Is RVing in danger of going extinct?

[Keith55]

Originally Posted by Dakotah

Can’t imagine they can replace a Diesel engine in an 18 wheeler with an electric motor. I love my F250 turbo diesel.

Several companies are already doing it.

Here's one.

https://electrek.co/2021/07/20/tesla...to-production/


Also, new busses are being offered in electric. Steam engines were great, then gas was better, diesel was better and now electric is better. Most people even in the US still haven't driven a modern EV. They are incredibly powerful and responsive.

Also, a home charger is like having a "gas station" in your garage. I love it!

[Dakotah]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

You've never driven an EV, have you?

Electric motors start making torque as soon as they start turning!

The only thing stopping them from replacing diesel engines in semi's now, is battery storage.

Let me know when they make light weight batteries.

[hohenwald48]

I think RV's, especially class A's, are good candidates for alternative power. Most of us limit our daily travel to distances well suited to the present limits of EVs.

Having said that, if we all transitioned to EV's today, the entire electric grid would glow red every night. [emoji846]

It took about 20 years for 50 amp service to become readily available so I doubt EV's will suddenly be in everybody's driveway.

[dizcom]

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

I can not get my head around what it would take to replace that volume with anything.

That's what they said about horses. It'll happen.

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by Dakotah

Let me know when they make light weight batteries.

Batteries aren't really necessary and are 100 year old technology. Read up on fuel cells and who knows what comes next?

[dallas121469]

Thanks for all of the replies. Got way more input that I thought I would. I feel a little better about owning a giant DP but I'm not really looking forward to the changing future of automobiles/trucks/RVs.

And someone mentioned the lack of RV parks which has also become a concern for me as a traveling nurse. One nice thing about the diesel rigs is that I am perfectly capable of living off grid for weeks at a time with judicious use of electricity, water and generator.

[EcoRick]

Originally Posted by dizcom

https://freightliner.com/electric-trucks/

Strange add from Freightliner where it states "driven by dozens of customers...."

I'm sure at some point this will be affordable but it will not be soon. They'll have to transition all transportation today to electric and that will take decades.

[Ldubs]

Originally Posted by dallas121469

Thanks for all of the replies. Got way more input that I thought I would. I feel a little better about owning a giant DP but I'm not really looking forward to the changing future of automobiles/trucks/RVs.

I'm going to express a different opinion than most of the posts. Not necessarily what I want, but what I think will happen. I do think large motorhomes will become a thing of the past and that it will happen sooner than we think. The technology curve is very steep, political/regulatory pressure is mounting, there seems to be a cultural shift away from individual freedom of lifestyle choices, and companies are highly motivated to produce vehicles with cleaner emissions.

I would not worry about currently owning a giant DP. But down the road, I expect large MHs will be rare and otherwise MHs will be a modified version of what they are now.

[Steverino]

Originally Posted by richard5933

There's no point getting stuck on a conversation about the pros/cons of EVs. That's just one possible technology which might represent the next generation of vehicle propulsion.

Truth is, no one knows what will ultimately succeed in replacing the ICE, but something will. The subject of this thread isn't what the technology will be, but rather if RVing will survive the move from ICE to something else. Even more will RVing survive a move to autonomous vehicles (self-driving).

Those are both interesting conversations, and I would say that based on our nature as humans there will still be RVing regardless of what technology powers it. We are, by nature, explorers. We no longer have undiscovered worlds to find, but that doesn't stop each of us from wanting to venture beyond our local world to see what lies over the next hill.

Originally Posted by Ldubs

snip...
I would not worry about currently owning a giant DP. But down the road, I expect large MHs will be rare and otherwise MHs will be a modified version of what they are now.

I agree with both of these... I think RVing will still exist, but our platforms will gradually change with technology, the economy & marketplace, and the regulatory environment. Look at the advent of Sprinter-platform small diesel rigs... Look at how the folks in Europe and Australia RV... Sure, it is different from what a lot of us do currently, but it's all in what you're used to.

When someone builds an alternatively fueled medium truck chassis and has market volume / scale, some intrepid RV mfg. will start working with it, and after a while you have the next F53...

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

Batteries aren't really necessary and are 100 year old technology. Read up on fuel cells and who knows what comes next?

I read up. According to the DOE, 95% of the hydrogen in fuel cells is derived from fossil fuels, primarily natural gas. That and a boat load of electricity make it all possible. The non-fuel fossil method involves another boat load of electricity and a resource that seems to be more and more scarce every day, something we call water. This really doesn’t sound like a well thought out plan, but it is one we’ve come to expect.

[PDR John]

Everything evolves, RVing will be one of them.

I foresee a heavy-duty hybrid happening in the next 10 years, something more along the lines of locomotive power plants. Small diesel engines powering only a generator charging a capacitor bank that feeds the drive wheels.

Imagine 80,000 lbs being moved down the road by an Onan 15K genny.

[dizcom]

Originally Posted by PDR John

Everything evolves, RVing will be one of them.

I foresee a heavy-duty hybrid happening in the next 10 years, something more along the lines of locomotive power plants. Small diesel engines powering only a generator charging a capacitor bank that feeds the drive wheels.

Imagine 80,000 lbs being moved down the road by an Onan 15K genny.

I look forward to the days of silent truck stops and my wife reminding me to wipe the electrons I stepped in off my shoes before coming back in.

[GypsyR]

I can picture an electric class A. Big battery pack or packs where our cargo compartments are. Pull into the "fuel" stop and open the doors. Bring out two carts, one with a fresh charged battery. Position both carts. Push the fresh battery pack which pushes the other out the other side onto the waiting cart. Done. Or repeat with multiple packs. Just popped into my head.

Whatever they are doing with electric semi trucks they are working I'm sure will translate well into class A's. Plus any such RV will certainly be loaded with solar panels because...why would you not?

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by PDR John

Everything evolves, RVing will be one of them.

I foresee a heavy-duty hybrid happening in the next 10 years, something more along the lines of locomotive power plants. Small diesel engines powering only a generator charging a capacitor bank that feeds the drive wheels.

Imagine 80,000 lbs being moved down the road by an Onan 15K genny.

This makes the most sense to me...many years down the road.