Zooming 40 miles per hour, a truck driver hauling a fifth wheel slams on the brakes as the tires meet linoleum RV flooring lathered in dish soap concentrate.
The driver is fine, having survived the brake testing system devised by Lippert, but the effect is real. Lippert will demonstrate its anti-lock braking and suspension system (ABS) performance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24-25, in Elkhart, Indiana.
Lippert has been providing system demonstrations since 2022, when the company modeled its ABS on Grand Design RV vehicles for customers at the Navistar testing track in New Carlisle, Indiana.
Lippert OEM Director of Marketing Hannah Corn said, “From the feedback, it was very obvious that these types of emergency situation replications are the best way to show how effective the system is.”
Six demonstrations and nearly two years later, the company switched gears at a Keystone RV demonstration at a speedway in Tampa, Florida, in January.
Previously, Navistar’s track provided an epoxy surface that modeled an icy road. On a different track without ice, Lippert employees brainstormed how to mimic the conditions. The RV linoleum flooring and dish soap concentrate solution worked like a charm.
Corn said, “Once we got that problem solved, now we can replicate that demonstration anywhere in the world.”
Lippert’s demonstration next week will take place at the Elkhart Municipal Airport, 15 minutes from the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
“Open House is perfect for us to educate dealers on all these brands that are coming out with anti-lock braking systems for their lot,” Corn said, “so that they can better talk about these products to the industry and the end consumer.”
The event is by invitation only and will feature fifth wheels from Alliance RV, Forest River, Grand Design RV and Keystone RV. Lippert expects around 100 attendees.
Corn said, “We are bringing together all of the major manufacturers under one roof to show off major, major RV innovation.”
Attendees can sit in the tow vehicle to experience the braking system or ride in the fifth wheel itself to feel the suspension system. Lippert will take precautions to keep attendees safe such as having a safety team onsite.
Employees from Lippert’s Plant 68 in Sterling Heights, Michigan, have built and tested the system. Corn said the team has certified the systems and will be driving the vehicles during the demonstration. The event will also comply with the airport’s safety regulations.
According to Corn, the system has been extensively tested on real-world snow and ice surfaces.
Corn said, “From an educational standpoint, nothing can compare. There is no better way to communicate the benefits of these products than getting you in the truck and having you feel it.”
Lippert will showcase products at its headquarters in Elkhart throughout the week.
