Legroom with Ford and class c

[davidspixx]

We are looking for a new Class C. The problem is that in the fords that we have seen, the seats don't move back far enough and the passenger seat is cramped by the engine cowling area. I get that there is frequently issues because of the level of the floor in the cab vs. the inside, and the slideouts blocking the driver's seat slide. Also, the ford used to be the only one with the swivel seats, now not so much. (We are looking at < 27')


Are there any class C Fords with adequate legroom??
Thanks
David

[ducksface]

Problem?

If you don't like the legroom in a class c, you're sure not going to like crawling between the seats to get to the coach when the need/want arises.

Consider an axis/vegas for uninterrupted legroom.

[Chateau_Nomad]

It took me a couple trips AFTER we had already bought our class C to decide "this ain't gonna work". So... I exercised the nuclear option... not for the feint of heart, but VERY effective. I'm 6'1" tall, and this "fix" completely solved the legroom problem:

https://youtu.be/K3gcFoHIGlQ

If you're anything over 5'9" or so, I would urge you to avoid the class C segment... I'd look at the Axis/Vegas twins. AND... move the seat back as far as possible to see how much room you have. You can ALWAYS move it forward, but if you're still cramped with it all the way back... keep looking.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Yes, The CHEVY Freedom Elite 22H has a little more room up there. GOOD observation

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by davidspixx

We are looking for a new Class C. The problem is that in the fords that we have seen, the seats don't move back far enough and the passenger seat is cramped by the engine cowling area. I get that there is frequently issues because of the level of the floor in the cab vs. the inside, and the slideouts blocking the driver's seat slide. Also, the ford used to be the only one with the swivel seats, now not so much. (We are looking at < 27')


Are there any class C Fords with adequate legroom??
Thanks
David

DW & I just drove a UHaul on the Ford E350 chassis, not sure what engine it was, 1500+ miles moving our son, the drivers side was cramped, I'm 5'10" tall & very warm next the engine cover, but the passenger side was horribly cramped & extremely hot, we both made the comment wondering how/why anyone would want a class C on this chassis, not to mention it was very thirsty.
I'm guessing there's a way to insulate the engine cover to reduce the heat & noise, but the cramped legroom was as good as it was gonna get on either side of the cab.
If we were interested in a class C it would have to be some other brand of chassis or the super C with the pickup cab rather than the van can.

[The Gritz Carlton]

The Ford F Series is a different cab configuration and they build a C class on it as well. It's still a bit of a challenge to get to the back but not near as bad. Remember...the Ford E Series is really a carpet and contractor van body...not designed with motorhome in mind...they just make a motorhome out of it.

[paulwadley]

You might also look at the Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis Class C motor homes. Mine seems to have a lot of leg room with both front seats.


Paul

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

The Ford F Series is a different cab configuration and they build a C class on it as well. It's still a bit of a challenge to get to the back but not near as bad. Remember...the Ford E Series is really a carpet and contractor van body...not designed with motorhome in mind...they just make a motorhome out of it.

It may have been designed for contractors but it is no longer being produced or sold for any purpose other than RVs.

[Chateau_Nomad]

...and if I were you, if you're over 6' tall, I would not take as Gospel anyone claiming "comfortable driving position". I cannot fit in a standard bed non-king cab pickup truck either... but I see lots of them on the road. Must be a lot of sub 6' guys out there...

[atreis]

Most tall and larger people prefer Class A to C. There's a lot more room. The Chevy chassis definitely has more room than the Ford, but neither is as roomy as an A.

As for:

Must be a lot of sub 6' guys out there...

Average height for a male in the US is 5'9" so yes, lots of sub 6' guys out there. (I'm 5'7", average height for a woman. When it comes to camping, this is a good thing!)

From Google, only 14.5% of men are 6' or more.
https://www.google.com/search?q=perc...er+6+feet+tall

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by atreis

Most tall and larger people prefer Class A to C. There's a lot more room. The Chevy chassis definitely has more room than the Ford, but neither is as roomy as an A.

As for:


Average height for a male in the US is 5'9" so yes, lots of sub 6' guys out there. (I'm 5'7", average height for a woman. When it comes to camping, this is a good thing!)

