Looking for input.....
 

Right now I'm considering a class c motorhome to replace my crew cab Powerstroke F250.
Most seem to be built on an E450 chassis with the Ford V-10 for power.
Enough power for towing in the V10 or should I look for a Powerstroke?
Any brands to stay away from? Any units that are especially well made to look into?
Good unit to tow a 24' Pace?
Never owned any type of motorhome, but I am familiar with RV ownership, my parents pulled a Holiday Rambler across half this country.

Lile I said, considering at this time, don't know that I'm going to make the move, looking at options and would appreciate educated input.

Thanks,

Unk

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Unk, i think the biggest issue you need to look at will be rear overhang. Look for the shortest model on a given wheelbase. I would also look at a trailer toad or whatever they call those things. The long rear overhang on a Motorhome doesn't like the normally heavy tongue weight of an enclosed trailer. I haven't heard much good about the V-10's in motorhomes, particularly the trans. Have you looked at the "Heavy C" motorhomes that are on the GM5500 platform?

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Bob, I would look for one with the Workhorse chassis. I have never been impressed with the Ford V10. If I had it to do over I would get a diesel. My GM 8100 is fine if there is not a strong headwind. Headwind = 5mpg. lol

Mine is a low-dollar 34' class A.

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The V-10 for most people, does well to pull a small trailer, maybe with a very light car and not much in the trailer (certainly not a gold cart, a tool box of any consequence, and spares), and get 4-6 MPG. It won't pull it real well, and it won't get any sort of reasonable fuel mileage doing it. The transmission, usually an electronic over drive version of the C-6, doesn't seem to work well or last long.

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Total missinformation Alan!

The early V-10 circa 1998-2002 had some spark plug tossing issues and were down on power.
They got much better in 2003 and have been improved every year since.
Anything from 2005 up has very good power and fuel economy.
A cold air kit and exhaust upgrade does WONDERS as well.

The FoMoCo 4R100, E4OD, 5R110, 5R110W electronic transmissions are exceptionally reliable when properly serviced at appropriate intervals and share nothing in common with a C-6.
Our crew cab which most everyone has seen has one of those transmissions.
It has pulled our two car trailer coast to coast and border to border.
180K miles and still going strong. ATF is changed religeously every 12K miles.
Unk,
If I were you I would look for a class "A". You will be much happier in the long run.
This comes from a family who started out with a class "C".
If you start looking now in the Florida and Arizona markets you will find something affordable.
There is a HUGE glut of used units in those states.
Lots, and lots of retired people who bought them, didn't use them much, and then settled in those states desperatly want out of them.
You would be shocked if you knew what we paid for our 40K mile 32 foot class "A" last year in Florida.
Contact me or Beth for more info if you like.

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Alex,
You may have had better luck than many. But as a rule, and I worked on the stuff for a while, the E4OD and the 4R100 had some serious durability issues, they often burn up the over drive, they lose reverse on a fairly regular basis, among other issues, such as the torque converters coming apart. When I was doing transmission work for the general public, as opposed to almost strictly racing and high performance, I saw a lot more of the E4OD and 4R100 than I did any other light truck transmission. We had a fleet customer that used Ford trucks, and it was a serious problem for them. I built the E4OD from the time it entered service until it was "replaced" with the 4R100, and yes, it was most certainly based on the Ford C6 transmission. They added a center support that was somewhat similar to the one found on a GM 200 4R and an extra drum. In fact, the thing looks a lot like an over grown version of the A4LD, the over drive version of a C3. They've gotten better over the years, and may be decent now, but I would not tell anyone to go buy one.

The V-10 may have gotten better, but was never a great piece for the average truck owner. Your definition of acceptable service may be different than mine. I've known quite a few people who bought V-10 powered Fords, you're the first person I've ever met who bragged about one. One of my best friends bought one on a Friday and the rods came out of it the next Monday on the way to work. The new engine never had any power, it was an extended cab Ford 4X4, it never got better than 10MPG unloaded, and never had any more power than a good 460 had.

