Bailey puts motorhome safety in spotlight

Ever wondered how passengers buckled up in the back of a motorhome might fare during a significant crash?

The UK’s Bailey has shed some light on the vulnerability of those passengers seated behind the motorhome's front cab, with the release of dramatic footage of a series of crash tests conducted over the last two years.

Like most motorhomes sold today, Bailey’s offerings are built to a certain safety standard to comply with national regulations. They also offer most protection to front occupants, via features like driver and passenger airbags, three-point safety belts, and ABS braking systems fitted to the base vehicle.

But Bailey wanted to take it a step further by investigating the strength of the rear passenger zone in its coachbuilt motorhomes, conducting simulated crash tests using the facilities at the internationally renowned Millbrook Proving Ground.

Using dummy cabs and chassis, with the four crash test dummies secured via three-point seat belts, the five tests simulated a full front crash at speeds up to 30mph (48km/h).

Following the results of initial tests, which saw the seats collapsing and both rear passengers thrown free, Bailey added AL-KO AMC chassis outriggers underneath the dedicated rear passenger seats to provide additional floor support.

It also anchored ovens and fridges to the floor, after these kitchen appliances broke free and flew out of the motorhome.

Seat belt frames were also modified, and a number of hazards removed including relocating under-locker lighting near passengers’ heads and creating a dedicated stowage location for wall-mounted tables, to enhance passenger protection.

Despite it already being a structural component of Bailey’s unique Alu-Tech shell, the bulkhead between the front cab and passenger area required additional strengthening with a steel frame support and steel brace mounted through the floor, to prevent it collapsing after a collision.

Bailey says the modifications have since been incorporated into some of its motorhome models. Its also making its findings and the engineering changes it has made as a result of the crash tests available free and without patent protection to other motorhome manufacturers through the British-based National Caravan Council (NCC).

Another UK brand Swift, which like Bailey also sells its products in Australia, is also now conducting similar crash tests on its motorhomes.

For the full story including all five crash test videos (the first one, before any modifications were made, is below), visit the Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly website.