Class C Ford Chassis vs. Class C Chevrolet chassis

If you really want to get "down in the weeds" and look at Chassis Specifications (the actual material in terms of its toughness and the dimensions used) E450 is the most rugged. It is NOT E350 with this'n'that added. It's more than that, even if many of the components are in fact shared.
Please understand, not saying this to brag on Ford. My point is that E450 is likely to feel a little stiffer because, well, it IS. This is probably also why Ford E450 wheelbase can be stretched a little more than 4500 can.

We've generally always been a Ford family, so we went for the Ford E350 based MH. Neither of us is very tall so we have plenty of leg room:) The ride is fine and the handling is nice. DH can steer with one hand and hasn't had a problem with passing semis pushing us around.

Either way, you have to be aware of maintenance (keep oil changed, fluids right, etc.), tire pressure, alignment...and if you prefer Chevy, then maybe that's what you should go with. If you like Ford, stick with that...just take care of that engine.

Have owned both Chev and Ford.

Chev does give more leg room, floor does not get as hot. However, the Chev floor will also get quite toasty in the right circumstances. Ours did not have the 5spd transmission.

Ford has less leg room...I moved the seat back and raised it 2" and it is now as easy as the Chev to move around. The Chev had a more comfortable ride but it was a 3500 and the Ford is a E450. Like the Ford transmission better and find the brakes are more confidence inspiring. Gas mileage in the Ford is not as good as the Chev....about 1mpg difference. I didn't find any difference in handling....the Ford seems a little more solid but that may be a difference between how the different motor homes were constructed.

I would recommend that you buy the one that you like the best (outside appearance and inside floor plan). I enjoyed seeing the USA in my Chevrolet, but like the looks of my Ford based unit better. Just makes me feel good driving down the road ;-). Spend some time inside both units, drive them both, and then decide.

Only Chevy MH we have owned were class A.
Our Ford E450 is doing a good job. Have been to West coast several time.
Handled the mountains fine.

I'm a Ford guy but have a Chevy based chassis and no complaints yet. There is more room in the cabin versus the Ford and mpg is a little better. Don't know much about the new 4500 but anything above 30ft I'd go with the E450 or you're limited. Just focus on floor plan and the chassis second then factor in what you want to carrying and go from there.

The current 4500 looks very good. If you're looking at used, there seem to have been years in which Chevy didn't offer a transmission equivalent to the Ford. Also, Chevy had 14000-lb GVW for awhile then dropped it. Brought it back in 4500. The only possible drawbacks I see in the current 4500 is that the wheelbase can't be stretched quite as far as Ford, and the Gross Combined Weight might be a little less.
When Ford brought out the 6.0 PowerStroke, there was a "road test" where it outperformed the GM Duramax and Cummins in the Dodge. Not so sure it carried over to the real world. There's a test linked on this site where 4500 outperforms E450. I have to wonder... Who commissioned the test, or Who devised exactly how it was designed?
Those diesel pickups run in a very tight pack, and so do the E450 and 4500. I don't think there's a "going wrong." If I was buying where I had a choice, all other factors equal, I think I'd go 4500. At least give it a very hard look.
But because of wheelbase limitations, a new large Class C should be on E450.

Different strokes for different folks.

I would be more aware of WHICH chassis the MH has. Not just whether it was a Chevy or Ford.

Ford offers E350 and E450. BIG BIG difference between the 2 MH's with the same engine.

Also do a search on the V-10 'engine'. It really can't be beat for power and longevity.

Yup, I do vote for the E450, V-10....Ford.


:B

There is a thread on Chevrolet Based Class C that may answer some of your questions and give you some insight on differences between the two.

As you can see in my signature I own A Chevy Based Class C and am very happy with the choice. No problems with it at all Chassis wise and going on 97000 miles and going strong even after being a Rental before I bought it.

As seen in My Profile

go sprinter a ton of leg room which ford or chevy or dodge forgot.