Hybrid Diesel Class A

[kenrhilbert]

I live in RI and the busses here are diesel electric hybrids. Does any of the RV mfgs have plans or are building using this type of engine technology.

[CVD]

Interesting question. I’ve wondered what will happen with heavy duty vehicle power trains over then next 10 – 20 years. Car and light duty truck engine technology, performance, and efficiency have changed significantly over the last 10 – 20 years. Turbo charging, super charging, direct injection, hybrids, and all electric have moved from fringe to common place (look at the power train competition in today’s 1/2 ton pick up market). I’m sure the pace of change will continue; hope it benefits the RV market.

Pet Peeve: Just about the only option we have for 28’ to 34’ vehicles (16 – 24k lbs) is the 6.8L V10 Ford, which has been going now for 20 years (and sucking lots of gas). I’d like to see the best engineers start from scratch and build a modern power plant for that market.

[DrewE]

I would like to see a hybrid motorhome. I don't think it would make any significant difference in terms of fuel usage (aerodynamic improvements would be a far more beneficial course for that), but particularly for an all-electric coach I think it could make sense as you could use the traction battery bank for the house batteries and eliminate the separate genset. If battery power gave one a couple miles of range at low speeds, it would make it more easily possible to arrive late or leave early without unduly disturbing other campers.

A good portion of the Prius's exceptional gas mileage is due to good aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires. With a conventional drivetrain it would still be one of the most efficient cars in its class, probably class-leading when it first came out.

[Bill_Satellite]

kenrhilbert wrote:
I live in RI and the busses here are diesel electric hybrids. Does any of the RV mfgs have plans or are building using this type of engine technology.

No, sorry! I am waiting for a fuel cell powered RV. That would be completely awesome!

[Mile_High]

Been done, never caught on.
Hybrid class a

[Dale_Traveling]

The hybrid advantage is stop and go where the electric side of the power train performs efficiently along with regenerative charging during braking. At highway speeds onboard storage at the current technology can't match liquid fuels for speed and range. Also considering the extra cost of such a system an owner will never recoup the cost in fuel savings. With marginal benefits coach builders would be extremely reluctant to to build on such a chassis.

When the day comes class B's will be first followed by the Sprinter sized C's. DP's are I feel in the distant future. The trick is getting 400+ mile electrical storage with a reasonable recharge time.

[gbopp]

kenrhilbert wrote:
I live in RI and the busses here are diesel electric hybrids. Does any of the RV mfgs have plans or are building using this type of engine technology.

I think it's a good and reasonable question.
But you now know it isn't practical or feasible.

Don't sell your Class A and buy a Prius. Just accept the lousy gas mileage of a RV and have fun. Life is short. 🙂

[rv2go]

kenrhilbert wrote:
I live in RI and the busses here are diesel electric hybrids. Does any of the RV mfgs have plans or are building using this type of engine technology.

Are you sure the buses are Diesel Electric Hybrids, or just Diesel Electric?
There is a difference. The Hybrid would have batteries. Diesel Electric has a diesel engine powering a generator that supplies current to electric motors that power the bus. No transmission. The electric motors supply the torque to the drive train.

Sames as on trains.

[MrWizard]

Transit buses, don't need storage space, they have room for batteries , electric motors controllers,
The diesel engine gets to keep running at a constant speed, so it doesn't SPEW smoke pulling away from the curb

In an rv you need storage tanks, water, waste, grey, galley, l.p. Plus storage space for your belongings

The extra weight and cost simply not feasible for the RV Mfg and avg RV user

[bluwtr49]

I can not imagine how a hybrid MH would be beneficial. One time on a business trip I rented a Prius and was less than impressed driving 400 miles at 70 mph. Probably didn't use the battery more than 10 minutes a day.

Now imagine a 50,000 lb MH driving all day at 65...what would I gain with a Hybrid.

[Ivylog]

NO/none! How much stop and go driving does a MH do in a day? I might do 10 in a day. If being green is important sell your class A and buy a Prius to get to Fla.