RV Tech
Technological Innovation In RVs
By Alan Lidstone
In addition, RVers will find that the industry has been enhancing towing capacities, improved handling and passing power, and provided options to improve fuel economy.
Power plant, Drivetrain, and Chassis Combinations now offer RVers the choice of gas or diesel, front engine or rear engine, 56–degree turning radius, and 5–speed and 6–speed transmissions with innovations and options for RVers. This lowers costs as a result of sharing technology with the much larger commercial truck industry.
Low–sulfur fuel diesel power plants improve our environment with a dramatic reduction of emitted pollutants. RV manufacturers are now providing 5–speed or 6–speed transmissions and 22.5" wheel rims on almost all motorhomes with a GVWR over 22,000 lbs. Also very popular is the Workhorse 8.1 Litre/340 HP powerplant with the very low and flat surface engine cowling that provides easy access to the driver and passenger seats up front.
The popular Diamler–Chrysler Sprinter chassis is increasingly popular for small Class C motorhomes (up to 11,030 lbs) and Class B motorhomes. The Mercedes Benz diesel engine and 5–speed transmission provide major improvements in fuel efficiency.
Diesel power plants are popular because of their increased torque and towing capability, and better fuel efficiency estimated at approximately 1.5 mpg more than similar size gas models). Diesel engines also have a well–earned reputation for a substantially longer operating life if they are properly serviced and maintained and may have longer periods between service periods. In deciding between diesel vs. gas power plants, it's important to consider the up–front increased differential cost of diesel vs. gas (which can be $40,000 to $50,000 dollars) that goes with the better fuel economy.
The toy–hauler or SURV (Sport Utility RV) configurations are drawing new outdoors aficianados into the RV lifestyle with their sleeping, storage, and work space for a variety of sport and recreation machines. SURVs eliminate the need to tow the equipment in a separate trailers and are now available in all RV classes.
Note: With the increased popularity of the larger 22.5" rims, many motorhomes have no space dedicated to carry a spare tire.
Exterior Coach and Body Improvements include RV options and features to make your RV more user–friendly. You can choose from items such as automatic awnings, automatic leveling systems, and multi–camera backup and security cameras.
Full–body paint and clearcoat finishes are available on most mid–range and up motorhomes and fifth–wheels. This significantly reduces fading, eliminates the need for decals, and makes cleaning and maintaining the exterior finish easier. Most manufacturers now use a vacubond process (similar to the process used by the boat industry) to manufacturer the sidewall panels. This process should eliminate delamination problems that can be costly to repair.
Access to storage bays is easier with clamshell doors that open from the sides on selected models. Also, look for built–in slideout trays and increased availability of pass–thru bays for large items. Most RVs offer, or come with, heated bays (usually at about 20–degrees below the interior) enabling the use of your RV in cold climates.
Look for the increasingly popular larger dump valves and quick–connect fittings that are easier to operate and less likely to get blocked or clogged. You will also find electrically operated dump valves offered on selected models. Another nice feature is readily–accessible coach batteries mounted on slide rack at waist–height for easy servicing on selected RVs.
RV manufacturers are improving the windshield installation process to reduce the problems that caused cracking or loosening of windshields in some older models. You will also be seeing an improved quality of flexible hoses in slideouts. The new all–weather hose material is less affected by cold weather and less subject to kinking.
Interior Coach and Body Improvements – include features such as the availability of the popular Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort, and integrated steering column/dashboard panels which provide a continuous clear view of all instruments and dashboard controls regardless of steering wheel position.
We like the newer RV slideouts that are available in a number of configurations, including full wall slides, opposing flat–floor slides, and floor plans with maximum interior widths of up to 12' or more. Floor plan options include front kitchens, bunkrooms, and toy hauler compartments.
You may be able to now order a 17,000 BTU dash–mounted air conditioner that eliminates the need to run your generator and 120–volt AC unit while driving. Great!!! The availability of ultra leather provides a comfortable and durable seating surface that can be cleaned with soap and water when necessary.
RVers will enjoy the automatic generator startup option to recharge the house batteries if they run low. We are starting to see increased use of standard 120–volt AC refrigerators that use shore power, generator, or inverter power, providing RVers with a wider selection of refrigerator models
And finally, we're all seeing more use of personal electronics for RVs, including flat–panel HD–TVs, automatic satellite systems, satellite radio, OnStar access for selected models, extended ranges for mobile wireless phones and broadband data services on the Internet, notebook and laptop computers, and navigation and GPS systems.
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