I wonder if Chad Knaus of Hendrick Motorsports could come up with an idea how to get 14-16 MPG out of a 34' class A motor home? I think if anyone could, it would be Chad! Bagman.
I think a grant to M.I.T. or some other institution would be a better way to do it. Let them create a fuel efficient motor home while keeping the cost as low as possible. They have no vested interest except to accomplish the task.
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Tom and Lerinda
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39L
FMCA F340565
Rallies: 9 (so far)
Website: www.Feathered-Friends.net
Its there, it's being done. Haven't you seen/heard the tele ad about how efficient a freight train is in moving a ton of cargo. What was it...???? 300 mpg or something. Just put your big MHome on a flatcar as in Copper Canyon.. but I guess they don't run that anymore. Or read how efficient a supper tanker is in moving tons of crude even going around the horn cheaper than through the Suez canal. So we need a motor home condo for five families at a time going to the same destination without going through any stop lights or traffic and doing it under 50 mph. Big, slow and nonstop.
I wouldn't worry about a carbon composite exterior, fiberglass is pretty light, but I think where they would have a problem is making a structural vehicle frame for that is sturdy enough to flex as a vehicle of the RV type does and still remain rigid enough to be controllably stable, all while holding the weight of the coach, as well as the engine and tranny (neither of which is very light).
2008 Itasca Meridian 37H, All. 3000MH (6-auto), Freightliner XC Chass., Cummins 6.7L Turbo, (Sweet! Delivery 03/12/08). Tow: '07 Dodge Gr. Caravan, Me, Him; Sugarbear, Apr. Toy Poodle; Pepe, Blk Toy Poodle; Hero, fat Siam.-mix polydactyl cat/Alarm Clock.
The real issue is the low distances driven each year by motorhomes. The average is something like 6000 miles per year which even at 6 mpg x 4.00/gallon means spending $4,000 per year on fuel. That limits the possible expenditure on fuel-saving technology to maybe $40,000 for one that runs on magic (i.e. no fuel necessary)
Yes, there are people who drive their rig 40,000 miles per year and spend $20,000 a year on fuel, but they are a small part of the market. You can probably count all of them that will buy a new rig this year on your fingers and toes. Until the number of miles per year goes up pretty dramatically, improved liveability when parked is going to sell more coaches, especially in the middle of the market where most of us are.
kjames90755 wrote: I wouldn't worry about a carbon composite exterior, fiberglass is pretty light, ...
But that the problem. Fiberglass is not structural. Carbon Fiber is. To make something lightweight, the skin must be part of the structure, otherwise it is wasted weight and the frame is heavier than it needs to be. The skin must be structural, that is why a 34' Revcon only weighs 13.5K lbs. Could not be done with fiberglass.
You are not going to see it. All these companies that you mention are barely hanging in there to stay in business. And you want them to turn to there R&D to manufacturer something out of a composite material? Forget it!
The only way they could manufacture something lighter is the chassis to be made out of aluminum instead of steel. We had a whole unit coal train made of aluminum. Everything was aluminum except the trucks and wheels naturally. It reduced the weight, and it was just as strong as the hoppers that were made of steel.
So if the chassis builder would manufacture the center beams plus the trusses out of aluminum it would lighten a coach considerably. The body made of fiberglas is already light enough as is. And most of your coaches have the house portion framed with aluminum. But I don't think I have seen a chassis made of aluminum.
* This post was
edited 05/03/08 03:13pm by RayChez *
As in most other businesses, the greatest inovation comes from small companies. It will not necessarily be the manufacturer of the motorhome that finds the way to boost the mileage of the motorhome. Take for instance, the hydrogen injection system that has been demonstrated on a Sportscoach at shows and rallys for the past year. That is not a Coachmen or Sportscoach innovation but came from Hy-Drive Technologies Ltd. of Mississauga, Ontario, a small development lab. Another coach that they have been testing is using biodiesel and solar power. Each of these has the potential to decrease our operating cost. Neither is using far out technology but what is available today and what could be in use in the next year.
Badeye
"No one can guarantee success, only effort."
Bob & Fran
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 40 ft DP
2003 PT Cruiser
Featherlite Car Hauler
FMCA F324606
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