gas pusher

wolfe10 wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
I read that Winnebago might bring the UFO back on line when the economy gets better!

I don't understand how that could happen, since the UFO chassis was made by Workhorse who is out of business.

To my knowledge Ford (the only gas chassis available)has never considered doing a pusher gas chassis.

You could very well be right Brett! I was recently reading a Winnebago article from 2010 about the UFO and how Winnebago wanted it to work. There was talk at that time that Chevy was going to partner up with another engine maker to make a big block motor for RV applications.

J-Rooster wrote:
I read that Winnebago might bring the UFO back on line when the economy gets better!

I don't understand how that could happen, since the UFO chassis was made by Workhorse who is out of business.

To my knowledge Ford (the only gas chassis available)has never considered doing a pusher gas chassis.

willald wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
Winnebago also used there top of the line gas coach in the UFO Series it was called the Adventurer Limited! To my knowledge they temporally discounted the UFO when the EPA told Chevrolet they couldn't build there 8.1 Vortec anymore (engine couldn't pass emission standards). With Chevy's 496 CI engine on the shelf Winnebago put the UFO on hold!

Now, THIS is the most 'believeable' thing I've heard, when it comes to just what caused the demise of the UFO gas pusher chassis.

It is indeed true, that EPA ultimately spelled the end for Chevy's 8.1 Vortec V8. At the same time, Ford managed to make their V10 run just clean enough to not suffer this fate. Had to do with the fact (IIRC) that the V10's smaller cylinders (but more of them) allowed Ford to control the burn cycle better, and make it run a little cleaner.

'Twas why GM quit offering the big V8 in their pickups long before Ford stopped offering the V10 in theirs. AAMOF you can still get a V10 in a Ford pickup (have to go up to a F450, though, I believe).

Its just a crying shame, that nobody ever put the engine that survived the recession and EPA crack-down (Ford V10) on a pusher chassis like the UFO. That IMO, would have sold very well and probably still would be today (assuming they could make it work).

Will, I read that Winnebago might bring the UFO back on line when the economy gets better!

Ed C wrote:
We looked at them, but the price over a regular Class A seemed too high. They were Workhorse UFO (universal floor-plan option). I have talked to a few Winnie owners who had no problems with them.

Ed, I was told that UFO meant Universal Fuel Option, You could pick between the option of gas or diesel? I'm not saying your wrong. I couldn't find an answer on the web about this.

J-Rooster wrote:
Winnebago also used there top of the line gas coach in the UFO Series it was called the Adventurer Limited! To my knowledge they temporally discounted the UFO when the EPA told Chevrolet they couldn't build there 8.1 Vortec anymore (engine couldn't pass emission standards). With Chevy's 496 CI engine on the shelf Winnebago put the UFO on hold!

Now, THIS is the most 'believeable' thing I've heard, when it comes to just what caused the demise of the UFO gas pusher chassis.

It is indeed true, that EPA ultimately spelled the end for Chevy's 8.1 Vortec V8. At the same time, Ford managed to make their V10 run just clean enough to not suffer this fate. Had to do with the fact (IIRC) that the V10's smaller cylinders (but more of them) allowed Ford to control the burn cycle better, and make it run a little cleaner.

'Twas why GM quit offering the big V8 in their pickups long before Ford stopped offering the V10 in theirs. AAMOF you can still get a V10 in a Ford pickup (have to go up to a F450, though, I believe).

Its just a crying shame, that nobody ever put the engine that survived the recession and EPA crack-down (Ford V10) on a pusher chassis like the UFO. That IMO, would have sold very well and probably still would be today (assuming they could make it work).

Winnebago also used there top of the line gas coach in the UFO Series it was called the Adventurer Limited! To my knowledge they temporally discounted the UFO when the EPA told Chevrolet they couldn't build there 8.1 Vortec anymore (engine couldn't pass emission standards). With Chevy's 496 CI engine on the shelf Winnebago put the UFO on hold!

You need to get to -gramps- as he is the guru of the gas pushers...These gas pushers although higher priced than the gassers are good drivetrains and setups..and I drove the destination before we decided on a DP since our dealer at that time did not carry them. You have nothing to be concerned about...the recession got them..that's why it never caught on...

We looked at them, but the price over a regular Class A seemed too high. They were Workhorse UFO (universal floor-plan option). I have talked to a few Winnie owners who had no problems with them.

Rexhall built some the last few years on that chassis. If you go to their website they have a 2010 leftover brand new using the rear 8.1L

There were some 8.1L engines used like that in that era.