Great points on considering the whole drivetrain as a package. The Allison is the one thing that would get me to consider a GM... Na, just kidding, although the Allison is pretty nice.Our 1st coach was a class A Bounder with Ford V10. Great engine, drawback was 3 speed with overdrive. Every time I had to accelerate it would downshift from O/D to 2nd gear. Big rpm jump.
2nd coach was a class A Southwind. GM 502, also a good motor, it had an Allison 5 speed. Big difference for towing and drivability.
Present coach is class A Fleetwood Excursion. It is a diesel because of size, (40') with an Allison 6 speed.
The V10 was the worst at 5-6 (I think because of trans). 502 6-7. If I don't drive stupid fast diesel is 7-8, funny thing is, it's no different if I'm solo or pulling trailer.What kind of fuel mileage did you get between the different rigs.
I hear they were phasing out pig fuel. Who knows if or when it will happen. And im reading , for knowlage, not having owned or even afford a big camper! I do drive a few trucks.
Biggest difference for us between Class C & A for us is in a Class C you have the motor between you and the front. If the unthinkable accident happens that would make us feel better. I don't know the statistics as far as accidents. As far as gas v diesel (super C), it depends on your toad.
The V10 was the worst at 5-6 (I think because of trans). 502 6-7. If I don't drive stupid fast diesel is 7-8, funny thing is, it's no different if I'm solo or pulling trailer.
I have squeezed 9 out of it on open flat road, no wind in Nebraska
Biggest difference for us between Class C & A for us is in a Class C you have the motor between you and the front. If the unthinkable accident happens that would make us feel better. I don't know the statistics as far as accidents. As far as gas v diesel (super C), it depends on your toad.
And weight is your friend. The one with the most mass usually wins.Hence the reason for our small truck, in an accident the engine is designed to submarine in the frame pushing the cab up and over.
Very true, but not sure any advantage or disadvantage after seeing some head on crashes in different type passenger vehicles. Class A's are 'buses' for what that's worth, not a passenger truck.
They're all relatively safe - think it all boils down to how you (general) feel about your own vehicle. They are all vulnerable on our highways unfortunately, so we each have to do the best we can.
I drove over the road back in the early 90's to pay my way through nursing school. I drove one of my uncle's rigs, a cab over International similar to this:
We were joked about. They used to say we "were first on scene of the accident". I can admit, driving it gave a great point of view when it came to close maneuvers, but did think alot about accidents and lack of any "crumple" between me and the object hit.
The advantage, that I would imagine would be class A "views" when driving would be better.
Mine is a 2004 and there is no steel behind the fiberglass front end, just the end of the frame rails and the generator. Maybe the newer ones are better?The bumpers on the bus type campers i imagine to be pretty substantial.