Chevy 6 Liter Option

[lgray]

I see where the Concord 300 DS and 300 TS can come on a Chevy chassis with a 6 liter V8. Is this enough to power a 33 plus foot Motor Coach? I also note that there are no towing specs for this set up…assume that you should not tow?
Is this really a responsible alternative to Ford’s Triton 10 or just a way for FR to save a few bucks?

[DocGTO]

That's a tough one. The new gm 6.0 has The same horsepower (360) and economy but the v10 has it on torque (380 to 450). But, one thing to consider is that ford is moving away from the V10 and putting in the new 6.2 triton. That is 385/405 and will be the new hotness on the ford engine side and easier to get warranty work or repair as well. The v10 should be getting phased out soon.

[lgray]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

That's a tough one. The new gm 6.0 has The same horsepower (360) and economy but the v10 has it on torque (380 to 450). But, one thing to consider is that ford is moving away from the V10 and putting in the new 6.2 triton. That is 385/405 and will be the new hotness on the ford engine side and easier to get warranty work or repair as well. The v10 should be getting phased out soon.

Thank you for the reply and numbers. If Ford is phasing the out, that is bad for the RV industry. I first started taking notice of the V10, in Class A's as well, up to 38 feet. But more importantly, they are everywhere in the industry, all makes, all manufactures, class A & C. Hope they don't mess up a good thing.

Here is a good link I found while researching:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...2014_LoRes.pdf

[wyo700]

I have a work truck with the 6.0 and my father in law has one. My work truck has the 6 speed trans father in law has the 4 speed. Personally I would never own one. I have towed my father in laws camper one time across town and up a couple hills and I thought my work truck was under powered because I have towed many trailers with it heaviest being about 4000 pounds but his truck was even worse. Not trying to bash on the 6.0 because some people love it. I'm just talking from personal experience and was not impressed.

[DickiedooFlagman]

The Ford V-10 has not been available in the F-250 and F-350 for several years (since 2011 I think). I am not aware of any plans to eliminate it from the Class A motorhome chassis or from the van-based Class B and Class C motorhomes. I could well be wrong and am willing to stand corrected on this. Has anyone read about the V-10 going away?

[lbrjet]

The 6.8L is only offered now in the F450/F550 and motor homes. Haven't heard zilch about it 'going away'. I have no worries about getting my 5.4L worked on if need be even though it is not put in the F250 anymore. It is still an option for the E250.

The 6.8L is a workhorse. Heck, my 5.4L is a workhorse. Exact same engine with 8 cylinders instead of 10. I'm using 9K of my 9.5K tow rating and it hasn't flinched in 16,700 towing miles and that includes many mountain passes exceeding 9500 feet up to 11000 feet.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[youroo]

Originally Posted by lgray

I see where the Concord 300 DS and 300 TS can come on a Chevy chassis with a 6 liter V8. Is this enough to power a 33 plus foot Motor Coach? I also note that there are no towing specs for this set up…assume that you should not tow?
Is this really a responsible alternative to Ford’s Triton 10 or just a way for FR to save a few bucks?

Our (6 liter GM) pulls itself and a 34+' trailer,and we have been over LOTs of highways! Youroo!!

[lgray]

Good feedback. My takeaway is that the Chevy 6 liter V8 option is arguably fine in a pickup pulling a camper up to its rated limit….but to think it can handle the weight and wind drag of a 33 foot Class C RV on top of it and then actually tow ANYTHING else is too much to expect from this engine. We didn’t even ask about what that might do to a transmission not designed to handle this type of load.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Tow capability / ratings consider lots of variables: tires, axles, differential ratio, brakes, U-joints, .... Running right on the edge of capability can shorten component life. P-tires are designed primarily for cars - lighter duty use even if within specifications. Softer sidewalls = more flex = more heat.

[j free]

the chevy 6 liter was what I was using to tow my old toy hauler. it was 18k total weight along with the 8500 lbs of the truck. the Allison transmission is fantastic transmission. You could also add a chip and boost horse power and tourqe using the tow setting.

[lgray]

Originally Posted by j free

the chevy 6 liter was what I was using to tow my old toy hauler. it was 18k total weight along with the 8500 lbs of the truck. the Allison transmission is fantastic transmission. You could also add a chip and boost horse power and tourqe using the tow setting.

Was that gas or Duramax Diesel engine? The 6 liter referenced here is gas.

[TURBS]

Duramax would be 6.6

[lgray]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Duramax would be 6.6

Exactly, and a Duramax is equipped with the Allison Transmission, which makes it a diesel not gas.
A gasoline to diesel comparison is not the underlying question of this thread…

[wyo700]

And the 6.0 does not come with the Allison trans only the duramax. Many people get confused by this because it's a six speed and they automatically thinks it's the Allison buts it's not. Kinda how everyone thought when GM released the 8.1 liter back in 2001 everyone thought it was the famous 502ci but it was not.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by wyo700

And the 6.0 does not come with the Allison trans only the duramax. Many people get confused by this because it's a six speed and they automatically thinks it's the Allison buts it's not. Kinda how everyone thought when GM released the 8.1 liter back in 2001 everyone thought it was the famous 502ci but it was not.

And you could back the 8.1 with an allison.

[wyo700]

That you could.

[j free]

That is a gas 6 liter. drove truck for over 100k and no problems.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by TURBS

And you could back the 8.1 with an allison.

Yep. Only other motor for th Alli.

[lgray]

Setting aside GM’s 8.1 – Allison Transmission, which is no longer available, perhaps this article explains why Forest River is using an undersized 6.0 V8 and questionable transmission...they can't get them...being outbid by Winnebago:

Ford Boosting Motorhome Chassis Production
February 18, 2013 by RVBusiness · Leave a Comment
Ford Motor Co. is increasing Class A motorhome and commercial chassis production capacity by approximately 35% to meet renewed recreational vehicle demand in the United States. At the same time, Ford is increasing production capacity of its 6.8-liter V10 engine that powers its motorhome chassis lineup.

“We’re pleased that while other chassis manufacturers have left this segment, Ford continues its commitment to the RV upfitter industry,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, in a press release. “We’re increasing our participation in this industry as motorhome customers return to the market.”

As a result, Detroit Chassis will add 34 jobs to make more chassis for motorhomes and commercial vans, while Ford Motor Co. will make more engines for the same vehicles, according to the Detroit Free Press. Privately-held Detroit Chassis partnered with Ford to supply chassis and powertrains for recreational vehicle manufacturers such as Winnebago Industries Inc. and commercial van fleets such as UPS.

Detroit Chassis is hoping to build about 14,000 chassis in the next year, up from 10,000 last year. Almost all are sold through Ford’s sales network.

The automaker announced that it is expanding a Windsor engine plant by 25% by 2014 for production of the 6.8-liter, V-10 gasoline engine. In 2012, Ford made about 61,000 of the large V-10s that are used in motorhomes and commercial vans as well as the E-Series vans, F-Series Super Duty pickups and chassis cabs, the F-650, and third parties that use the engine as a generator.

“Ford is the only one making them (Class A chassis with a gasoline engine),” said Scott Degnan, Winnebago vice president of sales. “And they can’t supply enough of them.”

Degnan said Winnebago sold 1,700 vehicles last year and could have sold almost 30% more

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by j free

That is a gas 6 liter. drove truck for over 100k and no problems.

200 k on my old 6.0 no issues and didn't use oil.