25’ Class C. Ford vs Chevy opinion

[FireGuard]

I posted recently regarding opinions on Ford vs Chevy.
Last year I had a 2019 Forest River Sunseeker 2291. A 24’ with dinette slide and Ford 450 chassis. I really liked what it offered but one complaint was noise behind the driver seat with rattling and wind noise. I did like the V10.
I ended up sellIng it as I wasn’t using it.
Things have changed and I’m at a point where I’m cutting back on work and want to travel. I have always liked truck campers but a small Class C is just so versatile and for “travelling” every thing is useable within reach and depending on temperature you don’t have to park and get into a hot or cold RV. It’s also safer as you can park for the night and not have to get out. Our style is to travel and only spend 1-3 nights at a campsite.
Today I Looked at a 2020 Sunseeker 25’ with the same floor plan but did not have the slide out on the Chevy 4500.
It was very roomy with no slide and plenty for 2 people. Also, it was much quieter driving without the wind noise on the slide joint.
First, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Ford or Chevy under a small C.
My observations.
Chevy cab has a little more leg room, less than I expected.
Seats and seating position about the same.
Ford seems a little quicker but close. Chevy has less engine noise and sounds more throaty with the V8.
Handling. Close but Chevy feels a little “sportier”.
This C was very quiet on the road. Only noise was a small amount of wind noise after putting a jacket under the stove top. MUCH less noise than the slide out I had.
Chevy doesn’t have a tachometer and the worst is no power mirrors?? Why would they not put power mirrors.
Again, power was close but I just got the feeling if pulling a load or a hill the Ford would do better.
Ford tow hitch is 750/7500 lbs vs 500/5000lbs on Chevy.
Chevy has a 57 gal fuel tank vs Fords 55. I hope Chevy gets a little better mileage.
Chevy is 6” longer overall.
The salesman said the Chevy brakes aren’t as good that’s why less tow rating and the reason they use Ford for all of the bigger class Cs.
I’ve decided on a non slide model and if I had the choice, I may lean slightly toward the Ford but I haven’t seen this model on the Ford.
Again, either will do a great job.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

I'd say that the OP needs to couple the RV manufacturer and floor plan to the Ford or Chevrolet he chooses. There's tons of Class C cutaway manufacturers.

I'm just partial to believing that I'd choose a Mercedes Benz 3500 Diesel Sprinter chassis with the 24' slide by Winnebago the next time I buy a new C. I am in an orphan brand Class C right now, with the Ford E450 7.3 liter turbo diesel power plant.

It's a matter of finding and choosing the right manufacturer for your liking.

[Expyinflight]

FireGuard wrote:
Any guesses when the new 7.3 will be available in the small class C models?
I’m thinking there is probably a pretty good inventory of V10 chassis left so at least 1-2 years.
I’m sure prices will go up as I believe the 7.3 is around a $1700 option for the pickups.
I thought about the resale value for a non slide but someone must be buying them.
For this particular model the extra 12-18” of floor space isn’t worth the negatives.
IE: mechanical issues with the slides, motor etc, noise, weight, air/water leak possibilities, slide topper canvas damage, less structural integrity with a large hole in the side, more closed up feeling with the slide in, etc. wow. More negatives than I thought. Lol.
if I were to setup at a campground and stay for several weeks the slide may be worth it but for the simplicity of traveling I think simple is better and less is more.

We bought our non-slide model for all of the reasons you stated above. Have not regretted our decision for even one day, and get along just fine and dandy without the slide.
To the person saying they are "unsellable" used......I have a friend who constantly asks if/when we will sell ours to him. He knows I would ask top dollar. Just like anything else, if you take care of it and keep it in good condition, there is always a buyer willing to pay for something nice.

[klutchdust]

"The salesman said the Chevy brakes aren’t as good that’s why less tow rating and the reason they use Ford for all of the bigger class Cs. "

First off was he selling Fords, secondly if a salesman lips are moving he is usually lying. That is about the dumbest thing I have heard yet, nope wait......extended warranties and "piece of mind" that tops it all.....

