LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. is entering the non-diesel engine market for Class A motorhomes.
FCCC used the National RV Trade Show last week to debut DriveForce – a 6-liter gas engine offering 308 horsepower with 367 pounds per feet of torque. The engine will offer end users increased fuel efficiency of up to 15 percent compared with the current gasoline chassis available on the market, according to Bryan Henke, FCCC manager of product marketing.
Freightliner will pair the DriveForce with the company’s MC chassis, offering a new, luxury chassis option in the 16,000- to 19,000-pound gross vehicle weight range, according to Gordie Taylor, RV product manager for FCCC.
The DriveForce engine is expected to become available to RV manufacturers, dealers and customers sometime in early 2019. The first DriveForce engine will be powered by a gas engine, but future engines could utilize other power trains, according to FCCC officials.
“We are incredibly excited to share DriveForce with the industry – and to continue to expand the number of world-class chassis products available to our OEM and dealer partners,” Taylor said. “We know from our extensive market and consumer research that DriveForce meets a growing need – and, combined with the MC series, will offer an engine/chassis product unparalleled in its quality, performance and power to a growing segment of the market.”
Henke said FCCC’s MC line features high-quality components intended to reduce maintenance intervals, increase chassis life and enhance the overall ride and handling experience.
In particular, he touted the MC’s premium WEMC Walther quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes offering commercial-grade braking power that he said provides five times the brake life compared to standard gasoline chassis products. Additionally, the chassis’ Sachs shocks help provide an overall premium driving experience, he said.
Henke also touted the MC chassis’ one-piece frame rail, which he said provides superior durability compared to two-piece products currently available. He added that the MC chassis’ Allison transmission results in five times less maintenance costs compared with the current gasoline chassis on the RV market.
Freightliner’s decision to enter the non-diesel market comes amidst changing consumer preferences for motorhome power trains. In 2017, gas-powered motorhomes were outselling diesel ones by a rate of three to one; as recently as 2009, diesel engine motorhomes were outselling gas-powered ones, although by a small margin.
Taylor confirmed that the consumer shift from diesel to gas engines played a factor in Freightliner’s decision to enter the non-diesel Class A market, where Ford is currently the leading provider of chassis. Still, he emphasized that DriveForce will not be a “me-too” or “same-as” the competition product, but will instead be a premium alternative to existing gas-powered options.
Also at the National RV Trade Show, Freightliner debuted two new diesel engines to its RV product lineup. The new MC chassis line will include one front engine product powered by a DD5 5.1-liter diesel engine, while a new version of the XCR chassis will be powered by a DD8 7.7-liter engine.
Both chassis will be powered by a Detroit diesel engine from Daimler, of which Freightliner is also a part. Taylor said both new engines bring the best of Detroit diesel to FCCC’s proven RV diesel platform, including enhanced fuel economy and torque compared with competitive gas and diesel products, as well as longer maintenance intervals.
He noted that Detroit diesel engines come with “Virtual Technician” connectivity, which provides remote diagnostic services and integration with FCCC’s 24/7 factory-direct service and nationwide dealer network.
“Our customers and partners benefit from our being a part of the Daimler family and the exclusive access to global expertise and resources that provides,” Taylor said. “Detroit engines set the industry standard when it comes to performance, power and efficiency – and we’re excited to begin offering them on select FCCC products in the future.”
Henke said FCCC expects to begin producing the XCR DD8 engine in the second quarter of 2018 and is still determining a production timeline for MC DD5 pilot units.
