E350 vs E450 chassis pros and cons for a short 24 ft class C

Are the V-10's in these class C's the same as in the Class A's just de- rated by the computer or different engines? 362 vs 305 HP is a big difference.

Desert Captain wrote:
depending on what years you are comparing the 450 will be 2 to 3,000# heavier and that is for every mile you drive.
{The 450 has a 4:56 rear end vs the 4:10 on the 350.}

According to Ford's website, the difference in curb weight between the E350 chassis and the E450 chassis with the same wheel base is only 206 pounds, not 3000 pounds. The E450's extra weight is in the thicker frame material, bigger brakes, thicker springs, and a few other minor influentials.

I understand the 2019 E350 and E450 have the same E450 rear end due to their limited production numbers, in place for a few years, maybe since 2017.

I agree that an E450 chassis for a 21-24 foot motor home will be just too much for the application. Like I previously mentioned, I would still go for it and plan to have a local shop change the front springs to lighter-duty E350 10050 versions, and remove one (or two) rear leaf spring per rear corner to get back to the right ride. This way you get a stronger frame for less twisting, bigger/better brakes, and more for a small investment. It's an your opportunity to get the suspension customized properly for the actual application. My 24 foot 2007 E350 11500 could use the 10050 front springs, but my front wheel alignment with offset bushings would all have to be reverted back to stock. Maybe one day I will get that done.

Gjac wrote:
What is the HP of the 450 vs the 350? Are the chassis the same or similar to the 350 or 450 pickup trucks.

The 350 and 450 have the exact same engine and transmission. The 6.8L V-10 found on both has 305 HP at 4250 rpm and 420# of torque at 3,250 rpm. No, they are not similar to the trucks as they are completely different animals. The E-350/450 are cut away van chassis' and the pickup trucks are well... trucks.

:C

What is the HP of the 450 vs the 350? Are the chassis the same or similar to the 350 or 450 pickup trucks.

We had an Itasca 24' on a '01 or '02 E-350, it had no slides if it had a slide it would have been an E-450, per Winnebago.
We now have an '15 E-450 27'. I notice the longer length and that it's heaver. Cab seems about the same.

ron.dittmer wrote:
2014 was the last year for the E-series van.

Just to be clear, the van was discontinued. The chassis is still in production today.

IMHO: An E-450 on a 24' {or smaller} Class C is overkill. You will get a stiffer ride, worse mileage with less available power. Both have the same engine/drive train but depending on what years you are comparing the 450 will be 2 to 3,000# heavier and that is for every mile you drive.
{The 450 has a 4:56 rear end vs the 4:10 on the 350.}

My 2011 E-350 has a GVWR of 11,500 - Ford upped that to 12,500 on the 2012 chassis with virtually no changes {go figure?}. Compare that with the 450 which has a GVWR of 14,500. If you are going to tow heavy or really like to load up your rig then the 450 becomes the better choice but most folks simply do not need that much payload in a 24' C much less an even smaller model.

Even when towing my 6 X 10' {14' overall} cargo trailer with an 860# Indian motorcycle {bike and trailer weigh 2,220#} and the coach fully loaded we are just under our GVWR and the ride and handling are outstanding, smooth as a babies backside and passing trucks, even on a windy day are barely noticeable.

Since I have no need/can't use, any more payload the smoother ride and better mileage of my E-350 continue to work well for us {this opinion is only based upon nearly 6 years and 50K miles from coast to coast and then some}.

As always... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

2014 was the last year for the E-series van. Starting in 2015 and continuing, because of the naturally lower production numbers of the remaining E-Series fleet production, Ford has made more things common between the E350 and E450 than in years past. I recall one of significance is the rear axle gear ratio now being the same. The E350 used to get 10% better fuel economy in years past until recently. Now it's the same as the E450. There are a some heavy duty upgrades in the E450 that is more than smaller motor homes need, but even so......

If I had a choice, I would get the E450, even for a 21 foot motor home. The ride would be exceptionally rough so I would address that problem by swapping to E350 chassis 10,000 or 11,500 front coil springs, and remove a leaf or two in back to better match your actual trip loads. Invest a little more to get things matched up properly and you will have the best of both worlds of heavy duty and a comfortable ride.

Agree with Chum. Go with the 450. We have it and it is stout.

On the Chevy chassis comment, I can't say. I've driven both Ford/Chevy trucks for years and both have positive and negative to them. But both are good, IMHO.

It may be the V10 in the 450 Ford is "noisier" but overall we just don't have the issue.

IMO, the biggest advantage is the higher GVWR. Most of the driveline/suspension components that allow the 450 to have the weight advantage over the 350 are significantly more robust. There are literally "hundreds" of design changes between the two vehicles. (too many to list) It's not just a set of helper springs!

Chum lee