Community Forums

DriVer · 09-29-2006, 02:55 AM

OK here we go!

Everyone that participates here should already know that Workhorse has released its UFO or Universal Fuel Option chassis. The UFO gives the manufacturers the option to outfit their motorhomes with up to 3 engine options.

You the buyers are going to be the catalyst that will sway a dealership to buy a gas or diesel powered UFOs going forward for stock. Toward the end of 2007 and the beginning of Model Year 2008 we should see the options as being immediately available depending on order. At the present time the only show in town is gas. Next spring we should see a Cummins 6.7L ISB.

In the fall of 07 we should see a 6.4L Maxxforce International Truck & Engine V-8 turbo diesel option.

I have also included a few more questions please be so kind to respond to the entire poll.

Thank you!

DriVer · 09-29-2006, 02:55 AM

OK here we go!

Everyone that participates here should already know that Workhorse has released its UFO or Universal Fuel Option chassis. The UFO gives the manufacturers the option to outfit their motorhomes with up to 3 engine options.

You the buyers are going to be the catalyst that will sway a dealership to buy a gas or diesel powered UFOs going forward for stock. Toward the end of 2007 and the beginning of Model Year 2008 we should see the options as being immediately available depending on order. At the present time the only show in town is gas. Next spring we should see a Cummins 6.7L ISB.

In the fall of 07 we should see a 6.4L Maxxforce International Truck & Engine V-8 turbo diesel option.

I have also included a few more questions please be so kind to respond to the entire poll.

Thank you!

Goldsburg · 09-29-2006, 05:09 AM

A 6.0L Vortec with more power and torque than an 8.1L does not exist! Why would you then even offer a 8.1L...?

Specs:

6.0L Vortec Max: 345HP and 380lb-ft
8.1L Vortec: 340HP and 455lb-ft

You should really take a minute to check your facts before posting mis-information on these boards...

DriVer · 09-29-2006, 07:24 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Goldsburg:
A 6.0L Vortec with more power and torque than an 8.1L does not "YET" exist! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I believe that I have my facts in order sir and thank you for joining us here in the Workhorse Custom Chassis Motorhome Forum. The purpose of the poll is to conjecture, a wish list if you will, so there is nothing here that is cast in concrete. I really appreciate that you choose to be with us so please do come back and visit and post often.

Just remember; "The Shadow knows!" and "Only your hair dresser knows for sure.".

Bob (WA0MQE) · 09-29-2006, 08:29 AM

Driver... As attested by my other post "Which Engine Poll", I was at first confused, until I went back and read the poll more closely.

I certainly see your point and see nothing wrong with your conjecture. As a matter of fact it's these types of things that make folks think and who knows, maybe even the manufacturers think a little.

Keep up the good work...

FrontRangeRVer · 09-29-2006, 09:21 AM

I'm a bit leary of a smaller bore gas engine such as the 6.0. I bet it has to wind up high to produce such HP and Torque, and I believe the power band would be maxed out.

The 8.1 Stump Puller for me!!!

DriVer · 09-29-2006, 09:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FrontRangeRVer:
I'm a bit leary of a smaller bore gas engine such as the 6.0. I bet it has to wind up high to produce such HP and Torque, and I believe the power band would be maxed out. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It doesn't have to wind up as much as a V-10 Ford and its consequently quietier. Heads up against the V-10 in a Class C motorhome application the V-8 does very well. The current WCC Class C uses the 6.0L gas engine and the 4L85E transmission. The W16 also uses the 6.0L with the 4L80E transmission but that makes me wonder why the 85E couldn't be an option on a W16 since it has a greater GVWR & GCWR.

RRT2 · 09-29-2006, 10:04 AM

We've never researched anything on a diesel, have never test driven one either--so it's difficult to come up with anything definitive on all of this. All I care about is where my short little legs are going to rest -- and will I fall out a front entry door?! (My nickel's worth -- due to inflation.)

Interesting survey though...does make one think a bit.

