Class “C” Diesel Power.

[ForeReel1951]

We Have driven two class “C” RV’s to Alaska and delivered them to a dealer, one from Iowa and one fron Indiana, both units were gas powered , Fords. One a v-8, the second trip a V-10. I just retired and we are in a 27ft Jayco Travel Trailer right now, rented it for 4 weeks. This is a test run to try and determine if and when we purchase, what is right for us. Truthfully, have pretty much ruled out a TT. Either a new pick-up diesel powered and a 5th wheel, or a class “C” .
My question is, does anyone build a 25-30 ft class “C” On a Ford cahassis with power stroke, or GMC with a duramax ? All I can find online are “Super C” class, this is not what we are looking for, and also the class “C” Mercedes power really does not interest me, had an acquaintance with one stranded for weeks out west before he could get repaired.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

[ARS1]

Dynamax makes quite a few C's on Ford and Ram platforms. One of the dealers here had one with 4x4 even and if they were bigger, we might have picked one up!!!

[Skip426]

The biggest problem with Class C , with diesel power is accessing the engine to do any work . The engine is shoehorned in under the engine cover.
I worked at a dealership that had the service contract for ambulances , built on both Ford and Chevy , cut away chassis with diesel engines. The Fords were a genuine { self edit } to work on and the Chevy , even worse.
The Chevy Duramax , shop manual , stated for the years I was involved " for major engine repair, lift the body off the frame " something that can't be done with an ambulance box , or a Class C RV built on the chassis.
The additional cost of maintenance and repairs , drove the ambulance company to switch back to gas powered units.

[twinboat]

Look at the Ford Transit chassis. I just saw one with a diesel at a Camping World.

It has a 3.2, 5 cylinder diesel.

[ForeReel1951]

Class “c” Ford Transit with diesel.

Anyone have any experience towing a small car behind one of these ? Does this engine have enough power in the mountains out West to also tow, say a Honda CRV ?

[luvlabs]

25 ft Class C with a diesel, no problem. Ford or Mercedes chassis are available. 25-31 ft Class C with a diesel - no one seems to build them. All of the Class Cs in that range use the Ford E450 chassis. Lots of nice diesel powered Super Cs are available. Ram and Ford seem to be the popular chassis but the really nice ones are on a Freightliner chassis.

I would suggest you broaden your horizons a bit and look at everything. Pick the floorplan that works best for you and don't worry too much about the powertrain.

[Mich F]

I don't believe Ford has put a diesel engine in an E series since around 2010. The 7.3L which was a good engine was used up until around 2003, when emissions standards killed that . The 6.0 L diesel, which had a lot of problems replaced that and was used until the 2010 model year (in the E series). I don't believe the newer 6.4L or 6.7L engines fit in the E series.

[Freqz]

Yes. I don’t know that the class 5 Dynamaxes go that short (and I’m too lazy to look it up at the moment) but the Isata 5 models are what you’re looking for.

Renegade has a class 5 coming out, the Veracruz, but again, it may be longer than you’re looking for.

Used, Born Free put a lot of them on the Ford and Ram class 5 chassis. Many in that 30ish foot range...very nice units with a rabid, almost cultish ownership. You’ll more frequently find them on E450 chassis but if you’re patient a diesel variant will show up. The odd Host May pop up now and again...Host is probably *the* premier truck camper outfit around right now and made class C briefly on Ford crew cab trucks.

Another option may be a triple slide truck camper...say a Host Mammoth or Eagle Cap 1165 on the Class 5 Truck of your choice (Ford or Ram). Expect that setup new to be in the 120k range. A 10’ camper on a crew cab will yield a roughly 25’ rig. If you can stand to sleep in the cab over [emoji4] (and those really are too heavy for a class 3 dually)

[agilabs]

Our Thor Chateau Super C is 33'-34' total on the F550 with 6.7L Powerstroke. I know that the Dynamax Isata5 is available in a 30' or 35' model that will be on the RAM 5500 with 6.7L Cummins.

[xrcris]

While perusing Craigslist, I've seen a few C's built on truck (not van) chassis', both Ford and Dodge. Probably take longer to find one, but they're out there.

With respect to not paying attention to the powertrain, while I don't hate the gasser, I like driving my powerstroke a whole lot more. I bought that 20yrs ago to tow a TT with, and it's just my particular current circumstances that have led me to have a C, and it's performance is definitely underwhelming.

[ecp3031]

The Bengal - Tiger Adventure Vehicles

Not cheap, choice of Ford, Ram, or Chevy, gas or diesel. Mostly built on 4X4 chassis.

[Siesta]

Originally Posted by Mich F

I don't believe Ford has put a diesel engine in an E series since around 2010. The 7.3L which was a good engine was used up until around 2003, when emissions standards killed that . The 6.0 L diesel, which had a lot of problems replaced that and was used until the 2010 model year (in the E series). I don't believe the newer 6.4L or 6.7L engines fit in the E series.

Agreed, but by 2006-2010 Ford (and mostly the aftermarket) had figured out how to make the 6.0 reliable. Also important to note that the motor was de-tuned in the E-series to better deal with shedding heat. So far, I really enjoy my 6.0 and can handle all maintenance chores myself.

[avfordguy]

6.0L best is the 2006.5 to 2008/9 in the e450 I have never seen a 2010 e450 6.0L

[harryn]

Chevy has announced that they will be selling 4500 / 5500 chassis trucks late 2018 / early 2019 with their diesel engines.

I suspect that it won't take all that long for these to be adopted to RV use.

At least in theory, some of the repairs will be easier because the engine cover flips forward - like a semi, allowing more side access.

I have been toying around with the idea of buying an after market sort of sleeper cab to mount on the rails and call it good.