Forum Discussion

bagman's avatar
bagman
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015

Bought GMC Cube Van Today!

So I picked up a new GMC cube van today with 17' NBC Supreme Body without an aerodynamic shape, equipped with 6.0 V-8, & 4:10 axle ratio. Drove it from Westland, Mich. to Wyandotte, Mich. and for the life of me, I cannot understand why RV manufacturers down't build more B+ & Class C's on this chassis. This commercial cube van was empty and so help me, it drove like a Cadillac. Furthermore, it had to be sent out for the body and various modifications, like running boards, backup camera, 12" steel scuff plate around the inside of the body and two sets of tracks on the walls to secure loads. By the time I got back to Wyandotte, the computer showed 11.3 MPG's over the last 365 miles and this truck is about as aerodynamic as a large barn door. So why the Ford dominate the vast majority of the B+ & Class C business? Personally, I would rather drive a Chevy of GMC RV Cut-Away chassis. Even when we used to rent cube vans from Penske Truck, we liked the GMC version over the Ford! What gives? Bagman.
Class C
  • bagman's avatar
    bagman
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2015
    Actually, both Forest City & Thor offer class C & B+ RV's on both the Ford & Chevy chassis.I did some research and the Chevy & GMC 4500 can be had with the 6.6 Duramax Diesel. Bags.
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2015
    Does GM allow their wheelbase stretched or reduced like Ford does? If not, maybe that is influential. I also seem to recall back in 2009 when GM dropped, Hummer, Saturn, and Pontiac, they also dropped the cut-away chassis motor home package, due to low production demand. I wonder if that is still the case.

    The motor home package deletes some things like carpet and seats, and adds other things like power windows & door locks and chrome front grille work. There is a lot more to it but you get the idea.

    I agree the GM/Chevy chassis is quite nice. I would prefer it over our Ford, but back in 2007 when we bought ours, the Ford was 9" shorter than the Chevy, and our RV outfitter didn't offer but only the Ford. The Ford E350 version of our Phoenix Cruiser fit in our garage, but not the E450 for it stands 3" taller. Our rig clears our garage door opening by 1 to 2 inches. It's dang close when our rig is empty.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2015
    Probably has to do with fleet pricing. Although the cab chassis and cutaway market is relatively small, Ford has dominated it since abandoning unibody for body on frame in the van construction in 1975.

    GM going from unibody to body on frame 20 years later should have brought down the build cost of a cab chassis to be more competitive with Ford's, but the RV manufacturers still don't seem to be buying. GM does a lot better on the SRW cab-chassis uses for lighter box vans, and are now the only player in van chassis for ambulances.

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 27, 2025