I'm not going to argue with you about it, I'll just say that the experiences of my friends and customers do not agree at all with your assessment, and leave it at that.

Re: Looking for input.....
 

i have a class a v-10 30 ft towing a 28 ft box with about a 4000 lb load in it. can leave md and go to the grove on 1/4 tank ( 65 GAL ) KNOW problem with power takes hills well.



ron waters s/st

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You might check out a Gulf Stream Endura with a DuraMax Diesel and the Allison trans.
It has a 10,000# hitch and seems to have the power !

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This advice from a guy who probably towed with a Conestoga wagon,back in the day.:>):>):>)

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That was my Great Granddad......... :-) :-)..........or Dedman...he is OLD ! ! :-0

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basically what you need to consider is long term durability and service....normal service with any combo is good and everyone knows that, I have had great service from equipment others that said it "didn't hold up for them" mainly because I feel I don't really abuse my stuff.....

the V10 FORD while good for light duty work is stressed when pushed....while it is a V10, it is a small cube engine around 400CI and just doesn't have the power you think it should have stock.....

You are familiar with diesels and the service required to keep them maintained and also the long term durability (as long as it isn't a 6.0) I would tell you to stay with that eliminating that decision in your choice...


D L Rambo.....

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I have a 2004 Gulf Stream Endura with the 8.2 and Allison 5 speed transmission. When I bought it, a 24' Haulmark came with it. When I went to pick it up, about 6 hours from home, I put a Monte Carlo SS in the trailer and took off. I was amazed at how well it towed. The previous owner said you don't have to swing out wide for a corner, the trailer will go exactly where the motorhome goes and he was right. Since then I found a used Trailer Toad and it goes down the highway even better, in fact when the trailer is being pulled, the motorhome rides better. I get anywhere from 6.5 to 8 MPG when towing at 65-70 MPH depending on the terrain. I have had it for four years and it works just fine. I would like to have a diesel, but just not in the budget right now.

I would recommend this combination, even better with the Duramax as stated earlier.

Gary Merrick

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Do you travel alone?if so you could probably get away with the 2500 and upgrade to a 28' with small LQ.Or upgrade to 28' LQ and 3500 dually. With that combo at least you have a truck to leave the track with and a truck to use when ever needed.as opposed to having a MH sitting around most of the time.
Just 2 cents from a looooow buck slowpoke.
If you travel with the missus,well,never mind.

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I appreciate the feedback, both public & private.
Ed, I've actually studied the way your rig is set-up. I love the simple, functional & low-buck way of doing things.
But,
the truck now is an extra vehicle that sits the majority of the time in the garage. It's a 2007 Lariat with 40k miles and was originally purchased to pull my daughters Exiss 3 horse gooseneck trailer (which is for sale if you know anyone....) and does a great job of pulling both trailers.
The idea of a class c came about after the race @ Noble. I enjoy staying at the track and being able to socialize. Looking at the market, for what my truck is worth I should be able to step into a nice used unit without too much if any additional out of pocket.
Living in Kansas City I'll probably head south to start next year and leave the rig parked in Houston for the first few months of the year, then bring it north for the summer.
I'll still be working for Brogdon's P/S team next year, so I'll be at all the national events anyway, just looking for something to be able to enjoy the LODRS events, racing and announcing at several.

Unk

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I have a 2000 V 10 in a 35' class A and even empty I have to keep it on the floor in any kind of hilly terrain, I don't believe it would get up the hills of KY with a trailer behind it.

I talked to three Ford dealer mechanics about the trans, two said it wouldn't last pulling a trailer and one said put in a deep pan and add an extra cooler.

I would look for a used, fairly short class A with a diesel, something that wouldn't break the bank.

BTW at the Indy I talked with the owner of a class C with a V 10 and he said he had no problems with it but he was towing a S/G roadster in a twenty foot trailer.....he had over 150k on it.

