Gas pusher

naturist wrote:
Given the things said above, I'm curious as to why you want one.

Most of the "things said above" are by people speculating and NOT by people who have actually owned a gas pusher.

I have run a gas pusher for the last 14 years and it has been a very good setup. With that EXPERIENCE, I will not have a front engined unit regardless of fuel type. While I am converting mine to diesel, it is just a personal preference and not due to any shortcomings of the gas setup. I put 60,000 miles on it with a gas engine.

The UFO chassis had the benefits of rear engine (no engine hump, quieter, etc) but the with the other features of a gas engine.

Tom N wrote:
The EPA had nothing to do with the failure of the UFO. Poor sales caused the demise of the UFO chassis. A gas engine in the rear of a motorhome will not sell because of additional chassis features available on a diesel chassis. Such as, air brakes and air suspension. Plus the fact that even a low end diesel engine has twice the torque of the 8.1.

-Tom

Actually it was only misleading information like this that hurt the sales. If you talk to anyone who has one, they love them. They use coil springs, so the ride is as good as many cars. Power wise, the 8.1 will stomp on half the diesels out there. Again talk to the people that own them.

Reality check: Torque is about wheel torque in what ever gear you are running in. Fact, at the rpm gas engines are running at, the wheel torque exceeds most of the smaller diesel wheel torque ratings. Anyone who actually takes the time to read the posts of those who own the coaches, you will find that even pulling mountains, the smaller DPs are going slower up the passes than the gassers.

You need to look up GRAMPS, and PM him about UFO. He is the SME and can tell you all about them, and might even know where a used one is...

Wanderlodge made a few with rear engine gas, maybe you could find one of those.

Given the things said above, I'm curious as to why you want one. (I'm not interested in arguing, or trying to talk you out of it. I'm just curious. Feel free to explain or not, your choice.)

Never talked to anyone who liked theirs and you are right, they are rare now. You really SURE you want one?

Rexhall made them and has a new 2010 leftover at its plant in California last time I looked online
rexhall.com

The EPA had nothing to do with the failure of the UFO. Poor sales caused the demise of the UFO chassis. A gas engine in the rear of a motorhome will not sell because of additional chassis features available on a diesel chassis. Such as, air brakes and air suspension. Plus the fact that even a low end diesel engine has twice the torque of the 8.1.

-Tom

Sargehut234 wrote:
DW and I are looking for a "Gas pusher" MH. What I understand so far
is they were discontinued in 2008 due EPA reg. Please post if anyone
knows of one for sale any where. Thank You.

The Gas Pusher was discontinued by Winnebago with the Chevy 8.1 Vortec because Chevy's 496 Cubic Inch engine couldn't pass newer EPA emissions standards. Everyone with a Chevy 8.1 is Grandfathered In even though the engine is now officially obselete. I don't know why Winnebago chose not to go with the Ford V-10 in there gas pusher series. I'll send you a PM if I see or hear of a GP in my area. Good Luck in your search!