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Old 01-07-2019, 10:29 PM   #1
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Why dont they make Gas Pushers?

Ok your RV guru's,

Why dont they make a 35 to 39 foot long "GAS" pusher?

Pros:
1) It would make the cockpit of the RV very quiet while driving (this might be the only main advantage).

2) Still weigh about the same as the current 35 - 39 footers (Like the Challengers) so the power to weight should not be a problem.

3) Cost less than a DP (I know - not as good as DP ....esp when it comes to towing or mtn driving.... but might cost $10K - 15K less than DP?).

4) Some folks just like Gas vehicles (or are scared of Diesel).

5) Allows front entrance way like a DP - which might make for more useable interior space and longer curb side slide.

Cons:
1) Cost more than the current front engine using the Ford F53 chassis. So why bother.

2) Have to use the DP chassis or make a NEW chassis just for the Gas Pusher so that would make it cost more than the current DP??

3) Have to move the generator up to the nose (no big deal), but might also have a step up in bedroom and loose under the bed storage?


What do you think?

Has any manufacture ever offered a large(ish) Gas pusher?

Would they have to manufacture this RV as a spring ride to justify (or cut) costs (but rougher ride so why bother with this Idea?) or could it be air ride as well?

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Old 01-07-2019, 10:34 PM   #2
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if there was a real demand for them, maybe

but, a whole new chassis design, from the ONE company that offers gas engine raw chassis', is highly unlikely

the one's they offer have a proven track record

----------------------------------------------------

my coach is a diesel pusher, yet has a door midway down the coach, and I like it that way much better - it's hard to have a front let-down bed with a front door, though Thor does have a few - I just wonder how having to 'stoop over' to get out, or get in, really works for folks when the bed is down.
I wouldn't want a front entry coach, whether gas or diesel.

....maybe : )
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:15 PM   #3
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They used to: about 45 years ago...
FMC comes to mind.
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:22 PM   #4
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Agreed, we have the mid door Palazzo d would not get the front entry for many reasons.
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:25 PM   #5
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Interesting question and great reason for it to exist! I wonder if the cooling capability is an issue with the engine in the rear?
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:29 PM   #6
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If they can keep a 600 horsepower diesel happy back there: a gas engine shouldn't be much tougher...
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Long & Winding road View Post
Ok your RV guru's,

Why dont they make a 35 to 39 foot long "GAS" pusher?ould they have to manufacture this RV as a spring ride to justify (or cut) costs (but rougher ride so why bother with this Idea?) or could it be air ride as well?
They did and few were sold. Look up Itasca Latitude (2005-2008). Workhorse made the chassis.
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Old 01-07-2019, 11:38 PM   #8
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http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1546904276
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Old 01-08-2019, 12:57 AM   #9
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For me, not scared at diesels, they have just been more maintenance and dirtier on the upkeep.
Fuels are better now a days too, for diesels.
Diesel fuel costs more, and the separate additive now is added expense.
Not all stations provide diesel fuel conveniently.
The added weight, because of the high compression, diesels need to be all cast iron (heavy!).

Then for us, at this stage, a toy hauler with a rear ramp is the way we want to go, so I do not think any type rp for us.
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Old 01-08-2019, 02:00 AM   #10
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Wow, if you are really curious: Here is the Brochure (pdf).

And they only put a 5,000 lb hitch on the thing? (8.1L GM gas engine with two overdrive gears!)

or you could get it with a Freightliner Chassis with a Diesel.

Oh forget it: It has a Trimark lock--thats a dealbreaker now.
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Old 01-08-2019, 03:23 AM   #11
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Thanks for the info. I really like that Latitude. Looks like spring ride chassis with Hydro brakes.

So you get rid of the engine noise from up front.... but it still dont ride or stop any better than the front engine gas units. Been nice to have air ride and the air brakes.

But I still like it.
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Old 01-08-2019, 04:12 AM   #12
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It’s all about cost. Motorhome chassis volume isn’t enough to justify a lot of engineering to develop a completely new motorhome-specific chassis. By using essentially a lightly-modified truck chassis, the cost stays around $30,000 which is hard to beat.

I think a possible compromise may be to take an F53 chassis and turn it into a mid-engine by moving engine back just enough so it can be lowered significantly to provide a flat floor. The present truck-based chassis places engine above solid front axle which increases height a lot.

