Chevrolet 4500 vs ford 450

My God.
The price of those individual spark plug coil amplifier noodgies. I love -riding- in a V10 Ford van - the engine idles so smooth I can't even feel it. But I make myself scarce at the gas pump and I grin and shrug when one of those nightmare spark plug conspiracies goes seppuku.

We have had a Chevy 3500 small C, and now a 4500. We have not had the Ford. Anything I write about the Ford is hearsay. But I've been reading here for years, so I'm just repeating what I've read.

The 6.0L V8 is a great motor. Both it and the Ford have had HP spec changes in the last year or so for some reason. Before those changes, I recall that the Chevy had quite a bit more HP, and the torque was similar to the Ford. My point being, don't get hung up on the mistaken idea that the 6.0 Chevy is not as strong as the 6.8 V10 Ford. It's probably the other way around! (That'll get some eyes rolling, but I bet it's true.)

The Chevy 6 speed trans is great. The engine and trans combo work well. I cruise in 6th at about 2000 RPM. When it needs to downshift to 5th, there is no commotion, and virtually no increase in noise. 4th is not unpleasant, but at that point you are hearing more of it.

Ford people like to talk about "let it scream, that's what it is designed to do." I just have not experienced that with the Chevy. I think the Chevy is a real stout engine, and the package is smooth and quiet.

Ford now has a 6 speed. I think it has greatly improved upon the manners of the prior 5 speed trans. A lot of people complained about that one. So, maybe the 6 speed is now as good as the Chevy's manners and noise level.

(Again prior to the new 6 speed) Fords got worse MPG than the Chevy. It seemed to be about 1 MPG less. Maybe that gap as closed somewhat or completely now.

There is some difference between the two in front end suspension architecture, which I don't recall. The Chevy handles quite well.

There is no noticeable engine doghouse heat in our two Chevys.

Both the driver and passenger legroom is better in the Chevy. I think the Chevy nose is 6 inches longer, so they must have the engine a bit more forward.

For all those reasons, I bought the Chevy for our Class C's. Just so you know, I like both Ford and Chevy trucks in general. My last three pickups were Ford, Ford, and Chevy (diesel). I try to buy what's right for the situation.

Myself? As an aside I would LOVE a chassis with 19.5" tires and all disc brakes. A monster alternator upgrade possible, lots of room for batteries...

Here Santa. All listed on tractor paper. 17 sheets. My ideal chassis...

Well SHOOT! I can dream can't I ?

Both are fine.

The Ford is more common particularly in motorhomes, and the current E-450 has slightly higher weight ratings than the Chevy 4500 (though not by a huge margin).

The Chevy has more room in the cab, particularly foot room, and many say it rides a little better and perhaps is less demanding of good alignment and adjustment for good handling.

The Ford V-10 motorhome platform is bulletproof and tough to beat in both Class C and Class A applications. I would actually prefer the Ford over the GM in this application by a large margin.

The Ford platform is much more common as well which is good for parts and service availability.

I am a Chevy man, but got a Ford and am quite satisfied with it. No regrets here.

Both have long proven track records and the "quirks", if any, are well known.

I think you should NOT let that be the main determining factor in which unit you pick. Tie breaker maybe but floor plan and equipment are WAY more important.