Hi there
Is it me or are cars getting lighter and caravans getting heaver?
what do you think?
Regards Stephen
Is it me or are cars getting lighter and caravans getting heaver?
what do you think?
Regards Stephen
Cars and Caravans
- Thread starter Stephen_374341239
- Start date
Stephen,
Without a doubt, yes.
For years the car manufacturers have been heavily investing in applying high strength (and lighter weight) steels in car bodies, better design, and increasing use of aluminium and composite materials too.
This means stronger, higher crash performance vehicles, that at the same time are more fuel efficient.
Maybe in part because the regulatory authorities have been pressurising car manufacturers to improve these very items.
The UK caravan manufacturers seem to have been concentrating on increasing the comfort aspect of their products - more appliances, etc - apparently without going on the same body weight and strength diet. But then you can't see that in the showroom.
But in Germany, Hymer for instance (but true of the other German manufacturers too) talk a lot about their (patented) PUAL construction technique - light weight yet strong body panels - it's one of the first things that you encounter in their brochure.
And maybe this reflects on the different psychology of the German consumer who has always included the underlying technology as an important part of the purchase decision.
Robert
Without a doubt, yes.
For years the car manufacturers have been heavily investing in applying high strength (and lighter weight) steels in car bodies, better design, and increasing use of aluminium and composite materials too.
This means stronger, higher crash performance vehicles, that at the same time are more fuel efficient.
Maybe in part because the regulatory authorities have been pressurising car manufacturers to improve these very items.
The UK caravan manufacturers seem to have been concentrating on increasing the comfort aspect of their products - more appliances, etc - apparently without going on the same body weight and strength diet. But then you can't see that in the showroom.
But in Germany, Hymer for instance (but true of the other German manufacturers too) talk a lot about their (patented) PUAL construction technique - light weight yet strong body panels - it's one of the first things that you encounter in their brochure.
And maybe this reflects on the different psychology of the German consumer who has always included the underlying technology as an important part of the purchase decision.
Robert
Hi Robert
I have an Hymer and whilst the quality is first class and thats the reason I bought it after damp problems with my Abbey, lightweight it is not. A nova 270 A 2 berth end kitchen model at 1500kg is heavier than lots of twin axel monsters
Dave
Er no.
Both cars & caravans are getting heavier. Although the previous poster mentions modern materials & better design producing lighter structures the fact is that each new car has to be bigger & better than anything else in its class. We also demand far more creature comforts in cars these days & better crash protection & safety features. Todays VW golf is almost twice the weight of the mark 1, & a modern Vauxhall vectra is of similar tonnage to an original Jaguar XJ6.
Both cars & caravans are getting heavier. Although the previous poster mentions modern materials & better design producing lighter structures the fact is that each new car has to be bigger & better than anything else in its class. We also demand far more creature comforts in cars these days & better crash protection & safety features. Todays VW golf is almost twice the weight of the mark 1, & a modern Vauxhall vectra is of similar tonnage to an original Jaguar XJ6.
Caravans are certainly getting heavier - until recently cars were as well but enviromental issues are forcing car manufacturers to introduce lighter designs without compromising quality or equipment. The sooner caravan makers do the same, the better.
Er yes.
Perhaps I should make it clear that you can only compare like with like - and when the car has grown two sizes or if you only go by name, then it's difficult to make exact comparisons.
Where the physical dimensions of the car has remained similar, then the use of improved steels and lighter components has resulted in lighter vehicle weights.
But I take the point about the Golf - but the comparison should be against a car of similar physical size - which would be the Polo...
Perhaps I should make it clear that you can only compare like with like - and when the car has grown two sizes or if you only go by name, then it's difficult to make exact comparisons.
Where the physical dimensions of the car has remained similar, then the use of improved steels and lighter components has resulted in lighter vehicle weights.
But I take the point about the Golf - but the comparison should be against a car of similar physical size - which would be the Polo...
Any improvements in steels & lighter components are more than offset by the increased parts count that every new car has compared with its predecesser of 5 years ago.
eg a fuel injection system weighs more than a carburettor.
5 airbags weigh more than none.
A heater & aircon system weighs more than a simple heater.
That is why a new ford fiesta weighs more than the MK5 Cortina believe it or not!!
I should know this. It is my job to keep weight out of new designs. I spend my working day battling against designers & stress engineers who want to make things too heavy. I am a Weight Engineer. It is my job to control the weight of new designs & meet the weight targets which are set so the product meets it's performance.
eg a fuel injection system weighs more than a carburettor.
5 airbags weigh more than none.
A heater & aircon system weighs more than a simple heater.
That is why a new ford fiesta weighs more than the MK5 Cortina believe it or not!!
I should know this. It is my job to keep weight out of new designs. I spend my working day battling against designers & stress engineers who want to make things too heavy. I am a Weight Engineer. It is my job to control the weight of new designs & meet the weight targets which are set so the product meets it's performance.
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