I need some emergency help and advise. I recently put a deposit on a 2015 Four Winds 22e which is really 24 ft long. It is on a E350 chassis but the dealer does have it on a GM chassis. The badge on the GM says 4500 but the specs on the door panel are less than the E350 and GM web site says these weight specs are for the 3500. I am confused about that but also wonder about the handling of the new ford chassis. I have read some horror stories about white knuckle handling of the ford and lots of money being thrown at it to correct. I really cant afford to upgrade a new motorhome right after purchase just to use it. But all the posts on handling seem to be for older pre 2008 units and I dont know if a change has been made to correct the complaints.I have talked to the dealer about test driving the 2 units back to back but because of weather it has been tough to find a day without ice or snow. Also I will be test driving an empty unit, not loaded for a trip, we cant put water in them because the temps have been in the 20's and they are all winterized. Is there anyone with a newer 12,13,14,15 unit that is still having ford handling issues.Thanks

IMHO at that size and the lack of slides either chassis has enough weight capacity and at that length wheel base should not be an issue. Again IMHO I would go Chevy for better leg room and less engine heat in the cab plus you probably can put a swivel base on the passenger seat.

Unless and until you have road tested it with some weight aboard, you won't know the answers. Make sure the tire pressures are correct all way around, then you find some sand bags or cement adding just a whole bunch of them on the floor....cover that with a tarp, eh... You will have a pretty good approximation of your weight going down the road. Then..head for the Interstate..or at least a highway..and ensuring there is nobody close behind or beside, make a few cautious fairly low speed maneuvers. Don't be like trying to do the Grand Prix...and not a full speed assault either. Just start at a conservative speed..make a few wheel moves...does it feel like an elephant about to roll over? And you wanna be passed by a transport, going full-bore..and see what the RV feels like with the wind from it. If it feels and drives securely, you can assume that your suspension is good to go. If it is all soft and not feeling like this is a good thing...you have to decide what to do. Gary Haupt

It seems that the Fords are a hit or miss on the handling problems,but it has been a well known problem.On the other hand the Chevy based Class C is not known to have these problems and it has a much Larger cockpit area.On the small RV you are looking at the small difference in the weight specs should be just fine on the Chevy Chassis.I would say when given the chance to drive them,do that and then make your choice. The thread in my signature may give you some answers on the Chevy Based Class C.On Edit Is there a price difference between the Ford and Chevy?

The Ford E350/E450 handling is going to also be dependent on the caster settings. The normal caster range is anywhere from +1.5 to +7.5 degrees. The mid range (+3 to +3.5) is good for city vans but for a motorhome you want it to be +6 degrees and greater.

Ford E350 Handling | Good Sam Community

Mich_F
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
Fastpaddler wrote:
I was considering a Pleasureway Pursuit but was told unofficially that Pleasureway has stopped making them because of problems with the Ford E350 skittish handling or perhaps other issues.
AL

According to their website the E350 is the only chassis they offer for the Pursuit.
Pleasureway Pursuit
LRover
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
I have the 21c on the Ford E350 chassis which is the same inside layout as the 22e. I don't see a whole lot of difference in the way it handles between loaded and not and feel very comfortable in the way it drives. I believe this model is well balanced with not a lot of rear overhang on either the Ford or Chevy chassis.

Good Luck with your purchase
Fastpaddler
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015
I was considering a Pleasureway Pursuit but was told unofficially that Pleasureway has stopped making them because of problems with the Ford E350 skittish handling or perhaps other issues. I had wandering front end problems with my 2002 Traillite E350 and my 2005 Winnebago Aspect. I have heard that the GM chassis is more stable but others may have some input here re this. My experiences were not good and I was happy to get my current PW Plateau TS with Sprinter MB chassis.
I now have to look at other possibilities because my wife liked the Pursuit.
AL
samven1
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I am hoping to do the test drives tomorrow as it looks like the only day without ice. I did tell the dealer I wanted to test drive them back to back on the same course and they said that would be doable. I will have to look at a map and see if there is a CAT scale nearby, that would be very interesting, particularly the front end weight difference.
I am sure you have all been through this but dropping 50k on something without being positive is scary. I knew what floor plan I was looking for and that I wanted the smallest unit possible but most dealers had zero inventory in the size I was looking at. I finally found this dealer that had several but they are a 3 hr drive each way so the back and forth is a killer.
kendall69
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
After owning/driving (2) Class C's (2) truck campers, (1) class A, I can honestly say the 2014 E350 class C/B+ drives like RV sports car if there is such a thing.

I think it's more what coach you get and how it's built balanced that defines the handling, not the Chassis alone.

Example: I put the same truck camper on a SRW GMC 3500 and then on a DRW GMC 350 and they handled NIGHT & DAY from one another. Only difference. The weight and height on the SRW was not ideal, whereas on the dually it was perfect.

Same with coach builders. Where do they center the weight, the tanks, the aerodynamics etc. All are factored in on the handling.
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2015
For any coach you're considering, try to include a truck scale in your test drive. And while you're at the Travel Center (New Speak for Truck Stop) check the tire pressures. With a small Class C, somewhere around 55 front, 70 rear. You're looking to make sure the rear axle isn't overloaded, the front axle has a decent weight load on it (about 75% of its rating, or at least 1/3 of total weight. Excess front tire pressure can make either one squirrely, the Ford a little more so.
TippleUnduly
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Drive them back to back, loaded or not. Just make the comparisons equal. I did the same thing with identical coaches and very quickly decided on the Chevy. (I own a Ford Mustang and a Ranger and like them.) Have never regretted the Chevy choice nor had to make any mods to our 31' B+ to fix any handling issues. Room, ride, MPG, power, handling are great. Good luck with your choice!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 01, 2015
Hi,

Ratio of wheel base to length is ideal at 55%. Right now you are at 158:288 = 54% or 159:288 = 55%.

samven1 wrote:
Thanks to everyone,

The Ford has the 158" WB and the GM is 159" but they both have the same rear overhang. The GM is 5" longer front axle to front bumper. I did notice the extra room in the GM cab but the Ford Dog house has much more storage.
Taco
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I have a ford and if the floor plan I wanted was available in the Chevy I would go Chevy. The chevy has lots more motor too.
tpi
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I have the 2011 E450 in a relatively light 24'. The out of the box handling was not that great. The body roll induced steer is probably my least favorite handling attribute...something I improved with heavier sway bars.

If I was in your shoes with the same coach built on both Ford and Chevy, I'd drive them both. Make sure you get to at least 60 MPH and that the course includes some sweeping curves. Pick the one which handles the best.

Other than handling, I do endorse the E450 wholeheartedly . The drivetrain is very solid, and service is relatively available. I'd give the Ford the nod if handling wasn't a consideration.