Ford E350 or E450 for Class C

[meganjoe]

Thanks Guys..

I'm leaning towards the E350 but it's a tough call.. It's not so much about the money.. I just don't want to buy one and wish I had bought the other..

Joe

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Joe-

Specs for the 2018 22R (link here):

E-350 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): 11,500 pounds
E-450 GVWR: 14,500 pounds

The "cutaway" chassis themselves weigh (link here):

E-350: 5,214 pounds
E-450: 5,407 pounds

If there are no other differences between the two coaches, the E-450 can carry

(14,500 - 11,500) - (5,407 - 5,214) = 2,807 pounds

more than the E-350.

What you're trading off is the possibility of harsher ride against the possibility you'll overload the coach.

As "2wiresdave" relates in post#43, it's amazing how fast cargo weight can add up. I believe having the E-450's extra capacity is the better choice. Thinking ahead, I suspect the person to whom you sell the coach may feel the same way.

[meganjoe]

Thanks Mark... Good info...

[xrcris]

I'd make the decision about towing or renting and then make a decision on which chassis to buy.

FWIW, just towing quads and dirtbikes, I haven't needed the steeper gears and having the 4.10's makes a decent cruising speed. Also, the tow/haul mode in the tranny is great for saving the service brakes especially coming through some of the passes out west.

[Mtjag]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

[Mod Edit]
Going all the way back to post #9 {and several subsequent posts} I responded with my opinion, based on a number of facts, as to why an E-450 is "Not Necessarily" a better choice in a Class C that is LESS than 25'.

I also noted "Opinions and YMMV" more than once. I like the E-450, I love the new 6-speed transmission but refuse to buy into the notion that everyone needs that much chassis in a 24' Class C. If you want to drink the Kool-Aid have at it. Not sure why this opinion offends so many but opinions are what these Forums are all about.

For a prospective buyer, this thread has provided a lot of valuable information for both pro and con on the E-350 vs E-450 debate. Feel free, as many do, to disagree with me but personal attacks...seriously? I'm happy to admit that it is entirely possible that I am completely wrong but after 4.5+ years and 42,000+ trouble free, smooth riding, reasonably economical miles in our well built quality coach... I really don't think so.

In the end, a wise prospective purchase will come down to how you are going to actually use the new coach the most and making an informed selection based on those parameters. This always has and presumably will, continue to work for me.

If you get as bored as I am with this discussion go over to the towing Forum and recommend a 3/4 ton truck to tow a 20' TT... you will have a lot of fun.

Thank you for your insight. We are about to purchase a 2017 Class C 29' with the e350 six speed tranny. According to the specs, this unit (with no slides) has has a dry weight of 10,340 lbs, a payload capacity of 2,160lbs and a towing capacity of 5000# (though the salesman told me it's 7,500#) and the GVWR is 12,500#.
We are also looking at the same unit with the Chevy 4500. So, do you think the e350 will be adequate if we decide to tow a 3500# toad?
Thanks in advance for your insight.

[Capt Steve]

The numbers you posted for the possible E-350 look fine. You will have no trouble towing a 3,500# Toad with that coach. The Chevy comes with the 6.0L V-8 which is a fine motor that has a little less Torque but a bit more HP than the Ford V-10 and it is torque that pulls heavy things up the hills. Either powertrain will get the job done just fine but I would go with the Ford especially with the new 6-speed trans which is awesome.

The differences between this coach and the same rig on the Chevy platform tend to come down to how tall you are as the Chevy has a bit more leg room for the driver. If you are 6' or less it will not be an issue {over 6' try them both} but not having a drivers side slide you won't be restricted in sliding the seat back and/or reclining it for even greater comfort. I"m not a fan of slides and if the floorplan works you are far better off without them.

On the Ford be sure it has the 55-gallon fuel tank as the 40 gallon that comes on some E-350's is not ideal. Also, while it should be standard, be sure the Ford has the power driver's seat that is infinitely adjustable, and as a consequence incredibly comfortable especially vs the standard Chevy seat which is pretty
basic.

Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to send me a PM.

[Capt Steve]

[Mod Edit]
My years with my E-350 have been troublefree and my mileage just about average for the typical 24' Class C, E-350 V-10 user.

[NRR]

I have had a 28’ class C on a E350 chassis with 5 Star tune.


I currently have a 4500 with a 6.0 under a 29’ class C. The Chevy is a better chassis in winds and dealing with trucks.


I have hated Chevy since the fifties. The 4500 for a class C is the best choice in my mind.

[Marine Les]

Originally Posted by Montana170

You are correct, the 350 has a 4.10 diff and the 450 has a 4.56 so the 450 does give you more torque at the rear wheels where it counts.

Always stir the pot.
Always Stir the Pot - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery

The E350 since 2016 has the same gears (456) as the 450 according to Ford. Can anyone confirm this?

[fmaclean]

We went for a 2019 Minnie Winnie 22M, on the E350 chassis. Very happy with our choice. We are previous TT travelers thinking of going to a Class C, so last year we rented a Forest River 22 on a E450 chassis to see if the size was workable for us, retired couple hitting 70's with dog. E350 seems to ride and handle better than the E450, and has lots of power to spare. We live and travel the PNW, and the Rockies, and have had no problem pulling the grades, up or down, tow haul mode is fantastic.

[Atlee]

Originally Posted by cherv

Looking at minnie winnie class c model 22m, 24 ft. Can be ordered with either the f350 1 ton or f450 1 1/2 ton. We are retired so just the 2 of us traveling with possible towing a sub-compact car. Also considering renting a car and not towing.

E450 without question. E350 doesn't have nearly enough OCCC available, once you take subtract water and people.

[Ron Dittmer]

My thoughts about an E350 or E450.

I thought since the E-series van was discontinued, the E350 rear differential gear ratio changed to the E450, so the fuel economy is the same now. The curb weight difference between the two bare chassis is negligible.

I feel the E450 will be the better choice even though it will provide a much rougher ride. Just plan on spending a little extra later to remove a few rear leaf springs in back to closer match the actual load to soften the ride. The front coil springs are identical between the two so the ride up front will be the same.

My E350 rig has the standard 158" wheel base with a heavy rear overhang. The teeter-totter effect lifts and lightens the front end so my actual front load is much less than the front axle is capable of. I am replacing the front coil springs with lower-rated ones to closer match the actual load, all in an effort to make a much more comfortable ride. I bought new Moog-brand E150 springs, soon installing them and learn from there. I want to draw a conclusion before replacing tires and an alignment thereafter.

[jerryd151]

I have a Coachman Freelander 26 on a 2016 E350 chassis. I have had it weighed by the RVSIA or whatever the guys are a t the Rallies. I am running 12000 lbs loaded which is too close to max. I run max tire pressure and watch what DW does when loading. We crossed ther country last spring and had no problems. It is working pulling some of the mountains but did not seem to bad. Ride is good. I have to keep it because it is not payed for but if I could do it again I would go for the 450 on anything over 25 ft as stated.

[jerryd151]

I would not go E350 for anything that big. I have a 26 with a E350 and it is just adequate. We run a few hundred pounds of max too close for me.