Another possibility for a compromise would be to install an independent double A-arm front suspension that would allow dropping engine almost a foot. That could provide a flat floor over engine on larger basement Class As.

While neither of these options would eliminate need for engine access, a trap door could be sound insulated much better than a dog house.
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Old 01-08-2019, 10:19 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post

Oh forget it: It has a Trimark lock--thats a dealbreaker now.
Excuse my ignorance, what is up about Trimark Lock?
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Old 01-08-2019, 12:13 PM   #14
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For me, not scared at diesels, they have just been more maintenance and dirtier on the upkeep.
Fuels are better now a days too, for diesels.
Diesel fuel costs more, and the separate additive now is added expense.
Not all stations provide diesel fuel conveniently.
The added weight, because of the high compression, diesels need to be all cast iron (heavy!).

Then for us, at this stage, a toy hauler with a rear ramp is the way we want to go, so I do not think any type rp for us.

Most of this is "dated data". Diesels are as clean burning as gas engines now and maintenance is no more than a gas...actually cheaper. Diesel is available everywhere. Newer blocks are lighter, graphite iron and aluminum. The only reason to go diesel is for power and torque. When you need power...costs are secondary.
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Old 01-08-2019, 12:32 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 10scDust View Post
Excuse my ignorance, what is up about Trimark Lock?
Here is one of the many threads on the Trimark lock breaking:
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8/...pped-8192.html
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Old 01-08-2019, 01:01 PM   #16
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At times: Trimark locks are a little bit like hand grenades
They seem to break at the most interesting times...

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Old 01-08-2019, 01:09 PM   #17
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It would be very easy to build a larger gas engine that could deliver all the required power and torque that’s needed. It’s been done before, but much higher fuel costs makes it impractical, so in my opinion it comes down to total costs.

Given same displacement size, modern turbo gas engines produce more power than diesel. The 2.7L Ford EcoBoost pulls a trailer uphill faster than the 3.0 turbo diesel. The advantage to 3.0 PowerStroke is lower fuel consumption, and probably longer life (which also lowers costs).

Just saying that if power and torque was only thing driving purchases, Ford could easily build an 8-liter EcoBoost V8, but who would buy it if it got 6 MPG?
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Old 01-08-2019, 01:40 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
It’s all about cost. Motorhome chassis volume isn’t enough to justify a lot of engineering to develop a completely new motorhome-specific chassis. By using essentially a lightly-modified truck chassis, the cost stays around $30,000 which is hard to beat.

I think a possible compromise may be to take an F53 chassis and turn it into a mid-engine by moving engine back just enough so it can be lowered significantly to provide a flat floor. The present truck-based chassis places engine above solid front axle which increases height a lot.

Another possibility for a compromise would be to install an independent double A-arm front suspension that would allow dropping engine almost a foot. That could provide a flat floor over engine on larger basement Class As.

While neither of these options would eliminate need for engine access, a trap door could be sound insulated much better than a dog house.
Yep, your right. Not much volume to justify.... but I still think it would be nice to have this option (ie Gas pusher).

Yes, If they could lower the engine a foot or move it back and lower it with a trap door behind the cockpit that might really help with the engine noise up front.
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Old 01-08-2019, 01:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
It would be very easy to build a larger gas engine that could deliver all the required power and torque that’s needed. It’s been done before, but much higher fuel costs makes it impractical, so in my opinion it comes down to total costs.

Given same displacement size, modern turbo gas engines produce more power than diesel. The 2.7L Ford EcoBoost pulls a trailer uphill faster than the 3.0 turbo diesel. The advantage to 3.0 PowerStroke is lower fuel consumption, and probably longer life (which also lowers costs).

Just saying that if power and torque was only thing driving purchases, Ford could easily build an 8-liter EcoBoost V8, but who would buy it if it got 6 MPG?
Yep, I think your right except with the moden computer controls and the 8 - 10 speed auto trannys they are using today - I think you could get 8 - 10 mph easy.
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Old 01-08-2019, 01:46 PM   #20
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You'll see flavored snowball stands in Hell before you ever see a gas pusher. Everyone is breaking their necks to figure out how to go diesel or electric. The bus business is as much a part of the Ford chassis as motorhomes. Why would they spend millions trying to reinvent the wheel when flying cars are just around the corner?
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