rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Looking at new units the past few months, what I noticed was the real old A's had square fronts, then around the 90's they started sloping the front ends to be more aerodynamic and then walk over to the new aisle and they went back to completely square front ends, to what I like to call trying to push a 4 x 8 piece of plywood thru the air doing 55 mph!
So why did they go from a more 'aerodynamic' front end to a complete 'straight' front end?
'Backwards' progress?
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Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
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Joined: 02/14/2007
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rockhillmanor wrote:So why did they go from a more 'aerodynamic' front end to a complete 'straight' front end?
'Backwards' progress?
Aerodynmics aren't based on looks. Regardless of wether you slope the front or not, the frontal area is the exact same size. But if you slope the front you add surface area, which increases air contact and friction.
Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.
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2007 National Surf Side 34DE. Full timing since 1/06/08
2007 Toyota Matrix Da Toad
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KeninAZ
SE AZ
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Joined: 06/22/2002
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TxTwo wrote:Seems like the OP has made some good points to me. There must be some innovative designs and improvements that would make RVs more energy efficient, and better built with newer techniques and state of the art light weight materials. I have to agree - if the RV manufacturers want to stay in business, like any other industry, they had better adjust to changing times. Bicycles are built better, lighter and faster, so are airplanes, boats and autos, why not RVs?
But comapred to RVs of 20-35 years ago they are lighter just like the other products you mentioned.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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With what Ford and GM are doing is going to have impact the RV industry?
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apr67
Tallahassee, Florida
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I'm looking at this from the Motorhome standpoint.
I don't doubt we will see some RV's that are more like the old GMC's. Reducing the exterior size will go a long way to increasing mileage. Adding insulation is a double egged sword, as to get any real R value requires thickness, and significantly thick insulation loses interior space. That is why most RV's only have 2" in the sides, but perhaps much more in the roof and floor.
I think for RV's to get much more efficent we are going to see mass production (less different floorplans, less different models, by a huge factor) allowing very lightweight prefab interiors, shorter overall height and length, and lighter duty chassis.
Electric drive, like a train, holds some promise since it could lead to a generatorless RV, and even propaneless RV, able to use the main engine to make huge electric power when the RV isn't under way, coupled with a larger battery bank it might even allow the engine to shutoff during times like coasting, or when parked and power loads are low. (a 1mpg increase on a 8mpg vehicle is huge!).
Slide up technology, where the RV has more room when parked by slideing the roof up might help, but on a motorhome its use seems limited. Perhaps it could be used to open up the rear of an RV and provide bunk sleeping.
We are going to have to get used to things being smaller, and carrying less stuff, and that is the delima. How many people won't even bother to consider RVing if its not at the same level it is today? For sure I feel the market is going to shrink.
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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I've got the know-how to do it, and I'm willing to built one with all the inovations YOU want. And, as soon as YOU raise the money to pay for the entire venture, call me.
However, I would not blame anyone for not wanting to invest in a venture of this kind,,.....'cause it sure doesn't make sense to me.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Reducing the main players to only a few companies would help so the volume could support some to things Alan mentioned above. I do think what Ford, GM and other MH chassis companies will be HUGE in what kinds of future MH's we see.
To date there has not been any real brains applied in the industry. Most anyone can built a shot gun house on top of a truck frame.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Can we hope that this info relates only to 'personal trucks'?
I would think that the commercial frame that the C's are built on are just that 'commercial truck frames', and not included in their statement about dropping personal pick up truck production.
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OleRVer
Orlando,Fl.
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Joined: 04/06/2004
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Gale Hawkins wrote:Reducing the main players to only a few companies would help so the volume could support some to things Alan mentioned above. I do think what Ford, GM and other MH chassis companies will be HUGE in what kinds of future MH's we see.
To date there has not been any real brains applied in the industry. Most anyone can built a shot gun house on top of a truck frame.
I beg to differ......have you compared a 1978 Allegro to a 2008?...no brainer there......to date, outside of a Freightliner or Peterbuilt, there are no Class A coaches built on a "truck" chassis as there once was with Dodge and Ford. They are all purpose built RV chassis.
All chassis manufactorers, Ford, Workhorse, Spartan, etc. have already had a HUGE impact on the future and past of the RV industry.
New materials are introduced all the time in this industry. Look at the glues used, insulation, sidewall composits.
As far as airodynamics, take a good look at the 10 degree raked windshields, rounded edges, airdam like bumpers etc. Most manufactorers have had to raise the roofs to accomidate their customers in recent years. Coaches have gotten larger, so they can sell them. You can have the best mouse trap in the world, but if you can't sell it......well......this is all JMHO, based on 14 years in the RV industry. I can assure you, there have been mistakes made, but alot of real brain work has been applied in just the short time I have been in this business. The changes in RVs has been tremendous.
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slippity
Utah
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Joined: 07/15/2005
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Quote:Why can't manufacturers get on the wagon and build more fuel efficient rvs and also better insulated units? Or is it that we as an rv community don't care what we rv in or we are not pushing the manufacturers to build more efficient units?
guin·ea pigs: somebody or something experimented on: somebody or something used as the subject of an experiment, test, or trial
and we pay for it!
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1999 GMC Sierra 2500 6.0 V8 Extended Cab 4x4 4.10
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