Good luck,

JimR

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Conquest MH has a unit called the Silver Bullet which is based on the Dodge Ram 5500 chassis and has the Cummins 6 cyl.They claim 16mpg.

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Maybe I've just been lucky but I have a '99 F350 (V10, 5 speed manual trans and 3.73 gears) which I bought new, it now has 110K, most of its miles have been towing my 24' enclosed trailer. With the exception of the normal tune up at 65K, I haven't needed to do any other repairs at all. I'm on my second set of tires, origional brakes, shocks and clutch. It obviously doesn't have the power of the diesel but it pulls up hills with no problem doing the usual downshifting and gets 9 - 10 MPG with the loaded trailer. I can't tell you how the extra weight of the motorhome and/or the auto trans would affect things but I think the V10 has gotten a bad rap. That being said, now that I've raved about its reliability, I've probably cursed things and it will blow up tomorrow.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

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Had a 1998 class C with a 7.3, long wheel base rear axle was almost at rear bumper, Gulf stream, short box, never saw another one like it. The thing was a beast on power, hold on and make sure brakes on trailer are working, cruising @ 70mph - 9+mpg, towed a 26ft goldrush with at least a 6000lb load, 90 mph NO PROBLEM, it had 4 disc on rig and 4 drum on trailer with all functioning normal it could stop on a dime, you knew when the wind was howling and when a big rig or bus was passing you though!!! OK for 2 to 3 people can't beat the conveniences. not sure what trans was behind the animal but never had a problem with the drive-train.I did put HD sway bars frt. & rear HD shocks all around and air bags in rear, bags served well for leveling at times too.

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Bob: I bought my 32.5' C class Four Winds Chateau new in 2002. E 450 / V 10. I service it a lot!! Change the Oil every 2500. Change the Gen Oil every race. and service the tranny twice a year. It has 69K miles. Never had one problem, everything still works - great Quality for a C Class. I DO use a trailer toad, and highly recommend using one. Plenty of power pulling my 26' Motorsport loaded. I get around 9mpg at 50-60mph, and it'll drop to 7 at 70mph or in the mountains. The biggest problem with the C Class is the rear over hang. You'll drag at even the slightest curb, like going into gas stations. This is completely solved with the Trailer Toad and it will add years of life to your coach. The other thing you have to watch is rear swing. With all the rear over hang, the pivot point is the rear axle. Just because the front end fits, be really careful in tight spot turns. JB

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I would suggest a coach that has enough brakes on it for a panic stop without relying on the assist from the trailer brakes.

We had a brake controller die going over Mt. Eagle on I-24 east.

The worst one was the blue wire (brake wire) broke crossing Black Mt. I-40 east. It made for a very exciting ride down the hill.

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I have towed 60000 with a 2000 v10 coach, including going cross country with my 24' pace behind it. The motor in that coach ran and still runs like a top , the new owner has had it 2 years and tows a similiar trailer. After owning it 3-4 years I put a complete banks kit on it and that made it nicer to drive and mainly it shifted less. The newer v10's have more power and don't need the kit unless you are driving 70+ all the time. I also towed 100000 +miles with a class c coach before the v10 unit. You can tow without a trailer toad but you need a good welder to make the hitch safe. Yes the key is rear overhang, I would not buy a class c with a lot of rear overhang. The trans is the weakest link, but if you change the fluid regularly it will last you a long time. The joy of a class c isthat when driving you are sitting in a van cab, that is more confortable to many, after owning 2 c's and 2 a's , the main things I like about the A's are, the view is nicer when you are driving the a and the chassis and brakes are heavier on the a's, In any coach I always want the longest wheelbase for the length of the coach you choose.

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I put a 100000 on my 2000 v10 and 4r100 transmission ford motorhome with no problems.it gets 6 to 7 mpg pulling a 28 ft pace 10000lbs trailer with a 3350 lbs dodge demon + 1000 lbs of more crap. it works good for what it is.