motor Home power
 

Looking at used Motor Home with V10 Ford. Noticed at least 1 or two identical on several ots traded at low mileage. Why ? could it be weak motor versus diesel? Any body
comment on v 10 power in 30 ft Motor Home?

Re: motor Home power
 

Foots to the floor so much of the time. Terrible gas mileage. Working motor that had just gets worn out. Diesel may be more cost in maintenance and fuel but better diesel mileage makes up for that part.

Re: motor Home power
 

On a Ford V10 F53 chassis you’re essentially sitting above the motor which makes the noise such that it’s harder to have conversations. Lots of RPM too compared to diesel plus most pushers have air suspension supplementing their springs to soften the ride. Dramatically higher maintenance costs can be partially offset by getting side radiator so you can do much of it yourself. Big advantage of the diesel is engine brakes, with a good two stage brake you’ll barely use the brake on those long downhill stretches.

Re: motor Home power
 

Power is ok. Got a 27 mh with the V10 and 6spd auto.Pulling a 24 ft enclosed weighing approx 8000 lbs I get 9mpg.Tow at 65 to 70mph.

Re: motor Home power
 

It's all about what you are going to pull - we have used coaches to tow various trailer's from open to low profile stacker's - we have used Class C to Diesel Pushers but what you tow is the BIG FACTOR a Class A gas coach is normally only capable of towing 5,000 lbs legal so if you have an open trailer and a door car you would probably be ok with a Gas Class A as long as your travel route doesn't take you through the mountains if so then all bet's are off we have a 6 mile hill in route to a track that we race at and with that combo you will be in the far right lane before you reach the top - just my $.02 from my experience hope this may be of some use - Bob

Re: motor Home power
 

I am very satisfied with my 2018 F53 V10 motorhome, I previously had a 1999 V10 in a Class C E450 chassis. The 2018 pulls the trailer effortlessly. Like what was said , it all depends on your total weight. For me I couldn't be anymore happier.

Re: motor Home power
 

Ultra Rv has programs for 3 valve V-10's that helps to the tune of 50hp and 50 foot pounds of torque and helps some with the down shifting problems. They cost $495 but each one is tailored to your RV, they send you a hand held device to pull your strategy code, you ship it back and in a few days you get it back with the new program. You can tell the difference backing it out of the driveway!

Re: motor Home power
 

I have been towing with a v10. 33 ft Rv for 15 years
First one 2002 brand new. What a dog. But it served its purpose was good to me.
Traded up to a 2011 Thor v10. What a difference. Way more power better stopping
Oh course you have to run up a hill. foot to floor but it does a good job.
Don’t by new rv. Buy used it’s a much better deal bugs worked out

Re: motor Home power
 

Good info and keep it coming. Anyone pulling an enclosed trailer with an 8.1 chevy?
Looks like some of the newer V10 Fords have an 8k towing package.

Re: motor Home power
 

Terry, I used an 8.1 powered Winnebago for 14 years, it was trouble free with the exception of the front brakes, front calipers were replaced a couple of times and the dash air was terrible no matter what I tried. The advantages of the 8.1 is the power and they were equipped with Allison transmissions in the workhorse chassis. I have a v-10 Ford now and really miss the 8.1 and Allison. If you can find a clean unit with the 8.1 I highly recommend.

Re: motor Home power
 

6-7 mpg is unbearable to contemplate for me. The Ford transit hightop tows 7500 easily with the twin turbo and gets 15-16. Hope to have one soon!!

Re: motor Home power
 

For us the worst time we had with our gas burner was towing and getting fuel. Sometimes a real pain in the..... That's racing!

Re: motor Home power
 

All with common sense. The ford V10 at this time is your only gas choice . Yes there noisey and rev high . But used properly do a "OK" job The workhorse 8.1 coupled withe the Allison on the 22k chassi awesome probably the best gas choice in its day. However workhorse chassi's are out of buisness and parts for the chassi ie brakes and shocks are getting hard to find. My choice would be a diesel pusher . I know COST. Personally I'd look at a good used pusher over a new or even pre owned gas. I'll probably catch alot of flack but had great luck with 275hp Cummins. I know always more hp but I understand about being on a budget and there getting to be quite a few of these coaches available now. Bigger chassis, better braking , much better ride and storage. Just my 2 cents from being in the buisness for over 40 years .

MarcLaBrecque

Re: motor Home power
 

Marc could add to this but my guess, and it is just that, is that a high percentage of the extra cost of a diesel would be recouped on resale.

Re: motor Home power
 

I have a 2010 Class C that's only 25-26 feet long. 5 Speed Auto....O/D
Pulls my 26' trailer fine and up any hill. Yes they do RPM pretty high if you push them....I make mine stay as low rpm as I can.....by making it shift up quick as I can.
I don't know the total weight of my trailer but it's not real heavy and I'm racing a dragster so it's pretty moderate weight.

