Class A FRED, will Thor follow suit

[EA37TS]

I was reading my RV SOUL magazine and noticed a Newmar add touting a new Class A FRED for 2021 that includes a toy hauler floorpan as well as several non toy haulers.

I wonder if anyone else, to include Thor, will follow suit. The motorhome is being built on a Freightliner MC Chassis with a 340 HP Cummins. With the 340 Cummins I imagine the trans will be a Allison 2500 series which is a similar power plant to the Palazzo.

https://www.newmarcorp.com/diesel-mo...ar/floorplans/

[Bob Denman]

That sounds really cool!

[saddlesore]

A Thought...
What "If".... Frightliner re-intoduced their class 8 long wheelbase Cabover chassis with a tag axle toy hauler??
..ie: a class "A" "Fred".. able to haul nearly any amount of weight one would wish to transport while still giving a full Monte of living space????

[Bob Denman]

I know the perfect Toad for that garage...

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1600366029

[Chance]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

I was reading my RV SOUL magazine and noticed a Newmar add touting a new Class A FRED for 2021 that includes a toy hauler floorpan as well as several non toy haulers.

I wonder if anyone else, to include Thor, will follow suit. The motorhome is being built on a Freightliner MC Chassis with a 340 HP Cummins. With the 340 Cummins I imagine the trans will be a Allison 2500 series which is a similar power plant to the Palazzo.

https://www.newmarcorp.com/diesel-mo...ar/floorplans/

Did you look at weight and towing specs? If I’m looking at the right data, 6,000-pounds and 600-pound hitch vertical load isn’t much. And when loaded with normal belongings, some of the models would drop below that 6,000-pound rating. That’s going to disappoint with buyers who expect a lot of towing capacity from large diesel rigs.


P.S. — Specs show transmission as 2500M 5-speed.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

Did you look at weight and towing specs? If I’m looking at the right data, 6,000-pounds and 600-pound hitch vertical load isn’t much. And when loaded with normal belongings, some of the models would drop below that 6,000-pound rating. That’s going to disappoint with buyers who expect a lot of towing capacity from large diesel rigs.


P.S. — Specs show transmission as 2500M 5-speed.

I saw the capacity and thought the same thing. Another disappointment will be a 30K coach with only 340 HP which is limited by the Allison 2500 trans.

It does however give folks an option for a FRED toy hauler with a decent sized living area.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

...It does however give folks an option for a FRED toy hauler with a decent sized living area.

It sure will!
My Fred is definitely on the "small size"...

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1600367781

[Chance]

Years ago we tested a FRED and found noise level from diesel just below us was too high. I’m sure newer engines are quieter, but possible noise would concern me unless I got to drive the rig up a hill at full throttle before buying.

While the Cummins 6.7L in-line-6 is a great engine, I’d personally stick to a gas V8 for now.

[Bob Denman]

Since i've got a "FRED: I'm all in for the diesel's greater efficiency!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Since i've got a "FRED: I'm all in for the diesel's greater efficiency!

Technically, you don’t have a FRED. That label applies to front engine diesel Class As, not diesel van Cutaways.

Diesel engines are no doubt more energy efficient, but cost efficiency is a different matter; and more debatable.

[Bob Denman]

"Front engine oil-burner"?
It's a FRED!

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

Years ago we tested a FRED and found noise level from diesel just below us was too high. I’m sure newer engines are quieter, but possible noise would concern me unless I got to drive the rig up a hill at full throttle before buying.

While the Cummins 6.7L in-line-6 is a great engine, I’d personally stick to a gas V8 for now.

My 6.7 climbs the hills at approximately 2400 RPM in 4th gear (6 speed) so I’m not sure the FRED would be nosier than the V10 running the same hills at approximately 5000 RPM. The most noise I get is when the cooling fan kicks in at 200 degrees of engine temp.

With no dog house it has to be somewhat quieter.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

A Thought...
What "If".... Frightliner re-intoduced their class 8 long wheelbase Cabover chassis with a tag axle toy hauler??
..ie: a class "A" "Fred".. able to haul nearly any amount of weight one would wish to transport while still giving a full Monte of living space????

Humm - Thor Outlaw KB 39 ft list $230,000 vs Newmar Super Star 3746 37 ft list $350,000.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Humm - Thor Outlaw KB 39 ft list $230,000 vs Newmar Super Star 3746 37 ft list $350,000.

The Newmar Super Star isn't on a Freightliner Cab Over chassis like was imagined. The Super Star is on a M2-106 Chassis which is not cab over but rather a cutaway.

The only cab over chassis made by Freightliner right now is their trash truck chassis.

Now compare the Outlaw KB at 230K (Gasser) to the Canyon Star 3927 (FRED) at 233K and you have a comparison and Thor may have a run for the money.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

My 6.7 climbs the hills at approximately 2400 RPM in 4th gear (6 speed) so I’m not sure the FRED would be nosier than the V10 running the same hills at approximately 5000 RPM. The most noise I get is when the cooling fan kicks in at 200 degrees of engine temp.

With no dog house it has to be somewhat quieter.

Your rig has engine up front separated by a solid firewall, whereas a FRED has engine below and separated by a doghouse. I think these can be very different depending on RV manufacturer.

I would also not run a V10 at 5,000 RPM because of excessive noise and vibration. I limit mine to 4,000, and rarely go over 3,500 RPM. Incremental power gained is not worth noise, vibration and harshness.

If buying a new FRED, the gas option is now a 7.3L V8, not the V10. That engine is inherently much smoother and quieter, and is rated at 350 HP at only 3,900 RPM. Spinning that V8 to 5,000 RPM makes little sense to me.

By the way, what’s your gross combined weight? Are you comparable to 30,000-pound GVWR or 33,000-pound GCWR?

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chance

Your rig has engine up front separated by a solid firewall, whereas a FRED has engine below and separated by a doghouse. I think these can be very different depending on RV manufacturer.

I would also not run a V10 at 5,000 RPM because of excessive noise and vibration. I limit mine to 4,000, and rarely go over 3,500 RPM. Incremental power gained is not worth noise, vibration and harshness.

If buying a new FRED, the gas option is now a 7.3L V8, not the V10. That engine is inherently much smoother and quieter, and is rated at 350 HP at only 3,900 RPM. Spinning that V8 to 5,000 RPM makes little sense to me.

By the way, what’s your gross combined weight? Are you comparable to 30,000-pound GVWR or 33,000-pound GCWR?

I am 29,000 GVWR and 41,000 GCWR. My weight across the scales without TOAD was approx 26.5K. Add 5.5K for the TOAD and I am running at approx 32K combined. My Cummins 6.7 with Allison 3000 is rated at 360HP.

[MaceMan]

What the heck does FRED stand for? There is a lot of this kind of thing on these forums. Not everyone just knows what these acronyms stand for. I am plenty experienced and I don't know some of these! Write in English so we can all understand!

[paulwadley]

I believe FRED stands for Front Engine Diesel chassis.


Paul

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by paulwadley

I believe FRED stands for Front Engine Diesel chassis.


Paul

You are correct it is Front Engine Diesel.