One of the biggest concerns, when most people are thinking about buying an RV, is the safety of the RV and what the safest RV is to drive?
Because RV driving usually involves a lot of destination travel, requiring hundreds if not thousands of miles of driving.
So they want the safest RV they can find to keep themselves and their family safe while logging all those miles on the road.
What is the Safest RV to Drive?
The safest RV to drive is a class B RV as these smaller campervan RVs are built using mass-produced work vans such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, RAM ProMaster, or the Ford Transit. Which offer an all-metal body construction, multiple impact crumple zones, numerous built-in high-tech safety features, multiple airbags, and adherence to minimum safety standards set by the NHTSA.
However, while knowing the class B RV is the safest to drive is great, knowing which specific class B RVs are the safest to drive is even better.
So if you’re thinking about buying an RV and looking for the safest RV to drive as well as the easiest, keep reading.
What Are the Safest Class B RVs?
Did you know there are over 30 different RV manufacturers today making class B RVs including ones you’ve probably heard of such as Thor, Coachmen, and Winnebago as well as some you haven’t such as Adrenaline Vans, Blue Ridge Adventure Vehicles, and El Kapitan each with varying models and floor plans?
So with all of these different class B RVs to choose from, how are you supposed to know which ones are the safest?
To help with this issue we have scoured the class B RV market, to find the best of best when it comes to the safest class B RVs to drive and these are our top choices.
- Winnebago Revel
- Thor Sequence
- Winnebago Solice
- Coachmen Galleria
- Winnebago Travato
- Airstream Interstate 19
- Coachmen Nova
1. Winnebago Revel
One of the hottest and possible safest class B RVs on the road today is the new Winnebago Revel which is built on the premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
While the sparsely appointed and minimalist interior found in the Revel won’t be for everyone.
Because it’s built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and comes equipped with standard four-wheel drive, it’s hard to beat this class B RV when it comes to driving safety.
In fact, just look at this laundry list of safety features that comes equipped standard on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis including rear cross-traffic alert, parking assists with a rearview camera, active braking assist, active lane-keeping assist, downhill speed regulation, active distance assist with adaptive cruise control, crosswind assist, blind-spot assist, and trailer stability assist.
What Makes the Winnebago Revel Safe to Drive
- Shorter 19′ 4″ Length Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Standard Four-Wheel Drive Provides Excellent Traction No Matter the Terrain or Road Conditions
- Premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chassis
- Numerous High-Tech Safety and Driver Assist Features
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes
- Day Time Running Lights
- High Mount Brake Lights
- Optional Performance Wheels and BF Goodrich® T/A® KO2 All-Terrain Tires
2. Thor Sequence
The Thor Sequence is another great class B that offers plenty of safety features to help keep you and your family safe while driving.
This class B RV is built on the RAM ProMaster 3500 chassis which still offers plenty of driving safety features but at a much more affordable price when compared to the more premium and expensive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
Including such features as stability control which will automatically reduce engine power and or apply braking when it senses the vehicle handling limits have been reached.
The Thor Sequence also comes equipped standard with four-wheel anti-lock brocks, allowing you safely break in an emergency situation.
What Makes the Thor Sequence Safe to Drive
- Shorter 20′ Length Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Lighter Weight Allows for Better Braking and Shorter Stopping Distances
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes
- All Speed Traction Control
- Hill Start Assist which Maintains Brake Pressure Until You Press on the Gas Pedal
- Ram High Mount Rear View Camera Provides Excellent Rear Visibility
- Hight Mount Headlamps Make it Easy to See at Night
- Equipped with Front, Side, and Overhead Air Bags
3. Winnebago Solis
Another safe-to-drive class B RV which is also built on the RAM ProMaster 3500 chassis is the Winnebago Solis.
And for those of you who think you can’t drive a class B RV because you need more sleeping capacity than they usually offer.
This class B RV from Winnebago might be the answer to your problems, as this campervan features a pop-top allowing up to 4 people to sleep inside the van at a time.
And just like the Thor Sequence from above, the Winnebago Solis offers a ton of great safety features that will help you and your family to stay safe while driving including traction control, ABS brakes, and multiple airbags.
What Makes the Winnebago Solis Safe to Drive
- Shorter 19′ 9″ or 21′ Length Depending on the Model Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Lighter Weight Allows for Better Braking and Shorter Stopping Distances
- Multiple Crumple Zones Designed to Absorb Impact in an Accident
- All Speed Traction Control
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes
- Ram High Mount Rear View Camera Provides Excellent Rear Visibility when Backing
- Equipped with Front, Side, and Overhead Airbags
4. Coachmen Galleria
The Coachmen Galleria is another super safe RV to drive thanks to the fact that it is built on the premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
If your looking for a class B RV that offers a ton of luxury as well as safety, this campervan should be high up on your list.
Because not only does it offer a ton of luxury features such as a power awning with wind sensor, full-length running boards, and leather seats.
But it also has a ton of safety features such as parking assist with a rearview camera, active braking assist, active lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, crosswind assist, and blind-spot assist.
Why the Coachmen Galleria is Safe to Drive
- Shorter 24′ 3″ Length Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Lighter Weight Allows for Better Braking and Shorter Stopping Distances
- Premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chasis
- Numerous High-Tech Safety and Driver Assist Features
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes
- Day Time Running Lights
- High Mount Brake Lights
5. Winnebago Travato
The Winnebago Travato is another great option if you’re looking for a reliable and safe-to-drive class B RV that won’t break the bank.
As the Travato is perhaps one of the most affordable as well as one of the most popular campervans on the market today.
Because even though the Travato can often exceed $100,000, the base 59K model can still be picked up for well under $100,000 which is pretty good for a class B RV.
But don’t think that because the Travato has a more affordable price that Winnebago sacrificed on safety features.
Because this class B RV still has all the safety features of any other campervan built on the RAM ProMaster chassis including such features as four-wheel ABS brakes, all-speed traction control, and front, side, and overhead airbags.
Why the Winnebago Travato is Safe to Drive
- High Mount Headlamps Make it Easier to See at Night
- Multiple Crumple Zones Designed to Absorb Impact in an Accident
- Three Different Sets of Air Bags Including Front, Side, and Overhead for Both the Drive and the Passenger
- Uconnect Infotainment System Provides Navigation as well as Hands-Free Calling through BlueTooth
- Ram High Mount Rear View Camera Provides Excellent Rear Visibility for Backing
- Electronic Stability Control to Help Improve Traction as well as Handling
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes Allow For More Controlled and Better Emergency Braking
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System Ensures You Keep Proper Tire Pressure
6. Airstream Interstate 19
When most of us think of Airstream the first thing that comes to mind is their iconic Airstream aluminum trailers.
What you might not know though is that Airstream also makes a very high-end class B RV called the Airstream Interstate 19 which references the length of the campervan.
While this class B RV is on the shorter side with a length of only 19 feet, it more than makes up for it in features, luxury, and cool points.
And because the Airstream Insterstate 19 is built on the premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis it has all the driving safety features that people have come to expect on the Sprinter chassis including numerous advanced driver-assist and safety features, four-wheel ABS braking, and front, side, and overhead airbags.
Why the Airstream Interstate 19 is Safe to Drive
- Shorter 19′ Length Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Lighter Weight Allows for Better Braking and Shorter Stopping Distances
- Premium Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Chasis
- Numerous High-Tech Safety and Driver Assist Features
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes
- Day Time Running Lights
- High Mount Brake Lights
7. Coachmen Nova
A relatively new entrant into the class B RV world is the Coachmen Nova that has really been making some waves, as RV News rated it the top class B RV for 2021.
Similar in design to the Winnebago Travato, the Coachmen Nova has a more simplistic and minimalist design compared to some of the more higher-end and luxurious class B RVs.
However, this 20-foot 11-inch motorhome still packs a ton of great features into its short length including numerous safety features such as high mount headlights, multiple crumple zones, electronic stability control, and four-wheel ABS brakes.
Why the Coachmen Nova is Safe to Drive
- Shorter 20′ 11″ Length Allows for Easy Maneuvering and Handling
- Lighter Weight Allows for Better Braking and Shorter Stopping Distances
- High Mount Headlamps Make it Easier to See at Night
- Multiple Crumple Zones Designed to Absorb Impact in an Accident
- Three Different Sets of Airbags Including Front, Side, and Overhead for Both the Drive and the Passenger
- Ram High Mount Rear View Camera Provides Excellent Rear Visibility for Backing
- Electronic Stability Control to Help Improve Traction as well as Handling
- Four-Wheel ABS Brakes Allow For More Controlled and Better Emergency Braking
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System Ensures You Keep Proper Tire Pressure
Why the Class B RV is the Safest RV to Drive
There are numerous reasons why the class B RV is the safest RV to drive when compared to other types of RVs such as a class C or class A RV.
Shorter Length and Less Weight
One of the main reasons class B RVs are so safe to drive is due to their smaller and more compact size as well as their reduced gross vehicle weight compared to other types of RVs.
As the compact size and reduced weight of a class B RV, substantially improves the handling as well as braking and stopping distance of the RV, helping to prevent and avoid accidents.
All Metal Body Construction with Multiple Crumple Zones
Another safety advantage to the class B RV is their all-metal body construction and multiple built-in crumple zones.
Because unlike class A or class C RVs which use a lot of stick frame construction and fiberglass, the class B RV uses an extremely strong metal body construction designed to withstand extreme forces experienced in a crash.
In addition, class B RVs are designed with multiple crumple zones, especially at the front of the RV that are designed and engineered to crumple in a crash, absorbing the impact and helping to protect the occupants inside the RV.
Multiple Air Bags
Most new campervans now come equipped with multiple sets of airbags including not only front airbags but also side-impact airbags as well as overhead airbags.
Helping to provide superior protection to not only the driver but also the front passenger regardless of the type of crash.
Must Meet Minimum Safety Standards and are Crash Tested
Because class B RVs and campervans are built on work van chassis such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, RAM ProMaster, and the Ford Transit they are required to meet minimum safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the NHTSA and are routinely crash tested to ensure they meet those minimum safety standards.
Which helps to improve the overall safety of a class B RV.
And while you might think this would not be a unique advantage to class B RVs compared to other types of RVs.
The reality is, class A RVs, as well as class C RVs beyond the truck chassis they are built on, are not required to meet minimum safety standards by the NHTSA nor are they crash tested.
Which is pretty crazy when you think about it.
Equipped With Numerous High-Tech Safety Features
Because class B RVs are built on a standard work van chassis they also have all the same high-tech safety features that are now being included by the manufactures of those work vans.
And while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis is certainly the stand out when it comes to high-tech safety features due to the slew of features now included standard on their Sprinter vans, such as rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist with a rearview camera, active braking assist, active lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, crosswind assist, blind-spot assist, and trailer stability assist.
Both Ford, as well as Dodge, also includes a lot of standard high-tech safety features as well on their work vans, which helps to keep you safe while driving in a Class B RV.
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