Thor Forums

[Chance]

Where should manufacturers draw the line on safety and handling upgrades?

Acceptable safety is relative, and if it compromises comfort, convenience, or cost too much, buyers may not choose that product. There is always more that can be done, but at what cost? As an example, if auto manufacturers built cars with NASCAR type roll cages, 5-point seatbelts, etc., buyers wouldn’t touch them. And if better handling made ride rough, buyers would also pass on them.

Likewise, motorhome handling could be affected immensely by lowering center of gravity and using different suspension that doesn’t date back almost 100 years. But buyers want plenty of basement storage, and lots of interior headroom so motorhome feels like a house. And large slides add weight up high too. Who’s going to give those up?

I agree with what’s being said, but also think there are limitations on what manufacturers can do in a free market before they put themselves out of business.

For what it’s worth, Ford has stated that new motorhome chassis will have steering and handling improvements.