We are about to purchase a Class A front end diesel motorhome. We love the motorhome as it is well maintained and has all the features we are looking for. Our concern is the front-end diesel engine. It's a little noisier than the rear-end diesels. Would love to have some feedback from someone who owns a FRED and how they like it.

We had a FRED Gulfstream and would caution you to look into several issues before you buy. Because the engine is upfront, and we had a leafspring suspension rather than air ride, the ride was very rough and noisy. The windshield popped out, the wall and floor separated near the passenger seat, and we attributed these issues to the rough ride. We were towing a Smart Car and the front end of the motorhome would porpoise badly on undulating road surfaces (like long bridges in Louisiana). We wouldn't buy another one for these reasons. YMMV.

Welcome to the forums. That advanced search box at the top has lot's of info so put "Fred" , archive more than a year, and class A for lots of reading. The above post sums it up pretty well.

I owned a FRED Kountry Star and found it to be just fine. Any coach less than 39 feet pretty much rides the same on springs or bags. Wheel base makes the big difference. As for noise, it was louder but not any worse than a pickup truck. Mileage was a plus, always got 8.5 when towing. I would have another if the floor plan fit my purpose.

The front end diesel will be a LOT noisier than a rear.

chuckftboy wrote:I owned a FRED Kountry Star and found it to be just fine. Any coach less than 39 feet pretty much rides the same on springs or bags. Wheel base makes the big difference. As for noise, it was louder but not any worse than a pickup truck. Mileage was a plus, always got 8.5 when towing. I would have another if the floor plan fit my purpose.I cannot quite agree, I have had both, Springs and Airbags, Airbags a lot smoother.Terry

Front End Diesel Class A | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Ivylog
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2015
Welcome to the forums. That advanced search box at the top has lot's of info so put "Fred" , archive more than a year, and class A for lots of reading. The above post sums it up pretty well.
guthriez
Explorer
Jun 17, 2015
We had a FRED Gulfstream and would caution you to look into several issues before you buy. Because the engine is upfront, and we had a leafspring suspension rather than air ride, the ride was very rough and noisy. The windshield popped out, the wall and floor separated near the passenger seat, and we attributed these issues to the rough ride. We were towing a Smart Car and the front end of the motorhome would porpoise badly on undulating road surfaces (like long bridges in Louisiana).

We wouldn't buy another one for these reasons. YMMV.

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Front End Diesel Class A

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