Community Forums

Bakeryman · 04-14-2015, 11:26 AM

We are looking to downsize from Class A 2004 Damon Intruder. We do a lot of dispersed/dry camping now with ATV's etc.. in Colorado. Looking at the Melbourne from Jayco and see they came out with 4x4 in 2014/2015.

However, website now does not say anything about them. Was this an experiment? Does anyone know if there are any plans from Ford to add the 362 horse V10 into the B chassis vs. the 305 Horse?

Did anyone out there buy one and can share the experience, performance, towing capability, ride quality etc... of the 4x4 unit. The 4x4 might be handy but more intriguing is the higher ground clearance vs. a traditional Melbourne or other B unit. I would be interested in overall satisfaction buy performance is my key concern with the added weight etc...

If not the 4x4, what about Melbourne in general.

thank you, Gary

Dodger52 · 04-15-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakeryman

We are looking to downsize from Class A 2004 Damon Intruder. We do a lot of dispersed/dry camping now with ATV's etc.. in Colorado. Looking at the Melbourne from Jayco and see they came out with 4x4 in 2014/2015.

However, website now does not say anything about them. Was this an experiment? Does anyone know if there are any plans from Ford to add the 362 horse V10 into the B chassis vs. the 305 Horse?

Did anyone out there buy one and can share the experience, performance, towing capability, ride quality etc... of the 4x4 unit. The 4x4 might be handy but more intriguing is the higher ground clearance vs. a traditional Melbourne or other B unit. I would be interested in overall satisfaction buy performance is my key concern with the added weight etc...

If not the 4x4, what about Melbourne in general.

thank you, Gary

The 4x4 model I have seen is the 2015 Melbourne 29D. I believe that there were only a handful actually produced. They are pretty sharp. The tow capacity is 5,000 lbs.

I have not heard of any plans to change the drivetrain for 2016.

Dodger52

wanderso · 04-18-2015, 11:51 AM

Chinook offered 4x4 in our model year (Chinook Baja). The prior owner of mine installed a 4" lift because he took it and ATVs to Moab. I've been happy with the extra ride height although I also added a rear Hellwig anti away bar. (Many folks do this regardless of rig height). I also have rear air bags that the prior owner installed to replace the mor-ryde suspension that came stock from Chinook. I keep 40-50 PSI in it. Higher amounts result in more "bounce" to the ride.

Be careful if you lift it. Action van for example has the proper conversion that assures correct wheel alignment.

http://www.actionvansuspension.com. Is the brand that he installed.

You can also have it converted to true 4x4 from companies like Quadvan that use genuine Ford 4x4 parts and thus allow the warranty to not be voided. http://www.quadvan.com

Quadvan has experience with converting RVs.

Quigley is also a very common company that does the conversion, including directly for Ford. http://www.quigley4x4.com.