This has been one thing running through my mind since our new DP purchase last month. Now the dually we had was engineered to adsorb (as all cars & trucks)a collision. The energy transfer in modern cars is amazing when in serious collisions, my wife lived through one two years ago due to this technology built into modern vehicles.Now I understand the motor home is probably a whole other story.Is there anything designed into these platforms other than their size to secure occupants in a collision, particularly in a frontal collision. No air bags on ours. There isn't much space in front of us or a engine to absorb that energy. The only thing of strength up front is the frame and the generator. I see that as more of a directional thing instead of absorbing the collision, meaning it could direct the vehicle left, right, or up. Not much of anything else around that to stop anything from coming through.The only saving grace might be the height above other vehicles. How do these DP motor homes fair in a frontal collisions. Anyone been in one? I can say this is about the only thing that worries me compared to my old Fiver/dually.

It all depends on how it is constructed and who constructed it. Some motorhome constructions are much better than others! I think going head on with a car, that your odds are pretty good. But a roll over is another story. Most are going to come apart while others can be uprighted and even driven pack to the factory for repairs. That is the exact reason I purchased the coach I currently own. Its accident safety record is one of the best in the industry even today.

I think every class A will fold and crumble like a fragile card board box. Not sure about a steel bus, but any other won't be good.

What a horrible thread. Ignorance is bliss.

imgoin4it wrote:I think every class A will fold and crumble like a fragile card board box. Not sure about a steel bus, but any other won't be good.You need to look up monocoque construction. A number of motorhomes manufacturers have designed their chassis/unibody using the monocoque construction method. It will not "fold and crumble like a fragile card board box". Foretravel, some Monacos, Newell, and Prevost come to mind. monocoque-vs-ladder-chassis

Foretravels Country Coach, Bluebirds and bus conversions can roll over and still maintain their integrity. I think Newell falls in that category as well. The raised rail chassis are not built the same way and they have less rollover survivability. You have to decide what you want and what you want to pay for. I have seen rolled Foretravels driven back to the factory. I have seen busses go off a overpass. The driver died but the passengers survived. I have seen Winabago's picked up wiht a front end loader and placed on a flat bed. The only way to tell what make it was was when I saw the W on the side of a piece of siding. There are reasons that some coaches cost more even when they are used.

accident survivability in DP motorhome | Good Sam Community

tatest
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2013
It is going to depend more than anything else on the mass (or resistance) of what you hit. Motorhomes do well statistically on crash survival because some good proportion of the things they run into are small enough to bounce off or slide underneath the frame rails. The same survival advantage enjoyed by large trucks and why so many people are driving around the largest SUVs they can afford, when their transportation needs would be served by a compact or subcompact.

If you hit something big enough (solid enough) to crush the front end, you will be sitting in the crush zone. Even the biggest long-nose trucks fare poorly in head-ons with each other, or crashes into immovable objects like overpass abutments.
pkunk
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
rescue7 wrote:
Check this sites pictures of damaged motorhomes. see if what you own will look like in a accident of fire.
clicky
rescue7
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Check this sites pictures of damaged motorhomes. see if what you own will look like in a accident of fire.

http://us5.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/welcome.pl?
JimM68
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
Dachristianman wrote:
Life = Risk vs Reward.

I've not read any of this, but I'm with you.
I am not part of the rubber room generation.
I fully accept any and all risks involved with my choice of way of life.
Anyone doesn't like it, well just stay the hell outa my way.
Dachristianman
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
Life = Risk vs Reward.
RandACampin
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2013
A zero percent chance of survivability.
wny_pat1
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
msmith1199 wrote:
wny_pat wrote:
bluwtr49 wrote:
wallynm wrote:
IMHO this is not a common sense measure.
popeye766 wrote:
..for example NO one with a handi capped sticker should be allowed to drive a big RV....and other common sense measures.

Yeh, doesn't make sense to me either.
You guys are way out in left field. I have known exceptionally good, over the highway, commercial drivers, who pass their yearly DOT physicals, and are qualified for state issued handicapped parking permits. Being qualified for a handicapped parking permit does not necessary limit their driving abilities on any type of motor vehicle. And if their handicap is so severe, it usually requires their doctors to limit their driving privileges. Now a state required biyearly medical physical before being issued a license to operate a larger RV or motorhome would not hurt my feelings any!

I notice you say "you guys" in this. Only one person made the comment and nobody has agreed with him.

Should have said just popeye766. my bad.
John_S_
Explorer II
Sep 06, 2013
RFCN2 wrote:
Class A motorhomes vary a lot in crash worthiness. As mentioned before things like Bluebirds, Foretravels, Country Coaches, high end Monaco, and Prevost are solid and likely to protect you in a crash. Many of these coaches have monocoque type chassis where the body is part of the chassis. I know CC, high end Monaco, and Foretravel are monocoque, I am not sure about provost and Blue Bird. If you hit someone in a car and you are in a Foretravel it is highly likely you will be OK.

But most motorhomes are not built that way. They have a raised rail chassis and a house is built on top of it. Many of them will crumble like a house of cards in an accident.

Prevost and BLuebirds are the same. You have listed the high end motorhomes and there is a reason they cost more. They also last longer with less squeaks and rattles. Heck a Prevost chassis is designed for 2 million miles and I have friends with over 400K miles on their Foretravel too.
JTHarley
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
That was one of the reasons I chose a Truck Conversion.......Power and that big MBE 450 in the front.
et2
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
willald wrote:
When we traded in our truck and TT for a Class A MH, I fully understood and accepted that we were trading away some accident safety and 'crashworthiness' in return for more luxury and convenience when on the road.

I fully accept that risk, given that we are only on the road with the MH about 5,000 miles or 5-6 weeks out of the year. The rest of the time, everyday commuting and all other transportation that goes on the other 95% of the time...We travel in either a sedan or minivan that has much, much better safety.

Like already said, in a collision with most other vehicles on the road, you and your occupants are pretty safe in a MH. Now, if you hit something solid or a vehicle as large or larger than you, all bets are off and it will not be pretty. All you can do is just take steps to reduce the risk of the latter ever happening. Drive more conservatively and stay 110% focused when driving, maintain your rig properly, etc.

If you're truly this concerned about safety on the road....Then you might consider a truck and towable RV (5th wheel or TT) instead of a MH. You are much safer that way in a wreck, although nowhere near as comfortable the other 99.9% of the time. :)

I did purchase a DP, not scared out of my mind concerned, just a lot more aware. In hind site I still would have made the same decision. I don't believe hitting a car should be cast aside as trivial. All that fiberglass and metal is going somewhere, as there isn't any crumple zones built into most MH.

But as said,by many, give yourself room policy is a very wise decision.

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