What happened to Chevy???

Don't let your prior biases toward Ford deter you. I was always partisan to Chevy but bit the bullet on this coach. No regrets, it is a solid chassis with good power. Easy to maintain and surprisingly quiet under 3000 RPM. The 22.5" wheels and tires smooth out the road.

eheading wrote:
I know this ancient history, but actually there was a time that Chrysler was the only Class A chassis manufacturer. Back in the 1970s and until the first time Chrysler almost went bankrupt, the Chrysler chassis was the only one available for RV's. I believe the reason that they got out of the business was that part of the government aid at that time, they were directed to drop that line because it was too volatile.

Then Chevrolet came along next with their chassis. Their big claim to fame was that they had an independent front suspension compared to Chrysler/Dodge's solid beam axle. After Chrysler left the scene, another manufacturer came along that offered a chassis much like an updated Chrysler chassis. It's claim to fame was that it had a solid beam axle!!!! (the name of this manufacturer slips my mind - getting old)



Ed Headington

I believe that International Harvester went through "restructuring" about the same time that Chrysler did. It's my understanding that the "deciders" realized that IHC and Dodge were competing in a diminishing market segment, and that it would benefit both if they were not competing. That is why IHC stopped making smaller trucks like pickups and Travelalls, and also why Dodge stopped making their larger chassis' which effectively eliminated them from the MH market.

After being an engineer in the motorcycle industry for a short while, I get a chuckle out of the "high revs" statements. The V-10 is a relatively low-revving engine, though admittedly higher than the older V-8s that were around 15 years ago.

At the TT races one year in the 60's, there was a 50cc Honda 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder. I don't remember the power output (probably around 10 HP), but it got peak torque at 18,000 rpm and peak power around 23,000. I think it had a 16-speed transmission to cope with the narrow working rev range. The rider spent so much time shifting gears with the clutch pulled, the bike wasn't very competitive.

Even the smaller mass-market motorcycles typically go over 10,000 rpm these days.

eheading wrote:
I know this ancient history, but actually there was a time that Chrysler was the only Class A chassis manufacturer. Back in the 1970s and until the first time Chrysler almost went bankrupt, the Chrysler chassis was the only one available for RV's. I believe the reason that they got out of the business was that part of the government aid at that time, they were directed to drop that line because it was too volatile.

Then Chevrolet came along next with their chassis. Their big claim to fame was that they had an independent front suspension compared to Chrysler/Dodge's solid beam axle. After Chrysler left the scene, another manufacturer came along that offered a chassis much like an updated Chrysler chassis. It's claim to fame was that it had a solid beam axle!!!! (the name of this manufacturer slips my mind - getting old)



Ed Headington

I remember renting a 75 Champion once with the 440 cu in big block, back then and a real piece of crap, it was, in most regards. Just glad, we didn't own it.

eheading wrote:
I know this ancient history, but actually there was a time that Chrysler was the only Class A chassis manufacturer. Back in the 1970s and until the first time Chrysler almost went bankrupt, the Chrysler chassis was the only one available for RV's. I believe the reason that they got out of the business was that part of the government aid at that time, they were directed to drop that line because it was too volatile.

Then Chevrolet came along next with their chassis. Their big claim to fame was that they had an independent front suspension compared to Chrysler/Dodge's solid beam axle. After Chrysler left the scene, another manufacturer came along that offered a chassis much like an updated Chrysler chassis. It's claim to fame was that it had a solid beam axle!!!! (the name of this manufacturer slips my mind - getting old)




Ed Headington

Chevy and Dodge(not Chrysler) BOTH produced Class A chassis in the 70's. Dodge just had a larger market share. Winne's were on Dodge and Itasca's were on Chevy. Airstream motorhomes 1979 were on Chevy. Some Tiffin's were on Chevy. Doug

I know this ancient history, but actually there was a time that Chrysler was the only Class A chassis manufacturer. Back in the 1970s and until the first time Chrysler almost went bankrupt, the Chrysler chassis was the only one available for RV's. I believe the reason that they got out of the business was that part of the government aid at that time, they were directed to drop that line because it was too volatile.

Then Chevrolet came along next with their chassis. Their big claim to fame was that they had an independent front suspension compared to Chrysler/Dodge's solid beam axle. After Chrysler left the scene, another manufacturer came along that offered a chassis much like an updated Chrysler chassis. It's claim to fame was that it had a solid beam axle!!!! (the name of this manufacturer slips my mind - getting old)



Ed Headington

Not the first time Ford has been the only one. Back in the late 90s early 2000 was the last time...then after, I think, 2003 Workhorse (GM) arrived to compete. As mentioned before, Workhorse went down. Ford...with the V-10 remains (only) and Chrysler never was.
My 2001 Ford F-53...with 51000+ miles on it...not a bit of problems. I change the belt, antifreeze and hoses every 30 thou. And the oil/filter/grease every 3000. Good PM

I have been a Chevy/GM owner my whole life and was also surprised when shopping for our new MH that Ford was the only thing available in a gasser. However, I have to say I have been very happy with the V10. Took me a while to get used to the high rpm's though.

Buy a diesel..!

Workhorse did not go out of business or go broke. They are still manufacturing chassis for delivery vans and even hybrid vehicles. They are just out of the RV business.