6 liter V8 Chevy Vortec question

Many years ago, I got into comparing the specs of the Ford E350/E450 and the Chevy 3500/4500 chassis.

Comparing frames of the E350 to the E450, the gauge thickness of the E450 frame it a tab bit thicker than the E350 but is otherwise dimensionally identical. At a glance, you don't see a difference, but you can measure the difference with a calipers.

I recall the frame of the Chevy/GM is dimensionally smaller than the Ford, and it is significant. I don't know if GM uses a different type of steel to achieve it's GVWR, but I always wondered about the stability of it's physically smaller frame. Given everything else identical, a physically bigger frame would have less frame twist over uneven surfaces. Less twist means the house is better protected from seams breaching.

You only need one step? Gee lol

MDKMDK smiles & miles only till you need normal service or repairs. It is great you love it.

All I know is my 2013 4500 chassis with its long wheelbase and a 6.0 engine is a great driving rig that is all stock. Great ride and the best wind handling class C I have had. My first class C was on a F350 chassis V10. I won’t go there for this discussion.

I have to listen for downshifts. I can get my size 13 shoes past the dog house with no problem. My only issue is the 4500 chassis is several inches taller. So being an old geezer I have to have to put out a step to comfortably get into the rig.

klutchdust wrote:
Depends on what your standards are.I have owned A Ford V-10 and found it to be strong, reliable and averaged 8.5 MPG over a 40K mile period. Sure it howls when pulling a

grade but when the fan kicks on when my Duramax is pulling a grade I tend to look for low flying aircraft because that what it sounds like. I doubt the Chevy is going to get

any better mileage than the Ford and a few miles per gallon isn't worth my time however they are both very reliable and easy to maintain. Motorhomes are fuel consumers.



Some run to the MB models for fuel savings only to end up with a sad face come maintenance /repair time.

Nothing but miles of smiles in my 15mpg diesel Navion. :B

My sister bought that same coach but on the Ford chassis, because they offer it on the E450. So it effectively doubles the carrying capacity vs the Chevy 3500. At the time none were built on the Chevy 4500.

I ran a 2004 6.0 gasser with a tc all loaded was approx 10,700 and had zero issues hauling up hills and that was a 4 spd tranny. The newer 6.0 has more hp, more tranny gears and a 4.56 rear.
I towed 2500# utility trailer and that was fine too. Expect it to rev high going up steep grades, that 6.0 is built to scream, you wont hurt it.

As you can see in my signature I own a RV on a Chevy Chassis

Looking at the specs on the Forest River Sunseeker LE 2250SLE that you mentioned it looks like they are pretty much the same as mine.With the GCWR being a bit more,meaning you can carry more than mine.

Fully loaded with all food and supplies, water,for a 2 week trip,I take a lot of stuff along, I am still way under the GVWR.

During my search for this RV I drove more than a dozen others, all on Ford Chassis they were all as you described,gutless and I thought they were going to blow up.The ride on a Ford was harsh and I noticed that the one on a Chevy Chassis was much more smooth and comfortable and a lot quieter.

When I drove the same one built on a Chevy Chassis I was impressed with how quiet it was under acceleration and the response was quick.

Over the years I have had it the fuel mileage has been between 9.2 and 9.7 depending on wind and terrain,with the newer transmission I would think mileage would be better.

Also my RV is a Former Rental and now has over 118000 miles on it,there was a small leak in the transmission tail shaft seal that was replaced at the 100000 mile checkup,other than that it has performed well and been trouble free.

I looked at and drove the Sunseeker LE 2250 at a RV show and if I were in the market for a new one,this would be it.

Go to a dealer and take one for a text drive. I don't think you should expect it to perform better than the Ford but it might sound different.

Not sure how this compares, but I pull an 8k lb travel trailer with one. Get used to it turning 3k rpms regularly. The power on mine comes in around 2500,2800 rpms, and pulls to 5000rpms. The slightest grade and it will downshift. We pulled into a headwind for like 8hrs, in 3rd gear at 3200rpms and it did not complain.
It is an incredibly reliable engine. I've got 250k miles, and it has been troublefree.
Hopefull some of this is helpfull to your situation.

Depends on what your standards are.I have owned A Ford V-10 and found it to be strong, reliable and averaged 8.5 MPG over a 40K mile period. Sure it howls when pulling a

grade but when the fan kicks on when my Duramax is pulling a grade I tend to look for low flying aircraft because that what it sounds like. I doubt the Chevy is going to get

any better mileage than the Ford and a few miles per gallon isn't worth my time however they are both very reliable and easy to maintain. Motorhomes are fuel consumers.



Some run to the MB models for fuel savings only to end up with a sad face come maintenance /repair time.