new ford chassis coming???

dicknellen wrote:
I look forward to seeing Pleasure Way and Roadtrek building Class B van conversions on the current Transit Vans. Dick

I look forward to a variety of creative B+ & C designs on Mister "T". But I don't think much can be offered until Ford increases the 2015 DRW cut-away chassis rating HERE from the current day 10,300 to 11,500 pounds. I personally feel that if the 2015 cut-away transmission and differential can handle 11,500 plus a 5,000 tow load, then don't worry about the engine. Just beef of the frame, suspension etc. appropriately and it's good to go. So what if the rig goes slower up the hills similarly to the rigs of the 70's & 80's.

mlts22 wrote:
The V-6 EcoBoost was close, but it did fall short of the V-10's numbers. Ford should see about a V-8 EB engine for the heavier vehicles. This would not just make more numbers, but would help with higher elevations and power loss.

The Ford V-10 is an excellent engine. Yes, it had some issues (spark plugs), but I read virtually zero complaints about it when it comes to reliability these days. It may not have the MPG of a Sprinter, but you can be pretty assured that you will be on the road, not on the side of the road.

As Tatest has said, the EB would be considerably downgraded, for heavy cycle applications. EB is OK for light duty applications i.e. F150

tatest wrote:
Ford so far has not used EcoBoost technology in any application where the engine ratings are expected to serve 100% duty cycle. Instead, medium duty trucks use different engine series, and where they overlap with 3/4 ton and 1-ton applications, the shared engines are down-rated from the pickup truck numbers, e.g. when the B-series Cummins is put in Class 6 and Class 7 cab-chassis.

For 2016 Ford is dropping the Cummins and going with the 6.7 Scorpion engine. Like in the past it's derated from pickup truck specs to 270/675.

I look forward to seeing Pleasure Way and Roadtrek building Class B van conversions on the current Transit Vans. Dick

The V-6 EcoBoost was close, but it did fall short of the V-10's numbers. Ford should see about a V-8 EB engine for the heavier vehicles. This would not just make more numbers, but would help with higher elevations and power loss.

The Ford V-10 is an excellent engine. Yes, it had some issues (spark plugs), but I read virtually zero complaints about it when it comes to reliability these days. It may not have the MPG of a Sprinter, but you can be pretty assured that you will be on the road, not on the side of the road.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
...

To bad they are not putting the Ecoboost in the T-350 for now. I think that most motorhome makers will be waiting on the more powerful V6.

If you look up the Ford Towing Guide, and look on page 21, you can find the Transit GCVWR - it is limited to only 12,000 with the 3.7L gas V6 or 13,500 with the inline 5 Diesel. They do not list the Ecoboost with a Transit cab and chassis. Why I have no idea why they will not put the best engine in the cab and chassis.

...

Fred.

Ford so far has not used EcoBoost technology in any application where the engine ratings are expected to serve 100% duty cycle. Instead, medium duty trucks use different engine series, and where they overlap with 3/4 ton and 1-ton applications, the shared engines are down-rated from the pickup truck numbers, e.g. when the B-series Cummins is put in Class 6 and Class 7 cab-chassis.

Medium duty trucks use engines differently, sometimes running at full output all day, rather than only for acceleration and short grade climbs. Even in lighter duty applications, some turbocharged engines are computer managed to provide full output for short durations, then cutting back to sustainable outputs for engine preservation.

IMHO, what Ford (or somebody) ought to keep on offering for the US delivery market and motorhome small Class A and Class C market is about a 20,000 - 22,000 GCWR van body with single or dual rear wheel drive and an engine sticking out the front a bit (to keep the step-up into the cab low) - that is a hybrid - with combined intermittent battery-boost/engine horsepower in the 350 range and combined intermittent battery-boost/engine torque in the 450 range ... and overall fuel mileage, when fully loaded, in the 12-14 MPG range.

This would replace the current Ford E450 class van with about the same type of vehicle, but with nicely improved fuel mileage while at the same time not giving up weight carrying capacity, towing or non-towing responsiveness, and overall ruggedness.

For me an "E450" Class C RV powered with an EcoBoost V10 and a lithium battery bank mounted down low alongside the frame members protected by steel road-shielding ... would do it!

Golden HVAC wrote:
you look up the Ford Towing Guide, and look on page 21, you can find the Transit GCVWR - it is limited to only 12,000 with the 3.7L gas V6 or 13,500 with the inline 5 Diesel. They do not list the Ecoboost with a Transit cab and chassis. Why I have no idea why they will not put the best engine in the cab and chassis.

That is pretty par for the course for the Transit here, lighter than the Sprinter. Cannot see a Ecoboost V8, would be a contradiction in terms. On the other hand the new Cummins Diesel 5 litre V8 could replace the V10 Triton and be built on a newer heavier chassis

Dakzuki wrote:
Don't look for many updates on the remaining E series vans in production as there will be fewer vehicles to defray the non recurring costs (design, tooling, etc).

I agree with you. I think the final year, possibly in 2020, the E450 cut-away will be identical to a 2014 with modifications only to end-of-life components and tired tooling. Certain electronic components are made for only so long, then the company has to update the electronics of the product. Part of my job involves such end-of-life issues with our products here at work. Also, only so many parts can be stamped/fabricated off certain tools & molds. Sometimes the company will use "new" tooling opportunities to reduce cost and/or increase yields.

Other than that along with maybe an interior color change, that would be all I'd expect.

I've driven 5 of the vans with all the engines. What coolmom42 says above is the deal. More variations will be coming as time goes by, vans & cutaways....