From Google, only 14.5% of men are 6' or more.
https://www.google.com/search?q=perc...er+6+feet+tall

Height can be a blessing or a curse. My best friend is 5'5"(shorty). We worked together for years. His method of "getting under something" was drastically different (and easier) than mine. However, I always accused him if having little T-Rex arms when he was trying to reach something up high. All in good fun!!

[RVwife]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Problem?

Consider an axis/vegas for uninterrupted legroom.

This exactly! We noticed the cramped leg room right away when looking at class Cs. Both DH & I are "only" 5ft 9", but really cherish not being cramped (and are spoiled by the generous leg room of our daily driver - a Toyota Corolla. Yes, really.)

The generous kitchen counter and the leg room of our Axis 25.3 were it's two biggest selling points. It has delivered in spades on both counts.

It delivers on the <27 ft too.

You'll also love the wide vista view with that nice big windshield. Go check it out. Good luck & enjoy.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

The Ford F Series is a different cab configuration and they build a C class on it as well. It's still a bit of a challenge to get to the back but not near as bad. Remember...the Ford E Series is really a carpet and contractor van body...not designed with motorhome in mind...they just make a motorhome out of it.

Last time I looked at data, the Ford E-Series had the highest market share of any chassis for motorhome use in America.

In my opinion there is little doubt poor leg and foot room are the worst design attribute of the Econoline van/cutaway chassis. It’s too bad Ford couldn’t install a large inline six cylinder to make engine doghouse much narrower.

For what it’s worth, the newest engine cover has scalloped-out areas to add extra leg room since new 7.3L V8 is narrower than old 6.8L V10. I covered that in different E-Series thread. Unfortunately, Ford didn’t do as much as they could have to add legroom. They limited revision to doghouse, instead of also revising firewall.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Both the wife & I don't really have a problem with the doghouse encroaching on legroom. It's mostly just getting the seats moved back far enough so you can stretch your legs... which we've accomplished. Sideways and foot room is no issue with us; actually it's no worse than my F-150 (after my modifications).

Navigating the doghouse to move from the cab seats to the motorhome interior is another story... difficult, contortive, but not impossible... unless you're a VERY large person. Having a pedestal seat level with the floor, like in a class A, is ALWAYS going to be easier. And I've seen videos of climbing up out of a Super C cab... not for me!

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by RVwife

This exactly! We noticed the cramped leg room right away when looking at class Cs. Both DH & I are "only" 5ft 9", but really cherish not being cramped (and are spoiled by the generous leg room of our daily driver - a Toyota Corolla. Yes, really.)

The generous kitchen counter and the leg room of our Axis 25.3 were it's two biggest selling points. It has delivered in spades on both counts.

It delivers on the <27 ft too.

You'll also love the wide vista view with that nice big windshield. Go check it out. Good luck & enjoy.

The class A gassers feel much more roomy with the cockpit at floor level rather than down in a a cramped hole.
When we retired we looked at class Cs to travel full time, but there were several deterents, #1 at the time the E series Ford V10 was the ONLY chassis available & not a Ford fan, #2 very little storage inside & out, #3 that extremely cramped cockpit.

[Roaming John]

The Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis is much roomier for both the driver and passenger. It is also a real pleasure to drive. The “doghouse” is much smaller making it very easy to transition from driving to using the kitchen or bathroom. In the Fords, Chevys and Dodges it seems much easier to get out the drivers door, walk around and re-enter through the coach door. Not so much fun in heavy rain which may be why you pulled over in the first place! I know they cost more, but you get what you pay for. If its uncomfortable how much are you really going to enjoy using it?

[Pete'sMH]

We looked at a couple of Mercedes chassis coaches and they are nice. But only if you like small coaches. For the money we quickly narrowed our search to class A. Lots of pluses and only a few drawbacks. IMO

[Scubawise]

Get a Vegas 25.6!

[Gemini Cruiser]

Originally Posted by paulwadley

You might also look at the Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis Class C motor homes. Mine seems to have a lot of leg room with both front seats.


Paul

Amen to that...Mercedes Sprinter LOTS of room. I'm 6'2" at 240 - I love driving it and very easy access to back when stopped.

[sparky322]

this is why i bought Chevy,