Recreational vehicles (RVs) and converted vans can symbolize freedom with the comforts of home, making their way down Route 66 with “Destination—or bust!” in mind. You think: What’s the worst that could happen? A flat tire. An unreliable fuel gauge. Or worse, a smoking radiator (popular in Hollywood).
The story usually starts the same way – a family invests in a brand-new Winnebago: beautifully customized, complete with a slide-out kitchen and solar panels on the roof. 250 miles down the road, something goes wrong. A fire in the electrical system; or an accident that no one saw coming. We’ve seen these plot twists in our practice many times.
Many consumers don’t realize that many RV’s are extensively modified before they ever reach the sale lot. They are not changes from the manufacturer, but third-party companies. These aftermarket modifications may look seamless, but critical flaws lie dormant under the hood.
These third-party companies are not always required to follow the same federal safety standards (FMVSS) that govern OEMs. Meaning essentials, axles, brakes, wiring, etc. might not have been tested or designed for the conditions the vehicle will endure. They do not test these failures thoroughly, leading to catastrophic injury.
It’s not just RV’s either. Similar risks arise with Limousines, Ambulances, Conversion Vans, ATV’s, police cruisers—these vehicles have been altered using non-OEM parts. Major manufacturers have warned against using these components because they don’t perform the same in crash scenarios. Yet, despite these red flags, insurance companies continue to favor a bargain in cheaper aftermarket parts in repairs.
Limousine Conversions
The limousine industry is prone to looking the other way when safety precautions enter the chat during aftermarket modifications. Believe it or not, most limousines are born as your standard sedan. Then, after they are cut in half, stretched, and reconstructed by conversion companies, they step into their next life of glorified transportation uses. A glamorous night out on the town is, secretly, a ride with questionable structural integrity.
Stretching a vehicle places extraordinary strain on its frame, axles, and suspension. Additional weight is added when you install luxury seating, minibars, entertainment systems, and several people who could fit in a school bus. These additions can have a drastic increase on the load of the limousine, unless these modifications are reliably reinforced and engineered to meet crash standards.
Several recent high-profile limousine crashes highlight how deadly these design shortcuts can be. Investigators throughout the years found that inadequate braking systems and compromised chassis strength are directly related to fatal outcomes in these extended automobiles. The intended function of safety systems such as airbags, crumple zones, rollover protection, etc., is moot for the passengers who often don’t have any idea of these risks. This makes it essential to hold aftermarket companies accountable when prioritizing profit at the expense of safety.
Why These Cases Matter
These are complex cases—requiring careful investigation and a firm that knows where to look (and who to hold accountable). In product liability litigation, the outcome hinges on uncovering what occurred after the vehicle left the factory.
Whether it’s a converted RV, a stretched limousine, or another aftermarket-modified vehicle, the truth is the same: safety cannot be an afterthought. Our firm (and the AAJ) has called for stricter regulations on all kinds of automotive issues, including aftermarket vehicles. And as long as these modifications continue to be allowed, we continue to represent families nationwide who are victims of these unfortunate wrecks.
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