Frustrated Chevy buyer

I'm told Ford's chassis stretching specs allow for more stretch than Chevy does. That impacts RV builders' design flexibility, even within GVWR. And the lower GCWR makes Chevy a bummer for some buyers.

It may be urban legend, but my understanding is that Dodge scooped the RV and Cube Van chassis business in the 1970's because their financing of the bare chassis was more in the builders' favor than Ford and GM.

I thought that GM got out of the class A chassis business, and stopped making their large 8.1L V8 several years ago.

So they only have a 6L engine to put up against the 300+ HP V10?

I don't think I would want a GM van based class C.

As for a Ecoboost V10 - I don't think that will ever happen. What they can do with a 3.5L V6 is impressive! Double the displacement, and you would get what? 600+ HP? You really have no need for that many horsepower in any RV.

I have hard rumors of a new head design on the 5L V8 that might lend itself to direct fuel injection - sooo?? ? ? You might see a 5 liter or 5.4L V8 ecoboost, but probably nothing larger than a 6.2 Ecoboost. Even the 6.2L is really to large for turbocharging, the crank can only handle about 500 HP before you start to shear off the crank mounting bolts. . . .

Lets see what comes out next year.

Fred.

bobojay5 wrote:
The GM chassis is a better handling, better riding, more comfortable, quieter chassis, along with one of the best, least problematic V8's still in existence. The 4500 GM chassis is superior to either the 350 or 450 E series except in GVWR in the case of the 450.

Some of that is a matter of opinion and choice.

Ford's high revving modern V10 mated up to their computer controlled 5-Speed (6 speeds internally) Torqshift transmission makes for a superb Class C motorhome combination, IAW with my own experience and everything I read.

Chevy's V8's seem to be becoming a dinosaur as of late and Chevy's plain old suspension systems are mostly just the classic leaf springs and coils, AFAIK. Dodge/RAM is making some effort to keep their V8's state-of-the-art. Does Ford have an Eco-Boost V8 yet? I'd love to see a Ford Eco-Boost V10.

IMHO, the only reason Chevy's cutaway cab is more comfortable is because the front nose sticks out about 9 inches further, thus making for more room around the doghouse. However, this also makes any Chevy van based vehicle 9 inches longer.

Ford is much more aggressive in their fleet marketing, always has been. Look at what they have done in the police market with the Ford Taurus and it's "station wagon" variant, the Explorer. They also build more subtle variations in options etc. The GM chassis is a better handling, better riding, more comfortable, quieter chassis, along with one of the best, least problematic V8's still in existence. The 4500 GM chassis is superior to either the 350 or 450 E series except in GVWR in the case of the 450.
It's what happens when you are the low bidder, & will build to suit way back when the 2 chassis started competing in the RV & public safety market.
Our local EMS started using the GM chassis about 3 years ago when Ford discontinued the E series with a diesel. Now using the Chevy variant with the Duramax, 6spd heavy duty Hydramatic combo, they are having less service repair shop visits....
Concerning the RV market, makers will stay with the same old tired thing until the buying public demands better, and/or Ford discontinues the E chassis

I always assumed the main reason builders used Ford instead of Chevys on the larger units, was because the Ford has higher GVWR and GCWR numbers.

If Chevy decided to once again produce a class a chassis and drivetrain perhaps they could pick up some of the class c business also. Ford is clearly the go to guy for gas mh chassis, Mercedes for smaller class c/b+.

wtmtnhiker wrote:
I believe it has something to do with GM not warranting the chassis or drive train if converted to an RV but I could be wrong.

I'm afraid you are very wrong about that. Chevy Express cutaway has the warranty same as all their other models. That is what they are made for, the RV market.

They were also more expensive than the Fords,RV builders went with the cheapest cutaway they could find.

I know on a few older MHs' 2002-2006 Nada has a "special Note" clicky that says add $900 if equipped with Chevy vortec eng.

Low bidder got the business ?
Chevy got bailed out in 08-09 ?

I believe it has something to do with GM not warranting the chassis or drive train if converted to an RV but I could be wrong.

I have no facts. What I think is that Chevy fell down on the job, maybe due to the bankruptcy in 2008/9. Ford was already dominant in the C's, and they just took or got all the market. I have no idea how hard Chevy is working now to get back in. I know I bought my Sunseeker on a Chevy for the same reasons as you mentioned. They are on some smaller C's today, but no bigger ones that I know of.

You know the RV industry, they don't seem to want to mess with change unless they get dragged into it. They are geared up now to build on Fords. All just IMO.