Ford E350/450 chassis vs Ford Transit chassis

[donkro]

Currently have a 2016, 30 ft Coachmen Class C on Ford E350 chassis, V10, and am considering downsizing to a 24ft, Transit chassis motorhome. We like our current model in general, but find it almost too big at times, not only inside but maneuverability wise also. I'd like to hear from those who've experienced both units to help me decide. I realize they're both a van chassis, tho the Econoline is very old, but what specifically are differences in handling, comfort, V6 vs. V10 (for sure less towing capacity) and anything else worth noting. Gas mileage should be better, but by how much?

[reluctantrver]

I've owned 7 RVs. Two of which were E350/450 and two built on the Transit chassis. I currently own a Coachmen Orion Traveler T24RB. I describe some of the differences between the Orion T24RB and the T20CB at this link The Reluctant RVer

I traveled to the big five National parks in Utah last summer. The Transit average mileage for the whole trip was 13MPG. My E350/450s typically averaged 6 to 8 MPG. The Transit suprisingly

does much better in mountains that the older V10s. I think this may be due to the 6 speed transmission. I easily passed a lot of other rigs on the grades in Colorado.

[RedLdr1]

We've had E-450 based Sunseekers and a Transit based TS2390. After driving a Transit it is hard to go back to a E-Series. The independent front suspension, and the size difference, make the Transit a pleasure to drive. While it is not a sports car the improvement over the E-Series is very noticeable. The day after we bought our TS2390 I drove it 500 miles and was ready to keep going... I've never driven that far in a day in a E-Series, normally I went around 350-400 miles, and feel beat to death...

Our TS2390 averaged around 14MPG with a high of 17MPG and a low of 11 MPG. the E-450 on the same route averaged 7.5MPG.

As far as towing FR does not install a hitch. Coachmen installs a Class One 1,000 pound rated hitch. I looked at adding a Class 3 hitch to our TS2390 and due to the frame extensions it is not a good idea...if it could be done at all.