Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home?

Jim Wahl · 11-30-2010, 11:41 PM

Thinking of upgrading to a 31' Fleetwood Class C motor home with a gas V10 Ford engine. What have your experiences been with this type of setup? I have a 24' Featherlite trailer with the Volare Stocker and parts etc inside. Will this work or what? Jim

Dave Turner · 12-01-2010, 12:00 AM

There was a recent thread where the opinions were split concerning the power and reliability of the V10. I don't think you will have any challenges over the routes you typically travel, provided you maintain a dedicated maintenance schedule on the drivetrain.

.....at least that's what I gleaned from the conversation.

BobUnkefer · 12-01-2010, 01:27 AM

Jim,
I asked the same question recently, here is a link to that thread.

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=29815

Some thought it would be fine, others suggested avoiding it like the plague. I'm still researching......

The terrain you travel would probably be a little easier on the unit then my area. I've got a 24'Pace/68 Camaro that I'm towing and I think i'm going to probably end up looking for either a Duramax of Powerstroke diesel unit. Not 100% on that, but leaning that way.

Bob Unkefer

Kirk Morgan · 12-01-2010, 08:58 AM

I have been following this thread for awhile. I work on a fleet of V-10s and they are very reliable. These trucks weigh about 16000 lbs and are standards and automatics. They are bucket trucks so most of the time they never get shut off. We get ride of them at 250000 miles on the odometer and only god knows how many idle hours are on them. We figure another 200000 miles!.We have never had a valve cover off or changed a water pump. We use only Motocraft oils. Needless to say we take very good care of these trucks. Iam a certified mechanic of 25 plus years . They did have spark plug issues on the early ones. I had to fix 4 spark plugs, easy fix. If you want some more info you can email me rcode8v@gvtc.com .

Bill Grubbs · 12-01-2010, 11:58 AM

Jim,
We towed for 2.5 years with a 27 ft Class C with a Ford 460 (yeah I know it is not a V-10).

It is do able, but...it is not as relaxing as any of our other motorhomes. Can you say white knuckle experience. I had two hands on the steering wheel every second. Trucks pushed you off the side when they passed. Twenty mph up Fancey Gap, and on any mountian in West Va, or PA. Sixtey MPH was our max speed on flat ground, as that was all the throttle we had. Our milage averaged 3.5 mpg, and we only had a 40 gallon tank. We stopped every 1.5 hrs for gas, and a break for the driver (me, as Brenda would not drive this rig). When we finally got to the track it was great, but the drive to and from was terrifying. Yes, we did have a Tuff-Tow. It would have been impossible with out it.

Now, on the other hand, either of our purpose built motorhomes have been a dream to drive to drive. Stop once for fuel, 70 mph on the cruise control (up Fancy Gap), eating or having a Dew while driving, first MH got 7.5 mpg the current gets 9.5 mpg. The only drawback is if you do not have a back-up camera, or look int he mirror, you forget you are pulling a trailer (not really a problem). There are some seariously real deals out there right now, just check out RJ.

Bill

jmcarter · 12-01-2010, 02:36 PM

Bill, like this one?

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...Motorhome.html

At Reynolds Painter and I told a guy shopping for a good one to come see you...know you're like Jim and take great care of your equipment. Surprised he didn't buy it, he seemed pretty serious, there with a D3 SS truck I believe.

Marc LaBrecque · 12-01-2010, 05:47 PM

Jim , I've been in the RV buisness the better part of 30 years , it's easy to say bigger and more power is always better ....... However most of us need to live within a budget . Most of the newer class C's produced have a stretched frame the good ones have Ford certification so check with the dealer or manufacturer about that . Even with the Certified chassi we always reinforce the frames fishplating the extensions as well as supporting the hitches . As far as the V-10 we've had very good luck with them , you may want to add a Banks kit along with there trans module. Keep in mind typically a class C has smaller water and holding tanks and somewhat limited lp and fuel tanks but what it is is what it is .Sure beats the back of a pickup truck . If I can be of any help feel free to give me a call .
Marc LaBrecque
888-784-5377 toll free
413 246-6608 cell

Jim Wahl · 12-01-2010, 07:04 PM

Thank you Marc, I appreciate it very much. Jim

treessavoy · 12-16-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc LaBrecque

Jim , I've been in the RV buisness the better part of 30 years , it's easy to say bigger and more power is always better ....... However most of us need to live within a budget . Most of the newer class C's produced have a stretched frame the good ones have Ford certification so check with the dealer or manufacturer about that . Even with the Certified chassi we always reinforce the frames fishplating the extensions as well as supporting the hitches . As far as the V-10 we've had very good luck with them , you may want to add a Banks kit along with there trans module. Keep in mind typically a class C has smaller water and holding tanks and somewhat limited lp and fuel tanks but what it is is what it is .Sure beats the back of a pickup truck . If I can be of any help feel free to give me a call .
Marc LaBrecque
888-784-5377 toll free
413 246-6608 cell

Marc,

I have a 35' class A with the V 10 but I was told the weak part was not the engine but the trans. I had two different Ford dealers tell me that the trans is the weak part when towing. How strong is the trans and will it hold up towing an enclosed trailer with a car in it?

