GAS PUSHER
Good evening. I would like your opinion on a 2008 39ft Forest river Gas pusher. I don't know much about gas pushers and being 39ft will it be under power with the chevy workhorse? 3 slides w/d combo...
Forum Discussion
PastorCharlie wrote:
Except for a front wheel drives all vehicles are pushers.
Not so. Only vehicles with the engine mounted behind the rear drive wheels are considered pushers.
The rig the OP is referring to has a Workhorse UFO chassis. They did not last very long for several reasons.
While earlier models of gas pushers suffered from overheating problems, Workhorse was able to solve the overheating problem with the UFO. However they could not shake the overheating fear from potential buyers.
Its introduction also came alongside the 2008 recession which devastated the RV Industry at the time with many coach builders going out of business.
At the same time Chevy also discontinued the 8.1 Vortec engine upon which the UFO was based and had no gas replacement. They did however offer a diesel version, thus the name UFO (Universal Fuel Option)
Workhorse also left the RV Market in 2009.
I test drove one back when I was shopping for my rig. I believe it was 36ft. It handled well with plenty of pickup for a gasser and really quiet. However, I was not towing anything nor did I have any of my stuff on board. Those factors along with another 3 feet of coach can make a big difference. I didn't end up buy one because it was 20K more than the typical front engine gasser and I needed bunks which was not an option.
As with any RV purchase take it for a test drive get a feel for it. Find out as much as you can with respect to maintenance records. Have it checked out by a good RV mechanic.
One other thing to consider since there were not many built is the supply of spare parts.
Good Luck.
