[Ming]

Green-friendly recreational vehicles (RVs)
November 3, 2008
Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
SW NewsHerald Online

Major RV manufacturers all report a downturn in sales since the price of fuel started to skyrocket a few years ago. A typical RV weighs more and gets worse gas mileage than an 18-wheeler truck, and those who might have bought one in the past to save money on lodging and food on their road travels are now realizing that filling ‘er up might end up costing more than hotels and restaurants.

But as with the auto and truck industry overall, some RV manufacturers are scrambling to incorporate new features and design new models with better fuel efficiency and a lower overall carbon footprint.

According to the website RV.net, several factors go into designing a greener RV. First and foremost is reducing weight, which can be accomplished by using lighter materials and improving the structural design. Reducing the size of RV engines also can help reduce fuel consumption (as well as overall weight)—if owners can live with trading off some horsepower, that is. More efficient transmissions, better aerodynamics and increased non-powered engine cooling round out the suggestions on RV.net.

Some of these features can be found in the new Avanti line of RVs from Indiana-based Damon Motor Coach, which offers a 70 percent or more increase in fuel economy over other large (“Class A”) RVs. Damon essentially converted the ultra-efficient chassis, engine and transmission of a leading parcel delivery fleet truck — package delivery companies optimize for fuel efficiency in their fleets to save on fuel — for use as an RV. The Avanti’s chassis also sits lower than other RVs, so it gets less wind resistance. These factors add up in fuel efficiency — 14.5 miles per gallon — double that of other RVs in its class.

Of course, size isn’t everything. Ontario-based Roadtrek takes stripped down commercial vans — such as the Chevrolet Express or Dodge Sprinter — and converts them into deluxe, albeit smaller, motor homes with fuel efficiency ranging from 15 to 30 miles per gallon.

Source: http://www.swnewsherald.com/online_content/2008/11/et110308rvs.php

 

[01IntrigueGX]

I'm still waiting for the GM sourced hybrid systems used on the busses we have at Michigan State University to be produced for the RV market. The CATA bus system utilizes several hybrid-electric busses which have the GM two-mode system. They apparently receive in stop-and-go traffic with the 62' partitioned busses around 8-9 mpg.

 

[jzEllis]

I'm still waiting for the GM sourced hybrid systems used on the busses we have at Michigan State University to be produced for the RV market. The CATA bus system utilizes several hybrid-electric busses which have the GM two-mode system. They apparently receive in stop-and-go traffic with the 62' partitioned busses around 8-9 mpg.

when u think about it, it's amazing that Hybrid tech hasn't been a mainstay of RV's in the first place. with on board generators and all the electrical appliances these things incorparte, it seems a no brainer.

 

[squat]

I want to see a hydraulic hybrid in these things, if UPS can use them for their trucks than RVs can too. Cheap and easy way to get better mpg and could probably be retrofitted on a lot of the current ones too.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Problem with hybrid is usually these things cruise on interstates not stop/go traffic

 

[CJ Thunder]

Problem with hybrid is usually these things cruise on interstates not stop/go traffic

Yeah, going to say what RVer takes it around town.

 

[jbernie]

when u think about it, it's amazing that Hybrid tech hasn't been a mainstay of RV's in the first place. with on board generators and all the electrical appliances these things incorparte, it seems a no brainer.

Though like most things it needs to start at the top ie the big $$$ RVs and work its way down so that as it gets cheaper it can be put into the smaller vehicles and not cost the same as something 2-3 times the size. The only issue I see being is that those buying the top $ RVs aren't going to be worried about a few mpg.

 

[prototype66]

I'm still waiting for the GM sourced hybrid systems used on the busses we have at Michigan State University to be produced for the RV market. The CATA bus system utilizes several hybrid-electric busses which have the GM two-mode system. They apparently receive in stop-and-go traffic with the 62' partitioned busses around 8-9 mpg.

Yep, I watch those busses buzz by Bud Kouts all day long.That is an easy quick fix for a class A motor coach without dropping HP.

 

[sprchev1]

I work for the company that builds the chassis(Workhorse Custom Chassis) Workhorse.com. Damon had nothing to do with building it other than putting their body on it. Funny how we aren't mentioned. It has an ITEC 4.5L diesel(Maxxforce5) and an Allison 6speed transmission.

Part of the reason the mileage isn't that bad is that is only a 30 foot coach. Not big by Class A standards but capable for a retired couple to do anything they want. It is also shorter and skinnier than a typical Class A. That being said it is well thought out inside as far as storage and the floor plan.

As far as it being the new in, those folks that have enough money to buy a rear diesel pusher are not as sensitive to the gas prices since they start at over $200K for a cheap one. They can afford whatever gas is. The Avanti is a front engine diesel that is way below that price range(not sure what the pricing is on the Avanti, it has just been released). We'll see if it brings in the buyers.

