Boring Ford cockpit

MarkeMark · 03-04-2015, 09:53 AM

DW and I were at the RV show the other day and I couldn't help but notice the bland cockpits in new the class c motorhomes that were built on the Ford chassis. The steering wheel is the same one that's in my 2002 f250. The gauges are lacking as well. Very few frills compared to modern well equipped ford pickup. When I upgrade from a travel trailer, I plan to go cross country and back and the extra creature comforts will make a difference. Why should I have to go with a class a to get what I want? JMTC

**FPM III** · 03-04-2015, 11:08 AM

What can you do to a steering wheel to make it more "exciting"?

Bikester · 03-04-2015, 12:20 PM

You are right, very much of just an Econoline van look and feel. However, I don't really want my money in the dash, I'd rather put it in RV features and functions.

wags999 · 03-04-2015, 12:23 PM

Your not going to be distracted from the beauty of world around you on your cross country journey !

Class C are built on a van chassis not on a pick up chassis. Guess you need to speak with Ford regarding the looks of their vans. I would suppose most vans are used for business rather than personal use.

Camper_bob · 03-04-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikester

You are right, very much of just an Econoline van look and feel. However, I don't really want my money in the dash, I'd rather put it in RV features and functions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

Your not going to be distracted from the beauty of world around you on your cross country journey !

Class C are built on a van chassis not on a pick up chassis. Guess you need to speak with Ford regarding the looks of their vans. I would suppose most vans are used for business rather than personal use.

+1 to both of these. And I agree, those Class C chassis are pretty spartan. But then they are intended for commercial applications, no gadgets or creature comforts needed.

They do make some Class C MHs on pickup chassis, those I think are pretty neat, but there aren't a whole lot of them out there.

Camper_bob · 03-04-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

+1 to both of these. And I agree, those Class C chassis are pretty spartan. But then they are intended for commercial applications, no gadgets or creature comforts needed.

They do make some Class C MHs on pickup chassis, those I think are pretty neat, but there aren't a whole lot of them out there.

One example:

2015 Chateau Diesel 35SK for Sale - M179 - PPL Motor Homes

That cockpit is still pretty bleak though...

Ron s · 03-04-2015, 02:13 PM

Noticed that when were shopping.We went with it I prefer not to have excess electronics and gadgets. what sold me on the Jayco jayhawk was the comfort of the drivers seat and the leg room. many class c that we looked at had to pull the drivers seat up when the slide was in which made for an uncomfortable drive.

The Logans · 03-04-2015, 04:15 PM

One of the things that was a plus for us was the clean and simple cockpit. We didn't want the distractions of a "high-tech" star wars cockpit... just the important stuff presented in an uncluttered way.

The other thing that we like is that Ford has maintained continuity in their cockpits across my last three F150's, starting in 1990. Everything is still just where I expected it to be, so there was very little "learning curve" with the new motorhome.

Just my opinion.

NC Roamer · 03-04-2015, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPM III

What can you do to a steering wheel to make it more "exciting"?

This?

MarkeMark · 03-04-2015, 05:56 PM

It just seems that for 80+ grand I should be getting modern accommodations in the cockpit. Wifi, Bluetooth, hands free phone, gps, soft touch plastic...etc. If in 2015 an economy car can come equipped with these things, why not a class c ? Some of them made me feel like I was in a U-Haul truck. Yuk!!!

MarkeMark · 03-04-2015, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

One example:

2015 Chateau Diesel 35SK for Sale - M179 - PPL Motor Homes

That cockpit is still pretty bleak though...

That's more like it. It doesn't look nearly so dated as some of the others I saw.

**norty1** · 03-04-2015, 07:31 PM

It is likely more like a uhaul than a F350 pickup.

Bikester · 03-04-2015, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkeMark

It just seems that for 80+ grand I should be getting modern accommodations in the cockpit. Wifi, Bluetooth, hands free phone, gps, soft touch plastic...etc. If in 2015 an economy car can come equipped with these things, why not a class c ? Some of them made me feel like I was in a U-Haul truck. Yuk!!!

I agree

spoon059 · 03-04-2015, 09:28 PM

I don't really need much in my dash... I need a speedometer and tachometer. I like having a fuel gauge and oil/trans temp gauges. It sure is nice to have a TPMS gauge too, but that's not a requirement in the dash for me.

Bluetooth is nice, but that's more of a radio issue. For $150 you can install an aftermarket radio with Bluetooth that will likely perform MUCH better anyways, although I do like the steering wheel controls.

Built in GPS is worthless to me. You have to pay for yearly updates or else you miss out on new roads, traffic problems, etc. It seems even the cheapest cell phones have free GPS navigation that blows away most dedicated GPS units.

I'm sure a soft touch dash is nice, but I don't ever really touch or look at the dash. The only time I think I will ever touch it will be during an accident. At that point, soft touch or not, its likely to hurt.

Cycledoc675 · 03-04-2015, 11:23 PM

For whatever reason, C-class buyers have to make more compromises. I looked at C class RVs for over a year to replace my aging 2000 Gulfstream Conquest Sport (Chevy 454), only to finally settle on the 2015 Jayco Precept 29UM A-class. Once used to driving it, I found it easier to drive than my C-class, more powerful V10 motor with 3 valves, awesome panoramic view, terrific Jensen JRV215 unit with Bluetooth, Nav, hands-free, etc, and far less tiring to drive long distances (I've only had it for 2 weeks and put nearly 1,000 miles on it.) In addition, I get much larger fuel, fresh water, and holding tanks. And for about 15,000 more than a C class.

bigdaddyhd · 03-06-2015, 07:17 AM

Forget about the dash. Just enjoy this great country through the windshield. That is why I like to travel.

MarkeMark · 03-06-2015, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhd

Forget about the dash. Just enjoy this great country through the windshield. That is why I like to travel.

For me, getting there is more than half the fun. As a pilot, and one who truly loves to drive, monitoring systems and being one with the machine is what brings me joy. I find less peace and confidence in my travels when the only feedback I get from my rig comes from an old water temperature gauge and an idiot light that never seems to come on.

I'm probably a good candidate for a well equipped class A. I only hope when the time comes my budget agrees.

Bluesky46 · 04-02-2015, 12:00 AM

MarkeMark. Not sure what model/year you have, but many of the things you mention are available like Bluetooth, hands free phone, gps, etc on later model greyhawk, and I assume other models. The thing I miss most is climate control AC/heating. Seems like I am always having to turn mine up or down. Also an expensive but nice feature would be some audio controls on the steering wheel.

Kleinhdr · 04-25-2015, 05:09 PM

I have always wondered why every car I have owned in the past many years has had a outside thermometer and compass on the rear view mirror, but my Greyhawk does not have one. That is the one vehicle I really would like it on. Is that even an option on a Greyhawk?

NC Roamer · 04-25-2015, 05:43 PM

Those were not options on our 2014 Greyhawk. It is strange that our 2012 Tacoma, which was far less expensive, has more features.

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