I'm new at this and have seen a couple of RVs close up.I was thinking that from the few Ive seen, the As seem to have better engine access than the class Cs.I posted this in the Class C forum earlier, now I'm posting it here.The Class C guys said I was right about the access, but that since the Cs are built in the Ford or Chevy factory, they are basically trucks and any shop will help or work on them.They also said some of the class A wiring/ connector practices are not as robust to weather and age. Nor is the documentation.Class A Fasteners can be of lesser quality and not age well.Also, since the engine access panel is larger and more into the living space of the class A, there is more noise and heat generated compared to class Cs.Responses?groundhogy

Are you referring to rear engine Class A, or a Class A with a gas engine up front?

If Class A is gas, Ford, my access is better for the A. My locale Ford dealer does not work on any RV. The last time I needed a fix , I had to travel from Jacksonville Florida to Dothan Alabama before I found a dealer that would even look at it. They did find the issue. Stopping along the way at independent garages did not gain anything but lost time. Hope that is what you are asking. The basic wiring is in my Case Ford so it all factory. The box part wiring is supplied by whom ever makes the box.

I,ve had both."In General" class a's have easier access to the rear of the engines,and class c's have better access to the front.I changed an engine in an older Ford class C.Wasn't too bad.Wouldn,t want to do it in my class A.

I've also owned both and access to a front engine compartment in a Class C is way easier than a front engine Class A. I have no comment on a rear engine RV, I've never owned one! JMHO

I have owned both a Ford E-450 class C and a diesel pushier Class A. It is a myth that any Ford shop will work on them. They won't touch the motorhomes. The engine access is as bad or in some cases worse than a class A because there is less room in the front cab area to work. Only very specialized Ford commercial truck dealers will even do an oil change. The new Ford F550 units are worse because for some Ford service work the body has to come odd the Chassis! The wireing on my class C was atrocious a mishmash of well done Ford wiring with Jayco barely tied up rats nest. My Class A all the wiring is protected from damage and well zip it tied up. It is neat and organized. When I found a random loose wire I took a picture and Thor told me exactly where is was supposed to go. Finally most truck shops can work on them.

Class A vs. Class C engine access... | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

olfarmer
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2014
I have owned both, 3 C's and 2 A's. As far as access to the engine it depends on the manufacturer and what you are trying to do to the engine. Some things are easier on both. If the engine needs to be removed the C's are usually much easier.
I completely disagree with the noise level, both of my A's have been much quieter than the C's I have owned. With my current one, you can hardly hear the engine unless it shifts down on a grade but the C's were worse.
As far as the wiring, I think that depends on the quality of the coach builder as does the quality of the fasteners. I really don't believe the class A manufacturers would use cheaper components than the class C manufacturers and actually many brands make both classes.
I prefer the A class because the chassis is usually heavier and I have seen a lot of class Cs with over the cab leakage problems and poorly lengthened chassis frames.
That being said there are many very nice class C's on the road.
bsinmich
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014
I had to laugh at the one that they used better fasteners on c's than A's. I can just imagine them ordering cheaper fasteners for one over the other. Chassis wiring is always different than coach wiring and the quality of the coach builder will determine that factor.
Dune_Hauler
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014
If you want ease of servicing and strong dealer support with many locations look at a super C.
I just pull hood forward and everything is in reach.
Kidoo
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014
I found my class A Monaco Diesel rear engine to be quite easy to work on, you can access from the top or the bottom. I know for a fact that Class B diesel 6.0 are one of the worst engine, probably the worst, to work on. It is so tight in there that for many things you need to undo the engine mount and lift the engine. Mechanics will tell you they hate to work on it.

Probably that many place do not know enough about motorhome that they think it is different, a Ford is a Ford, a Cummins is a Cummins.
427435
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
I've changed spark plugs in both my Ford class A and a Ford Econoline van. The class A was much, much easier (even though there were 2 more plugs to do). :)

The manifold bolts in the Class A can be easily reached, once you take the front wheels off. Not so in a Class C. The access from the bottom is also better in the Class A. The only thing that might be easier to access with a Class C would be the water pump and top radiator hose.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 19, 2014
groundhogy wrote:
engine that needs no servicing. hee hee.

Let's see...an oil change at 7500 miles(for the average RV that is once a year). Coolant change at 5 years. Air filter at 30,000 miles. Plugs at 100,000 miles. Belts and hoses, maybe at 50,000+ miles.

Naturally there is still the lube for the chassis which is present on C and A rigs.
Basically on any of the coaches with a newer gasoline engine, the amount of scheduled service is minimal. Not enough to worry about access to any great extent.
groundhogy
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
engine that needs no servicing. hee hee.
msturtz
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
groundhogy wrote:
Ok, I viewed your profiles and found some of the models if the info is up to date.

-Winnie Adventurer 32V. awesome

-1999 Holiday Rambler, Endeavor 36'. difficult

-2013 Thor Ace 29.2 .some of the new ones (ACE,
FR3) have dual swinging doors to completely open
the front of the engine bay. awesome

-Thor wiring good. Greyhawk 31FS.

-2004 Winnebago 35-U. Front engine difficult.

I have a Thor Palazzo 33.3 that is nice. I used to have a Jayco Greyhawk 31FS which was terrible.
luvlabs
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
Let me ask you a question - why do you care about engine access? Modern gas engines have virtually nothing you need to service on a regular basis. You can check the oil and coolent levels, put in windshield washer fluid, but other than that, you have nothing that needs your "help".

The most important question these days is "where's the OBDII plug"?
groundhogy
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
Ok, I viewed your profiles and found some of the models if the info is up to date.

-Winnie Adventurer 32V. awesome

-1999 Holiday Rambler, Endeavor 36'. difficult

-2013 Thor Ace 29.2 .some of the new ones (ACE,
FR3) have dual swinging doors to completely open
the front of the engine bay. awesome

-Thor wiring good. Greyhawk 31FS.

-2004 Winnebago 35-U. Front engine difficult.