Well, this is just a quick note, a PSA, to show the importance of knowing your braking distance!
This is a video made up of multi camera views from an emergency stop we needed to make on I10. (Taken from our security system cameras and dash camera.) We went from 70Mph to a full stop in under 7 seconds! Think about that. We weigh 42,000 pounds and we were towing a 4,800 pound Jeep Grand behind us. That is a lot of energy built up in motion to stop. So this is a lesson as to why you need to know how much room you need in order to make an emergency stop and to be sure you always have that room.
The video will walk you through what took place so you can see the importance of knowing how to drive within your limits. We talk you through what you are seeing and also have audio from when it took place as we were streaming the drive LIVE at the time.
We posted this on our YouTube channel some time back, but wanted to be sure we sent it out via e-mail to our subscribers just in case they are not subscribed to our YouTube channel. If not…Why not? ;) Take the time and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
I rarely drive my motorhome above 60 mph. And I never travel in the left lane! Most times that allows a great gap to open between my motorhome and vehicles in front. Thus a large stopping distance is present. Of course it takes me longer to arrive at the next destination. But I’m safe and sound.
Will a tag-axle motorhome (with greater weight but more brakes) stop quicker than a motorhome without a tag axle?
In all logic…Yes seeing you have more rubber on the road so to speak. But again, weight plays the issue in the logic. If you had two rigs at say 30,0000 pounds and one had a tag and one did not, the one with the tag SHOULD stop in a shorter distance all things being equal. (One would think.)
David could you tell us about your multi camera recording set up? Looks like something I would like to implement in our pick-up/5th wheel unit. I already have a wired rear looking camera on the back of the 5th wheel, but only for monitoring behind. That system also has two side mount cameras near the front of the 5th wheel, but again, only for monitoring. Thanks,
Hi Dave…It is a totally separate system from the coach cameras. I installed a Ubnt UniFi Protect system in the coach with 4 cameras. It is a system that would normally be used in a home or business. Even the rear camera view is mounted under the rear spoiler looking back and it is hardwired ethernet.
And more detail on this installation (we also have a 2015 45’ AB but ours is OP).
It is not something that I would do more detail on it really is not something for most coach owners as it is not made for a coach, it’s a commercial system as mentioned for a home or business. It involves running ethernet cables and having a dedicated network running in your coach. If you are running a dedicated network already, like a full Wi-Fi system, you could do something much easier using Wi-Fi cameras vs needing to run ethernet. Also knowing something about setting up networks helps in this case. So the details really are not something that would help most in this case as it is surely not anything normal. It would likely lead to more questions and then the asking for support to help set it up. :)
Where should I look for some chart or list of the speed, weight, and stopping distance needed?
It is something you learn as it is all based on how you are loaded etc as to how the weight will be. It is not just as simple as allowing for X car space for a car at X speed. You will get to know your “feel” based on the weight etc. Having a supplemental braking system in the tow car is also a MUST as it will also help you stop. We recommend the AirForce One Braking system in that regard.
Look at your states commercial vehicle licensing information. The following comes from Florida’s CDL Manual.
One second of space per ten feet of vehicle length up to 40 mph. Above 40 mph add one second. In the situation shown a vehicle that length should have at minimum 6 seconds of following distance. These numbers are for ideal conditions. More following distance means more time to see, decide and react.
And it would all come down to WEIGHT. It makes a difference for example if you have a full fuel tank or even how full your fresh water or even black or gray tanks are. Knowing the “feel” also become important for one second of space may be good at X weight, but add another 1000 lbs and you have a different matter.
Thanks for the info. Hey what’s up with the no dash camera and Bott Lott streaming?
Hi…Well we are not at the Bott-Lott so that is off as we are only there like mid April to October and we turned off the dash cam as we put in a Mangashade and it blocked the view. (Also it was using a lot of bandwidth.)
David, I have followed you for years and like your product reviews, relied heavily on them for purchase.
This video of safe driving distance hopefully will get people to remember it’s not what you can pull, it’s what you can stop. The focus is often on horse power when the focus should be on weight and stopping distance, disc brakes, vs drum brakes, anti-locking systems. If you travel even short distances the chances of having an emergency stop will take place at least once in your life time, hopefully its not this emergency stop that ends your life. Thank you.
Hi David, Thank you for posting this video and I am sure there might have been some trepidation on your part for making this post. I applaud your decision to post this.
Meanwhile, where are the motorhome manufacturers in terms of providing useful systems to help mitigate this issue?
We were fortunate to buy a used 2010 Bus in 2012 that had a Vorad system with adaptive cruise control and collision warning and blind side sensors that was installed by the original owner after market. The Blind sensors were an obvious plus, however I wasn’t sure how useful the ACC and collision warning would be. Well I was very impressed with both of these functions. The Vorad system had warning lights on the dash to let me know as I continued to gain on the traffic ahead and it would engage the engine brake if it sensed that a collision was likely. Not only is it useful for the situation you encountered, this system helped me numerous times as I approached vehicles with brake lights that didn’t work. Newmar ( and a few others) offers this capability on their higher end motorhomes. Of course, the very high end custom builders like Liberty, Foretravel, and Marathon offer this. Mobileye is not even close in terms of capability.
So much for now.
Hi…Yes, most coaches come with Mobieye system that can help. Ours is a 2014 Allegro Bus will disengage the cruise and also activate the engine brake if the brake is in the ON position. It also goes lane departure warning. Have not seen many with blind spot or other sensors sadly. You can surely hear our collision warning going off. :)
Is your dash cam standalone and if so would you share make/model info? I’ve been looking for a decent dash cam for the truck to use whether I’m pulling the 5th wheel or not. TIA
Hi Joey…That footage was actually from our security cameras. The DashCam I use use BlackVue and they make a number of them all high quality. https://amzn.to/2Mlvh2k I have a two channel one as I used the rear camera pointed at the door of the coach so anyone coming in and out was recorded. (Before I added the security cameras.)