Why not gasser rear enging?

I love my rear engine gasser on the ufo chassis

Quiet? Yes

Storage? Yes

Ride? Amazing

Access? Easy

As the previous poster said it is a dp that burns gas.

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Since this interesting thread is dying anyway, a silly, undersized today variation of the gas powered rear engine drive systems would be the common VW microbus camper. Our neighbor still has one and, a couple of years ago, I passed on another nice looking version priced at just $1500. DW nixed it. Too small. :(

We once owned a cozy rear-engined converted Corvair panel van that, the thought of which, still warms my heart to this day... our first hard-sided camper together... over 40 years ago. The comfy bed muffled the sound of the air-cooled rear engine on the road, it had a great stereo, lots of front footroom and got about 20+ mpg. Never got stuck in boondock mud (or snow) trying to leave for home either.

Those simple, reliable, thrifty camping days are long gone. Sigh.

Wes
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-Gramps- wrote:
When idling I have to look at the Tach sometimes to know that it is running at all.

This is the same for me with the FMC and was also true of the 1987 Vixen 21 that I had for several years. The Vixen initially came with a BMW 4 cyl turbo diesel and a manual transaxel all in the rear. That was a Vixen TD.

Later production, which included the one I had, changed the power system to a Buick V6 and auto trans axel (along with some other changes). What was in the front of a front wheel drive Buick was put in the rear of the Vixen. Was very, very quiet and got 20 mpg. On the gas version the engine was in the rear, but the radiator was up front and used ram air. No cooling issues. The diesels get 27 mpg. About 850 Vixens were made in the 80's. A neighbor has one of the diesels now. Most are still on the road. I see one every now and then.

The Vixens suffered from the same problem as the FMC in that the custom chassis and drive train made them uncompetitive from a price standpoint relative to mass produced frames. While the Vixen was a foot wider and got significanf better mileage than the van conversions, the advantages couldn't over come the price differential.

Having had two rear engined coaches, I will never have a front engined coach. That is from both a sound standpoint and a flat floor in the front standpoint. Both of mine also have low floors which enables easy entry in the main living area, but that is also achieveable with a front engine/front drive unit.

Daveinet wrote:

-Gramps- wrote:
I reply that it is a diesel pusher that burns gas.

Gramps, that sounds like a DP wannabe. Are you leaning toward the dark side?

Not really. My dream coach doesn't exist...it would be a Foretravel with the same floor plan I have now..except I would add a second living area slide. But this takes this thread off topic so to bring it back:

I have never had an overheating issue..its just the opposite. When Workhorse was testing the UFO chassis, which they did in Death Valley, it was determined it ran too cool and lost engine efficiency, so they modified the design to make it run a bit warmer. There is a scoop or channel, whatever you want to call it, that moves air from the front of the coach over the engine. The FCA only kicks on when the engine is under a lot of stress, like climbing up hill on a hot day. That is one of the things about my coach that I like..it's extremely quiet. When idling I have to look at the Tach sometimes to know that it is running at all. I don't hear it going down the road unless I turn my rear camera mike on.

A lot of good comments here on this topic. My opinion would be that an engine in the rear would run at the same relative temperature whether it is gas or diesel powered. Cooling issues are dealt with as part of the design process. Weight placement is the same way. Gas or diesel is irrelevant if it's designed in. It's part of the engineering of the motorhome. Didn't John Deere build some gas powered rear engine chassis a few years ago? I seem to recall seeing some but I don't recall who built the coach that was on it. I think it would be a great thing. I'm still not completely sold that the price difference between gas and diesel powered coaches is really worth it. Anybody else know of any rear engine gas powered models.
Might be something to look into if the urge to trade ever strikes me.
Hope all is well back there.
Ken

Much better access to a rear engine. A bed that lifts and with a side radiator you have great access. You can machine the gears for either direction.

No one mentioned this but it seems to me a rear gas engine in a RV would make the front end very light (floating). Unless the genset and water tanks were moved up front? JMHO

Should I play devils advocate and state there is no logical reason to put any engine in the rear? Having that much weight behind the rear axle is just not the best place for it. Since coaches are so far off the ground, there is plenty of space to put the engine any where you want to. Weight wise, best to put the weight between the axles. Noise can be made irrelevant. Reverse running differential isn't the best idea either, the direction of the torque against the ring gear presents some loading issues. Air entry into the front of the vehicle is the most efficient way to cool the vehicle. While the problems have been dealt with, why bother?

I think I'll stay with my Airstream

Rear engine gas models over heated. That is why CM Fore started the diesel in the rear of the coach. He is in the RV Hall of fame for it too.

C.M. Fore (deceased) an RV manufacturer from Foretravel, Inc. in Nacadoches, Texas.

Since founding his company in 1967, he has been a leader in the evolution of luxury Type A motorhomes. He was among the first to use diesel engines in motorhomes, and among the first to build pusher chassis. He built the first uni-body motorhomes and pioneered the use of many household features such as multiple air conditioners, central vacuum systems, ice maker refrigerators and more. He led the concept of factory owned stores by creating factory outlets in major markets around the country.