By Tony Sippel, RV product manager at Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) recently unveiled at the 2011 National RV Trade Show the newest addition to its RV product line, the FCCC SL Series chassis. In offering the first and only Class A motorhome chassis equipped with the Detroit DD13® engine, FCCC brings unmatched power and performance to the RV industry, without sacrificing the handling and reliability RV enthusiasts have come to expect.

The FCCC SL Series chassis comes standard with a ZF independent front suspension, which allows for a 60-degree maximum wheel cut; an Allison 4000 MH transmission; and Bendix® ADB22X™ air disc brakes, which provide a shorter stopping distance than traditional foundation drum brakes. Combined with the DD13 engine, the FCCC SL Series offers a premium chassis unmatched in the motorhome market. 

The Detroit DD13, manufactured by FCCC sister company Detroit, is a 13-liter, inline six-cylinder diesel engine capable of reaching 500 hp and of generating 1,650 ft-lb torque at 1,200 RPM. For RV drivers, that high torque at low RPM translates to more pulling power with less stress on the engine.

The DD13 also offers improved fuel economy, outstanding reliability and ease of service.

The BlueTec® Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) emissions technology, which is proven to meet long-term EPA 2010 emissions requirements by dramatically reducing nitrous oxide (NOx), plays a significant part in reducing fuel consumption. Fuel economy is further improved by a cooling system that allows for decreased fan on-time and the Amplified Common Rail System (ACRS™) of fuel injection, which optimizes the fuel delivery within the engine for the most efficient performance. As a result, RV owners will find their DD13 engine achieves up to 7 percent improved fuel economy than a comparable 2007 EPA engine.

The DD13 raises the reliability bar, too, as illustrated by the industry’s longest service intervals, during which motorhome enthusiasts will be able to cover a lot of territory.

Detroit recommends 35,000 miles or 12 months between engine oil and filter changes, and the same interval for fuel filter changes. The DD13 shouldn’t require its initial valve lash adjustment until the 100,000-mile mark, with another recommended at 500,000 miles. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) pump filter changing interval is 175,000 miles.

And when it comes to serviceability, the DD13 sets new RV industry standards there, too, starting with Detroit’s Virtual Technician, which links a high-definition Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with onboard engine diagnostics. If the RV’s “check engine” light comes on, the Virtual Technician automatically contacts the Detroit Customer Support Center, where a team of  service advisors determines the exact problem based on the fault code information that the Virtual Technician transmits. With this information, customer support determines the best and most convenient way to resolve the problem.

The RV driver then receives the necessary information, along with options for authorized service outlets and the opportunity to schedule a repair. The Virtual Technician also lets the chosen service outlet know which parts are needed to make the RV owner’s visit as smooth and expedient as possible. Speaking of parts, the RV model of the DD13 is practically identical to the truck model, which means parts availability shouldn’t be an issue.

By providing fast, detailed and accurate data, the Virtual Technician reduces potential downtime and eliminates unnecessary repair referrals, making any repair stops smooth and efficient.

FCCC is excited to offer the RV industry’s only Class A motorhome chassis equipped with the DD13, pushing the limits of RV chassis possibilities again and expanding premium RV choices for enthusiasts.

FCCC enjoys speaking directly with our customers, and we’re constantly seeking new and effective ways to connect with our end-users. Please let us know by commenting on this blog post with any feedback or ideas you may have about FCCC customer support.

And, if you’re looking for other ways to connect with FCCC, follow us on Twitter @DriveFCCC, visit our Facebook page or email us at fcccservice@daimler.com.