Safety first for German motorhome
Electronic driver aid that counteracts crosswinds to be fitted as standard for the first time on a coachbuilt motorhomeAn electronic driver aid that automatically counter-acts the buffeting effects of cross-winds on high-sided vehicles, is now available for the first time on a cab chassis-based motorhome.
According to Mercedes-Benz, Germany’s Hymer will be the first motorhome manufacturer to offer Crosswind Assist as standard on a motorhome with a purpose-built body, when it introduces the Sprinter-based Hymer ML-T motorhome in January.
Crosswind Assist is one of a suite of passenger car-style driver aids introduced on the latest Sprinter van range, which arrived in Australia in 2013. The other electronic safety features include Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highbeam Assist, and Collision Prevention Assist.
The active Crosswind Assist feature relies on the stability control (ESC) system to compensate for crosswind gusts at speeds of 80km/h or more, saving drivers the strain of counter-steering.
However, it’s unclear if the Crosswind Assist feature will be available on Sprinter-based motorhomes in Australia. When the latest Sprinter van range was launched in October 2013, Mercedes-Benz Australia said that Crosswind Assist was not yet available on short-wheelbase, cab chassis and Super high roof van variants.
Even in Europe, and owing to the numerous length, height and weight variants of the Sprinter, Crosswind Assist has to be individually configured for each model variant, including certain campers.
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