Hi Tom-Wildlands1
My reply is based on these assumptions.....
- 24 foot max length
- main floor double bed B+ types
- primarily for a married couple (and an occasional guest)
- 10 year minimum age, 26 year maximum age
- pricing from $8,000 to $25,000-$30,000
- 1993 to 1995 Telstar (E-Series) very affordable
- 1998 to 2005 Starflyte (E-Series & Chevy) very affordable
- 2004 to 2009 Phoenix Cruiser (E-Series)
- 1999 to 2009 Dynamax Isata Sport (E-Series & Chevy) old ones very affordable
- 2001 to 2009 Coach House (E-Series)
- 1993 to 2006 Chinook (E-Series and Chevy) old ones very affordable
- 1993 to 2009 Born Free
If getting the most popular E-series (E350 & E450) the Triton V10 engine is an excellent engine, introduced in 1998, replacing the previous V8 engine which had issues with exhaust manifolds, lower fuel efficiency, and also less power. The Triton V8 is just as great in the short 20-21 foot lengths. So I consider 1998 the ideal starting point. There are other technical thresholds. For example, the Torqshift transmission introduced around 2005 is better than previous years, a 2008 has numerous chassis upgrades over previous years. A 2009 has a refreshed dash board with glove box and nicer features better ergonomically placed over previous years.
Basically, the newer the better. Ford kept making the E-series better. NOT one year did anything get worse. But keep in-mind that even a 1998 was a good year. It just might not be as shift-friendly when climbing, will use a little more fuel, and brake a little less efficiently as one made today in 2019.
Also keep in-mind that starting in 2008, the E350 and E450 handle heavier loads which only makes the ride more harsh in the shorter & lighter motor homes. If you buy a 2008 or newer and find the ride too harsh for your lighter load (most often up front) you can replace the front coil springs to the next lower rated Ford spring to better match your worst case load for a smoother ride.
Our 2007 E350 (at 23'-8" long & 158" wheel base) has a light load up front. I had looked into this after a wheel alignment was done. So our load did not warrant any such action. If I had a 2008 E350 chassis, I would change the front coil springs to one rating less which is what our 2007 E350 has or one rating lower yet. If I had an E450, I would have even more to consider.
If you study our rig in my signature, you can visually see the front end standing a bit taller than it should be. When our rig was brand new, the front tires skewed inward at the bottom....kind-of like what happens when you jack up the front end. A lower rated spring (one rating less) would bring it down to the right level, setting the tires more properly. My alignment shop compensated through the use of offset suspension bushings for a proper wheel alignment. I feel that was addressing the symptom rather than the cause. It all works right though I feel there was a better way to handle it with a better over-all outcome.
