Forum Discussion

bagman's avatar
bagman
Explorer
Feb 03, 2018

Need Purchasing Options!

Right now FORD dominated the Gas Class A chassis business and I personally feel that competition is good for the RV consumer. Perhaps a company like Freightliner or Spartan could come with with a chassis that would give FORD a run for their business! Nothing like good competition! Our former Class A Tiffin Allegro Bay was on the Workhorse W-22 chassis (Gas) and it handled and ran well with the Chevy 8.1 V-8 mated to the Allison 1000 5 speed transmission. Just imagine if Thor had 100% of the travel trailer & 5th. wheel business, do you think they (Thor) would really try to build a better trailer and would discount their prices. I think not! My wife and I are currently RVless, but we plan on changing that situation within two years and it would be nice to know that when we do decide to buy a new RV, that there will be plenty of options with respect to the chassis Mfgr! Do you feel the same way? Or are you pleased that FORD is your only option with a class A (Gas)?
Class A
  • fpresto's avatar
    fpresto
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2018
    Ford is in the market only because the F-53 is used in a lot of other applications so it costs them little to make a RV chassis which is almost identical. RVs are just one and probably not the biggest use. We all tend to overestimate the buying power of motorized RVs when in fact it is a very minor part of Fords business model.
  • bagman's avatar
    bagman
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2018
    I remember when FORD was building their F-53 Class A chassis in Detroit, because my company used to do business with them. Perhaps FORD will bring that piece of business back to Michigan like FCA/RAM trucks coming back to Michigan from Mexico! Wouldn't you feel better having your MH chassis built here vs there? If a company like Freightliner or Spartan began building class A (Gas)
    chassis, I would buy a class A Gas from the RV manufacturer who used that chassis. One time about (10) years ago I watched a TV program 20/20 I think and the CEO of Starbucks was saying how he bought ceramic coffee mugs from a pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio, very close to where I grew up. So I must have visited (6) local Starbucks to buy one of those mugs, but every single mug on the shelf was made in China! Bags.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2018
    gbopp wrote:
    Apparently FORD did have a better idea.


    Ford's idea was, hang on the market isn't big enough for every body, then we won't have to get better.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2018
    Best combination ? Cummins driving a Allison in a Spartan chassis.
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2018
    My thoughts, unless GM get's back into the market coach builders are not going to step outside their comfort zone for any new chassis builder that doesn't have coast to coast service for the buyer. The chassis might be provided by someone else but the house builder is who's name is on the final product.

    Maybe when someone comes out with a hybrid or electric powered chassis with a load capacity of 18-26K Lbs, good range and recharge time along with a comparable pricing with the current gasoline chassis the market might change. Until then we're looking at Ford as the only option for a while longer.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2018
    I don't think anyone would disagree that having another or two gas chassis for manufacturers to choose from would be good. This is the first Ford I have owned, the rest being Chevy/Workhorse. I liked the Chevy engine better for the gas mileage, but other than that I'm pleased.
  • LVJ58's avatar
    LVJ58
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2018
    Our 2000 Residency built on the Ford chassis has served us well for the past 17 years so for me, I'm pleased with my "ford only" engine option.

    Being manufacturers of diesel powered chassis I would think it would be highly unlikely that Spartan or Freightliner would venture into building gas engine powered chassis,and even if they did what gas engine options are currently available on the market to power those chassis.

    Nice idea however and no doubt there would be benefits to have more than one engine option for a gas powered chassis.

    Best regards and Safe Travels
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2018
    The other gas chassis manufacturers dropped out because they didn't see a big enough market to provide a sufficient return on their investment. I doubt that will change anytime soon. Ford has been able to stay in the RV market because they market the similar F59 chassis built in the same facility in Mexico to the commercial specialty vehicle market, giving the combination a larger ROI.

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