Enough Horsepower?

Get the Ford V8

I have a MB diesel with less hp than that and I pass MH in arizona going up hills, and get 20 mpg , drive both and you,ll see that V 6 has plenty of power,

I have the MB 3.0l V6 diesel in an Itasca Navion and it performs at least as well as my former rig, an F250 with the 7.5l V8 and a Lance camper. At higher elevations it does better than the Ford did as it doesn't lose as much power due to the turbocharger. Gets 15 mpg instead of 9 mpg too - and on (for now) cheaper fuel.

No brainer...Ford. More hp, more reliable, and lot more resources for repair. Try getting your MB repaired when nearest dealer is who knows where. Less gas milage, maybe, but offset by less at purchase and less at maintaince.
Grumpy

I went with Ford on 24' mainly due to reliability, maintenance costs long term, and of course the coach itself (built locally with good reputation).

But if you're choosing between the two chassis on Winnebago, I'd suggest you drive them both-on curving roads-at speeds up to 60 or 65 MPH. I'd pay at least as much attention to the handling as I would the acceleration.

Over the entire fleets I think the Ford would generally be easier/cheaper to keep going with less head scratching maintenance glitches. I think the MB would handle better and use less fuel. Each individual sample could deviate from the typical.

Power wise either will do the job just fine unless towing. If you plan on towing than maybe consider a V10.

In that size coach, the driving dynamics might be a more important consideration than just power. I wouldn't put too much thought into fuel cost either.... In an RV is likely a wash, or possibly a little higher with the diesel but either way a very small percent of your total ownership costs either way.

I have a 2015 Winnebago View and I tow a Subaru Cross Trek with it and I have plenty of power. I have had 5 MHs in the past and I like this one the best. Runs great and handles great. So far I haven't needed to go to MB for anything. Now watch I just jinxed myself.

We are taking off the day after Labor Day for a short jaunt. Then in the first part of October we are leaving for the PNW, if they get the fires up there under control. Then around the Olympic Peninsula and then down 101 and head south.

We also want to trace as much route 66 as we can coming back home.

The majority of the MB diesels work well with no problems. Some (too many!) owners have drawn the "short straw" and seem to have repeated problems with spotty solutions, spending a small fortune in the process. Power-wise, I find it perfectly acceptable. You won't be zooming around drivers going under the speed limit on 2-lane roads, and on 6% grades about 45 mph might be the best you can do. About half the time in this situation I'm stuck behind a slower semi, anyway. Having done a lot of mountain driving I think the biggest drawback is the pathetic engine braking provided by the small diesel engine. I often tow a ~2500 lb. car and frankly notice no difference in the pulling power. Fuel mileage with the car is about 1 mpg lower. I have the pre-DEF V6 engine, rated at about 145 HP.

I can give an anecdotal account. My F-150 is the last year of the 5.4 V-8. The vehicle is about 7000, and can move a 7000 pound trailer slowly, but surely. If that relatively little engine can move that much stuff up and down hills, it can move a 9000-10,000 pound coach decently.

Of course, the V-10 is a lot better, but the V-8 is not too bad.

As for the V-6 with the Sprinter, it isn't bad either.

PurpleHayes wrote:
Engine options on a 24' Winnebago or Itasca are the Ford V8 350, at 255 HP and the diesel 3.0 L, 188 HP engine. Any suggestions about the choices?

Have you driven them? Try that first before making book comparisons.