Ford creates chassis for RVs

Ford Motor Co. has maintained an active presence in the automotive scene, offering new vehicles with new technology. Expanding its market, Ford widens its grasp in making motor homes.
Although it has never sold motor homes under its own name, Ford has been the leading manufacturer of motor home chassis in the United States. Just recently, The Detroit News reported that Ford will be improving its status as it plans to unveil its “biggest, most-capable motor home chassis at the annual RV show in Louisville, Ky.”

Being produced in Detroit, the new F53 Super Duty Class A chassis will be featured in six models with its biggest, having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds.

According to the chief engineer for Ford’s commercial truck division, Rob Stevens, gross vehicle weight rating is the amount of weight that can be added to the chassis, which is what RV companies are concerned of.

“It’s all about knowing our customers,” he said.

Ford provides for the leading motor home manufacturers Winnebago, Fleetwood, Thor and Four Winds. A V-10 badge is etched in the products to recognized Ford.

“We spend a lot of time traveling to their factories, working with their engineers and finding out what their needs are,” Stevens said, adding that those usually come down to more weight. “Baby boomers want to take their houses with them.”
The demands on the most comfortable and luxurious motor homes are on the rise and Ford reportedly can deliver what needs for this to be achieved.

“For the biggest motor homes, Ford is offering its 6.8-liter Triton V-10, which provides best-in-class performance with 362 horsepower and 457 foot-pounds of torque.”

Along with power, Ford is also concerned in great ride and handling of the chassis. It also aims to get a quieter operation and wheels that can turn up to 50 degrees in either direction.

News from: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/AUTO01/711260332/1148