Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
Except that Ford will have to make it 10% more efficient based on the GVWR and GCWR. As long as the RV (and trucks) built on it are under the GVWR they still should be able to achieve the 10%.
Note that the stripped chassis also finds its way into Fedex, Food, MacTools, etc. trucks as well. (Ambulances too..)
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Even so, I'm not sure how that's going to be regulated because weight alone is not a good indicator of fuel economy on the highway, where many motorhomes end up racking up miles.
For example, an E-450 cutaway could be used under a low profile and narrow Class B+, or could also end up under a wide body Class C with the aerodynamics of a brick.
Mostly I'm curious if the RV industry will have regulatory and marketplace incentives to make RVs more fuel efficient, or if they will simply find a way to circumvent the intent of the new policy. My personal wish would be for an Axis-size MH (or slightly smaller like the Sprinter-based Winnebago) that could do an honest 12 MPG at steady 62 MPH. That seems very doable in the timeframe being discussed.
Having an EPA highway rating similar to those of cars could also help. That information may influence buyers.