I asked my friend Tom Chimera, a long-time owner to write about innovations in Motorhomes. Part II of his write up is below.
Picking up from where I left off yesterday, I wanted to describe a few of the driver assist features offered today. These enhancements in driver assist control in Motorhome construction adds greatly to the safety on the road today. Remember this style of Motorhome can typically weigh 55,000 lbs and the legal maximum is 80,000 lbs. Certainly these vehicles demand the best in safety features:
DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
These systems originated in the automobile industry as early as 2006, but the current levels of sophistication in systems were introduced as recently as 2009 or 2010.
Adaptive Cruise Braking Control
Adaptive Brake Control provides braking when a rear-end collision with another vehicle, or a stationary object is imminent. The system now uses a combination of radar and camera to activate the system if a driver does not respond to the danger. A red screen warning appears on the windshield, producing the same reaction as brake lights.
It functions to adjust the cruise control speed when a Motorhome approaches a vehicle from behind and adapts the RV speed to maintain a safe distance between them, even as the speeds change. The driver selects one of 5 time intervals to monitor. The automated speed control employed in these coaches is an unseen collision avoidance system.
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control measures the driver's steering input against the car's yaw angle (rotation about the vertical axis) and traction at the wheels. Jim Adams, president of Featherlite Coaches described in simple terms how the system works. Combining speed readings and sensor information of the physical forces on the Motorhome, the forces are evaluated to determine if the steering approach is proper. If it determines turning too sharply or not sharply enough, the system applies braking by individual wheel or to multiple wheels to return the Motorhome to the proper track. The system will also reduce throttle speed as necessary. This is the latest in anti--lock braking systems. Incorporated into this system is a detection system to determine when a Motor home veers left or right and if it poses a significant danger to a vehicle in an adjacent lane.
I know it only takes a split second of distraction or inattention to find one’s self too close to the dividing line or even over it momentarily. This can be unnerving for both the Motorhome occupants and the drivers in the adjacent lanes. The concern for an unseen vehicle is ever present in one’s mind while driving an RV. A sensing system that provides collision warning would be a welcome addition to my driving experience.
Although not visible to the naked eye, these systems protect the driver from common dangers related to driving the vehicle. I recall more than a few turns over the years as a curve came a little faster than I anticipated or a few sudden stops that were necessary that raised my adrenalin level.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND ENHANCEMENTS RECENTLY ADDED TO RVS
· “Lightweight” granite countertops created from 3/8 inch thin components – 1/8 inch of granite, ¼ inch of backing of fiberglass or aluminum for strength that provides the beauty and durability of Granite without the weight
· Basement utilization, even a hatch or pass through from the coach to the basement and incorporating a wide a range of applications from barbeque grills, entertainment centers, pet rooms, child playrooms, motorbike storage, or even golf cart storage
· Inflatable slide seals to insure interior moisture protection
· Powerful 3,400 watt and backup 3,400 watt inverters to run the air conditioning, lights and appliances for extended periods from the batteries with a 20,000 watt generator to charge the batteries as needed
· Electric locking cabinet drawers to prevent drawer opening and content spillage while moving
Should a large Motorhome show come to a town near you, I highly recommend you take the family for an inexpensive and very interesting day of amusement. Even though not all of us can afford the Motorhomes I describe, it is a treat to see them and dream of the possibilities that exist on the road.
Again, I wish to thank the owners of Featherlite (video in yesterday’s post) and Millennium Luxury Coaches (video below), Jim Adams and Nelson Figueroa respectively, for sharing their time and their staff's time to explain the latest in Motorhome features.
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