Improving Today’s RV Features

Recreation Vehicles

September 24, 2009

RV manufacturers are always coming up with new features and components each year on their products. But, it seems they never make any innovative changes to improve their existing hardware. So let’s look at several items that could use some innovative design improvements.

Take security lights. They are the lights found high up on the sides of many trailers and motor homes that we rarely use. I see more of them glowing in the daytime from either being left on from the night before or turned on in error during the day. I doubt many people really use them with any regular frequency. So, how could they be improved to be a functioning benefit to the owner? If they were to add a simple motion detector to each, with an override to disarm or switch force on, we would have a better mouse trap. They would also contribute to what they were named after, namely security lights. Additionally, to prevent them from lighting during the day, a photocell could be also included.

Still another item that comes to mind is tire safety. We all know that tire pressure monitors that show the pressure, and in some cases the temperature of each tire is an expensive option. But what about tire pressure warning indicators. They don’t report the individual tire pressures, but warn of a low pressure condition. They are required by law on automobiles and have been since they started phasing them in four years ago. So why are these not required on motor homes? After all, a heavy vehicle like a coach is probably far more dangerous if a tire event happens than a light automobile.

GPS operation is another thing that could use some tweaking. Now I know they are designed to disable most, if not all, operator input while the vehicle is in motion, but come on. I need to know when the next rest stop or fuel station is coming up, but I’m unable to request the information without stopping. Sometimes stopping is not a safe option, especially in a large vehicle. A re-design of the controls should be made, and this could be done keeping the safety issue in mind. Perhaps a momentary switch in the navigator’s area allowing them to override this feature for occasional quick input would be in order. This would ensure the driver could not make that input therefore not be distracted. This certainly seems a no-brainer for vehicles equipped with a separate screen on the passenger’s side, as in fact, my coach does.

What about the outside mirrors on class A’s? Why haven’t any manufacturers given any thought to designing them with a power-in option? They are available, and have been for years, on SUV’s and like vehicles. Obviously, it is to make them somewhat narrower for tight garages, etc. Well, if there is any vehicle that needs this, it has to be a wallowing class A squeezing through a tight toll booth or narrow passage.

And what’s up with some Cat engines. You have to use a grease gun to lubricate the zerk fitting on the water pump. Hello, why don’t they use premenent lubricated sealed bearings like most other engine manufacturers? I realize that Cat is no longer supplying over the road engines, but there are still quite a few of these out there.

I know that the RV market is a limited quantity when compared to the automobile production, but for the high dollar they command, some innovative product design is justified. Well, I’m sure there are many more and perhaps you can add to this.

Trying To Build A Better Mouse Trap – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer