MICRO-MINI INVESTIGATION

Although micro-mini motorhomes have always demonstrated a potential for filling a niche in the recreational vehicle (RV) marketplace, the diminutive, fuel-efficient rigs have never really caught on in great numbers. The reason has been the micro-mini's basic payload limitations and consequent overloading problems. Now, however, with a new beefed-up chassis on the way from one Japanese manufacturer, the day of the micro-mini may finally have dawned. It may be eclipsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, who is only now acting on complaints received since 1978. There is much concern and anger by those who are directly and indirectly affected by the secretive NHTSA probe. As Wayne Mertes, president of Dolphin RV Products, the No. 1 producer of micro-minis, puts it, "The problem is that NHTSA is about five years too late."

• Corporate Authors:

  TL Enterprises, Incorporated

  29901 Agoura Road
  Agoura, CA  United States  91301
• Authors:
  • Longsdorf, B
• Publication Date: 1985-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 8 p.
• Serial:
  • RV Business
  • Volume: 36
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: TL Enterprises, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Industries; Oversize loads; Recreational vehicles; Studies
• Identifier Terms: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Overloads; Payload
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452365
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-038 761
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM