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06-29-2018, 09:44 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,849
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Predicting Future Motorhome Features?
In many ways motorhomes have not changed much in the last 10-15 years, though some features like backup cameras, automation systems, etc have worked their way down the food chain.
With that in mind what changes do you expect to see to motorhomes in the next 10 to 15 or even 20 years?
Here are a few of my predictions:
1, More manufacturers are going to move to Lithium batteries for the house battery bank.
2, We will see full roof large solar panel options direct from the factory.
3, More driver assistance technologies, top down camera view, collision avoidance, lane centering, etc. Maybe even self park.
4, Integrated data connection options with wifi access points, like we are already seeing in automobiles. These may include integrated remote monitoring (interior / exterior cameras and temperature)
5, More integration of slides into the interior furnishing and cabinet work. We already see some of this, sofas that expand to longer length when the slide is out, nesting kitchen counters that expand when the slide is out.
6, Generators being replaced by propane powered fuel cell technology. This technology has been 5 years off for the last 15 years, maybe it will eventually get here. One of its big flaws now is that it does not adapt well to changing electrical loads, but combine it with Lithium batteries, and inverters and it may be viable sooner than you think.
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2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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06-30-2018, 12:32 AM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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Hydrogen Fuel Cell
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell
See a ferry boat with it here:
https://www.bendbulletin.com/busines...s-to-the-water
Not the propane type, but an on-board tank of hydrogen feeds the cell and creates electrical power and the only waste is water.
Fuel Cell feeds an all electric coach - No need for batteries. Even the electric main drive uses the power from the fuel cell.
Hydrogen is better than propane because it is the most common element on earth and is commercially renewable sourced from water.
The rest of the vehicle will follow cars with self-driving (probably gov't mandated someday) and all that automatic stuff.
The House will follow fixed homes of the future with computer controls for everything from climate to lighting.
The future is silent, clean and almost free of moving parts.
Safe travels
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06-30-2018, 06:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,849
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Perhaps, but I don't see this great conversion to Hydrogen happening in the next 10-15 years, there is no infrastructure. This is the same problem it had when there was all the talk of the future "Hydrogen economy" 15-20 years ago that has so far went nowhere.
By contrast RV's are the perfect market for propane electric fuel cells today, most already carry propane tanks, and there is an existing infrastructure for refueling. There are also companies like WATT developing such products today https://www.wattfuelcell.com/uses/rv/
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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06-30-2018, 07:24 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,406
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my thinking will be for electric drive systems with batteries, no more gas or diesel engines. they are now producing over the road trucks for a lease basis. No maintenance like oil changes and tuneups. I believe this will be the next big change.
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2014 Fleetwood Storm 32H "The Dream Catcher"sold * THOUSAND TRAILS * *US ARMY 1965-1967 * Disabled Vietnam Veteran 1966-1967 * Life Member VFW *
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06-30-2018, 11:19 AM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
Perhaps, but I don't see this great conversion to Hydrogen happening in the next 10-15 years, there is no infrastructure. This is the same problem it had when there was all the talk of the future "Hydrogen economy" 15-20 years ago that has so far went nowhere.
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The infrastructure will come as soon as someone can make a buck.
A H2 filling station is simply a building with city power and water lines. A cracking devise splits the water into H2 and Oxygen. NO TRANSPORT.
They are building them right now in many cities like ours.
The Oxygen can even be resold if close enough to market.
Propane might be a competitive alternative, but due to the level of output, Hydrogen is reportedly a better choice.
Plus current propane is sold with oderant. That gums-up the fuel cell and must be removed or never added at the sourse - preventing the current infrastructure from supporting fuel cell customers.
Interesting topic. Only time will tell
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06-30-2018, 12:17 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: In a lawnchair
Posts: 11,993
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I'll be happy when they come with factory-installed tire pressure monitors and a decent dash a/c.
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06-30-2018, 06:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wa State
Posts: 362
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Predictions from reading this forum:
Campfire and cigarette smoke proof window screens.
Sound proof construction blocking unwanted sounds of children playing, adults socializing, engines warming, and generators running.
Automated merging assistance.
Kidding.
My predictions are they will follow the trends of the car industry as much as they can:
Composite materials. More aerodynamic. Hybrid electric.
Emergency brake assist, side traffic sensors, etc. Maybe those things are already on new motorhomes. We drive an older one.
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2018 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32sa
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
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