Why I'll Never Own a Class A June 30, 2017, 10:13:29 am Came across this article of a class A motorhome that hit a tree. It clearly shows the lack of frontal protection provided by most class A's. Luckily, no one was injured. I wonder how an Lazy Daze would have fared?San Luis Obispo | Man crashes 30-foot RV into tree | The Tribune
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #1 – June 30, 2017, 10:21:19 am I don't know, the article said no one was injured. Maybe needed to change clothes.... 2 Likes
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #2 – June 30, 2017, 11:21:35 am This may be one advantage of a low-end class-A compared to a DP - there is a big-block V8 and associated structure to deflect some impact force. A DP would have only a generator.Steve
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #3 – June 30, 2017, 12:58:29 pm Watch a video once on the assembly of a big DP.The front, back, sides and top were all separate pieces that were added on at the end of assembly.There were no internal wall or roof supports . Here is thread showing what happened to a Tiffin, during a rollover.http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28476987.cfmIt ain't pretty.Larry
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #4 – June 30, 2017, 07:07:50 pm Larry,I hesitated to post those images...very tragic event. If you take a look at the rear wall, you will see almost nothing in the way of structural support. Watched the construction of a Thor Class A on YouTube a while back. They actually seem to boast as they lowered the walls into position. It made me cringe.With that in mind, here is a shot of what happens when a Simi try's to take out a Lazy Daze. One could imagine the drama but I believe the LD owners suffered far less than the Tiffin owners. It might be good to note that the Tiffin was destroyed due to a blow out at the front end. Another good reason to watch your tire's and have a TPMS in good working order.Then of course not all Class C's will take the beating a LD will.Driving safely and watching the road.Kent
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #5 – June 30, 2017, 08:31:12 pm Where did this ugly LD vs. tractor-trailer smash happen? When? Casualties? JMO, but the LD looks like it was effectively totaled; an LD is stronger than other class C rigs, very likely, but any class C is going to lose an encounter with a big rig.
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #6 – June 30, 2017, 09:09:15 pm Joan,I first came across this photo of the Simi vs. LD shortly after we ordered our RB Sep. 2014. It was a news broadcast. Here's the photo as it appeared on the TV. I have little more information on the date or location other than what's below the photo. This particular LD had a flat bed trailer in tow with a small motorcycle and bicycles. Most likely the only salvage from this wreck was the rigs engine. Even the Simi took some damage.Kent
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #7 – June 30, 2017, 09:22:47 pm I do think that LD's are pretty sturdily built but I would guess that the semi didn't have much of a load or almost stopped.I worked an accident once where a semi carrying a load of steel pipe hit a railroad locomotive on a crossing broadside at an estimated speed of 45-50mph for the semi and 40mph for the locomotive. The locomotive and the cab of the semi were reduced to rubble. The large steel pipe went through the locomotive and broke pine trees on the other side of the crossing.Jim
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #8 – June 30, 2017, 09:50:26 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - June 30, 2017, 09:22:47 pmThe large steel pipe went through the locomotive and broke pine trees on the other side of the crossing.That is simply amazing ... so much power and energy. My goodness.
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #9 – July 01, 2017, 12:18:17 am Quote from: HiLola - June 30, 2017, 10:13:29 amCame across this article of a class A motorhome that hit a tree. It clearly shows the lack of frontal protection provided by most class A's. Luckily, no one was injured. I wonder how an Lazy Daze would have fared?Don't draw broad conclusions about Class As from an accident involving a 1982 vehicle. Without well-controlled comparison, you don't know how a 1982 LD would protect the driver. And, a 1982 LD is far less safe in a frontal collision than a new LD - airbags (they had none), safety harness, controlled collapse of the cab, and braking (ABS) are all significantly improved. If you want a safer vehicle, buy the newest one you can whether it's Class A or Class C, and don't even look at a 35 year old vehicle!
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #10 – July 01, 2017, 12:28:16 am Jim,Agree with empty and slow. Simi cowls are fiber glass. Probably frame against frame with stinky water all over the place.
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #11 – July 01, 2017, 12:19:02 pm Quote from: Eric Greenwell link=msg=175166 dateIf you want a safer vehicle, buy the newest one you can whether it's Class A or Class C, and don't even look at a 35 year old vehicle!All newer Class Cs are built with a cab designed with frontal crash protection.Class As do not have the same protection, they are built off bare frames, just like most DPs.Larry
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #12 – July 02, 2017, 09:19:45 am Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - June 30, 2017, 07:07:50 pmLarry,I hesitated to post those images...very tragic event. If you take a look at the rear wall, you will see almost nothing in the way of structural support. Watched the construction of a Thor Class A on YouTube a while back. They actually seem to boast as they lowered the walls into position. It made me cringe.With that in mind, here is a shot of what happens when a Simi try's to take out a Lazy Daze. One could imagine the drama but I believe the LD owners suffered far less than the Tiffin owners. It might be good to note that the Tiffin was destroyed due to a blow out at the front end. Another good reason to watch your tire's and have a TPMS in good working order.Then of course not all Class C's will take the beating a LD will.Driving safely and watching the road.KentKent, one of the things that convinced me that a Lazy Daze was the way to go was when I was doing initial research on RV types back in the late 90's. I joined the RV Consumer Group and had access to their ratings and photos. They showed photos of class A's that had been in accidents, then they showed a Lazy Daze that had been in a rollover accident. The LD was damaged but held up very well, considering. Maybe class A's are a little safer nowadays but maybe not. I'm not ready to find out first hand! 2 Likes
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #13 – July 02, 2017, 10:47:10 am Greg,My Dad had several RV's. Class A's, TT's, truck campers but no Class C's. I grew up around RV's and had my heart set on either a Bounder Class A or a Tioga Class C. Then I heard about Lazy Daze and started doing research. Not so much on crash worthiness but durability and build quality. In the end, crash worthiness, company history and ethics won out. My dream machine is sitting just outside my front door. I get a huge thrill every time I come home from work and see it waiting for me. I really don't think a Class A would make me feel the same. Long live Lazy Daze. It's good to be King.Kent 7 Likes
Re: Why I'll Never Own a Class A Reply #14 – July 03, 2017, 09:36:38 am My bother in law owns a 40 ft or so Class A. When we camp together we, DW and I, call it the big house. My father in law owned a 1980's LD - we loved it. As a young man I couldn't afford the LD but we were always jealous of the places he, my father in law, could go where a Class A couldn't. To us, DW and I, the ability to do 'stupid' stuff like go down roads no sane Class A would go, and come out the other side wondering why is the primary reason for a LD. I don't look down my nose because we all have different camping styles its just Class A is not mine. 3 Likes
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