Bside60 wrote:
camperdave wrote:
I'm not sure how an E450 would help you anyway, sine you are flat towing (ie: no tongue weight). The biggest advantage is the extra GVWR, isn't it?
Here is some of what I've found regarding the E450 advantages over an E350: "an E450 gives you bigger brakes for more time between brake jobs, more transmission cooling for less heat load on the engine and longer transmission life, a 4.5 inch wider rear dually stance for better lateral stability offroad and in high side winds, pump boosted power steering instead of vacuum boosted power steering, thicker steel in the chassis frame for less frame torsional twisting transfer into the coach box, and lower differential gearing when pulling up long grades for less heat load on the V10 in hot weather".
It looks like you've covered everything mechanical.
One plus for the E350 is... the rear differential gear ratio of the E450 will yield near one less mpg in fuel efficiency. This based on lots of RV.net discussion. But given you plan to tow 4600 pounds, that point might be a wash.
The question is whether or not the E450's mechanical benefits outweigh the harsher ride....assuming the ride is that much harsher of an E450 based motor home that weighs only 9600 pounds (with slide out). My wife and I with all our stuff and fresh water add less than 1000 pounds in the same motor home you are considering. That would bring the margin down to a minimum of 3000 pounds. That is a lot of margin. It might yield a very rough ride.