Rose

RRT2 · 09-29-2006, 10:08 AM

Oops...forgot to mention one thing. We parked next to a 'quiet diesel generator' at a race rally. T'ain't nothing quiet about it at 3 a.m. when it's right next to your bedroom window. I'd like to know where to get one!

Rose

Gary N. · 09-29-2006, 12:25 PM

I'm suprised that they're not offering the 6.6 GM / Isuzu diesel as an option but maybe those aren't made avialable in large enough quantities to be able to supply companies outside of GM.

Mahlon · 09-29-2006, 12:32 PM

On the subject of gasoline generators:

I wish Onan and Guardian would use four-pole alternators that would allow the engine to run at 1800 rpm in direct drive. That would be a quieter generator set (but would require more engine displacement for the same kW).

The current crop of generators all use two-pole alternators running at 3600 rpm, which are belt-driven from an engine running at 2400 rpm (at least in my case).

cvrvr · 09-29-2006, 01:50 PM

I would like to see a the big 9.7 liter gas engine with a center door in a 34-36ft coach.

With a good gas engine I can not see the need or expense of a diesel.

If I can't have the 9.7 then the 8.1 will do fine.

I to would like to see an 1800 rpm genset.
George

Full-Timers · 09-29-2006, 05:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mahlon:
On the subject of gasoline generators:

I wish Onan and Guardian would use four-pole alternators that would allow the engine to run at 1800 rpm in direct drive. That would be a quieter generator set (but would require more engine displacement for the same kW).

The current crop of generators all use two-pole alternators running at 3600 rpm, which are belt-driven from an engine running at 2400 rpm (at least in my case). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Huh... Didn't realize Onan was belt driven. I thought it was direct drive. I was told since my Generac is belt driven that they can run at a lower rpm because of the pulley ratio.

Cruzer · 09-29-2006, 06:07 PM

Onan does use belt drive in the smaller generators. These are DC generators rather than AC. They then utilize an integral inverter to inverter to AC output. This gives you clean sine wave output with an easy to regulate 60 Hz frequency because it's electronically controlled. The benefit to this is that the unit does not have to run at any given RPM to put out 60 Hz power. A traditional genset with 2 poles needs to see 3600 RPM at any load and a 4 pole needs to turn 1800 RPM. With the DC-to-inverter design the genset can run at a low RPM with light loads. This conserves fuel, adds to the engine's life, and makes less noise. The drawback is that at high loads it needs to rev up fairly high and those benefits go south pretty quick. They do this on gensets through 7500 watts because the inverters are easy enough to make in that size. The 7500 watt Onan Quiet Power Diesel on my 2004 40DP Allegro Bus is of that design. But, the 10,000 watt Onan Quiet Power Diesel on my 2007 42QRP Allegro Bus is a 4 pole constant 1800 RPM genset. I found it to be quieter than my 7500.

Okay - now, before this turns into a generator thread

- back to the original question.

I'd voted for the Cummins ISB. I'm not buyimng a UFO because I now have a Spartan tag axle pusher (well it'll be here in two weeks anyway

). But, if I was in that market, that's the way I'd go. The ISB will give you better fuel economy and greater torque in a lower RPM band (750 ft-lbs in the 2007 spec ISB) compared to a gasoline engine that needs to rev more. That, and the less overall maintenance of a diesel make it the best choice. The ISB has done great in the FRED chassis and owners have verified in excess of 11 MPG on the 26,000 GVW 37' FREDs. The UFO has more to offer in the chassis department than the FRED so I predict the eventual demise of the FRED and it's replacement will be the UFO.

I've heard a few good things about the Cornbinder diesel though from mid-level truck owners. While it may be a nice engine, I'd prefer to stick with a known good engine rather than test something new. So, I vote for the Cummins diesel. But if I had to go back to gasoline, there's no better choice than the 8.1 Vortec.

That's the beauty of the UFO. An RV builder can offer a given "box", say an Allegro Bay, and the buyer simply picks diesel or gas and the RV builder doesn't have to switch models. That's going to be huge with the RV builders. That's why they'll jump on the bandwagon and make them available and before you know it, there'll be a ton of them on the street.