Community Forums

wolfe10 · 05-31-2021, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donskiman

Well Newmar brought back a front engine diesel so maybe someone else will bring back a gas pusher.

Why not have air suspension and/or air brakes on gassers too?

You would be WAY too close to the price of a base DP.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-31-2021, 04:42 PM

If the engine were the only difference, gas pushers might be in demand. After all, the cost differential of gas vs diesel engine is substantial, at least $5k. And if diesel engines were a sufficient advantage by themselves, front diesel (aka FRED) chassis would also be a big seller. Neither is the case. Buyers with more money to spend want the whole nine yards, a more robust chassis with a big GVWR, air suspension & brakes, and a rear engine for quiet and smooth power. Not to mention the outstanding Allison 3000/4000 transmissions. When you put that whole package together, the extra cost of the diesel becomes a modest part of the whole thing. May as well go for the gold...

lockinload · 05-31-2021, 05:48 PM

I have never understood why they haven't had diesels in the econoline chassis on the class Bs.

UFO Pilot · 05-31-2021, 06:01 PM

I have 80,000 miles on my UFO and it has never over heated. I agree with Ed and Lash, demise of the GM 8.1 killed the best gas chassis ever built.

House Husband · 05-31-2021, 06:42 PM

The rear engine gas pusher builders were so close to getting it right. John Deere failed to install the correct engine cooling fan on the 460s. The fan needed to blow through the radiator, but they left the original sucking (pun intended) fan on and created a cooling problem.
Work Horse did change the direction of the engine cooling fan but failed to install the reverse thrust water pump bearings. Water pump bearings are designed to handle some lateral thrust, either for or aft, depending on the fan direction. Thus water pump failure that they blamed on an over aggressive fan clutch.

Richard

UFO Pilot · 05-31-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by House Husband

The rear engine gas pusher builders were so close to getting it right. John Deere failed to install the correct engine cooling fan on the 460s. The fan needed to blow through the radiator, but they left the original sucking (pun intended) fan on and created a cooling problem.
Work Horse did change the direction of the engine cooling fan but failed to install the reverse thrust water pump bearings. Water pump bearings are designed to handle some lateral thrust, either for or aft, depending on the fan direction. Thus water pump failure that they blamed on an over aggressive fan clutch.

Richard

Then why did they replace the Fan Clutch Assembly and NOT the water pump? Where did you get this info?

-Gramps- · 06-01-2021, 01:03 AM

I think there is some wrong info being posted here, again. My MH, which I bought new, runs cool, has never run warm even when climbing at 7 percent up route 89 or I 77 in low gear to where I live in the summer. I can't hear the engine most of the time unless my rear mike is on, and when using the cruise control my coach obviously climbs faster than the dps that I pass. The WH recall was caused by a faulty FCA heat sensing problem, wrong viscosity of the oil in it. This caused the FCA to run all the time and in very few cases it failed. That problem was addressed years ago and I have not heard of any owners having a problem since and I keep up with it. After 12 years, I know that this is the chassis I will drive until I don't care to drive a MH at all anymore.

-Gramps- · 06-01-2021, 05:39 AM

I would like to add, tongue in cheek, that my UFO has never, unlike some Ford gassers in the past, thrown sparkplugs out of the engine block while going down the road.

Sweetbriar · 06-01-2021, 06:09 AM

Economics is the reason why.

Keep in mind the dominate new gas class A buyer is looking for their first rig and might not have the experience or knowledge to look past the added cost. Give them identical floor plans but with different chassis configuration and 9 times out of 10 they will go with the lowest cost version which at the current time is the front gas.

Plus builders/dealers have have a very low risk tolerance to major changes and the fear of building/selling something that could end up becoming a dealer's lot queen. If a rear engine gas, or a front engine diesel, cost more than a front gas it's going to be difficult to sell to a prospective buyer who might not understand or realize the advantages of the different configuration.

hartlenb · 06-01-2021, 08:14 AM

I’d agree that its most likely economics. The ford RV chassis is also their workhorse commercial chassis and that market is looking to haul & carry. I believe (but don’t know) that it’s the bigger piece of the pie for Ford. Having the engine in the back wouldn’t work very well for the commercial segment.

House Husband · 06-02-2021, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartlenb

I’d agree that its most likely economics. The ford RV chassis is also their workhorse commercial chassis and that market is looking to haul & carry. I believe (but don’t know) that it’s the bigger piece of the pie for Ford. Having the engine in the back wouldn’t work very well for the commercial segment.

Please note the F53 is a Motorhome chassis and the F59 is the commercial version.

"For impressive horsepower and torque, premium features and components, rely on Ford’s capable stripped chassis, the F-53 motorhome chassis and F-59 commercial stripped chassis."

Richard

edgray · 06-02-2021, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartlenb

I’d agree that its most likely economics. The ford RV chassis is also their workhorse commercial chassis ......

Sorry, but only a Workhorse built chassis should be called a "workhorse"

I understand what you meant, though.

-Gramps- · 06-02-2021, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

Sorry, but only a Workhorse built chassis should be called a "workhorse"

I understand what you meant, though.

Ditto.

Tha_Rooster · 06-03-2021, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPengineer

With the cost to jump from gas to diesel drivetrains, diesel’s present challenges with emission system’s control reliability/longevity (mainly DEF heads). and gasoline’s cheaper cost (compared to diesel) in the marketplace, why don’t manufactures offer mid line class A coaches with gasoline drive trains in the rear of the coach? Wound give owners the quietness of a diesel pusher at a lower cost.

It would greatly increase the price point on a gassers because of the need to custom make a new chassis when now they use a generic truck box chassis.