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RV Ratings
For Motorhomes, Fifth Wheels, Trailers,
Toy Haulers,
Slide-in Truck Campers
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Motorhomes or Motor Homes?
No matter — we rate them!
RV Consumer Group uses both "motor home" and "motor homes" in its publications interchangeably to eliminate confusion; Motorhome Magazine uses "motorhomes" — whether it's one word or two words, the meaning is the same.
At first, motor homes were called "house cars" (customized on model T chassis); then the name evolved into "motor coaches"and then to "motor homes". However, the motor home — or motorhome — concept didn't take off until around 1960's and 1970's when Winnebago promoted their motor home by dropping one on its roof. Whether because of this promotion, many people — and far too many reporters — incorrectly call all motor homes "Winnebagos" to this day.
The one-word "motorhomes'" came about when Motorhome Life was first published by Trailer Life Enterprises in 1968 as an annual buyer's guide. In 1982 the title was changed to MotorHome Magazine.
Although the one-word version — motorhome —is standard in Trailer Life publications, the two-word version "motor homes" or "motor home" is considered more accurate simply because dictionaries do not show the one-word version. This doesn't mean, however, that the one-word version as utilized by Trailer Life writers will not eventually be accepted by those of us who generally use the two-word version.
Whether you call them motor homes or motorhomes is irrelevant...we still rate them using the same criteria. Check our RV Ratings Guide CD before you buy one — it will definitely be worth it. |
Fifth Wheels:
What are the Advantages?
We have generally found that the happiest full-time RVers are those pulling fifth wheels with pickup trucks. Fifth wheels provide lots of living space, while being practical and forgiving to tow. They reduce or eliminate the dangerous problem of sway to which trailer coaches are subject because the hitch pin attachment is located directly over the bed of the truck, allowing the trailer to follow well. A well balanced and loaded fifth wheel that's correctly matched to its towing vehicle can be the safest combination on the road.
That doesn't mean, however, that fifth-wheel towing is completely trouble-free. Problems can arise because of inferior design, overloading, and poor vehicle matching.
RV Consumer Group has a formula developed specifically for towables that considers hitch weight as well as total weight to give you a good idea of how the fifth wheel or trailer will handle under normal highway conditions. Read more about fifth wheels.
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Motorhomes:
Models Tell the Story.
If you're in the market for a new motorhome or a used motorhome, you've probably already built a collection of colorful brochures filled with photos of beautiful interiors and exterior graphics along with interesting diagrams that extol the virtues of the company's unique construction techniques. But to get an accurate picture of a motorhome's behavior pattern, you need to know about the specific brands and models. Particularly for highway control and safety, you will need to know how a motorhome model is expected to handle under normal road conditions. Years ago, RV Consumer Group developed the technique of measuring wheelbase-to-length ratios as a standard for determining potential handling characteristics.
RV Consumer Group has developed a formula specifically for motorhome highway control. Knowing how motorhomes — often referred to as motor homes — can differ in handling characteristics is very important to a motorhome owner. Read more about motorhomes. |
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