A little help (info)

[keithkilling]

guys, I am looking at a different motorhome. I currently have a Winnebago with the workhorse chassis. I have never owned a Ford product. The motorhome I am looking at is a 2006 coachmen epic 36'. What can you tell me about is? I love my workhorse but hate the dreaded Auto Park. The only problem I ever had with my current motorhome is the Auto Park. The price on the Epic is good enough to make me consider it. I can't find any specs on the internet about this motorhome. Any help would be useful. Thanks in advanced.

[NLOVNIT]

I don't know about the Coachmen Epic, but can give my opinion on the Ford chassis as that's what's driving our Bounder. We've had no issues with it, it rides well & has plenty of HP for cruising what mountains (WV, KY, TN, PA) we've traveled. I don't think you can go wrong with the Ford chassis.

Oh, & I see it's your first post. Welcome to iRV2!

Lori-

[Yellowboat]

We have a 2005 Winnebago Sightseer 29R that was built as a test on a 2006 Ford Chassis.

In 2008 DW and I traveled from Washington State to Washington DC and back. Our travels took us around the US. A southern route going East and a northern route going West. We traveled through the Rocky Mountains and through the Smokey Mountains towing an 18 foot Feather Light trailer loaded with a Miata.

We had zero problems with the rig on our trip or after. Our Ford easily climbed all mountains we encountered. One nice feature on the 2006 Ford Chassis is Tow/Haul. I use this mode a lot as it helps in the mountains to maintain constant speed both up and down mountain passes. Tow/Haul also helps in traffic as the transmission will downshift and slow the motor home when you need to stop for traffic or at a stop light. I don’t need to use the brakes as much to stop.

I’ve no experience with a WH and cannot comment.

JD & Kathy

[LVJ58]

Our 2000 Residency 38' coach on the Ford chassis with the 4 speed transmission has performed flawlessly now for 10 years and 67,000 miles and still going strong. Living in the west we've navigated many mountain grades, granted some a bit slower than others. Your 2006 will have more horsepower and torque, and, coupled with the newer 5 speed transmission it should perform just fine. Our coach is fairly heavy weighing in at 21,300lbs loaded for travel, the fuel mileage over 10 years has averaged 7mpg.

Good luck with your decision.

[RoadRohrers]

I had 2006 and currently have a 2007 motorhome. both on the Ford F-53 chassis. Neither gave me a bit of trouble. With nearly 40,000 miles between them, no problems. I also have never had a Workhorse chassis so can't comment. I wanted a WH, but the RVs I found were on Ford. And it works fine.

[Izzyblueye]

The Ford is bulletproof. I have had 3 and never had a problem one with any of them. My present V-10 has the tow/haul and believe me it is the best. Ford has power to spare, rides good, very stable platform. Had one W/H and had big time problems with the brakes.

[John H...]

Keith, I am on our second MH with the V-10 and I love that engine. Takes a little getting used to the higher RPM's, but after a while it's expected. Welcome to the forum. John H...

[RoadRohrers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John H... Keith, I am on our second MH with the V-10 and I love that engine. Takes a little getting used to the higher RPM's........ John H...

I second that. Especially on cruise control when the beast kicks down into whatever gear and the rpms shoot to 5K. Talk about banshee. For my motorhome (individual results will vary) if I keep cruise at 60 mph, the tranny doesn't kick so abruptly down to lower gear and smoother drive. Mostly I am kicking the cruise in and out so I control the ascents and descents.

Initially wanted the WH for the Allison transmission, but the current generation Ford transmission is great.

[George Z]

We had a 2000 class C with the V-10 and it was not bullet proof. Engine cost us quite a bit, but I believe all the problems we had have been rectified in later years. The Coachman Epic was their high end class A to compete with entry level DP. they were only produced for 1 1/2 years, then the RV market started a downturn. We are very happy with our 2006 Epic that is on a WH chassis.

[John H...]

George, the early V-10's did have some bugs that were fixed in later models. I think one thing was it was throwing spark plugs. I'm not positive, but I think they were OK after 2002. John H...