It's all a matter of personal taste but I'm with Richard on having the border. We walked through some units at an rv show two years ago and again this year and they just don't seem to be finished without the border. If you have no border you could always purchase some to match the decor and install yourself. Imo the older models look homey the new model looks cold.
Also agree with Richard on loss of storage space. Cabinets above dinette were eliminated as well as sreet side wall cabinets in bedroom. Elimination of the j sofa and those cabinets is a lot of lost storage space. Storage under the dinette seats is also a plus.
KH

I think eliminating the border could be considered saving on cost. Maybe save a bit here and there. and put in some extra features someplace else. I don't like the border in our Cat, and wouldn't miss it at all.

Tater

Honestly, this decision had nothing to do with cost and was totally a design decision. But I'll pass this info along to our design team. I know there's a few decorative items that come down to personal taste, but I don't want to miss the mark if our customers demand it...

We are spending more money on things like glazed hardwood cherry raised panel doors and drawers, wood fascias (vs. fabric, plastic, or foam), halogen lights (vs. "pancake" lights), and decorative bamboo weave paneling which greatly impact the look of the coach as well. These are items our competitors do not do or don't do well.

I also think it would look better with the border but ...

Everything about the new Camper is much more appealing to my eyes. Furniture, counter tops, cabinets, flooring, dinette vs. table/chairs etc.... It simply looks like a more expensive unit.

That said, after years of camping, we know how important storage is. All of the lost storage from under the couch and dinette set would play a very important part in my decision making of buying a new camper. This storage loss is in the most critical area too. It's the "low" storage where we store our heavier items thats gone. Cast iron skillets, blender, toaster, electric skillet, cases of water and soft drinks. Where does this stuff now go? In the basement? I'm definitely not putting them in the upper shelves.

I have no doubts if the two campers above were at a show for the exact same price, ten out of ten "first time buyers" would buy the second because it looks more appealing. I would have done the same a few years ago without a doubt. Now, I don't know.

I'm convinced its a trade off and there is no perfect camper. I don't think its possible to achieve both looks and practicality in such a small space. I guess thats why they keep getting bigger and bigger.

All of the lost storage from under the couch and dinette set would play a very important part in my decision making of buying a new camper.

X2

BobnPi wrote:

All of the lost storage from under the couch and dinette set would play a very important part in my decision making of buying a new camper.

X2

Storage is absolutely key on our floor plans -- we haven't forgotten that. The booth dinette with storage below is still the STANDARD way we build this rear kitchen (and all Wildcat and Wildcat eXtraLites). However, many couples opt for a free-standing table and chairs, which is what is shown. You are also able to build that model with an additional couch in place of the swivel rockers or La-Z-Boys which includes a storage drawer below.

Overhead cabinet storage on this floor plan is still greater than our competitors (both deeper and more of it). Contrary to some of the commentary here, however, there are people who complain about storage over dining areas (complaints of hitting heads when standing) or too much overhead cabinetry in other areas where head room is important (bedrooms and walkways/entryways). As much as I'd like to make everyone happy every time, this isn't possible -- we strive for balance between what customers "think" they want (usually what "looks" or "feels" good) vs. what is truly necessary while RVing (what functions well).

Many of our competitors have "de-contented" their offerings in recent years, including less storage and limited overheads (so the interior "feels more open"). Obviously, space is a premium in an RV. But I'll say it again -- storage is absolutely key.

MountainMan wrote:I have no doubts if the two campers above were at a show for the exact same price, ten out of ten "first time buyers" would buy the second because it looks more appealing. I would have done the same a few years ago without a doubt. Now, I don't know.

I'm convinced its a trade off and there is no perfect camper. I don't think its possible to achieve both looks and practicality in such a small space. I guess thats why they keep getting bigger and bigger.

You nail it on the head with these two comments. The goal is to look great, but offer high level of function. It's not an easy task -- but we're always keeping this in mind.

I opted for the free standing table in the 1 I orderd this past week. I am short and the booth type makes me have to sit on the edge of the bench to eat since my arms are short too and that is not comfortable to me.

