Older Roadtrek may have fewer Technology Problems

 

Low Technology - no batteries  required

For those who own older Roadtreks my recent post about technology issues might seem bizarre.  Older Roadtreks use less proprietary technology and less high tech.

This year, automobile manufacture was halted by a "chip shortage".  Except for Tesla, and that's an interesting story about adaptability and hard work.

Microprocessors and related technologies are now an integral and necessary part of any vehicle. Electronics now dictates the performance and experience of owners of cars and vans.  It also has influences the performance and operability of RVs.

If you read the posts on various forums about Roadtreks, you might conclude that "less technology might be better technology".  I conclude there is a lot of frustration among recent owners, and that includes the other classes of RVs including A, C, travel trailers and 5th wheels.  I am separating the "build quality" complaints from other, technology related complaints.

There is a reason for the disappointment with technology and it is about what we call a curve of diminishing returns, as well as the transition in skill requirements. If we, as purchasers,  are on one side of the curve, where the benefits outweigh the problems, it is a wonderful experience. If we find ourselves on the other side of that curve, where problems exceed benefits, it is not so much fun.

We expect performance, serviceability, and low operating costs. But RV mechanics are the ones who deliver after purchase, and they may be hamstrung by sophisticated technology built into rigs, and for which they have not been trained, or have little control.  Only a few years ago, RVs were about engines, transmissions, and electro-mechanical devices. 

In high production vehicles with millions of units (cars, trucks or vans) with extensive dealer networks, maintenance might be readily available. However, low volume, proprietary manufacturers are in another place. There is the pull of marketing hype and the demands and sometimes unrealistic expectations of purchasers.  In RVs I have concluded that if the manufacturers claims are too good to be true, they probably are. 

 When one manufacturer promotes the hype, that puts pressure upon the marketing departments of other manufacturers.  As a possible purchaser in such situations I ask myself "Is this a race to the top, or to the bottom, or total hyperbole?" 

Some RV buyers may approach their purchase as it is a high volume automobile.  That's a big mistake.

Manufacturers may be inclined to push the envelope and in so doing, they may cross over the curve. If we, as purchasers are then on the other side because of the manufacturer's decisions, it may seem that there are constant breakdowns or unfulfilled expectations. Furthermore, there are diminishing returns to contend with.  Lower benefits = more problems and higher maintenance costs.

In the last decade, technology and in particular electronics has become predominant. One reason is because the cost of some electronics is now so low that manufacturers may go overboard when integrating it.  For example, there is something called the IOT, which is the "Internet of things".  This was facilitated by the invention of a website on a chip, and microprocessors for $1 as well as really inexpensive memory. In my experience of industrial automation, we purchased sensors such as temperature or pressure. They included a built in "web server". I could connect to a system with thousands of devices via the in plant (facility) network  and I could interrogate each one.   That began two decades ago. 

Today local (nearby) communication is facilitated via other standards including bluetooth.  For example, at our summer lily pad I monitor the amount of propane in the tank for our grill using a simple and inexpensive load cell device which is blue tooth enabled. I get a readout of the amount of propane in the tank on my Android cellphone. Alternately, I could use my old UPS spring-loaded scale, which is accurate to about 1/2 pound and a maximum of 75 lbs. No batteries to replace.

Modern automobiles and Roadtreks incorporate intelligent systems to monitor the entire chassis and that includes the radio. RV manufacturers can exploit this technology and use it to reduce wiring costs.  

For example, in my 2013 210P the radio is powered up by an intelligent module called a "Scosche" module. When that module (which is a "bus controller" and is actually a micro controller about 1 inch x 3 inches x 1 inch) is sent a signal by the chassis computer that the engine is running, that module energizes a power relay which in turn provides 12VDC to the Fujitsu and TomTom GPS provided by Roadtrek. 

That intelligent bus controller failed.  When it did, the radio could not power up on engine start.  It took a bit of research to determine what had failed. I got a replacement "Scosche" module, but installation required tearing the dashboard apart.  So I put in an Off-On Toggle Switch.   

Scosche module

My point is, this technology has permeated our lives. We don't even realize the extent. The problem is the application in everything from Roadtreks to intelligent home thermostats.  In a RV, this "intelligent" and "communicative" technology must be maintainable.  It often isn't.  For example, try to get your LED TV repaired.  It was designed to be scrapped when it failed.  Now translate that to the intelligent battery systems and chassis of a Roadtrek. Yes, those LiFEPO4 batteries have a BMS which is shorthand for "Battery Management System".  That system does calculations and controls the charge and discharge of the battery.  In complex systems batteries are interconnected and must communicate and share information. Even more complex RV systems integrate lead acid AGM batteries and Lithium Ion batteries. Wow!

A comment over at the FMCA Roadtrek group on my comment about our Roadtrek and which I also posted at this group:

"Norm:

Awesome monolog on the '13 210pC!

We bought with the same reasoning.

I am going to frame it and hang it over the entrance!"

(c) 2021 N. Retzke