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Topic: Ford Transit 350HD DRW (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Ford Transit 350HD DRW
Yahoo Message Number: 157375
I know Larry thinks this platform might be too small/under-powered (GVWR is 10,360 lbs.), but it's something that I've been keeping my eye on.
 We'll be in the market for a new RV in the next 2+ years, and for awhile I was really focusing on a Sprinter class B like the RoadTrek. As most know, the class B market has exploded due to the interest in small & mobile RVs. However, a neighbor got (an almost new) RS Adventurous | Roadtrek

and after having a chance to really look at it, I realized there is a critical flaw: both the rear & side van doors are heavy, huge & don't have (natural) screens.
 Also, the problem with class B RVs is that while they maintain excellent structural strength, they have to be literally hacked to pieced to be fit out as an RV. So, once again, I came to the conclusion that the Class C platform (invented by LD) is still the best overall design concept yet conceived that delivers optimal price & performance.
 So, while I'm back @ square one looking at a Class C, I've still been been searching for something in the 20'+- range. (We currently have a 22' LD.) I don't know how many people know this, but LD got started building very small RVs, some perhaps smaller than 18'. Since we're down here by the beach, small 18' & 20' models from the 70s & 80s are still all around.
 Enter the Transit 350HD DRW - I'm hoping LD is looking at it and is planning around what Ford is going to do with the E450 platform. Like all companies, LD makes its money on the larger vehicles, so it might be hard to transition back to a 20' model based on the Transit, but I for one would be in the market.
 In the meanwhile, my guess is the Transit is going to become the 2nd coming of the Toyota platform from the 80s that Dolphin and some many other manufacturers used. Again, down here by the beach, we see these every day still being used. (And they seem to remain in demand whenever one is offered on eBay.)
 If LD doesn't come out with a Transit based RV, then it will be a sad day indeed if I'm forced to get some other brand. There are a number of players announcing their line-ups; Winnebago just showed this one this week at an RV show back east:
 New Ford Transit-Based Motorhomes Ready to Carry Families and Gear for Adventures | Ford Media Center
Re: Ford Transit 350HD DRW
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 157377
The transit would have to be very short, 18' and I am not sure LD could make enough return on the investment to actively go down this road. There are a very few T350 based RVs out there now and the CCC for those is less than the MB, but more than the FIAT based Doge.   Ford should present what I will call the T450 in the not to distant future.  Ford owns to much market share to just walk away from this segment.  Already I see some pickup based RV and emergency vehicles.   I am sure that Ford sees them as well.

Because I already have an RV my sister asked for my advice when she started looking.  They wanted a Class B.  They purchased a used 22' Pleasure Way (PW) built on the larger MB frame.   I was some what impressed with the overall construction, but could never go that small for our family and how we camp.  It works great for them.  The larger MB has enough CCC for their needs (I stressed weighing the RV during my briefing on what to lookout for).  The new PW has a screen for the sliding door.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Ford Transit 350HD DRW
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 157378
I know Larry thinks this platform might be too small/under-powered (GVWR is 10,360 lbs.)

---- I can't speak for Larry, but I think the 10,360 gvwr Transit is too small for the *coaches that manufacturers will inevitably load on the chassis*. If coach builders matched the capability of the Transit cutaway to a properly balanced, *lightweight* box, the Transit would likely be a good "B" platform. But, IMO, that outcome is the stuff of unicorns and fairy dust; buyers appear to want "small", but "small" to many means one or two slides, plenty of storage compartments, large tank capacities, and sleeping and living space for a half dozen people, and possibly a toad.

Personally, I don't believe that the average RV buyer knows, cares much, or takes the time to learn about about weight capacities, and the industry is well aware of this; how often are *accurate*, "un-fiddled", base rig weights and available NCC listed in an RV's specs?

I had a 1992 22' 6-cylinder Toyota Dolphin; the little thing was certainly tough (and insulated better than my LD!) and I drove it almost 90k miles, but it had a gvwr of *6000* pounds. (4-cylinder models had a gvwr of 5600 pounds and a different rear axle.) It was a constant struggle to keep the thing under (or at) the max, and the little engine was almost maxed to the point of going backwards on grades! (National RV) Dolphin made the lightest box, but, even with diligent "weight consciousness", the chassis was overloaded.

As I said, I have no problem with the 10,360 pound Ford Transit DRW 3500 chassis as a base for a well-crafted, balanced, lightweight "B", but box builders know that "shiny stuff" is what sells, and, in my experience, "shiny stuff" is invariably heavy.

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Ford Transit 350HD DRW
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 157379
I found the info on the Ford Transit 350HD interesting. Let me just say that if you ever plan to full time or carry lots of stuff for an extended campground stay/exploring this lighter weight chassis is a mistake. I have the Ford E350 chassis 11,500 GVWR and have to constantly worry about traveling overweight and make compromises I don't like. But then I like to carry a lot of stuff. This eventually forced me to get a toad so I could load it up and not the LD so much. I think the E-450 chassis is a great platform for a Class C, particularly with the 23.5 - 26.5 models. Good payload capacity, rugged chassis, big brakes, easy to get parts for, etc. I would like to see them redesign it so the newer 3Valve Ford V10 motor would fit. I have been advised the 3V makes more power and gets better mileage.

bobmoore14

Pahrump, NV. for a few...
 
Re: Ford Transit 350HD DRW
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 157389
Good comments. We're usually on the move, and when when we're parked, we use our 22' LD primarily as shelter - both for sleeping & chilly mornings/evenings. Back in the 80s (long before we even considered RVing), we would have been customers for LD's 20' model, or perhaps something like the Dolphin.
 Now, since everything has gotten bigger, the class B seems to be our natural market. However, they're still a bit narrow, you need to open up the big van doors, and they're expensive because it takes so much effort to re-fit them out as RVs.
 The class C platform, where any company can fairly easily place their "house" on a cut-away chassis, has a normal entry door, can place windows where they want, etc. - essentially do a clean sheet approach.
 Besides overall build quality, the one thing that really stands out for us are LD's big windows. If any other company has even half a clue, it seems like they'd be all over that. So, imagine my surprise when I saw a new 20' PleasureWay class C on an E350 the other day with big tinted windows all around.
 Since we're going to keep our current LD for the next 2 years, it should give the market plenty of time to figure out the Transit chassis. I really think it could be the Toyota chassis all over again, with dozens of companies all throwing their "house" design on the back. If LD doesn't do it, the one who delivers big windows could be a winner.