Our Commitment to Safety

The Safety of a Roadtrek^®TM

We are serious about manufacturing the safest class B motorhomes. In addition to safety features like air bags, electronic stability program (on Sprinter), tire pressure monitoring system, theft deterrent system, anti-lock brakes and automatic on/off headlights, we hire independent engineering firms to test our vehicles. The results follow.

TESTING RELATED TO INCREASED CARRYING CAPABILITY OF SPRINTER VANS

From the Mercedes factory, the 2500 series Sprinter van has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8550 lbs. (3878 Kg). The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW, which includes vehicle with options, fuel and propane) of our RS-Adventurous is 7550 to 7750 lbs. (3425 to 3525 Kg), depending on options. This leaves a calculated occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC, which includes passengers, cargo, water and trailer tongue weight) of 800 to 1000 lbs. (375 to 450 Kg) stated on the CCC label.

However, the 2500 series Sprinter van has front and rear gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) from Mercedes of 3970 and 5360 lbs. (1800 and 2430 Kg). Together the axles are rated to safely carry 9330 lbs. (4230 Kg): 9% more than the GVWR. Because the location of the load of a commercial van or truck can vary fore and aft, the GVWR is lower than the sum of its GAWRs to prevent inadvertent overloading of either axle due to load position. In a class B motorhome on the other hand, the location of the passengers, water and to a certain degree cargo cannot vary much due the seating, water tank and storage locations.

The calculated OCCC stated on the OCCC label may not be adequate in some circumstances. The 3500 series Sprinter van has a higher stated OCCC but we wanted to maintain the smoother ride, lighter weight, single rear wheels and superior fuel economy of the 2500 series van. An independent certified testing agency conducted, with successful results, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) tests listed below to confirm that the 2500 series van could be safely loaded to 9200 lbs. (4175 Kg): 8% more than its GVWR but still less than the sum of its GAWRs. This results in a very adequate effective OCCC of 1450 to 1650 lbs. (650 to 750 Kg).

Fuel System Integrity Crash Testing (FMVSS 301) is intended to reduce deaths and injuries from fires from fuel spillage during and after crashes. After each of three impacts (frontal, side and rear), the test vehicle is rotated upon its axis for 20 minutes can leak no more than one ounce (28 g) of fuel per minute to pass. Ours did not leak any fuel.

Hydraulic Brake Testing (FMVSS 105) validates that a vehicle can stop safely with control and stability multiple times from various speeds on different grades on dry and wet pavement in a straight line and in a curve. Tests are performed with the system fully operational and a simulated partial system failure.

Crash Testing for Steering Control Rearward Displacement (FMVSS 204) intends to reduce deaths and injuries from steering column intrusion into the passenger compartment during crashes. A maximum displacement cannot be exceeded.

Occupant Protection Crash Testing (part of FMVSS 208) is intended to reduce deaths and injuries to during crashes by validating the efficiency of seat belts and air bags using smart-wired crash test dummies.

Crash Testing for Windshield Mounting and Windshield Zone Intrusion (FMVSS 212 and part of 219) validates windshield retention and establishes limits for auto components displaced near or through the windshield that can injure occupants during crashes.

TESTING RELATED TO FUEL SYSTEM MODIFICATION TO ACCOMMODATE LOWERED FLOOR

The fuel tank on all GM vans (and some van cab and chassis) is located between the axles (mid-ship). To enjoy the benefits of a lowered floor (improved fuel economy, handling, appearance, overall height, galley counter height and ease of entry and exit), we simply lowered the original tank by 1.5”. The tank's clearance is still higher than the running boards, which have proved sufficient for years. You won't enjoy the "off road" clearance of a truck, but you’ll be fine if you don't drive anywhere you wouldn't drive a car.

To modify the fuel system, GM requires that we meet or exceed very stringent safety and engineering standards. This mandatory testing was successfully conducted on Chevy based Roadtreks:

Fuel System Integrity Crash Testing (FMVSS 301)
(See above.)

Exhaust Emission Testing (California Air Resources Board): Today's vehicles require increasingly stringent pollution control equipment. Testing ensures that exhaust emissions do not exceed limitations.

