LITEPHIL
AZ
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Joined: 07/02/2003
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Towing a Toyhauler with a 06 Dodge Cummins right now but just kicking around the idea of a class C motor home. Not to start anything here but I do not want a Ford. Where there many Chevys made from say 2002 till 2007 with the 8.1? Looking for around a 24ft.
06 Dodge Quad cab Cummins 4x4 Auto,SLT Thunder Road
07 Sierra 26FBSP
04 FXDL Harley
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Do not know the numbers out there but the 8.1L is the apex of the big block era.
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carringb
Corvallis, OR
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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In a traditional Class C, you could only get the 8.1L in the 2001 and 2002 model chevy van chassis,which had a 12,300 GVWR. SInce it had a lower GVWR, most larger rigs were built on the Ford E450. Smaller rigs often got the smaller V8.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 300,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
Most class C's with the 8.1L where built on the larger C4500 chassis, and looked more like trucks with van sized doors rather than the van based class C that Ford made at the time. The good thing is the C4500 chassis has enough GVWR for a diesel engine, and the 6.6L diesel was a popular option on that RV chassis, so they are around.
I had a GMC class C with 350" engine, the largest that GMC offered in 85, and I had always thought that the 454 was to large of an engine to fit into the van chassis, and had never heard of them being mounted in class C motorhomes, with few exceptions where a enlarged van front end was installed, making the class C look like a oddball, and the longer nose more Ford like.
I had not heard of new class C's with a 8.1L yet was not looking at class C reviews in 2001 - 2003, because I owned a 4 year old class A that I am still happy with, not even interested in looking at new RV's today.
I did take a really good look at the class C truck based GMC's in the 2005 - 2008 period, and might have bought one if the overall cost was not so high. I still consider the International based Super C my dream RV.
Weekend Warrior did make some class C RV's that have huge capacity to tow a large and heavy utility trailer or toyhauler just before going out of business in 2008. Some even had a liftgate and ability to carry toys.
Fred.
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Rolin
Oregon
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Joined: 03/04/2009
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2003 Jayco 23ft rear kitchen unit was built with an 8.1 liter. I have one. The only downside is that they did not come with the allison transmission. Trail-lite 2002/2003 was also sold with the 8.1 liter. Very responsive. perfect for pulling a boat to the lake or quads to the mountains or beach. I expect it was an option you could get in those years.
From what I can see, there does not appear to be any special changes to the van design to accommodate the 496cc beast. Just dropped it in...not much room left over though.
* This post was
edited 02/09/12 02:26pm by Rolin *
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Doubt it's anywhere near as large a coach as what you're seeking, but my Tiger is a 19' C with the 8.1 & Allison... a lovely combo.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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snowdance
Yreka, Ca
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There should be few problems finding a 22 to 25 foot C class built by a number of companys. Many were special order as the Chevy sold for $1000 to $2000 more. So were not the common one built on. They replaced the 7.4 (454)vortex engine in 2001-2002. There are a lot of them around. Think you just need to look for what you want... The 8.1 and the 7.4 are nice running good power engines.
* This post was
edited 02/09/12 07:06am by snowdance *
Snowdance
We spent most of our money traveling... Just wasted the rest..
Chevy 7.4 Vortex
2000 Jamboree 23b Rear Kitchen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snowdance38
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snowdance
Yreka, Ca
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woops
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wolvereeny
SE Michigan
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A little off topic , but was at the RV show in Detroit yesterday. A salesman told us that the 8.1 is no longer available in a motorhome chassis, as they didn't meet the new emission standards. Still being made, but only used in boats! No more competition is probably not a good thing
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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Handbasket wrote:Doubt it's anywhere near as large a coach as what you're seeking, but my Tiger is a 19' C with the 8.1 & Allison... a lovely combo.
Mine, also. Plus I'm giving you a picture - see signature.
2006 Tiger CX 4x4, 8.1 L gas V-8, Allison 6-speed
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