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 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): This testing 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.

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.