Which is safer, truck / trailer or motorhome?
I just posted a very similar post to the class A forum and realized I'll probably get skewed results there in favor of the Class A motorhome so I thought I'd ask in a more neutral forum. So moderator...
Forum Discussion
Safer in what sense?
If one has to be involved in a crash, it is far safer to be in a modern pickup truck than in any motorhome I know of. There are several reasons: the safety requirements for pickups are much more stringent (in terms of seatbelts, seat strength, roof strength, airbags, etc.) and they are actually crash tested. Also, you don't have all manner of cabinets and appliances in the same box with you, nor items in the cabinets that may become airborne missiles. A truck will be designed with crush structures to absorb energy in the event of a collision; a motorhome, particularly a class A, generally will not.
A poorly set up trailer or a trailer too large for the tow vehicle will be much harder to control than a reasonably set up motorhome, and probably more likely to get into or cause a crash. A motorhome might also be slightly more straightforward for a novice to drive, though neither vehicle is really suitable for anyone who is not yet a proficient driver.
In any case, exercising care when driving and keeping up with maintenance and so forth probably have more to do to encourage safety than the vehicle choice.
I have a class C motorhome, by the way. I'm quite aware that it's not an especially crashworthy vehicle whenever I drive it. I thoroughly enjoy it none the less, and have no desire at all to trade for a trailer and tow vehicle.
If one has to be involved in a crash, it is far safer to be in a modern pickup truck than in any motorhome I know of. There are several reasons: the safety requirements for pickups are much more stringent (in terms of seatbelts, seat strength, roof strength, airbags, etc.) and they are actually crash tested. Also, you don't have all manner of cabinets and appliances in the same box with you, nor items in the cabinets that may become airborne missiles. A truck will be designed with crush structures to absorb energy in the event of a collision; a motorhome, particularly a class A, generally will not.
A poorly set up trailer or a trailer too large for the tow vehicle will be much harder to control than a reasonably set up motorhome, and probably more likely to get into or cause a crash. A motorhome might also be slightly more straightforward for a novice to drive, though neither vehicle is really suitable for anyone who is not yet a proficient driver.
In any case, exercising care when driving and keeping up with maintenance and so forth probably have more to do to encourage safety than the vehicle choice.
I have a class C motorhome, by the way. I'm quite aware that it's not an especially crashworthy vehicle whenever I drive it. I thoroughly enjoy it none the less, and have no desire at all to trade for a trailer and tow vehicle.
