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Fiat FWD or Ford RWD?

3005 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  RichardnGill
Hi Guys,

We are about to purchase our first motor for a 6 month trip around Europe.

We have selected a model and layout and now need to select between the Fiat KO 2.3L JTD or the Ford Transit 2.4L TD RWD twin wheels.

Which base vehicle would you prefer? any main advantages or disadvantages would be appreciated.

Thanks DR
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RWD

Hello,

On a motorhome preference, without question has to be the RWD.

Trev.
Neither are without their problems. Assumiing you are talking new vehicles, watch the Fiat for Judder(vibration) in reverse and the trannie for judder in 1st.
Gerry
RWD

Southdowns did have a RWD (singles) Mercedes Rimor Sailor at a good price!

Trev
Rear wheel drive every time :lol: :lol: :lol:
Yes rwd for me as well.you did not say which conversion you were looking at.

cabby
Sit in the cab for a few minutes and see which you are comfortable in. Deciding on one factor alone can be a costly mistake.

Dave P



Thanks for the advice guys.

Cheers DR
GerryD said:
Neither are without their problems. Assumiing you are talking new vehicles, watch the Fiat for Judder(vibration) in reverse and the trannie for judder in 1st.
Gerry
AFAIK the transit does not suffer clutch judder, 1st gear needs slightly higher revs than other vehicles but has no problems.

RWD transit is by far a safer bet against the Fiat juddergate chassis
I have owned both, and overall, prefer the FIAT, but only just. Engine in Ford is powerful, but gruff and thirsty, especially with twin rear wheels, will get you off wet or muddy grass with ease. Fiat is much more refined, and nicer to drive, not sure about running costs, never had one longer than a year, but thats another story altogether.
I looked at the Transit with rear wheel drive (double wheels) and I would maybe have preferred it as a base vehicle, however no one has mentioned yet that having the double rear wheels may eat well into your payload. That was one of the reasons that we did not proceed with the ford that we considered.
If you read up on the Transit forum the MK6 Transit is held in very high regard where as the MK7 is not due to some of its problems, mainly poor pulling away in 1st, poor brakes and the dash panel flickering when hot.

If you are comparing the older Fiat cab the MK6 or mk7 Transit is far better. If you are looking at a new Fiat cab the Fiat is better IMHO and I have had both.

The RWD Transit has very low gearing in if it hads the twin rear wheels and is noisy when at anything above 55 MPH. It will also use a lot of fuel at speed because of this. As just said a RWD will also add more weight which in turn will reduce your payload, if you are looking at a 3500 KG one this will be something to look carefully at.

But I would still have another MK7 Transit and I would buy another new Fiat. All vans have there problems.


Richard...
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