I am frustrated by B+ mfr's limited chassis offerings and wonder if I am alone?! Though I own 2 Fords, my strong chassis preference is Chevy. We drove 2 identical class C's, one on the Ford and the other on the Chevy. After moving from the "OK" Ford to the Chevy, it only took moments to know the Chevy was our clear choice. You've heard the reasons before - better ride, better MPG, roomier cab footroom, cool engine housing, better handling without aftermarket addons, and the quieter smooth sound of a V8.But now that we are investigating a new coach, we find 95% are available only on a Ford. One mfr. told me it was because they could not count on GM to deliver when needed. They said Chevy chassis are built on the same production line as SUV's and if the SUV market picks up, the chassis get sidelined.I'd like to think there are enough Chevy fans out there to bring change to the marketplace by letting mfrs know their sole chassis offering is costing them sales. Whaddya think? Do you agree?Bill

Not sure about the newer models but for many years there was a marked difference in the amount the two could haul down the road. GM may have made up this difference in recent years.

I would guess there is a lot of inertia at work. Ford has dominated the Class C market for several years and the RV makers are not going to change unless/until it makes them more money. Mark me down as a fan of the Chevy C chassis.

Ditto here. Not only do we need more Chevy chassises, but other makes too, particularly for the Class C market. More V-6s, more small diesels; they are in great demand but the choices are few. I'm constantly looking for my next MH and each time I see one powered by a Ford V-10 I skip to the next listing. I notice that Winnebago Rialtas and other V-6 powered vehicles usually sell for more than a 38-40 MHs of the same age with more luxury features. Some of the most expensive MHs being sold today are Class Bs powered by Mercedes diesels. I read on these forums that campers should quit worrying about fuel prices and just have fun. Glad I own some oil stocks and not auto shares. Once again American auto companies are going to give away the market to foreign manufacturers. Example: The new Dodge 6s from Fiat. Winnebago's Trend will be powered by a Fiat. Nuff said.

I certainly agree. When I went looking for my 2nd RV, it was a Chevy that I wanted after my lousy handling Ford based B. Fortunately I found what I wanted with my Libero, but they aren't cheap...

TippleUnduly wrote:One mfr. told me it was because they could not count on GM to deliver when needed. This is absolutely true. In the last 6 years GM has idled Express cutaway production twice, and the 2nd time the 4500 version was put on hold indefinitely. It took 2 years for that product to resume, and probably only did so because Ford stopped offering the diesel, so GM saw a market share opportunity.Also, the Express 4500 still has less capacity (front axle and GCWR) than the E450, so if a maker wants to use one chassis for their entire line-up, only the E450 can fit that role.

More Chevys needed? | Good Sam Community

skipnchar
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
Not sure about the newer models but for many years there was a marked difference in the amount the two could haul down the road. GM may have made up this difference in recent years.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
I would guess there is a lot of inertia at work. Ford has dominated the Class C market for several years and the RV makers are not going to change unless/until it makes them more money. Mark me down as a fan of the Chevy C chassis.
chattannooga
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
Ditto here. Not only do we need more Chevy chassises, but other makes too, particularly for the Class C market. More V-6s, more small diesels; they are in great demand but the choices are few. I'm constantly looking for my next MH and each time I see one powered by a Ford V-10 I skip to the next listing. I notice that Winnebago Rialtas and other V-6 powered vehicles usually sell for more than a 38-40 MHs of the same age with more luxury features. Some of the most expensive MHs being sold today are Class Bs powered by Mercedes diesels. I read on these forums that campers should quit worrying about fuel prices and just have fun. Glad I own some oil stocks and not auto shares. Once again American auto companies are going to give away the market to foreign manufacturers. Example: The new Dodge 6s from Fiat. Winnebago's Trend will be powered by a Fiat. Nuff said.
mumkin
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
I certainly agree. When I went looking for my 2nd RV, it was a Chevy that I wanted after my lousy handling Ford based B. Fortunately I found what I wanted with my Libero, but they aren't cheap...
carringb
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
TippleUnduly wrote:
One mfr. told me it was because they could not count on GM to deliver when needed.

This is absolutely true. In the last 6 years GM has idled Express cutaway production twice, and the 2nd time the 4500 version was put on hold indefinitely. It took 2 years for that product to resume, and probably only did so because Ford stopped offering the diesel, so GM saw a market share opportunity.

Also, the Express 4500 still has less capacity (front axle and GCWR) than the E450, so if a maker wants to use one chassis for their entire line-up, only the E450 can fit that role.
crasster
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2014
I wish there would be a Toyota Tundra based C. I'd love it.... Especially if they'd bring them in on the 6 cylinder and smaller but not as small as my Toyota pictured below (4 cylinder). The 6 cylinder Tundra even has a timing chain and the frame can hold a lot of weight - especially beefed up.

I like American cars as much as anybody and hate that these Japanese cars are more reliable. They just simply are. It's something that I think is important in a coach, since we all want absolutely a minimum in break downs - especially so far from home.
hotbyte
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
carringb wrote:
This is absolutely true. In the last 6 years GM has idled Express cutaway production twice, and the 2nd time the 4500 version was put on hold indefinitely. It took 2 years for that product to resume, and probably only did so because Ford stopped offering the diesel, so GM saw a market share opportunity.

HA HA! I thought the 4500 chassis was new...not restarted after 2 yrs of no production. WOW.
woodgeezer
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
I think the issue is quite simple when you build cut-away chassis on the same line as SUVs. PROFIT. The build and labor may be the same, but Chevy makes a heck of a lot more on a fancy SUV, than the base chassis sold wholesale to an aftermarket manufacturer.
mlts22
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
I'm in the same boat... I thought GM's 4500 was a completely new offering.

Either way, other than the horror story I see on a forum (which seem pretty rare), Chevy, Ford, or Sprinter, all three are very good platforms. Soon, we will have five platforms once the ProMaster and Ford Transit hit the roads.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jan 14, 2014
The MFGs of Class C and B+ RVs are going more and more to the Chevy Chassis.

They are offering more of their products on a Chevy Chassis than they previously offered in the last few years.

Like these.

Thor

Coachman

Forest River

Roadtrek

Leisure

Just to name a few.

Contrary to what has been said, the plant in Wentzville MO. That has been in full production since 2007. That only MFGs the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans, and not SUVs. Added a second shift of 450 workers in January 2012 to meet market demand.
So there is no shortage of them.

I think You will see more of them on the road as the market share increases and the Fords loose favor to the better handling and the more comfortable Chevy Based RV.

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