What happened to pickup truck based "C"s?

pnichols wrote:


1) Why isn't the E450 rated identical to the F450 ... with the only difference being the front end/engine placement difference? It seems like an E450 should be indentical to an F450 in ruggedness, regardless of the front nose design! Perhaps Ford should not have abandoned the short-lived E550, which maybe would have been great for the longer Class C motorhomes.

2) For slightly more weight carrying capacity, whats the big deal with larger wheel sizes over 16 inches? You can easily increase tire weight ratings by going to to larger 16 inch tires. For instance, check out the weight ratings for 235/85R16, 245/85R16, and 265/85R16 tires. Assuming the fender wells are large enough, these larger 16 inch tires also provide more ground clearance right along with their increased weight carrying capacity.

1) The 16,000 GVWR F450 and the 14,500 GVWR E450 have nearly identical payload ratings. The extra GVWR in the F450 goes almost entirely towards extra tare weight. The frames OTOH are entirely different. The E-series frame is much lower, notched at the rear axle, and 10" wider.

The F550 was a casualty of the GMC Topkick. GM brought it to market and intentionally undercut the E550's price point in order to ensure market share. It worked from that standpoint. But GM lost money on every single one built, and that's why the bankruptcy required shuttering the MDT line.

2) Wider 16" tires can create fitment problems with tire chains and minimum spacing. I run 235/80R17 in the rear, but even with 17" rims that requires extra offset on the rear outer wheels. I don't think chains will fit if I had my spare tire on. The F350 and the 2014 F450 pickups actually run an even skinnier tire (215 series).