Go here to page 33 for the information on the 2008 Ford chassis. It looks impressive!! And I like the warranty Thanks to Mike in Florida for supplying the information in a previous post.
Mike

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ISLAPP,

thanks

Below is from RV BUsiness:

Ford Set to Debut Beefier Chassis at Louisville
RV Business
Friday, November 23, 2007

Ford Motor Co. is debuting two brawnier 24,000- and 26,000-pound GVWR variants in its Class A chassis lineup during the 45th Annual National RV Trade Show, Nov. 27-29, in Louisville, Ky.

According to Shelly Smith, Ford's new RV brand manager, previously the F-53's GVWRs ranged from 16,000 to 22,000 pounds.

The newly rated chassis will be coupled with Ford's Triton V-10 362-hp engine, the highest horsepower rating in the gas-powered motorhome arena. At least six and as many as nine RV OEMs were expected to display products on the new F-53 – primarily the 24,000-pound GVWR version – at Louisville.

“This completes our gas-powered product offering,'' said Smith, adding that Ford last upgraded its F-53 in 1999 when it added the 22,000-pound GVWR-rated chassis to its lineup.

The new chassis are designed with a ladder-type frame incorporated to add greater stability. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker's 2008 Class A rail, designed with the gas tanks aft of the rear axles to allow more storage, are engineered with a 50-degree wheel cut and are equipped with new TRW TAS 55 steering systems, front axles, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and suspension systems with Bilstein shocks and heavy duty track bars. “This is a step up to improved handling on these two chassis,” Smith said.

Built at Ford's chassis plant in downtown Detroit, Ford’s whole product line will be showcased at an invitation-only reception Nov. 26 at Louisville’s Churchill Downs.

Since introducing the 362-hp engine in late 2005, Smith points out, Ford's share of the Class A gas-powered market segment has increased from 43% in 2005 to 65% through August 2007, according to Statistical Surveys Inc., Grand Rapid Mich.

“We want to maintain and grow that market share,” said Smith, adding that Ford has increased its dealer training program and expanded its presence at RV rallies and evenings. “Our goal is to have the end customer very knowledgeable about our products.”

End of quote from RV Business

ED

Wow sure glad I didn't pull the trigger on a FRED deal I had lined up... I had squared up a pretty good deal and at last minute changed my mind and guess this must have been the reason. Although I didn't know it!!! I have a 2005 Triple E Commander built on a F53 and with the specs on the 2008 F53 I'm glad I didn't go with FRED deal. I'll wait till the '08 chassis get out into the field. I expect sometime in the new year.. AWESOME sums it up nicely.
I'll be looking at another Triple E Commander and the more robust chassis with other improvements noted are a neat fit for me.

Glad you gettin the Ford. We should start seeing those on the lots early '08. Keep us in the loop on your purchase.
Mike

Mike, do you think there's any chance of getting Detroit chassis to build a rear v10 gas engine chassis?? If they did I believe it would give WH some serious competetion. I would consider a UFO chassis if you could get it with the Ford v10.

Jim

P.S. Lets see if Driver jumps in on this one

quote:

P.S. Lets see if Driver jumps in on this one

Us Ford owners are scared to post anything good about Ford .

Cant wait to see it.I hope to test drive one in the spring.

I don't think there is any question that Workhorse is trying to be more "creative" than Ford when it comes to motorhome chassis. Ford kinda just improves what already works rather than looking for a different kind of mouse trap. I suppose it is possible after we see how the UFO goes that Ford would get in the market, but not for a while.
Mike

quote:

Originally posted by LVJ58:
P.S. Lets see if Driver jumps in on this one..

Thank you for the invitation.

I think it's great that Ford owners are getting more and better choices under the motorhomes they choose however front engined gas (and diesel) powered motorhomes are regrettably becoming passe. In a RV Industry post I made earlier this quote can be seen;

“Workhorse is transiting from a ‘puller’ company to a ‘pusher’ company for a lot of reasons,” reports Tony Monda, vice president of sales and marketing, noting that (mostly diesel) pusher chassis now represent nearly 53% of the Class A market. “We see that as a trend in the marketplace that will continue.”

WCC does however state that they will continue to provide front engine products to those OEMs that need them however if it were up to WCC I bet they would try to cut the strings that bind them to the past.

In the RV business you will have to agree that you either lead, follow or get out of the way. Ford has and is indeed following in both the foot steps of the successful W22 and the W24. The new 2008 with its beafier rails and improved GVW ratings speak to this.

If you take the time to reasearch this, WCC has always been a ground up motorhome chassis builder with a smaller commercial group. WCC expends a lot of energy to assure its customers that when they buy a Workhorse its something that they can take pride in.

From the R-Series RDP with the new Acert C-7 CAT engine to the innovative and unique gas powered UFO, both being equipped with Allison 6 speed transmissions, WCC will I believe continue to demonstrate superior technology implementation and continue to forge a lead in its market share segment for the foreseeable future.

Well we now have Drivers thoughts. Did anyone expect him to say anything else?
I'm sure the FRED people and I KNOW the FORD people will disagree with him!!
But that is ok. The makers of quality products, such as Ford and Freightliner, always enjoy a little competition. And besides that, those people who are involved in making and selling the Workhorse chassis have to provide food and shelter for their families also!!!
Mike