24’ Class C. Chevy 4500 or Ford 450?

[FireGuard]

If you were buying a new 24’ Class C MH which Chassis would you prefer and why?
Chevy 4500 with 6.0 L / 6 speed or Ford E450 V10 / 6 speed.

[Desert_Captain]

" directing the cold air conditioned air to the floor vents whenever traveling in hot weather. "

Phil, well said my friend...

LMAO... after all of the whining to be found here on the Forum about the "excess heat from the V-10's" and not once {until now} has anyone pointed how how simple it is to address this "alleged" issue. I have never had the problem but then having only logged 53K miles over the last 6.5 years.. what do I know}. :B

Perhaps these folks should consider running the heater when it is cold {as I am sure it has never occurred to them}... so much searching for solutions for which there is no known problem {the government does this a lot}... Arrrg!

As always...Opinions and YMMV

:B

[pnichols]

I 2nd the comments above regarding a Ford E-Series under a Class C motorhome.

Ours has been spectacular for 13 years now. It's a 24 footer that underloads it's E450 chassis, so initially the ride in the rear was rough. I fixed this easily with some special shocks that adjust themselves automatically in order to better compensate for the stiff leaf springs in the rear. We specifically wanted the E450 instead of an E350 under the motorhome for several reasons.

Since the chassis is overkill for the average weight it has to carry mile after mile, we haven't experienced any handling problems whatsoever. It doesn't matter how much camping gear weight we load it down with and where we put this weight in or on the motorhome.

The cab floor has never over-heated due to the steel heat shields under the cab floor and due to us directing the cold air conditioned air to the floor vents whenever traveling in hot weather.

[bobndot]

When I was a first responder the GM and Ford were matched mechanically over the 30 yrs I was there. Repair down time and avl parts were about equal as was repair costs. I remember the mechanics preferred working on GM over Ford because it was easier on the knuckles.
I have operated both for many miles,
IMO, both engines will get the job done running solo or towing 3000 or less. Towing 5000, you will notice a lesser amount in power with both engines with the Ford pulling ahead a little. I would imagine the Ford all around would perform better in the mountainous western part of the country where higher torque diesels prevail.

As for comfort its going to depend on your particular body. We have had mostly GM's but have found our new Ford more comfortable. We both are able to spend the entire day behind the wheel of our new E450 where a few hours on the GM's did us in. The GM's all had multi position power seats and the Ford has basic mechanical seats. We use the same seat cushions to afford us a little extra height. I also like the V-10 over the 6.0, don't really know why, it just feels like its not working as hard. I had these same feelings while driving at work too.

My DW has no complaints regarding the Ford comfort or interior space. I do not have any cabin heat issues with my Ford floor being too hot as some have complained about. I never found that to be an issue with the Ford but did experience it on 2 GM's.

On the RV Ford down side, running way under gross weight I had to make a lot of alterations to get the Ford to ride nice. Shocks, rear track bar, steering stabilizer and HD sways. The Ford rear suspension bangs and pounds going over rough roads, but its a 450 not a 350, to be expected.
When my friend runs his 24 ft 4500 GM near 'max gross weight', he feels the need for some suspension upgrades but feels fine running empty .

Which one to buy ?
I guess it would depend on how much I was towing or if I was using the rv on very long over the road trips or mostly local trips to gain the extra comfort in the seating position. But if it was a good deal was to be had on a GM with the floorplan I wanted, I would buy the GM. I would opt out for an improved GM seat, but that is our personal choice and might not apply to others.

[Lwiddis]

Like the Captain said, watch the payload number whichever you buy.

[rjstractor]

You can't really go wrong with either. But in your shoes I'd be tempted to wait a little while and see if you can get a Ford with the new 7.3 gas. I don't know if the narrower, more compact engine will result in more legroom or not, but the engine has significantly more horsepower and torque than either the V10 it replaces or the GM 6.0 V8.

[samsontdog]

I have owned 3 of the V10 eng and one 6.0 L and in MHO the V10 eng is one of the best eng ever

[lhenry8113]

We have a 2017 24ft Forest River Forester LE Class C with a Chevy V8-6.0-gas engine. It's on a 450 chassis. Purposely bought the Chevy w/gas engine. Reasons: Wanted Something my D.W. could drive, Chevy has more leg room(in footwell) and emits less heat(from engine/trans) into passenger compartment, Has 55 gas gas tank, pretty easy to get maintenance just about anywhere. The 6.0 gas engine has proven to be a reliable work horse over the years and most shops are familiar with it.

[Desert_Captain]

jdc1 wrote:
Ford V10?
Get the GM. You would be astounded at the volume of Ford V10's at the mechanic's shop I used in Riverside Ca. Never saw a newer GM there.

That is most likely due to the fact that the Ford chassis' outnumber the Chevy's by at least 100 to 1 not due to any inherent reliability issues with Ford. The V -10 is hands down just about the most bullet proof motor Ford {or anyone else for that matter} ever built. Start counting Ford vs Chevy when it comes to Paramedic Ambulances and air port shuttles and other commercial applications then start counting Class C's... :R

Now if you are over 6' tall or the first number when you step on the scale is larger than one you may benefit from the couple of extra inches found in the Chevy but the difference is modest. The Ford power drivers seat is the best in the industry with almost infinite adjustability and easily overcomes with comfort the slight edge of the Chevy's extra inch or two.

Of bigger concern is any street side slide as these will restrict/eliminate the ability to fully slide back and or incline the drivers seat and this goes for both Ford and Chevy. The ride and handling are a toss up, both are one ton cutaway vans and neither will ride and or drive like your SUV.

When selecting either be sure and check the payload as when C's get larger the payload tends to all but disappear, less than 2,000# doesn't work very well and some large C's {anything over 30'} often have 1,000# available or less. :S

As always... Opinions and YMMV

:C

[pianotuna]

Ford finally stopped the v-10 in 2019. Any news about Chev doing a similar move?

[jdc1]

Ford V10?
Get the GM. You would be astounded at the volume of Ford V10's at the mechanic's shop I used in Riverside Ca. Never saw a newer GM there.

[garyemunson]

Chevy. Room for the front passenger.

[IAMICHABOD]

If I were to buy again I would go with the Chevy,for all of the reasons that are listed in This Thread :B

I did it once and would definitely do it again.

[Lwiddis]

The one with the closest dealer able to service and repair.