I like the look both ways with and w/out the border.
Cherry

I completely agree with MountainMan’s comments. The new Wildcats, especially the Sterling models, have a real “WOW” factor for first time buyers. I really love the look of the half-barrel counter and storage in the rear kitchens, but the pot and pan drawer was sacrificed in the design.

When we ordered our current rear kitchen model we really debated whether to get the table and chairs or the booth dinette. I love the look of the table and chairs, but the booth was more practical for our extended trips. I’m really glad we went with the booth dinette for the additional storage space below the seats.

I think if my wife and I could design our own trailer, we would take the bedroom area of our 2008 28RKBS trailer and couple it with the living/kitchen area of our old 27RK Wildcat. What we really miss about our old Wildcat is that when the slideout was closed, we could still access the fridge, and sink. On long distance trips we could pull into a rest stop for lunch, go inside and make some sandwiches and get a soft drink, and then either sit at the booth or go to a picnic table outside for a quick lunch on the road.

As MountainMan said, there is no perfect camper and everything is a trade off.

Here's a pic of our old 2004 27RK. Lots of low storage and a pot and pan drawer under the stove. It had great counter space for preparing meals too.

Updated cabinetry is a good seller, and would sway my decision - unless the trailer didn't have adequate storage space. Anyone who has read about or looked at our mods knows how important storage space is for me. A place for everything, and everything in it's place is something I strive for, but can't always achieve. So, I want something that looks beautiful and has plenty of storage space. If our border were something more generic, I'd probably like it, but I don't like that leaf design that's in our Cat.

Tater

KHUBER wrote: It's all a matter of personal taste but I'm with Richard on having the border. We walked through some units at an rv show two years ago and again this year and they just don't seem to be finished without the border. If you have no border you could always purchase some to match the decor and install yourself. Imo the older models look homey the new model looks cold.
Also agree with Richard on loss of storage space. Cabinets above dinette were eliminated as well as sreet side wall cabinets in bedroom. Elimination of the j sofa and those cabinets is a lot of lost storage space. Storage under the dinette seats is also a plus.
KH

I also agree.

Wildcat Chris wrote:Wildcat no longer uses decorative border (what looks like wallpaper trim) and hasn't for 2 years. Although it's often a standard item, especially in lower cost units, our designers felt that the addition of more windows and soft window treatments made the border unnecessary. Personally, I think it's a cleaner look.

Please call Kyle Hilliard in our parts department if you're searching for Wildcat parts: 574-206-7615

Hey Chris you said they stopped using the Border 2 years ago But my 2011 25 RL is only 1 year old and has the Border. Althou it is slighly narrower but it has it.

onetonford wrote:

Wildcat Chris wrote:Wildcat no longer uses decorative border (what looks like wallpaper trim) and hasn't for 2 years. Although it's often a standard item, especially in lower cost units, our designers felt that the addition of more windows and soft window treatments made the border unnecessary. Personally, I think it's a cleaner look.

Please call Kyle Hilliard in our parts department if you're searching for Wildcat parts: 574-206-7615

Hey Chris you said they stopped using the Border 2 years ago But my 2011 25 RL is only 1 year old and has the Border. Althou it is slighly narrower but it has it.

Both the Elkhart and Oregon production facilities change items like this independently. We stopped using border around the end of 2009 -- to the best of my memory...

My west coast 28 RKBS 2011 doesent have this border,but it was supposed to have that fake rock there that we told them not to put up when we ordered the trailer.

We went out to the trailer Sunday, and I checked the border. We have it upstairs (where it looks out of place because it doesn't match the new decor). Downstairs doesn't have any border except by the stove. Since I haven't changed the decor downstairs, and won't, the leaf design looks okay.

I like the walls without borders in the living room / dining room. The print on the sofa and fabric trims are plenty, and the area looks bigger without a border breaking up the design.

Tater

Action Jack wrote:My west coast 28 RKBS 2011 doesent have this border,but it was supposed to have that fake rock there that we told them not to put up when we ordered the trailer.

The "fake rock" was always optional equipment...

I didn't care for the fake rock the first time I saw the 31ts at an RV show - except around the fireplace. Didn't like it up the sides of the slides at all, or around the stove where it would be hard to keep clean.... but I see that's gone - at least in the pics of the 293rex.

Tater