A new use for the 5.9 Cummins

[BWhite]

July 15, 2005
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation to Offer Front-Engine Diesel Chassis Option for RV Customers
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GAFFNEY, S.C.…Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) announced today that it will produce a front-engine diesel motorhome chassis. The combination of a front-engine chassis with a diesel engine presents a unique combination of benefits for RV manufacturers and RV owners alike. This new configuration is nicknamed “FRED,” an acronym for Front Engine Diesel chassis. Prototypes are planned for the third quarter of 2005, and production will begin at the end of 2005.

“There’s no question diesel is the optimal power plant for the RV market,” said Dean Schaper, Director of Sales and Marketing for FCCC. “FRED is our way of showing gas motorhome customers they can have all the power, fuel economy and durability of a diesel engine at a price point that’s a very attractive alternative to gas.”

The new FRED chassis also features a lowered engine position compared to gas models, which will reduce or even eliminate the intrusive and cumbersome “engine hump” normally associated with front-engine RVs.

“Not only have we created a unique combination of value and performance, we’ve improved the formula by lowering the engine, which translates into real benefits for our owners—more room inside and better handling,” explained Gary Poole, RV Product Manager, Freightliner Custom Chassis. “With all this chassis offers—more torque, higher payloads, better fuel economy and the strength of Freightliner’s 400-plus service centers, FRED is going to make friends with our customers fast.”

The FRED chassis is powered by a Cummins 5.9-liter diesel engine with an Allison 5-speed transmission. The chassis will also offer a new, custom-tuned Hendrickson spring ride suspension, exclusive to Freightliner Custom Chassis. The front axle design allows a wheel cut of up to 55-degrees, for increased maneuverability.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation manufactures premium chassis for the motorhome, delivery walk-in van, school bus and shuttle bus markets. It is a subsidiary of Freightliner LLC, the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Freightliner produces and markets Class 3-8 vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, American LaFrance, and Thomas Built Buses and is a company of DaimlerChrysler, the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.

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Contact: Chris Brandt
Phone: 503-745-5471
chrisbrandt@freightliner.com

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FCCC will offer a Front-Engine Diesel Chassis Option for RV Customers











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[John DiMartino]

Sounds like a nice chassis for customers,but I bet it is a repair techs nightmare.At least they chose a perfect engine for the part. :rockon

[Pickering Snow]

I dont know John i think if they give enough space for access i would rather work on a FRED than a diesel pusher that is out there right know. I have worked on some nasty tight fitting pushers REAR engine diesel motorhomes and coaches and i would be interested to see how tight she is up front.

Some of the worst units to work on come out of Red Bay Alabama trust me. We changed a engine in a class A in may with the engine crane i moded i was able to pull the 454 threw the drivers door some A chassis's dont have a drivers door i was lucky the opening was 36 and the block with no manifolds on it just passed threw the opening the only thing that was good about that job was when it was done!!!!!! has it turns out this company and i wont mention there name is running 454 two bolt mains in a 36 fter GEEZ wonder why the rods on 7 and 8 spun at 54k on the odometer. I installed a new Goodwrench engine with the rv/ heavy truck option 4bolt and heavyer block webbing trust me not a job you want to have come back total bill for this job was close to 6k i honestly felt sorry for these people.

[Roger Dodger]

The rear pushers provide for the extra leg room & space up front. That also allows the seats to swivel with ease helping to further extend the use of internal living space. Should be interesting to see the results when something finished rolls off the line. A chassis from Freightliner w/ Cummins should make for a d@mn good basement for a class A.