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Old 11-19-2019, 05:22 PM   #1
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E350 vs E450

On the Ford chassis I noticed up to 25 ft they use the E350 and above they use the E450.

What difference's would I notice between the two ??
Ride, gas mileage, handling, etc. ??

Thanks
Jim

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Old 11-19-2019, 06:01 PM   #2
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Nope, only real difference is the weight ratings. Which is why different coaches use one vs the other (they are heavier).
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Old 11-19-2019, 06:11 PM   #3
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I know that the manufacturers will alter the frames to increase wheelbases...
But are the 350 and 450 available in the same OEM wheelbases?
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Old 11-19-2019, 07:03 PM   #4
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138”
158”
176”

E-450 is not made in 138”
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Old 11-19-2019, 07:21 PM   #5
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I have a Freedom Elite 22F on a 450 Chassis
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Old 11-19-2019, 07:35 PM   #6
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In 2018 they switched the 26B and smaller units to E350. It's how I got screwed on the deal. Ordered a 17 and they changed without warning and delivered a 2018. They came across a large inventory of 2017 E350 chassis and needed to use them up I guess.
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Old 11-19-2019, 07:40 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
138”
158”
176”

E-450 is not made in 138”
Thanks! I saw that in the chart you posted in the other thread.
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Old 11-19-2019, 08:02 PM   #8
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From what I’ve observed, most Ford E-Series (both 350 and 450) start life as 158-inch wheelbase. RV manufacturer’s then stretch wheelbase to whatever they need for the length of the motorhome. I was recently surprised to find a Thor Chateau with 176” wheelbase that was a 158” + 18” stretch, not the Ford 176”.

A few very short Class C motorhomes use the 138-inch wheelbase, but there’re not many I’m aware of. The Thor 19G at about 20-ft overall length was one, and some like Born Free and similar which were short and or had long rear overhangs.

I’m not sure why RV manufacturers don’t use the Ford OEM 176-inch wheelbase more often for unit’s in the 25~27 foot range other than I expect they get a huge discount for buying 158” wheelbase in volume.
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Old 11-19-2019, 08:39 PM   #9
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Could it be that their "Stretched" versions, are stiffer, and stronger than the Ford 176"?
(My Outlaw was stretched to 209"! )
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Old 11-19-2019, 08:58 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by airforceret View Post
In 2018 they switched the 26B and smaller units to E350. It's how I got screwed on the deal. Ordered a 17 and they changed without warning and delivered a 2018. They came across a large inventory of 2017 E350 chassis and needed to use them up I guess.


So how’s your coach holding up after a couple of years now? I’m really interested in whether Thor’s issues are just with initial assembly quality or if their machines simply don’t hold up. Thanks.
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Old 11-19-2019, 09:55 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Could it be that their "Stretched" versions, are stiffer, and stronger than the Ford 176"?
(My Outlaw was stretched to 209"! )

If you were to stretch to 176” only, I’d take the OEM. However, when stretching to much longer wheelbase, which is common, then starting with 158” WB chassis has some advantages. Makes no sense to discuss why that’s the case here.
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Old 11-30-2019, 11:11 PM   #12
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NEW 2019 Four Winds 26-B

I have a NEW 2019 Four Winds 26-B on an E-350, leans to the left 2 inches! Is this a common problem? Slide in and tanks empty!
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Old 11-30-2019, 11:41 PM   #13
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How about adding some "helper springs to the left side suspension?
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:10 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by david healy View Post
I have a NEW 2019 Four Winds 26-B on an E-350, leans to the left 2 inches! Is this a common problem? Slide in and tanks empty!


I had the Freedom Elite version of this coach and mine leaned too. I asked my trusted truck suspension shop about it and he told me it is a purely cosmetic issue. Has no effect on handling or anything. It’s just the way the box sits atop the chassis. Notwithstanding, he said he could fix it by adding a small helper spring on the left side or a spacer. As I recall it only was going to cost just a couple of hundred dollars. In the end I decided to leave it alone and later I noticed that quite a number of RVs and box trucks do the same thing.
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:12 AM   #15
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Still under warranty, taking to Ford! They blame it on Thor for putting to much weight on left side!
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:31 AM   #16
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Still under warranty, taking to Ford! They blame it on Thor for putting to much weight on left side!


Yes, that’s certainly the cause. Almost everything heavy is on the left. You can carry your gold bars in the bathroom!
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Old 12-01-2019, 12:40 AM   #17
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Good idea: just cast the bars into pure gold fixtures...
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:31 AM   #18
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So how’s your coach holding up after a couple of years now? I’m really interested in whether Thor’s issues are just with initial assembly quality or if their machines simply don’t hold up. Thanks.
Both wing walls rotted from water damage and had to be replaced. The wheel wells are rotting from water damage. The steps above the battery box have rotted from water damage and will need replaced.

The left side of the coach now sits nearly 4 inches lower than the right side but was surprised to find it is not the chassis. Either the body is sagging on the mounts or it was just built that crooked. I emailed Thor just asking about it and got no response.

I have 27000 miles on it and drive it like I stole it now since there is no going back!
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:34 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
I had the Freedom Elite version of this coach and mine leaned too. I asked my trusted truck suspension shop about it and he told me it is a purely cosmetic issue. Has no effect on handling or anything. It’s just the way the box sits atop the chassis. Notwithstanding, he said he could fix it by adding a small helper spring on the left side or a spacer. As I recall it only was going to cost just a couple of hundred dollars. In the end I decided to leave it alone and later I noticed that quite a number of RVs and box trucks do the same thing.
I recently had mine checked out by Ford and they informed me that my chassis was not sagging at all and that it was an issue with the way it was built. Mine is off by nearly 4 inches.
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:36 AM   #20
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Our Four Winds 24f leaned until I put Sumo springs in place of the bump stops front and rear. I thought it was because of the full wall slide on the left side.
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