 

[PontiacBixler]

There was an RV that Motor Week profiled a few weeks ago that was a Dodge variant that got I believe something like 16 MPG. Granted it was one of those smaller 2-3 person sleepers, but I was pretty impressed by that.

My uncle had a 46' bus style and I remember my father telling me on trips with him that they were happy that they got good gas milage on one of the legs of the trip because they got 5 MPG. Granted this was like 20 years ago but even back then I was perplexed at how this was "good"....

 

[YupYupYup]

It's about freakin' time they started to build RVs to today's standards, not 30 or 40 years ago. Drives me nuts to see how even the smallest thing can make a big difference. If GM weren't strapped for engineering resources/ cash, I would love them to development the class standard RV. All others would have to ante up their game...Kind of like how Microsoft developed its own football game for the XBOX a while back to push other companies to compete better...

The possibilities are endless for alternative powertrains and systems, especially given the large size of the vehicles. Fuel cells are perfect down the line and probably will show up first in RVs, just as they have in buses.

 

[jry]

Ming. Thanks for that!
I downloaded the brochure. Always thought that someone could build these lower to the ground, more aerodynamic and lighter. Now, if i can just convince my wife!

 

[slowinthefastlane]

when u think about it, it's amazing that Hybrid tech hasn't been a mainstay of RV's in the first place. with on board generators and all the electrical appliances these things incorparte, it seems a no brainer.

The parallel hybrid technology won't help that much, as most RV miles are not city miles. They're highway and freeway miles. City busses are much better candidates for this technology, since they're constantly stopping and going. The constant stopping allows the batteries to capture the brake energy and use it for launch. That's where the busses achieve their efficiency.

What will help a bit is series hybrid technology, like that in the Volt. That is, a smaller engine running at a constant speed feeding electric drive motors (just like in a locomotive). If it works for freight trains, it would work for long distance trucking and RVs.

How much electro-motive technology is GM still privy to?

 

[F14CRAZY]

They're not new...A Sprinter based RV would do pretty well.

The 21' Vixen RV in the '80s could get 21 mpg. They were first powered by a BMW turbo diesel w/ manual trans but later received a GM 3800 LN3 and 4T60

actually the 2.4L BMW could get up to 30 mpg

 

[eurohazard]

^ Thanks you for that! I thought "debut" was a funny word. Dodge Sprinter/MB I5 diesel have been around for years....touting the fuel economy as the #1 reason to go that route.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

and those who might have bought one in the past to save money on lodging and food on their road travels are now realizing that filling ‘er up might end up costing more than hotels and restaurants.

As if the people buying motor homes could possibly EVER claim to be saving money by taking the RV! Those things cost a fortune!

I just bought an 8 year old trailer and I'd never be able to claim I'm saving money either. I figure at $5/gal. gas I'd break even at worst on a long trip out west to the mountains, NOT counting the cost of the trailer. We do it because we like to not because it is cheaper.

I do appreciate the fact they are moving toward more fuel efficient RV's. It seems a number of RV trailer mfg's started making more light weight, narrower, aerodynamic, trailers back in the 90's. In the last several years the ones they call "light weight" don't seem so light anymore. Perhaps the first wave of lighter RV's were to attract the people with smaller tow vehicles or the more modest power outputs of the time even in trucks? I would think they would be even more popular now due to gas prices so hopefully they really DO start making more.

My trailer is 3600lbs dry and only 7'3" wide. Most "light" models today are back to 8' wide like a standard trailer.

 

[cyclone]

They're not new...A Sprinter based RV would do pretty well.

The 21' Vixen RV in the '80s could get 21 mpg. They were first powered by a BMW turbo diesel w/ manual trans but later received a GM 3800 LN3 and 4T60

actually the 2.4L BMW could get up to 30 mpg

my friend used to own something exactly like that.

 

[jry]

They're not new...A Sprinter based RV would do pretty well.

The 21' Vixen RV in the '80s could get 21 mpg. They were first powered by a BMW turbo diesel w/ manual trans but later received a GM 3800 LN3 and 4T60

actually the 2.4L BMW could get up to 30 mpg

But the Vixen is a short motorhome. Not sure you could tow anything with it, either. This Damon is over 31 feet long.

 

[Wolfman01]

I have a 37 foot Safari Sarengeti edition diesel pusher RV with a 250hp 8.3L Cummins diesel attached to the Allison 6 speed auto. The crappy mileage of "modern" RV's is due to the usual quest to make the biggest, baddest, meanest coach on the planet. My coach does not have slides, does not go 90 mph uphill, and doesn't have marble and granite tile throughout. If I maintain 55 mph, I can easily average 10 mpg out of it, and even somehow (don't ask me how, as I have no clue how I did it) managed 14.6 mpg out of it on one short trip. So, unless that Damon can knock on the door of 20 mpg with my reserved driving style, I'm not impressed.