Frustrated Chevy buyer

[TippleUnduly]

Why do Mfrs. seem to shy away from building on the Chevy? Is it cost? I'm frustrated trying to find our next B+ so equipped.

I have been very pleased with my '06 Chevy chassis under our 30+ foot B+ w/2 slides. And, yes, I've weighed it fully loaded for cross-country travel and it still has 1000+ lbs. of CC.

As I've posted here before, the cab is roomy and the engine cover is cool, the ride is top notch, handling (without the need for added sway bars, etc.) is very good, mileage 10.1 hiway, sweet sounding low-noise V8, great braking, and no road wander. This, as you may know, is not typical of some more popular chassis choices. At least that's what I read online. I'd driven both back-to-back and the Chevy choice quickly became clear. (I own a Ford Mustang and a Ranger.)

Does anyone have real facts behind the mfrs' bias?

Just wondering...
Bill

[RobertRyan]

Mich F wrote:
I just did a little internet searching and found those rumors of Chevrolet importing or building here, the Opel or Peugeot vans, have been around for at least 4 or 5 years. :W

Now with Ford producing the Transit, you could put a Gas Engine or the 2.8 Motori Diesel in place of the smaller 2.3 unit.Now as the Transit is now selling very well ....:)

[Mich_F]

I just did a little internet searching and found those rumors of Chevrolet importing or building here, the Opel or Peugeot vans, have been around for at least 4 or 5 years. :W

[RobertRyan]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

IAMICHABOD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
This Company makes a much more sophisticated product , but they are bigger as well..part of the Triple E company in Canada, that used to make a Class A
Leisure Vans

The one good thing for them is that they at least build one on the reliable Rugged US Made CHEVY

Which may have a smaller European cousin joining it

Chevy Express Cut away has a European cousin :@ That I would like to see.

Yes the Opel Movano, it would compete against the.Transit, comes in FWD or RWD

RWD tows 8000lb Payload 4,300lb

With four chassis lengths, three heights, front or rear wheel drive, a factory range that runs from panel vans, through chassis cabs, tippers, dropsides or box vans you name it and there is almost certainly an Opel Movano to do it. But if there isn’t there soon can be. The range of chassis and crew cabs provides the ideal basis for purpose built vehicles and conversions from Opel trusted specialist

[IAMICHABOD]

RobertRyan wrote:

IAMICHABOD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
This Company makes a much more sophisticated product , but they are bigger as well..part of the Triple E company in Canada, that used to make a Class A
Leisure Vans

The one good thing for them is that they at least build one on the reliable Rugged US Made CHEVY

Which may have a smaller European cousin joining it

Chevy Express Cut away has a European cousin :@ That I would like to see.

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:
Those Leisure Vans are sure pretty - if you happen to be enamored with that Sprinter chassis and can put up with the limited headrooms in their Class B/B+ line.

In addition, note how that all of their models are on smooth riding long wheelbases - which also gives rise to more concern with regards to occasional off-pavement use because of high-centering issues. Add those long wheelbases to the typical low-slung ground clearances (except for maybe the Chevy based model) of the Sprinter chassis and you wind up with pretty much a highway-queen of an RV.

With the possible exception of the Chevy based model, their tank capacities are nothing to write home about, either.

Like most queens - they cost a whole potload of money for the limitations you have to put up with just to get their "beauty".

Well looks like the Beauty Queens have the runs on the board, more and more of them being offered by Manufacturers unlike the E350's which have almost disappeared , no surprise there

[pnichols]

Those Leisure Vans are sure pretty - if you happen to be enamored with that Sprinter chassis and can put up with the limited headrooms in their Class B/B+ line.

In addition, note how that all of their models are on smooth riding long wheelbases - which also gives rise to more concern with regards to occasional off-pavement use because of high-centering issues. Add those long wheelbases to the typical low-slung ground clearances (except for maybe the Chevy based model) of the Sprinter chassis and you wind up with pretty much a highway-queen of an RV.

With the possible exception of the Chevy based model, their tank capacities are nothing to write home about, either.

Like most queens - they cost a whole potload of money for the limitations you have to put up with just to get their "beauty".

