F550-based Motorhome

[wheeler7]

Hello, everybody. First post here, I'm new to Ford trucks. I am considering purchase of Host motorhome, which is like a truck camper on steroids built permanently attached to a F550 cab chassis.

Host Motorhome

I have two questions and I'd appreciate your experience and input. I'm looking at a 2007 and a 2008; get a better deal on 07 with 6.0L engine. I know it's too early to predict reliability with the new 6.4L, but with what you know, do you guys see a compelling reason to go with 08 and 6.4L over last year's 6.0? I've heard fuel economy may be better with 6.0L. Second question, I understand established procedure for some repair (not maintenance?) is to lift the cab for access. Does the idea of a permanent cabover built over the cab, which cannot be moved and which makes cab lift impossible, scare you? I heard access can be achieved by moving engine (gulp) forward or down, sounds expensive. I truly don't want to start an 07 v. 08 argument, but I would appreciate your input. Thank you.

[CaptSkup]

Other than a wiring harness recall my 2004 6.0PSD was flawless. Powerful, good on fuel, reliable. My '08 6.4PSD is proving to be strong, quiet, reliable but not quite so thrifty on fuel use. If I could get a good deal on a '07 6.0, I would buy it. I would not buy a truck with a non-removable structure that would preclude cab removal. Not so much an issue while under warranty, but when it is on your nickle, labor hour rate adds up quickly. Cab removal expedites repairs, lowers cost. Pulling an engine out the front of the truck is neither. I would skip that design.

[Packard8]

The idea of a non removable cab would concern me..who will eat the extra labor costs of engine removal? Even for a warranty chassis or drivetrain repair, Ford didn't make the cab impossible to remove so they likely won't pay the extra costs.

How would a big Lance or similar with slide-outs etc mounted on an F450 compare? This would also give you full use of an HD pickup truck for hauling/towing other stuff by leaving the camper at home.

[RockRidge]

For $150,000+, you can get a deal on some pretty good Class "A" Motorhomes!

Just my 2¢ worth.

[wheeler7]

Thanks, Capt, for positive input regarding your 6.0PSD. You and Packard have a point about this particular motorhome's inability to remove the F550 cab for repair. My local fleet dealer service suggested you'd "hope" to never need that access, but for example, to get to the turbocharger, the fastest way there is by lifting the cab. This issue is definitely a concern.

I'm also comparing to buying a F450 for truck camper use but, from what I've been reading, the heavy truck campers I like weigh about 6000 pounds wet and loaded, which pushes you out of F450 into F550.

Rockridge, you're right; friends bought a lightly used 36' Winnebago Class A for similar money, but the F550's factory four wheel drive, GV- and GC-WR, are still uniquely appealing to me.

Any other thoughts?

[SmokeyWren]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any other thoughts? </div></div>

Mountain out of a molehill. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif[/img]

With reasonable maintenance, you won't be worried about removing the cab for at least 250,000 miles.

Then when it's finally time - provided you haven't graduated to a newer RV by then - you simply remove the "camper" part of the rig, then remove the cab. There is no such thing as a "permanent" cab-over part of the camper. It's not "permanent". It can be removed the same way the cab can be removed. Remove a few bolts, disconnect some wires and fluid lines, and hoist it up to the ceiling. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Packard8]

Looks like the same outfit makes slide ins also. The bigest 3 slide one looks about the same size as the MH you linked to:

http://hostcampers.com/subs/campers/camper_everest.html

It weighs #3200 dry, and I suspect a properly spec'd F450 would handle it loaded (not sure what max cargo the new F450 is rated for). Personally, I would like the versatility of a slide in. You mentioned 4WD....if you do go back country, you have the option of dropping the camper at the campsite for "home base" and then having a more capable off road vehicle when unloaded.

[exoval]

Have you looked at these? It chassis just appears to be more heavy duty to me. I think the whole front end tilts to expose the motor. Repairs should be a lot easier/less expensive. But then again its not a 4x4 and made for offroad which seems to be one of your requisites.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-JAYC...sspagenameZWDVW

[wheeler7]

SmokeyWren, you're basically saying what my fleet dealer service manager said, "Mountain out of molehill; cab removal is for access to catastrophic, major repair; hopefully for the out of warranty period you may (or may not) own this vehicle, you will never need cab removal... but if you do end up needing access behind the engine, it CAN be done. I was trying to determine how "unusual" a cab-removing repair might be to a 2008 F450 or 550. Thanks.

[wheeler7]

Packard, not that everyone here on this Ford forum wants to hear about it, but the Host motorhome has many features not generally available on a truck and slide in camper, such as walk-thru aisle between truck driver's seat and camper living space, hydraulic leveling, diesel generator, electric entry staircase, etc., etc.

Thanks for link to Host slide-in campers; you're right, the largest, the Everest, is somewhat comparable to the motorhome in size. But the base weight is 3200 pounds dry is very misleading; 3200 pounds for one slideout and the Everest has three. With sliderooms and options, Everest would surely weigh nearly 5,500 pounds and this is, as far as I understand, beyond the F450 and into 550 country.

Thanks for input, Packard. Food for thought.

[wheeler7]

Exoval, thanks for link to the Kodiak-based motorhome, also called a "Class C." Yes I have considered that one and another well regarded brand called Bigfoot. But as you say, no OEM factory 4x4; I love the new Ford interior vs. GM interior; (I heard GM medium truck business may have been sold, not sure what's entailed for its future, doesn't make me feel like buying one this year); and I think the Ford truck-based camper would be more off-road friendly.

Trying to get a feeling here whether the "can't lift the truck cab because of the house on top" issue is going to be a deal breaker for me that pushes me into a separate 450/550 and slide-in. Thanks.

[RockRidge]

Sounds like you have some very specific needs for the MH, based on your further comments. I'm glad you are doing as much research as you are. As my father used to say, "You can never have too much knowledge!"

Best of luck in your search!

[F550ER]

Have you looked at the EarthRoamer?

http://www.earthroamer.com/

Look at the way they mount the camper body on three points so that the truck can flex without bending the camper body. I also looked at the Host and picked the EarthRoamer due to the extras and overall build and extras such as solar, etc.

[Blue Water Runner]

I see these trucks (6.0 powered)in the shop pretty regular. I work at a large Ford dealer. The 6.4 is too new to take that kind of chance on either. There is no way that I would buy a Superduty based truck that I could not easily remove the cab from. That includes the 7.3 powered trucks. I am not telling you not to buy a Ford but I am telling you to make sure its easy to work on just in case. Get a big slide in if you need a 4x4 camper or buy a tilt nose truck. My 2.5 cents.

[rlchv70]

For most repair jobs, cab removal is the "recommended" method because it is faster and easier. The repair can still be made with the cab on, but it takes more time.