JimR

11-30-2010, 11:41 PM	#1
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Thinking of upgrading to a 31' Fleetwood Class C motor home with a gas V10 Ford engine. What have your experiences been with this type of setup? I have a 24' Featherlite trailer with the Volare Stocker and parts etc inside. Will this work or what? Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

12-01-2010, 12:00 AM	#2
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? There was a recent thread where the opinions were split concerning the power and reliability of the V10. I don't think you will have any challenges over the routes you typically travel, provided you maintain a dedicated maintenance schedule on the drivetrain. .....at least that's what I gleaned from the conversation. __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

12-01-2010, 01:27 AM	#3
BobUnkefer Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 465 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Jim, I asked the same question recently, here is a link to that thread. http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=29815 Some thought it would be fine, others suggested avoiding it like the plague. I'm still researching...... The terrain you travel would probably be a little easier on the unit then my area. I've got a 24'Pace/68 Camaro that I'm towing and I think i'm going to probably end up looking for either a Duramax of Powerstroke diesel unit. Not 100% on that, but leaning that way. Bob Unkefer __________________ Bob Unkefer 4409 STK Last edited by BobUnkefer; 12-01-2010 at 01:30 AM.

12-01-2010, 08:58 AM	#4
Kirk Morgan Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 230 Likes: 1 Liked 80 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? I have been following this thread for awhile. I work on a fleet of V-10s and they are very reliable. These trucks weigh about 16000 lbs and are standards and automatics. They are bucket trucks so most of the time they never get shut off. We get ride of them at 250000 miles on the odometer and only god knows how many idle hours are on them. We figure another 200000 miles!.We have never had a valve cover off or changed a water pump. We use only Motocraft oils. Needless to say we take very good care of these trucks. Iam a certified mechanic of 25 plus years . They did have spark plug issues on the early ones. I had to fix 4 spark plugs, easy fix. If you want some more info you can email me rcode8v@gvtc.com .

12-01-2010, 11:58 AM	#5
Bill Grubbs Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 416 Likes: 3 Liked 564 Times in 66 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Jim, We towed for 2.5 years with a 27 ft Class C with a Ford 460 (yeah I know it is not a V-10). It is do able, but...it is not as relaxing as any of our other motorhomes. Can you say white knuckle experience. I had two hands on the steering wheel every second. Trucks pushed you off the side when they passed. Twenty mph up Fancey Gap, and on any mountian in West Va, or PA. Sixtey MPH was our max speed on flat ground, as that was all the throttle we had. Our milage averaged 3.5 mpg, and we only had a 40 gallon tank. We stopped every 1.5 hrs for gas, and a break for the driver (me, as Brenda would not drive this rig). When we finally got to the track it was great, but the drive to and from was terrifying. Yes, we did have a Tuff-Tow. It would have been impossible with out it. Now, on the other hand, either of our purpose built motorhomes have been a dream to drive to drive. Stop once for fuel, 70 mph on the cruise control (up Fancy Gap), eating or having a Dew while driving, first MH got 7.5 mpg the current gets 9.5 mpg. The only drawback is if you do not have a back-up camera, or look int he mirror, you forget you are pulling a trailer (not really a problem). There are some seariously real deals out there right now, just check out RJ. Bill

12-01-2010, 02:36 PM	#6
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,295 Likes: 2,380 Liked 3,174 Times in 971 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Bill, like this one? http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...Motorhome.html At Reynolds Painter and I told a guy shopping for a good one to come see you...know you're like Jim and take great care of your equipment. Surprised he didn't buy it, he seemed pretty serious, there with a D3 SS truck I believe. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

12-01-2010, 05:47 PM	#7
Marc LaBrecque Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 704 Likes: 20 Liked 431 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Jim , I've been in the RV buisness the better part of 30 years , it's easy to say bigger and more power is always better ....... However most of us need to live within a budget . Most of the newer class C's produced have a stretched frame the good ones have Ford certification so check with the dealer or manufacturer about that . Even with the Certified chassi we always reinforce the frames fishplating the extensions as well as supporting the hitches . As far as the V-10 we've had very good luck with them , you may want to add a Banks kit along with there trans module. Keep in mind typically a class C has smaller water and holding tanks and somewhat limited lp and fuel tanks but what it is is what it is .Sure beats the back of a pickup truck . If I can be of any help feel free to give me a call . Marc LaBrecque 888-784-5377 toll free 413 246-6608 cell

12-01-2010, 07:04 PM	#8
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Anybody Tow With A Class C Ford Motor Home? Thank you Marc, I appreciate it very much. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.