stevekk
CA/ OR border
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Joined: 10/06/2010
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I am new to all this.
Been looking for my first RV ever and want a short Class C.
I see most New and not very old Class C have the Ford chassis with either the V8 or V10.
Anyway... I see a used 23 foot 2008 Fleetwood class C on ebay.
It has the Chevy 6 liter engine.
Is this engine OK? Coach has less than 4000 miles on it.
How does it compare to the Ford? should I stay with Ford?
Owner claims 14 to 19 mpg. Can this be true?
Someone told me the Chevy engines will get better gas mileage than Ford?
thanks again to everyone.
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Bob86ZZ4
St. Paul, MN
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Joined: 04/15/2009
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Ford vs. Chevy debate, no right answer there. I'm a Chevy man. I'd never buy a Ford. The 6.0 Chev motor is very solid. A great motor. That seller is a liar about 14-19 mpg. What else is he lying about? I'd question that. The 6.0 motor is not known as a thrifty gas sipper. I have a 6.0 in my conversion van. Van weighs 7000 lbs. Best mileage I've ever gotten is 16 on a highway trip. Regularly gets 12 mpg combined driving. Pulling my enclosed car trailer (about 8k total weight) gets 9-10 mpg. The other thing to consider is the Chev. trans and rear diff that comes with that 6.0. They are both heavy duty and top notch. Forget about what mileage you're going to get. That's not important. Keeping it on the road, not in the shop, is.
'03 United Specialties truck conversion built on Freightliner FL112 chassis, Cat C-12 motor, 10 speed autoshift, 430h/p, 1650 torque, love the truck conversion.
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rjstractor
Auburn, WA
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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The 6.0 should be a good match for that size rig. The Ford V10 has better low end and IMO is better for moving heavy loads. (I own rigs with both engines, so no irrational brand bias here)
I don't think I would want a 5.4 Ford in a motorhome. It has the same power rating as the 6.0 but must rev higher to produce the same power. However, it's a good, reliable engine.
14-19 mpg? Either the guy is a liar or can't do math. My 2500HD pickup with the 6.0 towing a light enclosed trailer doesn't do anywhere near that well. My best tank towing just 2,000 pounds was 14.7 mpg, and that was at 60 mph with a quartering tailwind. I do have a dump box insert which affects the aerodynamics quite a bit. With that motorhome, expect 10 mpg +/-, and be happy with it. I get 7-8.5 with my 30' Ford V10.
* This post was
edited 05/01/12 01:51pm by rjstractor *
1998 Gulfstream Ultra B/H Ford E450 V10
2005 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 w/ Maxidump insert
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
1998 Saturn SL2 toad
2012 VW Jetta S
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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Yes, it seems the Chevy 6.0 gets a little better mileage than the Fords.
To me, it'd be a good choice in a smaller Class C. Along with its adequate performance, you get more cab room and better tracking on the road than with most of the unmodified Fords.
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paradise anymore)
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Joined: 07/09/2002
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Which Transmission does the chevy have?
I would pick the Ford with The TorqShift Transmission over a 4l80E Chevy and if it has the 4L60E it would not even be a consideration.
2006 Winnebago Outlook WF324V
2009 Honda CR-V 2wd TOAD ......Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains NP
Last Camping trip ->2011 SUMMER SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
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cybrfalcon
SW Ohio
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No way you are going to see 14-19 mpg. Best I could do with a 22' MH and the 5.4 engine was 12 mpg. And that was only one trip. Average was 10 mpg and we only got that by holding the speed t0 60mph.
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Joined: 12/12/2011
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j-d wrote:Yes, it seems the Chevy 6.0 gets a little better mileage than the Fords.
To me, it'd be a good choice in a smaller Class C. Along with its adequate performance, you get more cab room and better tracking on the road than with most of the unmodified Fords.
I have to agree mine is a 26Q and it has more room in the cab and drives much better than the un modified fords
as for the mileage I also think your seller is stretching the truth more than a bit. I have never got much more than the fords but it is more roomy,quieter and rides smoother.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 VORTEC
Recycled El Monte RV Rental
Buying A Rental Class C
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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My 2500 HD 6.0 ExtCab 2011 Chevy gave me almost 8 pulling our 30TT and 12 MAX empty. Years ago, I had a 26ft winnebago motorhome with the 350 and got may be 5mpg and would hardly pull a grade. Replaced it with a 454 roller and WOW!!! 12+ mpg and hills were never a problem. Did have a lot of exhaust heat from the doghouse.JMHO
charles weidman
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TyroneandGladys
Chandler AZ
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From the forums that I have seen two things that the Chevy has with out debate is more leg room and less dog house heat
Tyrone & Gladys
26" 1986 Coachmen
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tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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My 28A, 31' overall, has the Chevy 6.0L engine. It does fine in the hills and has 9 MPG average towing a Subaru. To get 14-19 MPG you would need a tailwind and always drive downhill. Your smaller rig should do very well with the Chevy engine. As others have said, there is more room, less noise and less heat.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory
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