Chevy or Ford engine choice?

[Wenatchee Willie]

We are ready to pull the plug today on a Freelander 27QB, but are unsure whether to go with the Chevy 4500 or Ford E350 engine. As I understand it the Chevy has more horses and the Ford has more torque. The Ford is also $2k more expensive.

We aren't the most mechanically shrewd folks on the block, so don't really know how to look at the hp vs torque thing. We will be going on mainly 1-2 week trips, with a longer 1 or 2 lasting a month, each year, perhaps 12k miles all together. We would also like to go to Alaska in a couple years. We will be towing an HHR behind the RV.

Any thoughts on the engine choice especially, and Freelander 27QB in general, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[TURBS]

Chevy!

[Hoglou]

What a tough question. I went 4500 chevy for the higher capacity (4000 in the 2300). I do like the lack of front end issues with the chev, and I like the tranny. I tow a jk 2 door auto and it does not seem to impact power, mileage, or temp to any notetable measure (have not been in the mountains yet). went to memphis when it was 97 outside with the toad and never moved the temp, even in traffic. I would be very confused if the ford was a 450. I would have paid an extra 4 for a duramax.

glad I cleared that up for you......

[lgray]

See this link:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-75060.html

Bottom line is if you are planning to tow anything, the Ford engine and especially transmission is your best option.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Chevy!

This agreeing with Turbs has to stop, twice in one day???

CHEVY

[Mojojojo]

Ford if pullin hills you want torque, Chevy for better cruising speed on flat land? If I remember right according to TLW I don't !

[Wenatchee Willie]

Thanks everyone.


We retired recently and left southern Texas (flat) for a return to our old college stomping grounds of the Pacific Northwest because we wanted forests and mountains, so Ford it is. This is especially hard for someone who has driven nothing but Chevy his entire life, 4 Camaros and the HHR.

[Mojojojo]

We're full timers on the Oregon coast and have a F350 for our 5er was a dodge man all my youth so I know what ya meen.

[Rodgers]

One word RAM 6.7 L Cummins for me there's no other.

[dustman_stx]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but are you talking about the Chevy 6.0 versus the Ford V10 (6.8L)? Or are you possible looking at the Ford 5.4L? If you are comparing the 5.4 versus the 6.0, then the 6.0 is the right choice. If comparing the 6.0 versus the Ford V10, the V10 is definitely the better choice power-wise. This is assuming you are avoiding blind brand loyalty that afflicts the majority of otherwise thoughtful and logical adults.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by lgray

See this link:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ion-75060.html

Bottom line is if you are planning to tow anything, the Ford engine and especially transmission is your best option.

Ford has a better trany than the Allision? Don't think so.

[camper1999]

Chevy/GMC

[Freelander]

You're not going to go wrong with either combo. With that said, I have had two MHs on the C4500 chasis with the 6.0L. The Chevy has more leg room, the Ford has a bigger doghouse, make sure the DW checks out the pass. side leg room. My wife is ~5' and complained about the room around her feet.
I like the 6 speed trany and engine combo, very smooth and cruises at a lower/quieter rpm, according to what my brother in law noted who owns a similar size with the Ford V10.

[wire1946]

chevy I had a 3/4 ford and now have a 3500 dw and the chevy has it all over the ford

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Ford has a better trany than the Allision? Don't think so.

I wasn't aware that Chevy used the Allison except behind the DMax??????

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I wasn't aware that Chevy used the Allison except behind the DMax??????

Currently they dont.
DMax is the only engine backed by an allison.
Other than the 8.1 which is no longer an option.

6L90 is the current trans I believe.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Ford has a better trany than the Allision? Don't think so.

I've never seen or heard of GM putting an Allison transmission behind its 6.0L gas engine. wyo700 agrees.

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.

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by Wenatchee Willie

We are ready to pull the plug today on a Freelander 27QB, but are unsure whether to go with the Chevy 4500 or Ford E350 engine. As I understand it the Chevy has more horses and the Ford has more torque. The Ford is also $2k more expensive.

We aren't the most mechanically shrewd folks on the block, so don't really know how to look at the hp vs torque thing. We will be going on mainly 1-2 week trips, with a longer 1 or 2 lasting a month, each year, perhaps 12k miles all together. We would also like to go to Alaska in a couple years. We will be towing an HHR behind the RV.

Any thoughts on the engine choice especially, and Freelander 27QB in general, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Here's the thing to remember. Torque is what moves things, HP is more like bragging rights making people think that more horsepower is better. What makes a difference is torque and at what RPM it comes to play. The best Torque comes from diesel engines that have a flat torque curve meaning they have close to the same torque from low to higher RPM's. When it comes to 1/2 ton pickups, fords twin turbo 6 has a flat torque curve from 1500 rpms to around 5,000. Most V*8's start out low and peak at around 3000 rpms on up so they will search the gears more trying to go uphill. They all make good trucks, personal preference is what seals the deal. Do your homework on what you are pulling and how much torque you need to pull it. Skip the horsepower war, it means nothing.

[Joseph Carozzoni]

Too bad the RAM 6.7 L Cummins isn't available, that torque will haul anything. The HHR weights just under 3,500LBS wet. I tow a 5,000 car/trailer and went with the Ford V10. For hauling heavy loads, look at the HP to Torque ratio of either the Chrysler, Ford, or Chevy Diesel trucks that people haul heavy 5th-wheel trailers with (some are over 10,000LBS). On the average, they have twice the torque as HP (i.e. last I knew the RAM was 385HP and nearly 900LBS torque).

[richard rv]

Last month I pulled a 350 chevy up a small mountain in north carolina with my kountryaire ford 360 w/banks power . gentleman was very happy 😆