[RobertRyan]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
This Company makes a much more sophisticated product , but they are bigger as well..part of the Triple E company in Canada, that used to make a Class A
Leisure Vans

The one good thing for them is that they at least build one on the reliable Rugged US Made CHEVY

Which may have a smaller European cousin joining it

[IAMICHABOD]

RobertRyan wrote:
This Company makes a much more sophisticated product , but they are bigger as well..part of the Triple E company in Canada, that used to make a Class A
Leisure Vans

The one good thing for them is that they at least build one on the reliable Rugged US Made CHEVY

[RobertRyan]

Mich F wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:


That Pleasureway is DATED, they are small manufacturer, but the purple and white colour scheme with chequerboard finish no way
You may think your E350 well E450 is wonderful, but it. Is a total clunker here Much better Motorhome bases around

I really have no idea how our U.S. motorhome bases compare to those from abroad, but I'm truly amazed at the motorhomes available in Europe and Australia. They all seem (to me) so much more modern and contemporary compared to what is offered in this country.

I have seen both, could not AGREE more. Looking at the products of a well known company on RV Trader, their timeline seems to have stopped in the 1970's

[Mich_F]

RobertRyan wrote:


That Pleasureway is DATED, they are small manufacturer, but the purple and white colour scheme with chequerboard finish no way
You may think your E350 well E450 is wonderful, but it. Is a total clunker here Much better Motorhome bases around

I really have no idea how our U.S. motorhome bases compare to those from abroad, but I'm truly amazed at the motorhomes available in Europe and Australia. They all seem (to me) so much more modern and contemporary compared to what is offered in this country.

[RobertRyan]

This Company makes a much more sophisticated product , but they are bigger as well..part of the Triple E company in Canada, that used to make a Class A As well they make a MH on a Chevy Base
Leisure Vans

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:
Robert,

Look up the dictionary definition of "classic" ... you'll learn that what is "a bit dated" to one may be "timeless" to another.

FWIW - to be more specific - I can't stand that whimpy looking Mercedes Sprinter front end as compared to Ford's E350/E450 rugged looking cab design.

To be even more specific - my E450 rig feels like I have "something under me supporting the whole thing" - as opposed to my BIL's earlier new-at-the-time Sprinter based $$$ Interstate Class B motorhome by Airstream.

My BIL has since gotten rid of the Interstate for a variety of reasons, mainly related to poor reliability of the chassis (yes .. the Mercedes chassis) and hassles with searching for diesel fuel. He now is going to pull a brand new all fiberglass exterior small custom built TT from Canada behind a superlative new Dodge RAM PU with true air suspension all around and variable-cylinder-count V8 technology for outstanding - but high horsepower when needed - gas mileage.

That Pleasureway is DATED, they are small manufacturer, but the purple and white colour scheme with chequerboard finish no way
You may think your E350 well E450 is wonderful, but it. Is a total clunker here Much better Motorhome bases around

[pnichols]

Robert,

Look up the dictionary definition of "classic" ... you'll learn that what is "a bit dated" to one may be "timeless" to another.

FWIW - to be more specific - I can't stand that whimpy looking Mercedes Sprinter front end as compared to Ford's E350/E450 rugged looking cab design.

To be even more specific - my E450 rig feels like I have "something under me supporting the whole thing" - as opposed to my BIL's earlier new-at-the-time Sprinter based $$$ Interstate Class B motorhome by Airstream.

My BIL has since gotten rid of the Interstate for a variety of reasons, mainly related to poor reliability of the chassis (yes .. the Mercedes chassis) and hassles with searching for diesel fuel. He now is going to pull a brand new all fiberglass exterior small custom built TT from Canada behind a superlative new Dodge RAM PU with true air suspension all around and variable-cylinder-count V8 technology for outstanding - but high horsepower when needed - gas mileage.

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Some people here are still trying to sell E350 Class C Motorhomes from the U.S., been two years trying to move them

Robert,

Maybe those folks ought to try their hand at selling the right E350 based RV over where you are 😉 :

http://www.pleasureway.com/prestige/

No the E350 is not up to speed. The Pleasureway at least that interior is a bit dated