Chevy or Dodge chassis

[vacuumbed]

Hi everyone,
When it comes to older RV's, which powertrain do you like and why? Just wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

I know that in the 70's Dodge dominated the RV industry, and Chevy came on the scene in the late 70's. I'm a Ford man, but I know Ford did'nt really get in there until the mid 80's or so.

Thanks for your input!

[JDxeper]

Fords were there early, '66  and up to a 70, I have a 68 F-17 Winne.

[MSN Member]

All 5 of my Winnebagos are on the Ford P-350 chassis.  I was lucky when I bought the first one.  I didn't know that they even made them!  And I'm a old wrench head from way back  .Winnebago offered GM Ford and Dodge frames from 1966.If you want to buy a early Ford Winne class A look for a 1966 Lifetime Premier or a 1967 to 1970? F-17 F-19.

[Oz]

As JD explained, Ford and Dodge were not competitive RV chassis in the 70's.  Ford was used in the "shorties"... 17 & 18' models and Dodge used in the larger models, until the early 70's when the shorties were discontinued, and Dodge dominated the market.

You could compare Ford, heavy commercial applications with Dodge but, it's kind of an apples and oranges comparison.  There isn't a true parallel here.

As for power and reliability, well that war will forever be waged as you see vehement Ford vs Chevy owners battle that until doomsday.  Same goes for Dodge vs Chevy.  Parts availability, again, you'd have to compare heavy duty applications with the Ford, Chevy is likely better.  Ease of repair, probrobly about the same, although I do believe the consensus would be that the Dodge 440, due to it's below the exhaust manifold plug locations and the tighness of space makes it one of the most difficult ones to work on.  However, the Chevy 454 is every bit as beefy and tight n the compartment.  And, as the years become more current, the addition of pollution control equipment make both of them a PITA.

But, Dodge was the king of the RV class for a long time during the 70's.

[ClydesdaleKevin]

I've owned both and loved both, but as Mark said, the Chevy drivetrain is the easiest and cheapest to get parts for...and the Chevy P30 chassis has a much better ride comparatively since it has huge front and rear swaybars, independent front suspension, and factory airbags.  The P30 chassis also has four wheel disc brakes which makes changing the pads easier and gives you a bit better stopping power.  Horse power for a 454 is considerably. more than the 413 engine, but just about the same as the 440.  Fuel economy runs about neck and neck too, provided both are well tuned.

Kev

[ibdilbert01]

Chevy, Dodge, Ford, John Deer, ect.....     Simply put, any opinionated answer is the correct answer.   D:oH!

My D20 is on a Dodge 71 Chassis, small block 340.  I personally like the fact that there simply isn't a lot of mechanical and electrical components in the entire drive-train.   Its my humble opinion less parts not only mean less items to fail, but also the system is easier to troubleshoot.

I would guess that all manufactures in the early 70s or older were fairly simple and it probably wasn't until the end of the 70s if not the early 80s when the drive train got more complicated.

So my vote goes for "Any Classic Winnebago or RV" is just fine for me.   And if its good enough for me, its definitely good enough for the Military, Nasa, the UN, Ronald McDonald and the occasional street bum. 

[James E Vining]

ibdilbert01. you have a 71 D-20 with a 340? I have a 71-D-20 I assumed it was a 318. where are the engine #'s located as I cannot find them. That may be why the heads looked funny to me as I have never worked on a 340. I did notice TRUCK cast into my heads.

[ntsc358]

should be cast into the drivers side of the block in big letters   318-3, 340-? for the small blocks W%

[Oz]

I do believe we have info on where to find the casting numbers, and I also believe there are some photos along with it.  Try the Messge Search.