Gasser guys and gals ...why not a diesel ?

cbigham said: "Enjoyed that funmover, but very needy..and if someone else needed to fix it, it was not commonly available in places I like to go."......... If you never broke down in a remote place you won't understand how important this statement is. Three years ago in July I had a front end failure in Mt on my 33 ft Class A. I could not find a shop within 100 miles willing to work on it. My insurance company finally found one 250 miles away in the opposite direction. There first priority was trucks I did not get it back until Nov, had to drive it home in the snow it was not fun.

Had older diesel trucks chev duramax, chev 6.5Linternational scout (if you can recall those) and a cat powered diesel funmover I put 92k on. Old stuff I could fix, replace injectors, pumps, pull trans as needed. By the cat acert series generation in the funmover...gotta call Guido with the Ph.d to fix it. Computers powering multiple injector cycles, delicate huie pumps, wasn't the stuff I trained for in the military. Enjoyed that funmover, but very needy..and if someone else needed to fix it, it was not commonly available in places I like to go. We are riders, dirt bikes, Harleys for many years. Sold the Harleys. Focus on diet, dual sport exploration.

Over the years, recognized I want a smaller unit, easily fixed in any small town that can fit in the more remote, intimate campsites. Love those places to see, ride from, be, and meet the people who do the same.

With the funmover, guys would wonder over and talk how much they paid, what broke on their Harley or brand new KTM they didnt have set up, what business they did or do. Questioned me the same. Very few talked about what they'd seen or done or want to. Stuff talk.

Smaller gasser, people now ask where you going? Did you see x? We r riding to y this afternoon, you got to see this! Much more approachable, less pretentious. I very much enjoy those chance meetings I missed.

Another pleasant surprise is so much less maintenance. The little gasser 2017 model is almost always ready to just go. I had a part time maintenance hobby on the funmover. That time now goes for riding.

Diesels are not as reliable or simple to fix as they once were.

RLS7201 wrote:

The torque converter clutch failed and filed the transmission full of shrapnel. The oil was cooked and the front seal failed on the way home, covering the toad with ATF.
Think out the whole concept of what your purpose.
First the ECU would not be happy not finding the E4OD that is was programed to control. That would create a whole new problem as it also controls the engine. My EEC-IV (catch code MOO0) was only used in a 1995 F53.
Then an Allison and an adapter would cost many times more that my old coach is worth.
Then finding a computer that would interface with the 460 and an Allison would be impossible.
You must be really out of touch if you think THREE LARGE for a special tranny such as I ordered is over the top.


Richard

Let's see here, a 460 stroked to 528 is probably putting out 400 horse and 450-500 lb-ft of torque, or are my numbers way too high? Maybe 350-375 horse and 425 lb-ft of torque? It is impressive that you have such a fun engine in a motorhome, but I bet it is a kick to drive.

I'm not surprised that the E4OD gave up the ghost if your torque numbers are as high as I think they may be. It is a stout transmission, but with those possible numbers, it's time was going to be cut short for sure.

3k to have a performance build of an E4OD sounds like a good deal. There is a YouTube channel for Precision Transmission out of Amarillo, TX and they do lots of tear down videos. Just this week they have posted two for Ford 4R100s, which are the successor of the E4OD and have significant similarities. The C6, A4OD, E4OD, and 4R100 are are all related to each other and are great heavy duty transmissions.

A previous poster remarked that the transmission was automotive. Not really. It was always a heavy duty unit for heavier applications, and they have been built by Ford in so many ways to accommodate medium and heavy duty applications, like large passenger cars, all the way to use in the F-series, E-series, and F53 and F59. Ford hasn't used this transmission in a passenger car since maybe the very late 70s or early 80s. After that it was always in a heavy duty application.

pianotuna wrote:
JaxDad,

Since you have plenty of power, I'd go for enough solar to maintain and/or slowly recharge all battery banks in the RV.

It is so nice to not have to worry about things needing to start.

I'd still go for a hybrid inverter/charger as load support makes life easier.

I'm revising my plans for a massive battery bank. I do have remote electric start for my generator--and a way to keep the battery from going stone bone dead when I leave it in 'standby' mode.

Oh, good point there! I hadn’t thought of day to day maintenance on the batteries. Thanks.

JaxDad wrote:

Gjac wrote:

LandYacht35diesel wrote:
....I’ve seen some people state that they have avoided a diesel .... why so ?

I have avoided a diesel for several reasons some previously stated. I don't want a large 40 ft MH, ideally I would want the shortest Class A or C available. I am more of a traveler rather than a camper in on spot for a while.

It sounds like you & I have similar situations.

In my case, after travelling a LOT for a ‘paying hobby’ in 24’ C I’m going to ‘biggie size’ my ride.

I’m in the process of converting a class 8 (semi truck) into a Super C, built to do everything except fit in at the KOA, I should be able to dry camp, on the road or stationary for up to 30 days without much other than a grocery store every now & then.

Nice, how many gals of FW will you have on board?

JaxDad,

Since you have plenty of power, I'd go for enough solar to maintain and/or slowly recharge all battery banks in the RV.

It is so nice to not have to worry about things needing to start.

I'd still go for a hybrid inverter/charger as load support makes life easier.

I'm revising my plans for a massive battery bank. I do have remote electric start for my generator--and a way to keep the battery from going stone bone dead when I leave it in 'standby' mode.

LandYacht35diesel wrote:
Seriously..... COME ON MAN .... a little extra oil and a few extra filters over 50k niles .... on a motor and transmission in a HD truck chassis !!

Not sure what you mean, the post is a little cryptic. But you asked for reasons why people choose one or the other. I wouldn't knock answers that you asked for.

JaxDad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:


I’m in the process of converting a class 8 (semi truck) into a Super C, built to do everything except fit in at the KOA, I should be able to dry camp, on the road or stationary for up to 30 days without much other than a grocery store every now & then.

It might fit in just fine at some KOA's as well. The one below was at the Jacksonville North/St Marys KOA in Kingsland, GA a few years ago:

I did get a tour through one like that at my Florida base, waaaay too fancy for me, totally beyond what an RV should be in my mind. More like an uber luxo urban penthouse condo. Not my style at all.

His paint job is probably worth more than I plan to spend. LOL.

The main benefit of that Super C is that it is just a truck.
Most commercial truck places can work on it.
No side radiators or rear engine limited acces to deal with.
Granted it may have other shortcomings vs. a typical DP but it will always be much easier to service.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:


I’m in the process of converting a class 8 (semi truck) into a Super C, built to do everything except fit in at the KOA, I should be able to dry camp, on the road or stationary for up to 30 days without much other than a grocery store every now & then.

It might fit in just fine at some KOA's as well. The one below was at the Jacksonville North/St Marys KOA in Kingsland, GA a few years ago:

I did get a tour through one like that at my Florida base, waaaay too fancy for me, totally beyond what an RV should be in my mind. More like an uber luxo urban penthouse condo. Not my style at all.

His paint job is probably worth more than I plan to spend. LOL.

pianotuna wrote:
JaxDad,

I hope it works beyond your wildest dreams.

Solar and inverter/charger? (Victron or Outback NOT Magnum).

Thanks Don, so far it’s only at the planning stage for details that fine. The chassis already has an APU on it so I have 120 amps of 14.5 volts, 13k BTU of both heat & A/C so I’m not sure how much solar / batteries I will want / need. The one nice detail the APU gives is the ability to preheat the chassis engine prior to starting it.

The one detail I have included though is that batteries and tanks will be inside the heated space but in a separated vented space.