Community Forums

army · 05-03-2014, 09:09 PM

I currently own a 1999 Born Free, 23 ft. Class C on a Ford 450 chassis with the V-10 engine. I'm looking at upgrading to a 2009 Born Free, 25 ft. but it is on a Chevy 4500 Workhorse chassis with a 6.0 liter V-8. I understand that the Ford will carry and pull more than the Chevy chassis but the Chevy chassis is reported to ride much better than the Ford. My real concern is engine life, power and dependability. Gas mileage is also a concern. I currently get 9.5-10 on my current V-10 rig without towing.

Any advice, information , suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

HuntingHawk · 05-03-2014, 09:34 PM

If you look at the top quality class C manufacturers they use Ford E series frames & V10 engine. So JMO but I would be very suspect of anything made from GM.

DDDonkey · 05-04-2014, 09:22 AM

Drive it and see what you think. Your are looking at a 10 year newer rig, it will be apples to oranges. If on the test drive you don't like it walk away, but you may find like it better. Everyone has their favorites and opinions. JMO

Mich F · 05-04-2014, 12:05 PM

As DDDonkey pointed out, you need not be concerned with a Chevy vs Ford debate. You're concerned with test driving one MH. Every MH new or old, Ford or Chevy/GM, is going to drive/handle differently.
If there is a handling problem, the cheapest, easiest fix is to weigh the MH at least by each axle, if not by individual wheels and adjust the tire pressure according to the Michelin Americas Truck Tire Load & Inflation Tables

BFlinn181 · 05-04-2014, 12:25 PM

Many years ago I was in the market for a used school bus. I drove about 4 of each type, Chevy (GM) and Ford. My partner and I could feel the difference before leaving the lot, the GM products had a much softer ride. We ended up buying a Chevy and driving it 10,000 miles.
Test drive the RV and see what you think.

jenandjon · 05-04-2014, 12:33 PM

I will never buy a Ford anything ever again. It boils down to personal preference. They both have their ups and downs.

DriVer · 05-04-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by army

I currently own a 1999 Born Free, 23 ft. Class C on a Ford 450 chassis with the V-10 engine. I'm looking at upgrading to a 2009 Born Free, 25 ft. but it is on a Chevy 4500 Workhorse chassis with a 6.0 liter V-8. I understand that the Ford will carry and pull more than the Chevy chassis but the Chevy chassis is reported to ride much better than the Ford. My real concern is engine life, power and dependability. Gas mileage is also a concern. I currently get 9.5-10 on my current V-10 rig without towing.

Any advice, information , suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I've driven the same model of Class C on both the GM and the Ford Class C Chassis and in my experience, the Chevrolet/Workhorse (Badged) Class C RV was smoother shifting, quieter and felt like it had better power from its V-8.

These are both 2006 models, at the inception of the release of the Chevy/WCC product. The GM/WCC badged RV can be serviced by any GM (Chevrolet or GMC) dealership in the country.

In later model years, GM increased the GVWR of the chassis.

BFlinn181 · 05-04-2014, 12:44 PM

Every summer for almost 20 years I was in charge of four 15 passenger (3500) vans we picked up in Oxford, OH and used fully loaded out and about Yellowstone. They were a mix of (early years) Ford and Dodge, then later Chevy and Ford. The Chevys rode better, but would lose power at higher elevations.(+7.000 ft) I really have no firm opinion on quality, I've had good and bad of each.