Safety equipment in motorhome base vehicles

[brougham]

I'm not yet a motorhome owner - but I visit this site regularly as a wannabe - very interested in the Romahome R40.

However - it seems to me that base vehicle safety features are really - not very good. In our cars we expect 5 star Encap ratings, six (or more) airbags, anti whiplash headrests, side protection, ABS, Electronic Stability Control - and yet - I don't see these being fitted into motorhome vehicles in any significant numbers. Are we putting our safety senses on hold when we get excited about buying a new motorhome.

I do realise that the base vehicle is a commercial vehicle - but so what? We're just as susceptible to injury as in a car. The new Romahome R40 looks great but according to the Romahome brochure, comes with just one airbag (perhaps optional extras are available but the brochure doesn't mention them). Surely an airbag for the passenger as standard isn't too much to ask.

I'm not singling Romahome out here - I think they are wonderful vehicles. When looking at other manufacturers - they all seem to be similar with respect to their safety items.

What do you think?

[Derek]

I don't have the R40 spec yet so I don't know what extras are fitted. Check out the Citroën spec on the following link.

New Citroën Dispatch Technical Information

Extras for the platform cab include passenger air bags. Not sure abt some of the other stuff, don't understand the cryptic abbreviations.

I believe that Romahome will normally order the extras if you require them but it may delay the order.

[brougham]

Many thanks Derek.

My point really is that whilst safety now sells cars - and manufacturers are piling safety items into their vehicles in order to sell them, that ethos hasn't really hit motor home manufacture yet.

However - I've looked at the link you provided and it is good to see the statement "Safety – Driver’s airbag and ABS with EBA are fitted as standard across the range. A highly sophisticated traction control system is an option, as are passenger and lateral airbags".

I understand EBA to be " Electronic Brake Assist - is useful when in an emergency braking situation. When in these circumstances, many drivers will apply less pressure than the car can handle. EBA will detect this and apply full brakes until the driver takes the pressure off the brake pedal.*"

It's good to see that not only passenger but also lateral airbags can be fitted - very important indeed in my book. EBA could very well be useful with a fully loaded van. Well done Citroen.

---

* Quote from www.safermotoring.co.uk/CarSafetyFeatures.html

[niloc]

Has anyone any experience of fitting child seats in the Dimension? Or any ideas about the R40? The front facing rear seats have three point belts but the problems seem to be about sideways movement.

Thanks
Niloc

[Pauline]

Mar 17, 2008 21:34:52 GMT niloc said:

Has anyone any experience of fitting child seats in the Dimension? Or any ideas about the R40? The front facing rear seats have three point belts but the problems seem to be about sideways movement.

Thanks
Niloc

Hi Niloc

Yes we did have problems with our Dimension.

We have 3 child car seats and only one of them fits securely to avoid the sideways movement. It has a very wide base which seems to fit better into the seat. Can't remember the make off hand will have to have a look.

The ones with a small base moved about all over the place and even slid sideways and the seatbelt didn't go taut to stop it.

[niloc]

Thanks Pauline, that is really useful. If I remember the seats in your van have a more shaped seat sqab than the new Dimension, so presumably that will be even more of a problem.

Niloc

[Pauline]

Mar 17, 2008 21:44:06 GMT niloc said:

Thanks Pauline, that is really useful. If I remember the seats in your van have a more shaped seat sqab than the new Dimension, so presumably that will be even more of a problem.

Niloc

Not sure, it might be less of a problem because I think it tipped over because of the dip in the base, it sort of tipped it up and one side and down at the other, if you see what I mean.

Are you are trying to find a suitable car seat to fit a Dimension? If so then Mothercare and Halfords will help you fit before you buy to check that they fit safely. Mothercare tried about five for us before finding the right one, they were very helpful indeed.

[niloc]

Not at the moment for the Dimension as I have a coachbuilt, but the Dimension or R40 are in the frame at some time and as the grandchildren (twins) are only 5 months old we have to think ahead. Thanks for the help.

Niloc