FREDs vs DPs

stvdman wrote:
There are SO many gas Class-A floor plans that I like, when I find one that is similar but has a diesel engine (always pusher) the price increase by about $75k-$100k.

I don't understand why in the world they cannot make one with a diesel engine instead of the Ford V-10 for about $12-$15k more?

Its what, an $8k option in a 3/4 to 1-Ton Truck? The transmission is a little different, but that's accounted for in that option cost. I would guess the front axle on an F-53 chassis would have to be upgraded, and maybe the fuel delivery system.

So, in short, I wonder why the Ford F-53 Chassis cant be made with a diesel engine option?

It can be, and is, sort of. The F53 is an F550 with forward controls, nothing more. If there was market demand, they would be available with the 6.7, just like the 550.

I don't think the diesels used in US pickups would last while pushing 10-15 tons motorhomes whole day long.
At least nobody is using them and when you put $100,000 commercial engine in the coach, you want to milk the deal.

I have a friend who owned an Allegro Bay FRED, He recently traded for an Allegro Open Road on a Ford Chassis. His complaint about the FRED...extremely loud when climbing upgrades and way too little torque which caused the loud engine...thing just would not climb. Loves his Ford with V-10.

By the way we are neighbors in a Class A Resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains so having a coach that can handle up to a 7 percent grade is a good thing to have.

When I was looking at the options when I was considering changing my coach from gas to diesel, I looked and the torque ranges of the engines as well as the torque amount and the weight of the engine. The torque band for the Ford Powerstroke was much narrower than that of the GM Duramax. The Duramax power band is from 1600 rpm all the way to about 3000 rpm. That is a much wider torque band and makes the driving characteristics much better. With my 14,500 lb coach I can climb a 6% grade at 65 mph. But due to who is making the frames, etc. there are virtually no Duramax powered motor homes.

stvdman wrote:
I don't understand why in the world they cannot make one with a diesel engine instead of the Ford V-10 for about $12-$15k more?

Now that is funny! The FRED chassis on my motorhome was $15k more than the Ford. $10k more than a WH.

The FRED chassis died because people were not willing to pay $15k more for the FRED.

I ended up paying $5k more than the Ford chassis when I bought my FRED brand new.

time_to_go_now wrote:

The FRED chassis died because people were not willing to pay $15k more for the FRED.

I think the proper sentence should be
"The FRED chassis died because people were not willing to pay $15k more for the noise and associated headaches"
This is what you get when you use wrong engine for the project.
I will come back to my Sprinter sample.
Why those sell at double the prices comparable gasoline coaches do?

I have been in trucks with the newer diesel engines and they aren't that loud, heck, almost too quiet for diesel.

I am really looking at a 2017 Thor Miramar 35.2 (love the floorplan). Selling price $119k. If it had the 6.7 diesel from Ford, I would see it as a $139k RV and for the additional monthly payment cost of maybe $20-$30, I would jump on it.
BUt, it seems that when you put a diesel in ANYTHING they then upgrade EVERYTHING. Just like when I was looking at my current 2008 Kodiak chasis...Gas V-8 was $40k cheaper because all the ones with a diesel went with full leather interior, upgraded cabinets, etc, etc.

Maybe the V-10 is just that good where people are perfectly happy with it and dotn feel the need for the additional power of a diesel. I just don't like the RPM it runs at and the constant downshifting to stay in the powerband.