Diesel engine in front

[blntln]

can anyone give me some info on motorhomes with a front diesel. How does it compare to a diesel pusher or gas engine.

Thanks

[CampDaven]

I have a 33 Serrano diesel puller (the other DP). Has the Maxxforce 7 V8 and Allison trans.
About 1/3 the noise of a gasser (had 2 of them). Normal speach works while cruising.
About $70K less than same size pusher (when new in 2011).
At 14K miles, mpg that started at 9.5 is now 11+ toading a Wrangler. Just starting to get broke in!
Any longer rig would have more room, but what I aint got, I dont need, and we are F/T.

[paz]

With a front diesel, you won't get air suspension like you will find in most diesel pushers. Air suspension = smoother ride.

A front diesel also won't be nearly as quiet as a rear diesel, but it likely won't be significantly different from a front gas engine at cruising speed. Since diesels tend to produce more torque at lower RPM, the front diesel can be a good bit quieter than a gas-powered motorhome when pulling a long hill. The higher torque at lower RPM also gives just about any diesel an advantage in overall pulling power.

A motorhome with a front diesel won't have as much weight capacity as a rear diesel, but (depending on the size of the engine and the size of the motorhome) it should get better fuel mileage than a gas-powered motorhome of similar size.

Depending on the size and year motorhome you're looking at (recent EPA requirements have added significantly to the cost of most diesel-powered motorhomes), a front diesel will cost $10 to $20k more than a gasser, but $40 to $70k less than a rear diesel.

Maintenance costs for diesels are usually higher than for gas engines, but service intervals are longer so they tend to balance out

[TheArnolds]

Originally Posted by paz

With a front diesel, you won't get air suspension like you will find in most diesel pushers. Air suspension = smoother ride.

A front diesel also won't be nearly as quiet as a rear diesel, but it likely won't be significantly different from a front gas engine at cruising speed. Since diesels tend to produce more torque at lower RPM, the front diesel can be a good bit quieter than a gas-powered motorhome when pulling a long hill. The higher torque at lower RPM also gives just about any diesel an advantage in overall pulling power.

A motorhome with a front diesel won't have as much weight capacity as a rear diesel, but (depending on the size of the engine and the size of the motorhome) it should get better fuel mileage than a gas-powered motorhome of similar size.

Depending on the size and year motorhome you're looking at (recent EPA requirements have added significantly to the cost of most diesel-powered motorhomes), a front diesel will cost $10 to $20k more than a gasser, but $40 to $70k less than a rear diesel.

Maintenance costs for diesels are usually higher than for gas engines, but service intervals are longer so they tend to balance out

X2

[Gary RVRoamer]

paz gave an excellent summary!

[esfritzi]

Who makes some good front engine diesels?

[vsheetz]

There was a similar thread here that commented a FRED that had air suspension, air brakes, etc. So while most FRED don't have these - it's not always the case.

I had a Safari Trek that was a FRED - GM v8 diesel on a P30 chassis. Loved the 10-12 MPG fuel mileage.

I would seriously consider one of the newer FRED's with Cummins engine and Freightliner chassis if one fit my other needs. It's like a good gasser with more torque and better mileage.

A Ford F53 with Ford's PowerStroke diesel would be an interesting offering, if Ford would produce such a combination.

[GuidoDoc]

I have a FRED. Jayco Seneca - Super C. The 2013 is full air ride with air brakes. It is pretty quiet cruising in the 60's. Mine has a noise I am trying to sort out but it has nothing to do with the diesel engine. Agree with the low RPM torque making it quieter on acceleration than a FREG(is that proper for a front end gas?). I doubt it could be as quiet as a rear engine where the motor is 30+ feet away from you.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by GuidoDoc

I have a FRED. Jayco Seneca - Super C. The 2013 is full air ride with air brakes. It is pretty quiet cruising in the 60's. Mine has a noise I am trying to sort out but it has nothing to do with the diesel engine. Agree with the low RPM torque making it quieter on acceleration than a FREG (is that proper for a front end gas?). I doubt it could be as quiet as a rear engine where the motor is 30+ feet away from you.

You may have just created a new "label", but most of us are happy to go by "gasser", even though the rear gas UFO chassis did blur the line a bit.

[jzick]

We have traveled in a FRED six months or so per year since 2007. When we bought new we compared it to an identical model on a gas chassis. After test driving both units and looking at both closely, we bought the diesel. Some of the reasons were that the diesel was quieter, fuel mileage was better and fuel tank was larger meaning longer driving range between fills, diesel generator, better hill climbing ability (more torque), and the diesel comes with an engine brake that really helps on downhill roads. The biggest reason, however, was that the Freightliner chassis gives us about double the carrying capacity of the gas chassis we were comparing it to.

When we purchased our unit in 2007, our budget allowed our unit new or a used DP. Since this was the heart of the boom market there were very few quality used units available, and we normally do not buy used anything, anyway. Had we been willing to spend the extra cash we certainly would have bought a pusher, but, so far we remain pleased with our FRED.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

I have a 33 Serrano diesel puller (the other DP). .........

I'm thinking the fact that DP was already being widely used to mean rear diesel motor was why somebody came up with FRED to describe a front mounted diesel engine. But you are certainly entitled to call yours whatever you like

["007"]

Here is a write up on FRED chassis.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by edgray

I'm thinking the fact that DP was already being widely used to mean rear diesel motor was why somebody came up with FRED to describe a front mounted diesel engine. But you are certainly entitled to call yours whatever you like

Fred is trademarked by Tiffin, I think

[paz]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Fred is trademarked by Tiffin, I think

While Tiffin built a lot of motorhomes on the FRED chassis, the FRED chassis is manufactured by Freightliner. The FRED was also sold to numerous other motorhome builders.