New Gas Chassis Choices

[tropical36]

Just curious and with Workhorse out of the Motor Coach chassis business, what might be available besides a Ford, for a gas puller chassis and have heard that some Coach manufactures are building their own?

[-Gramps-]

tropical36 wrote:

-Gramps- wrote:
None of the very few problems with the UFO were unique due to the engine in the back. It quit being made because it cost more than the market would bear and because GM discontinued the big block gas engine.

Was thinking along those lines as well, so where's this big block coming from, with Spartan's idea of a puller chassis? Also, wondering how come it has to cost so much more, with putting the engine in the rear?

In my case it cost more because of the size of the coach not due to engine being in the rear, well that is not exactly true. The first year R&D cost in 2007 made the price a bit higher. WH had plans to come out with a 26-32 foot chassis which would have cost quite a bit less, but they never got the chance to do that.

[tropical36]

-Gramps- wrote:
None of the very few problems with the UFO were unique due to the engine in the back. It quit being made because it cost more than the market would bear and because GM discontinued the big block gas engine.

Was thinking along those lines as well, so where's this big block coming from, with Spartan's idea of a puller chassis? Also, wondering how come it has to cost so much more, with putting the engine in the rear?

[-Gramps-]

None of the very few problems with the UFO were unique due to the engine in the back. It quit being made because it cost more than the market would bear and because GM discontinued the big block gas engine.

[wny_pat1]

LVJ58 wrote:

myrtle beach rver wrote:
Negative to too big a gasser is after about 36 ft plus a toad getting into gas stations requires prior planning. Backing up with a toad is never advised.

For whatever it's worth, our 2000 gas coach is 37'8" long, and in the 14 years we've had it, no major problems getting fuel with our toad attached.

Granted the layout of some stations are a bit tricky. We usually try to fuel at Pilot or Flying J stations where they have islands dedicated to RV's, also get a small discount on our fuel.

Safe Travels...:)

Some people with have trouble maneuvering a 24 foot coach with a toad. In fact, some will have trouble doing it without the toad.

[tropical36]

-Gramps- wrote:
My coach is 39.5 feet long. Maybe Spartan will come out with a gas pusher as good or better than mine which happens to be a good coach.

Here is a look at the Spartan FREG chassis they have announced.

Spartan Gas Chassis

Wow for sure and would like to see it in production, even though it seems they're sticking to the puller concept, rather than a pusher and there must have been more problems than anyone knows about, with the UFO chassis or maybe it was just a matter of economics. I do remember you having a UFO and good to hear that it's been a good one. You'd even think that they would be in high demand, considering the small amount available by comparison to the gas pullers.
As for the Spartan engine, I would tend to think it's a GM block and wouldn't think they'd start from scratch with this undertaking.

[carringb]

I test drove a 39'-11" Newmar on the F53/V10 chassis, with the wheelbase stretched to 260" because it was a toy hauler. Power was not a problem and maneuvering was surprisingly good for that size coach. It did have more body-roll than I like however Roadmaster has a solution for that. My main complaint however applies to all motorhomes.... Gotta have a toad to do anything once you park! My E350 would be a little too much toad for that rig.

[LVJ58]

myrtle beach rver wrote:
Negative to too big a gasser is after about 36 ft plus a toad getting into gas stations requires prior planning. Backing up with a toad is never advised.

For whatever it's worth, our 2000 gas coach is 37'8" long, and in the 14 years we've had it, no major problems getting fuel with our toad attached.

Granted the layout of some stations are a bit tricky. We usually try to fuel at Pilot or Flying J stations where they have islands dedicated to RV's, also get a small discount on our fuel.

Safe Travels...:)

[-Gramps-]

My coach is 39.5 feet long. Maybe Spartan will come out with a gas pusher as good or better than mine which happens to be a good coach.

Here is a look at the Spartan FREG chassis they have announced.

Spartan Gas Chassis

[myrtle_beach_rv]

Negative to too big a gasser is after about 36 ft plus a toad getting into gas stations requires prior planning. Backing up with a toad is never advised.

[J-Rooster]

myrtle beach rver wrote:
Having owned both workhorse and now a ford chassis on tiffin motorhomes I would say they are similar. Workhorse was quieter and allison trans shifted smoother on acceleration. Pick up from a dead stop was also better under load. At highway speeds ford tends to drift and porpoise less and has good pickup on the highway.

X-2, I've owned both and I agree with this post!

[tropical36]

reubenray wrote:
If there was a gas rig with a bigger engine/chassis/transmission/etc. to support a 40 footer with 4 slides I would jump at it instead of getting a diesel rig.

Kinda what I was hoping for with the UFO gas pusher and before everything went downhill. Also wondering what WH might do with it and if any Coach manufacture would be interested in buying that chassis and assuming it would be for sale. Most sure the idea has came up many times and for whatever reason, it's been a no go so far.

[wildmanbaker]

The Dodge V-10 would be GREAT in a MH, but it is no longer in production. People who have pulled with both the Dodge V-10, and the Cummins 5.9, have said there is very little difference between them, except for the mileage.

[WILDEBILL308]

For right now Ford has all the market. I think the Ford is a great engin. I like to see a little competition. I wonder if the Doge V10 could be made to work.
I had a nice talk with Cummins at Perrey last month and looked at their new V8 diesel right now it is listed at 300 HP. Almost 1000 pounds lighter than the straight 6 more compact. I asked if they had plans on increasing the HP. The answer was basically you have to start somewhere. We all know how things tend to grow to meet demand.
I think the EPA should give an exemption to motorhome use as there are so few on the road and they are driven so few miles every year.
Bill

[reubenray]

If there was a gas rig with a bigger engine/chassis/transmission/etc. to support a 40 footer with 4 slides I would jump at it instead of getting a diesel rig.