In the United States, we don’t crash test RVs to determine their safety, or to learn how they can be improved. One reason is that RV manufacturers do not want to show consumers how badly their products fare in a serious accident. It also costs a lot of money.
RV crash test in action
In this video from the Swedish Transport Administration, you’ll see what happens when a small Class A motorhome slams head-on into a wall. The agency is responsible for long-term planning of the transport system for road, rail, maritime and air traffic.
As you will see, the crash not only totals the RV, but sends its occupants flying. The small “infant” crash dummy behind the driver seat would not likely survive a crash like this. In another, similar video, a crash dummy mimics someone sleeping in the bed over the cab of a Class C motorhome. When the RV hits the wall, the dummy is catapulted forward, through the glass window. Imagine if children were riding there, which you see every so often!
Think of this when you drive and always remember: Drive defensively!
##RVT958 ##RVT1119
Wow. Airbags on an RV. Who ever heard of such a thing?
The front end of this looks like the RAM Promaster chassis my Class B RV is built in. In Europe, it’s the Fiat Ducato chassis. Looks like they use the cutaway Ducato chassis and added the “house” part to it to make this small RV. Anyway, the Promaster/Ducato comes with all automotive safety features built into the cab area – including a full set of airbags.
We are driving a Fiat based Frankia in Canada and USA at the moment. It’s an A class. European manufacturers build safety factors like airbags in as standard. Roads in Europe are more congested and smaller than here so even though it’s great here having the space, we are astounded by how fast people drive their rigs.
Oh my, & only 40MPH! Did ya notice the “Air bag” deployment for driver & passenger? I paid 200K for my class A & I don’t have them, do you? How come RV manufacturers have gotten away from this requirement that every other vehicle is required to have. Bet it’s their lobbyist in DC, RV manufacturers get away from a lot of safety because of them! It’s really scary just thinking of how close we are to the front of our motor home!
Snoopy
My guess to your question: RV Industry Association. They fight tooth and nail to keep any kind of safety requirements or other standards from being required and we, the RV consumer, get to foot their bill for it! And our elected officials, follow the money.
At least our tow vehicle has air bags. Not that that is any reassurance.
There are 2 RV’s in this test. One looks like a Class C and the other like a small A. The A was WAY worse…..
Good observation, I went back & looked & sure enough there were 2 & the “A” did look like it was more wrecked. Did ya see the reffer door flying around?
Snoopy
Airbags are standard in Europe irrespective of the design style. The roads are way smaller and busier so cruising at high speed like we are seeing here isn’t really possible. Road Safety is positively lobbied in Europe.
Lisa, “at high speed like we are seeing here”? This is only at 40 miles per hour.
I read this three times…. – I think Lisa means “here” in the USA vs Europe, not the speed in the video.
YIKES!! Dang that was scary. After seeing that, I’m not sure if airbags would save us in our class A
My rig is old enough that I think they dropped it on it’s head at Winnebago from a crane. Not “my” “Lucy.” I will check the overhead front bins for anything that would give me a headache.
Hope it never happens, but I do have a “real” steel front bumper.
At our last RV show attendance, I was surprised most class-a RVs had no bumper behind the front cap. In contrast, our 1996 Fleetwood Flair, has a steel bumper as part of the front ABS plastic facial.
Not saying our rig would survive any better, but compared to the current F53 chassis, where the frame is 18″-24″ behind the front cap bothers me.
Think its bad now, just wait till the elected destroy all safety regulations.
No surprise… class As have to be the most unsafe vehicles on the road. Just a piece of tin between the driver and whatever it hits or is hit by. Then a yard sale as all the sheet metal screws and caulked-together pieces fly apart.
And watch all the loose stuff inside that’s flying around. Everything needs to be secured or it becomes a missile. Even a box of facial tissue will kill you from behind.
I recall many years ago as a part of vehicle safety campaign in the military – they showed several accident scenes during the event and the aftermath…. One in particular stuck with me all these years. It was a program from the Indiana Hiway Patrol…. a standard box of Kleenex on the back window shelf – remember those? – flew forward hitting the right front seat passenger – splitting his skull! You are so right – nail the loose stuff down!
Thank you, Chuck! This is just the sort of thing that sometimes goes through my mind as I sit on the nose of a 37,000 pound projectile towing 5,200 pounds. Is there any wonder that I am reluctant to go faster than 63 miles per hour? Have a great weekend and safe travels!