Why Are There No Gas Pushers?

[Brickem' Boy]

I'm curious - whay are there no gas pushers? I've posted this on other websites and so far not heard much of a good reason why if I want the engine in the rear it has to be diesel. Can someone out there enlighten me?

[Brickem' Boy]

I'm curious - whay are there no gas pushers? I've posted this on other websites and so far not heard much of a good reason why if I want the engine in the rear it has to be diesel. Can someone out there enlighten me?

[Hitchhiker]

I really don't know with any degree of certainty, but I'd think it was because there isn't a suitable engine and drive train available to the chassis builders and the lack of that availability is likely because there would be a poor market for them.

The diesel engines put out gobs of torque to push these behemoth rigs being produced these days and a gas engine of comparable specs would be huge, necessitating a different configuration for the installation in a 'pusher' style motorhome.

[bldrbob]

I sort of remember reading that a gas engine has an overheating problem with a rear configuration.I think it was something about the horspower needed to run the fan needed for cooling.
BOB

[Novi]

I too remember this question being asked. One reason put forth was because of heat problems. GM had a car with a rear engine and it too had heat problems/fires but it also had a lot of other issues.

[Teach]

If memory serves me, one of the chassis manufacturers tried a gas pusher some years ago. I don't remember the chassis, but they used the Ford 460 and they just couldn't keep it from overheating.

[GStream40]

My insurance agent has a gas pusher that I believe was built in the late 80's and is in the Monaco line. He had to replace the engine about 4 years ago. He loves the coach, but says it could use more power. It looked like a new one the last time I saw it.

Ron

[LVJ58]

There is, but no slides--check this site: http://www.special-interest-veh.com/

Jim

[DriVer]

Do you think that a major manufacturer such as Workhorse should make a rear gas pusher (RGP) using the current GM Vortec gas engine?

What would be the advantages?

What would be the disadvantages?

Do you think that modern technology advances would overcome the previous failures that were experienced by other manufactures that attempted to build an RGP?

[Teach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriVer:...Do you think that modern technology advances would overcome the previous failures that were experienced by other manufactures that attempted to build an RGP? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think the answer to your question is yes. And, if any manufacturer could do it, Workhorse would be one of them.

If the previous problems were solved, I also think there would be a fairly large market for the RGP.

Just imagine that new proposed Chevy V10 back there pushing you and Roxy down the road.....

[Gary RVRoamer]

A "pusher" chassis is specialized - it is suitable for Rvs and buses only. Front engines are also suitable for trucks, making the same basic chassis suitable for two different products. Ford derives their RV chassis from the Superduty series of trucks and probably does not see enough market for producing a specialized gas pusher chassis for the motorhome market. Workhorse, I suppose, could have gone the pusher route when they developed the W series and I have often wondered why they did not.

Rear engines do indeed have cooling problems, but diesels run hotter tan gas engines and so obviouslythe problem is solvable. I suspect that there is extra costinvolved and the whole reason for usng gas engines is for alower priced chassis. Perhaps it simply doesn't make sense to investmoney in a rear gas pusher if it would end up close to a diesel in price. Most folks would choose the diesel if there was not a big difference.

With todays large market for motorhome chassis, I wonder if the economics may have changed. Freightliner has introduced a FRED (front engine diesel) chassis so why not a gas pusher?

[eandy]

When I asked this all I got was nays. I'm w/Teach and to a point Gary.

The advantages I could see are: flat drivers floor, potential for areodynamic front end (like link above), engine noise in back, like diesel, huge open basements. Need I add more? I feel the advantages would have a very large appeal to buyers.

As for heat, deal with it, we're doing it with engine in front now. The problems encountered in the past probably could be more easily handled now w/newer technology. Or as someone suggested in face to face conversation about the "great engineers" a particular company has, "hire better engineers". If a group of engineers get on a particular train of thought they often remain there. Sorta like inertia.
Remember when the Wankle rotary came out. Building on the proven is not necessarily a good idea when you're wanting monumental improvement.
Also when the same problem that has confounded the group is given to someone who has not been influenced by the group's thinking may well come up with resolution from an entirely different approach. Also kinda like gang mentality
Added production costs. Where? Shorter driveshaft or altogether eliminated. How does it have to be more expensive?

[Izzyblueye]

It will very probably be a marketing decision when and if it happens. I have no doubt it can be done sucessfully, and some beautiful coaches would probably be the end result. They have done it before and when marketing needs a new hook, it may happen again. As for being too expensive, it will never approach the diesel for increased price. Just IMHO.

[eandy]

Homer, take a read here, topic not long ago was abruptly cut off but now? I'm not interested in huge corp doing it. Sometimes little guys spring up with a huge hit.
Workhorse Custom Chassis Motorhome Forum Bit of an over weight prob W22