Fuel System Evaporative Emission Testing (CARB): Evaporation of fuel is a source of pollution that must be strictly limited. The entire fuel system (fill, tank, lines, etc.) cannot leak more than the equivalent of a pinhole.

Second Generation On Board Diagnostics (OBDII) Verification (CARB, Vehicle Code: Sec. 27156): Today's vehicles are equipped with sensors and actuators that sense the operation of various components and actuate others to maintain optimal performance. On board computers are capable of monitoring all of the sensors and actuators to determine whether they are working as intended. Included are those that detect fuel evaporation, as described above. It must be verified that the OBDII system is functioning properly.

OTHER MANDATORY TESTS

New Occupant Head Protection Testing (FMVSS 201U) is intended to provide occupants with additional head protection to interior pillars, side rails, headers and roofs during crashes. It confirms adequate impact absorbing design and special materials are used in the subject areas to reduce head injuries. Successful testing involves launching a test “head” at numerous target points in the vehicle’s interior without exceeding limited thresholds of “injury” to the “head”. All Chevy based Roadtreks have passed these very stringent tests. Some other RV manufacturers still cannot make this claim.

Seat Belt Testing (FMVSS 210) is supposed to reduce deaths and injuries during crashes. It confirms proper seat belt location for effective occupant restraint, and minimizes the possibility of seat belt anchorage failures. All Roadtrek seat belts meet these requirements.

Seating System Testing (FMVSS 207) is done to reduce deaths and injuries during crashes. It minimizes the possibility of failure of the seats and their attachments as well as installation problems. All Roadtrek seating meets or exceeds these requirements.

Flammability Testing (FMVSS 302) is performed to reduce deaths and injuries caused by fires, especially those originating from the vehicle’s interior from sources such as matches or cigarettes. Testing confirms that the burn rate of affected interior materials does not exceed specified maximums. All applicable materials used in Roadtrek interiors meet or exceed the specified burn resistance requirements.

VOLUNTARY TESTING

There are numerous safety standards that apply to lighter vehicles, such as passenger cars, but not to heavier vehicles, such as class B motorhomes. They do not apply for various reasons, such as the inherent safety advantage of heavier vehicles. In order to "raise the bar" on the safety, we have voluntarily conducted numerous tests, all successful, that are not required by law, nor done by most of our competitors.

Dynamic Rollover Testing (part of FMVSS 208) is intended to reduce deaths and injuries from occupants and their appendages not remaining inside the passenger compartment during rollover accidents. It is conducted by placing the test vehicle on a movable platform perpendicular to the platform's line of travel. To help start the rollover, the test vehicle rests at a 23 degree lateral incline with the tires against a "trip" flange. The platform is propelled down a test track to 30 mph (48 km/h) and stopped in such a way that the vehicle is propelled from the platform. Although the platform speed and height of the trip flange were increased above the requirement, the Roadtrek would not rollover. This is considered a pass (in a rollover situation, what safer vehicle to be in than one that does not rollover?).

Roof Crush Resistance Testing (FMVSS 216) is supposed to reduce deaths and injuries due to crushing of the roof into the passenger compartment during rollover accidents. It was conducted on the corner of the roof at the top of the A pillar (between the windshield and front door windows) and also at the top of the outer roof window.

"Automotive Manufacturer Style" Durability Testing: Durability is more an issue of customer satisfaction and value, but improved reliability can result in increased safety (less breakdowns, etc.). Automotive manufacturers conduct extensive durability testing where they put the equivalent of up to 120,000 miles (190,000 km) of wear on a vehicle in a short period of time as part of the design process. By having durability testing conducted for us, numerous design improvements - which would only have become apparent during the normal life of the first ones of each new model built and sold - were quickly identified and implemented. We are not aware of any other RV manufacturers that conduct the same tests on its products (probably due to the costs involved).

SAFETY FIRST - always!

Your safety is our priority! No other manufacturer of class B motorhomes invests so much time, effort and money to ensure the product we offer you is as safe as can be. When shopping for your next motorhome, select the one that has been proven safe... the Roadtrek.