Class A safety question, etc - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sam2007 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Class A safety question, etc

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ive never seen a crash worthy RV........that being said , I would have to say only the Provost, Blubird or MCI units that were built from buses could really sustain a severe impact because of there original design for the shell was for high volume passengers.

second would be the new super C's....they are built from large trucks with the passenger compartments intact.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mc2guy wrote:

I don't mean to let facts get in the way of hysteria over RV safety, but I did a detailed look at motorhome crash data after I started hearing about how they were death traps. The data I found at NHTSA's FARS data base combined with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics vehicle use survey convince me that these stories are more hype that reality.

The data I gathered showed that from 2000-2007, thre were more than three times fewer deaths in motor homes than the "average" vehicle based on fatalities per vehicle mile. Only 212 people died during that period TOTAL in motor homes compared to over 300,000 for the general population.

Can manufacturers do better in construction design? Yes. Does it constitute a safety "failure" by the manufacturers? Not in my opinion, the stats just don't support that position.

While your look at the data was more detailed I came to the same point of view. If it was not for over loading and then blowing tires I think the RV record would be even more safe. Rolling a MH or truck on a ramp can be done but not likely at the posted warning speed.
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This is a copy from another forum in reference to your question and might give you a little more research cue's to work from.....

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look into a nice Super C...Toy Hauler.....Renegade or Showhauler....you will get the safety and a very high quality fit and finish....welcome to the Forum....

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Be sure and look at the weight capacities of the RV's. Some have been saying that adding something like a Hydralift can put a strain on the RV. I think Gene's idea with a super-C toy hauler might be something to look at. In fact, I think his super-C is a toy hauler.

Terry

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

We used to own a traditional Class A Diesel Pusher. When we started the process to fulltiming, safety was also one of our concerns. My husband did not like that their was nothing between the driver and a accident because the engine was in the back. We ended up purchasing a used Powerhouse Coach. Our Powerhouse is a custom built RV built on a Vovo Semi Chassis. I am including the we address. http://www.powerhousecoach.com. The other great thing about a Powerhouse is that you do not have the same weight constrictions that you have in a traditional RV. We pull a 24' trailer with ours that has a car, tools and scooter with no problems. Their used units are in the price range you mentioned.

-- Edited by Talensnana on Saturday 3rd of May 2014 10:20:26 PM

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

In a crash with a motorhome you are always going to be the "First at the scene". Even the highway tour coaches like Prevost, MCI, Vanhool, and others. Most are made with a monocoque chassis design and a lot heavier in the structual design. However when involved in a collision the outcome is usually not good...........Depending on the "Hit".

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

Talensnana wrote:
We used to own a traditional Class A Diesel Pusher. When we started the process to fulltiming, safety was also one of our concerns. My husband did not like that their was nothing between the driver and a accident because the engine was in the back. We ended up purchasing a used Powerhouse Coach. Our Powerhouse is a custom built RV built on a Volvo Semi Chassis. I am including the web address. http://www.powerhousecoach.com. The other great thing about a Powerhouse is that you do not have the same weight restrictions that you have in a traditional RV. We pull a 24' trailer with ours that has a car, tools and scooter with no problems. Their used units are in the price range you mentioned.

-- Edited by Talensnana on Saturday 3rd of May 2014 10:20:26 PM

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd take a look at a custom toyhauler from New Horizons. I doubt you would be disappointed in the interior, and you can have up to 48' of total space. Plus I have seen a number of New Horizons toyhaulers that have the garage area outfitted VERY nicely, including heated wood floors, cherry cabinets, 60" TVs, etc, for use with the bike out.

When I say custom, that is what I mean. Every cabinet, all appliances, all fitting, the floorplan, the window locations - everything the way you want it. Take a look at our 2012 New Horizons - which is sold - for a look at the capabilities.

You could also carry the bike on the deck of a custom RV Hauler and free up living space in the trailer. You can see our truck here. In the case of carrying the bike on the truck you could have a 5-8' "garage" on the trailer that could be a utility area - for dog stuff, hobbies, etc. Or a "man cave". Whatever you can dream up.

Another alternative is to carry the bike on a lift on the back of the trailer, have the trailer be a conventional 5er with lots of living space, and carry a car on the truck. You can add a hydralift to the back of a New Horizons safely. See our current setup for an example of the car on the truck.

And, lastly, there is a bunch of info on New Horizons on our website, HERE.

Just something else for you to consider. There ARE quality 5ers out there - both toy haulers and regular floorplans. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome to the forum, Allen. I've always been concerned about safety, too, but I learned long ago that one must accept some risk if one wants to be at all practical. A nice, used tank would probably survive most collisions, but it would be far too expensive to actually drive on any sort of regular basis. Remember that the driver and navigator sit quite a ways above the ground, and most motorhomes have the generator located in the front, about where the engine is on a passenger car.

Within the past year a couple in a Foretravel had a close encounter with a bridge counterweight. The couple were not injured, but the coach was severely damaged. Foretravel rebuilt it, and those who have seen it say you can't tell that it ever had any damage. From what I learned when I was researching, most high end DP coaches are quite strong, so I would think that you would be pretty safe in most types of accidents.

'Birds were on our short list, although we weren't looking at anything nearly as new as what you are considering. The standard-body (8') 'Birds have steel endcaps, while the wide-body coaches have fiberglass endcaps. The sides are all steel on all of them.

We really preferred a mid-entry coach with no slides, so our candidates were more limited. We ended up buying a Foretravel Grand Villa. When I'm going down the road I look semi drivers right in the eye, so any collision with a car would have the car below our feet.

Tom and Mare · RV-Dreams Family Member

What are the feelings on safety for Country Coach?

sam2007 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all very much for the input; quality, helpful responses are a benchmark of this site. Lucky Mike's reference to the low statistical likelihood of being involved in a fatal rv collision was really interesting. Looks like we still have a lot to kick around. Thanks again

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom and Mare wrote:
What are the feelings on safety for Country Coach?

Country Coach was a very good coach, all steal frame ... but the issue is that they are no longer made so parts could be getting harder to find. For all steal frames vs. aluminum, you need to go with Prevost, Newell, Foretravel, or Country Coach. The problem is these all pack a very high price range if you want something built within the last five years. Just as an FYI: Some Class A DP which have an aluminum frame do have a "steal cage" which protects the driver, i.e., Entegra, American Coach, and Newmar. There are probably others, but these are all top rated DPs.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The remains of Country Coach are back with the original owners and they will make and sell parts - http://www.countrycoach.com/factory-parts/.

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good to know Bill ... Thx!

folivier · RV-Dreams Family Member

A well taken care of 10-16 year old Newell, along with Prevost, Bluebird, or Foretravel represent a great value in a well built coach. Most of these coaches amenities are well ahead of the newer mainstream motorhomes. We chose a Newell for the factory support and quality which is unsurpassed. Really worth taking the time to look at some in your budget. Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogdoches has a few in your price range.