Community Forums

Roader · 04-12-2020, 02:52 PM

I'm probably overlooking the correct forum to find this info...??

We're on the hunt for a class c to buy and see both the Ford and Chevy chassis.

I need to read up on input on which chassis is best and why?

Thanks

creativepart · 04-12-2020, 03:08 PM

LOTS of Ford chassis E350 and E450 Class Cs are available. Very limited number of Chevy chassis Class C. In fact it's easier finding a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Class C then a Chevy. Every year folk say that's going to change... soon. But it never seems to happen.

Winterbagoal · 04-12-2020, 04:09 PM

If you prefer Chevy, some Super Cs have a Chevy chassis, but they're diesels and are pricey. Not sure what your budget allows.
As suggested, Ford sells the most chassis for class/type A and C motorhomes.

waco kid · 04-13-2020, 06:44 AM

I have a Coachmen 26DS on a Chevy chassis. I picked the Chevy because it had a lot*more leg room in the cab.Driving it is wonderful, I don't feel wind or passing trucks. I pulled a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country on a tow dolly (heavy) for the first 3 or 4 thousand miles, and now I flat tow a CRV. They pulled about the same. Pulling*steep*grades is not an issue. MPG is any where between 9 and 10 in tow haul mode. I downsized from a 42 foot diesel*tag axel, and I thought I wouldn't like the handling*of a class c, I was wrong.......Bruce

SSandman · 04-13-2020, 06:44 AM

I have a 2019 Coachmen 21QB. Test drove the Ford E450 with V-10 and Chevy 4500 with 6 liter. I chose the Chevy over the Ford because it had a better ride and was much quieter. Haven't regretted my choice. Averaging 13-13.5 mpg.

KJohn13 · 04-13-2020, 09:13 AM

Ford has been making the v-10 motor since 1997 on class c van chassis and is a good reliable engine and chassis. You can get parts anywhere and people know how to work on it. I don't have a lot of chevy knowledge. You just don't see too many on the road.

push toy1 · 04-13-2020, 01:05 PM

i have a ford e350 sd. if i would have looked more i would have bought a chevy. chevy is a lot less noise and much more leg room the ride is also better
JUST my opinon. good luck

Michael1955 · 04-13-2020, 02:05 PM

I've posted this info several times, in various threads.

Chevy Chassis is available from at least 4 major RV Manufacturers.

Coachman
Forest River
Gulf Stream
Jayco

In 2014 Minnie Winnie 25B was available on Chevy Chassis, but only for that one year I believe.

Chevy offers much more leg room up front- about 6 inches more clearance to get around the doghouse.
(Fords are quite cramped, even for me, and I'm only 5-11)
Many say Chevy rides smoother and handles better.
Some claim heat and noise from Chevy dog house is tad less- but still quite noticeable.

Chevy chassis offers less CCC and tops out in towing at 5000 lbs.

Kenmat · 04-13-2020, 02:10 PM

In their current format ; I much prefer the Chevy over the Ford chassis in the smaller Class C. More cab room, quieter engine, better mpg, and much better handling. However Ford is upgrading their chassis this year with a new engine and suspension upgrades. I haven’t heard anything about Chevy upgrading theirs yet. So perhaps Ford will address their issues and be my choice. If anyone has more information on a Chevy upgrade please post it. I have been waiting until the fall to purchase in order to compare the two latest chassis . I mostly wish that Ford increases their cab room. I am only 5’9 and I feel cramped in it. I don’t know how the taller drivers deal with it. The Chevy cab is much more comfortable with much more room.

waco kid · 04-13-2020, 02:10 PM

I feel no heat at all from the engine cover.....Bruce

Michael1955 · 04-13-2020, 02:39 PM

If you compare like Models from Coachman, Forest River, Gulfstream and Jayco, what you consistently see is the Chevy version is 6 inches longer- with IDENTICAL floor plans and otherwise dimensions.

That extra 6 inches of length is the Dog House is 6 inches further Forward in the Chevy,
as opposed to the Ford.

It makes a huge difference, especially when exiting your seat and going directly to the back
of the Coach. In a Ford you have to be a gymnast :-)

Just be aware, if you have Slides (plural), leveling jacks, carry a spare tire, extra TVs, etc
you're going to gobble up CCC. I've seen Chevy Class C's with as little as 900 lbs CCC,
because of how they were configured and equipped.

Subtract about 350 lbs for water, another 300 lbs for 2 adults, and you'd be left with less than
300 lbs of CCC for propane, food, clothing, etc.

More typical of Class C Chevy's I've looked at, is the CCC is about 1400 to 1500 lbs.

For a Class C, 22 to maybe 27 ft in length, Chevy is my choice.

But we all have different needs and priorities.
Its why there are a dizzying array of options to choose from.

mlorlomoski · 04-13-2020, 04:53 PM

We found and bought a Jayco 33DS Greyhawk Super C on the Chevy C5500 chassis, 496 gas V8. Excellent build quality and a huge difference from our 2010 Coachmen 30QB V10 on the Ford F450 chassis! No engine noise to speak of, no screaming downshifts (Allison tranny), great room and plenty of towing capacity. Plus it's got an 80 gallon gas tank instead of the 55 in the Ford. The only downside is finding one, we got lucky that a local dealer got one and then we beat the other 10 people who wanted it to the dealer.

WA Larry · 04-13-2020, 05:26 PM

Another vote for the Chevy. I learned long ago from checking out RV Shows that I just couldn't deal with the Ford doghouse. It just bothers my leg and tweaks my knee. Blame it on my natural man-spreading or whatever. There are, by far, more Fords out there, so it clearly isn't a concern for most. I also have a Silverado pick-up, so I was more familiar with the Chevy set-up, feel and motor. To each their own, so try them out. Floor plan is probably more important to most anyway. Best of luck!

Ron Dittmer · 04-13-2020, 08:27 PM

It seems the Chevy is more refined for domestic use, the Ford more for commercial use. So the Chevy 3500 experience will be a little more comfortable than with a Ford E350, as well as the 4500 versus the E450. But the Ford E350/E450 is not a disaster by comparison, it's just less domesticated.

But the Ford exceeds the Chevy because of it's higher commercial rating. It is a more robust chassis. The question at hand is, is it necessary for a motorhome? Some people will say yes, others will so no. I personally feel the Chevy is ideal as long as the load it carries is appropriate for the chassis rating.