My MH is an E-450 chassis with big brakes and stops better than my diesel pickup pulling the same trailer.

There are 2 versions of the V10's
2 valve head rated around 305hp
3 valve head rated around 360hp

My MH is 305hp and from what I read before I bought it, all class C's WERE using that version. I don't know if that's still true or if they ever changed that.

The newer class A's with V10's have the higher HP engine package.

My MH has 4.56 rear gears and hums along at around 2500-2600 at 65-70......Fuel Mileage is probably around 7-8 at best.

They do make an E-450 chassis with a diesel but I've never seen one other than an older one from the '90's.....Winnebago built some....

Most of those diesel engined chassis' are used for small busses and specialty vehicles.....ambulances.....

I service Onan generators so I see every kind of MH you can think of.....
One customer I have buys 30' MH's to rent and he renews his fleet every 2-3 years.....

They are all E-450's with V10's....

Re: motor Home power
 

I was looking at the same size motor home that you are towing with I'm looking at a 2018 or 19 model with the V10. How do you feel this would tow with a 3300 lb car in a24 tag enclosed

Re: motor Home power
 

Jim I've sold alot of 22' to 26' Class C motor homes that do the job "OK". Couple things , to keep the GVCW down I wouldn't do a slide room , make sure you get a 450 chassi some manufacturer's are building on 350 chassi's of course if you find a 550 almost impossible great.Lastly and most important try to get the longest frame you can typically you can find a 22'24' with a 158" WB. Make sure you get the frame extension strengthened ( fish plate the rear frame extension). Good luck , great time to buy a RV!

Re: motor Home power
 

My Sunseeker is a 2300 and it's the shortest wheelbase and shortest overall length E450 they make.

The next size up is a better option. It is 2' longer both wheelbase and overall length....same E450 chassis. The longer wheelbase I am sure would be more desirable but those models do usually have a slide adding weight.

The newer Class C's have a much better rear frame area back to the rear bumper/hitch. I look at them all when I'm doing generator work.

I spent a full afternoon adding metal to mine at the rear frame right out to the hitch. I also added rear air bags and Bilstein front shocks and steering dampner. I boxed the c channel frame and added cross bracing and tied it right to the hitch and added some metal to the hitch it self....

I bought the MH in 2014 and have had zero issues with anything back there. I look things over regularly......

Last year I bought an Equalizer brand hitch to replace my 30 year old Reese. The new hitch is better for sure. a 14,000lb rated weight distributing and sway control hitch.

Towing is generally fine but on a highway at speed with trucks on me or on a windy day you have to slow down and give them the road....They will push you around and it can get dicey....

My Sunseeker is flat sided and over 11' tall...….a big sail in the wind. If it's windy you have to slow down.....That probably applies to even much bigger MH's...….

Went to Numidia 2 years ago and it was a rough tow with the wind and rough road out RT 80.....I wasn't the only one who mentioned how bad that one was. One of my friends with a big Class A V-10 unit said he was all over the road and hanging on.....The ride home was no probem…..no wind!

If I had room and could swing it I'd have something much better for towing but I have to make do with what I have.....

Re: motor Home power
 

My mh is a Thor Axis 25.2 model. 26.5 overall length and a 194" wheelbase. It's built on a E450 chassis.Yes as Rich said in can be a handful in windy conditions.....just slowing down is a big help.Pulling a 24' enclosed trailer.Rear track bar was a big help along with a good front end alignment.

Re: motor Home power
 

I was looking at the Thor similar to like Glen mentioned do you have a website for your inventory

Re: motor Home power
 

Jim thanks for.asking , however we sold our dealership last fall. It's now a Gander RV in Hatfield Ma. Ask for Bob Allen very knowledgable.

Re: motor Home power
 

Thank you i will check them out

Re: motor Home power
 

I had a class C E450 chassis and pulled a 24 foot trailer with a 3200 lbs. car and an electric golf cart, it struggled but got the job done. I now have a 2018 Thor ACE on an F53 chassis and it's like night and day. Just the fact of having a panoramic windshield makes the driving feel safer and more enjoyable. My fuel mileage increased by almost 5 miles per gallon and my wife and I enjoy the floor plan. Take a look at the class A's , you won't be disappointed.

Re: motor Home power
 

Thank you, how many lbs is the hitch rating on that model, and gross combined carring weight

Re: motor Home power
 

rated at 8000 lbs. It came prewired for the 7 prong electrical connector. I did have to purchase a brake controller, I also went to Ford and purchased the plug in connector for the wiring harness as not to cut and splice any wires. All and all I am pleased with the performance and drivability.