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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> RV Consumer Group Highway Control Ratings!!
Post Info TOPIC: RV Consumer Group Highway Control Ratings!!
ianschneiderman


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RV Consumer Group Highway Control Ratings!!
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We are starting our search for a new "small" Class A Diesel Pusher.   I ordered the RV Consumer Group ratings guide because I really can't find very much objective rating material.   One of his key rating criteria is highway controls and he uses wheelbase length against the full length.   Using this criteria, basically ANY RV under 37 feet is poorly rated because the ratio is way under 60%.   Is this a critical rating in your (collective) opinion?  The other area he stresses is the ability of the "cage" to protect the inhabitants in case of accident and especially rollover.  I cannot find much information on that score, either.   In fact, there does not seem to be much regulation or information on safety requirements and how different makes and models "survive" accidents.   There is obviously lots of data for cars, but where is it for motorhomes?   If there isn't great data easily available, how did you all assess the safety and control components of your motorhomes?



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Barbaraok


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I would 't pay attention to anything that 'group' puts out. They are not really RVers.

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Barb & Dave O'Keeffe

2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID

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jayc


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They make you pay for them to get opinions of others, much like you'll find for free on forums like this one and make you pay for their finding.



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2018 Heartland Landmark

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ianschneiderman


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Thanks for the feedback on RVCG. However, my concerns/questions still hold: How/where have folks gotten information on control/handling concerns and accident/safety information on our RV's? Specifically small class A diesel pushers. I would assume going to the manufacturers wouldn't not be helpful. Are there any objective bodies, organizations, individuals who have done any homework in this area? I would think this stuff would be important to everyone who is making a big financial commitment especially if they are hauling their families around?

Thanks

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bjoyce


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RVCG uses the wheelbase ratio because for cheaper motorhomes, it does apply for road handling. When Country Coach made a 32' diesel pusher, and thus had a bad wheelbase ratio due to the engine overhang, they upgraded the suspension to compensate and it drove well. Safari and a couple other manufacturers also made 32-33' diesel pushers at the time and they had lousy handling in the wind and on curvy roads, since they went with stock suspension components.

Owners can go to someone like Henderson Line Up in Grants Pass OR, or Eric's RV in Sequim WA, and get suspension upgrades to improve the ride, if they are willing to spend the money. We did so at Eric's RV with our 2002 National RV Dolphin, which was a gas motorhome on a Workhorse W22 chassis, and the improvements were very obvious. But, it cost us close to $3000 at the time. When we got our current motorhome, the only change Eric's recommended was a Safe-T-Plus.



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Barbaraok


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One of the best place is to see if there is an owners forum on iRV2  for the type of rig you are looking at.  You will get the good, bad, & ugly from the  owners of that manufacturer. 



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Barb & Dave O'Keeffe

2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID

Blog:  http://www.barbanddave.net

SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834
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