[Desert_Captain]

"My thinking is the altitude seems to impact power. "

You are correct sir...

For every thousand feet of elevation a naturally aspirated gas engine loses 3 percent of its power. At 10,000' you are down 30 percent.

:C

[FunTwoDrv]

We have a 32' C on the 4500 chassis and tow a 4500# Wrangler. We travel from NC to the CO, MT and WY every Summer. It does run a tad slow on those long grades but always makes it to the top. My thinking is the altitude seems to impact power. Mileage wise, we run between 8 and 11 depending on wind and terrain. Handling seems pretty good...We have added Bilstien shocks and dialed in as much positive caster as we could.

Gary

[carringb]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Actually the Chevy 4500 rotors are a bit larger than Ford.

Ford is 12.9

Chevy is 13.58

This is incorrect. This Ford specs are:

Front Disc
13.58 Diameter Rotor
Dual Piston Caliper (2.36" Diameter Piston)

Rear Risc
13.58 Diameter Rotor
Dual Piston Caliper (2.12" Diameter Piston)

Either chassis is likely traction limited at full stop, rather than braking-power limited.

[IAMICHABOD]

FireGuard wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Enjoyed your report except for “The salesman said the Chevy brakes....” What source? What tests?

I agree. That’s the first time I’ve heard about Chevy having inferior brakes?

Actually the Chevy 4500 rotors are a bit larger than Ford.

Ford is 12.9

Chevy is 13.58

[FireGuard]

Lwiddis wrote:
Enjoyed your report except for “The salesman said the Chevy brakes....” What source? What tests?

I agree. That’s the first time I’ve heard about Chevy having inferior brakes?

[crawford]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Depending on where you travel (lots of hills/mountains) and what you carry/haul, F350/F450 Class C with the new 7.3L gas and 10 speed will be far superior to anything else out there !

You will find with out a doubt value drops like a rock so say by to more money. Slide do count when this happens.

[FireGuard]

Any guesses when the new 7.3 will be available in the small class C models?
I’m thinking there is probably a pretty good inventory of V10 chassis left so at least 1-2 years.
I’m sure prices will go up as I believe the 7.3 is around a $1700 option for the pickups.
I thought about the resale value for a non slide but someone must be buying them.
For this particular model the extra 12-18” of floor space isn’t worth the negatives.
IE: mechanical issues with the slides, motor etc, noise, weight, air/water leak possibilities, slide topper canvas damage, less structural integrity with a large hole in the side, more closed up feeling with the slide in, etc. wow. More negatives than I thought. Lol.
if I were to setup at a campground and stay for several weeks the slide may be worth it but for the simplicity of traveling I think simple is better and less is more.

[LOG]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Depending on where you travel (lots of hills/mountains) and what you carry/haul, F350/F450 Class C with the new 7.3L gas and 10 speed will be far superior to anything else out there !

I believe you are going to need your magic wand to get that F350/F450 Class C.

[theoldwizard1]

Depending on where you travel (lots of hills/mountains) and what you carry/haul, F350/F450 Class C with the new 7.3L gas and 10 speed will be far superior to anything else out there !

[Desert_Captain]

garyemunson wrote:
Double think not getting a slide. RVs without them are pretty much unsellable used.

This is complete and utter nonsense... that dog won't hunt, WOOF!

:S

[AJR]

I traded in my non slide class C and it was sold in under 30 days at what I thought it was worth if I were to have sold it.

My current class C had a slide that I almost never use because of the floorplan. It is also on a stock 4500 chassis that is great to drive.

The Chevy odometer can be changed to show a number of different displays with some buttons to the left of the steering wheel on my unit. As I recall tachometer is one of them.

I should also say my first class C was on a Ford chassis. I like the Chevy chassis better.