Thor Forums

[Long & Winding road]

Originally Posted by Chance

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.