accident survivability in DP motorhome

[et2]

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.

[tatest]

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]

rescue7 wrote:
Check this sites pictures of damaged motorhomes. see if what you own will look like in a accident of fire.

clicky

[rescue7]

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]

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]

Life = Risk vs Reward.

[RandACampin]

A zero percent chance of survivability.

[wny_pat1]

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_]

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]

That was one of the reasons I chose a Truck Conversion.......Power and that big MBE 450 in the front.

[et2]

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.

[RFCN2]

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.

[AprilWhine]

oneolddog wrote:
If anyone watched the notorious Prevost XL2 episode on cops you would understand why their so safe. The thief rams cop cars and pushes them out of the way like pool balls and backs through houses. The chase goes on forever and after watching you realize that those things are like tanks.

Adam

Safety was one of the reasons we traded an 08 DP for a 97 Prevost.

[willald]

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. 🙂

[wa8yxm]

First I have to ask..What are you planing on running into?

All factors considered there are basically two types of accidents. Collisions with another vehicle and "run off the road" type.

now Run off the road.. I have no comment.. it's also your own fault (usually)

But collision

I'm sitting so far up that I'm above the roof of my towed car.. So if a car hits my RV. He's going to go right under me.. Oh, he might hit my shoes but I seriously do not feel the danger.. Not to mention the big block Chevy V8 that lives under my feet just might slow his progress a tad.

And if I get rear ended.. Well it's 38 feet (more like 55 with the towed attached) that he has to plow through before he hits me.

Of course if I slam into the back side of a SEMI.. I will have a problem. (or 3)