Went to an RV Show Yesterday

4x4van wrote:
Working on the engine of a Ford class C is a nightmare; there is absolutely no easy access to anything, and it's all packed tightly into an extremely narrow space between the seats and under the dash. Opening the hood allows you to "see" the front of the engine (sort of). Opening the doghouse allows you access to only the back half of the engine. Neither actually gives you elbow room to do anything, especially on the front/sides of the engine.

Well ... if one wants the maximum RV in the minimum overall size ... it seems like a Class C can hit the mark better than a Class A. Compactness has a price - as any purchaser of a new Class B can attest to.

But you're maybe correct for backyard/garage DIY access to the front of a van's engine. However, my mechanic that specialises in commercial trucks didn't seem to have any problem replacing the bolts on one of my E450's V10 exhaust manifolds - which at first sounds like a horrendous job. I think that he just removed one front tire and then unbolted the engine side-shield piece in the fender for complete access to the side of the V10 ... no need to crawl under ... and probably easier side access than on non-van bodied vehicles.

BTW, I love the rear access to my V10 with the doghouse off - no need to crawl under it and struggle reaching up. For instance, it is a terrible job working near the back of the V8 in my 4X4 pickup - where the distributor, plug wiring, and exhaust manifold access is.