Motorhome help

hotrod · 11-10-2008, 06:56 PM

So, How about Distribution Bars, Would they help to prolong the life of the tranny ???? Just asking before i buy this kinda stuff

11-10-2008, 08:15 PM

The ford v10 powerwise is fine except for large mountians, our first trans was bad instantly when new,
we made them put in a new unit and not fix the one that came out, now 62,000 miles later no problems.
we run synthetic fluid in motor and transmission.we have a tag axle and stops excellent.we tow a 28' and1' extra tall haulmark edge tri axle.handles and drives well.don't know trailer weight but its heavy,we sell parts and race.hitch we had reinforced as well.just watch for the air filter getting wet in hard rain.
you should be fine go have some fun and good luck. Ray Fordyce jr

ps. carry a spare coil pack

Bill Harris · 11-10-2008, 08:49 PM

I have a 30' 2004 Georgie Boy with the V10 and E4OD trans pulling a 24' Haulmark with all my junk and it does just fine. The Ford MH chassis is rated at 26000 GCWR, which is the MH and trailer combined weight. My MH, totally loaded, is less than 16,000 and the trailer and all the junk is right about 9K. Last time on the scales loaded with my "crew", fuel and water, it was right about 24K. The V10 does remarkably well. You'll just have to get used to the engine screaming at 4500 RPMs when it is really working hard but it will suprise you at how well it pulls.

You really have to pay attention to the hitch and what it is attached to. A lot depends on the wheelbase of the chassis on your box. If you have a short wheelbase then the OEM chassis gets extended by the coach mfg. This can be a recipe for disaster since a lot of times the material used for the extension is lighter weight than the OEM chassis and fabricated by some high school kid. Ultimately the hitch is connected to the chassis and if it is through weak frame extensions it is never going to be right.

When I went shopping for a box I searched until I found one that did not have any frame extensions and the hitch (Reese) was welded directly to the OEM chassis. I then had it reinforced further with some additional gussets. You MUST use a weight distribution hitch. I also added the dual-cam style sway bar. This setup is fairly expensive but it is worth it's weight in gold. The trailer is rock steady behind the MH and after a while you almost forget it's there. Look at a setup like this:
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/prod...und_Bars,66078

I have never used a Trailer Toad but except for sway, it looks like it would be a nice setup too. It would certainly help keep the tongue weight to a minimum.

I fiddled with the placement of my car in the trailer to get the best tongue weight. I also added the Firestone air bags to the rear suspension which was a very noticable improvement too. They are cheap and really easy to install yourself on the Ford MH.

I have not had any trans problems although it doesn't suprise me to hear that others have. The E4OD/4R100 is essentially a C6 with an overdrive. It is a very stout unit and rated at 1000 ft/lbs of torque. It is the same trans they put behind the Powerstroke diesel for many years. Even so, I plan on adding a trans temp gauge and maybe a deep aluminum pan which adds six quarts. Heat is the trans killer and when the converter unlocks and your pulling a big hill, it's gonna get HOT.

Forget about gas mileage. I get 6 to 6.5 MPG when hauling the trailer. I have read a lot about the banks kit for the V10 and supposedly it really helps with pulling power, but does nothing for fuel mileage, which seems reasonable to me. You gotta burn fuel to make power. Pricey package though. I've been tempted, but haven't done it.

Watch those frame extensions..!!!!

Good luck

curtis hieb · 11-10-2008, 11:29 PM

I have a 29 ft 2003 with work horse chassis 8.1 liter it works well, i get 71/2 mpg. All i have done to it was put some magna flow mufflers on it what a difference, I pull a 28 ft Vintage trailer in over drive it runs about 2500 rpms at 70 mph. Not very often do I have to use 3rd gear maybe in high head wind.

Barney B · 11-11-2008, 05:32 AM

Mine is a 02 Gulfstream V-10, bought it new, 37000+ miles, had a recall on the fridge, 28', foot extra tall, dragster, golf cart, I am happy with it.
Like said before, have the hitch done up good and arange your trailer for the least amount oftongue wieght. I think tongue wieght is the key.
Also, mine never goes into overdrive until I am on the hy-way
BB

11-10-2008, 06:56 PM	#1
hotrod Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Walterboro S.C. Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Motorhome help So, How about Distribution Bars, Would they help to prolong the life of the tranny ???? Just asking before i buy this kinda stuff

11-10-2008, 08:15 PM	#2
diceman1530 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Motorhome help The ford v10 powerwise is fine except for large mountians, our first trans was bad instantly when new, we made them put in a new unit and not fix the one that came out, now 62,000 miles later no problems. we run synthetic fluid in motor and transmission.we have a tag axle and stops excellent.we tow a 28' and1' extra tall haulmark edge tri axle.handles and drives well.don't know trailer weight but its heavy,we sell parts and race.hitch we had reinforced as well.just watch for the air filter getting wet in hard rain. you should be fine go have some fun and good luck. Ray Fordyce jr ps. carry a spare coil pack

11-10-2008, 08:49 PM	#3
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Motorhome help I have a 30' 2004 Georgie Boy with the V10 and E4OD trans pulling a 24' Haulmark with all my junk and it does just fine. The Ford MH chassis is rated at 26000 GCWR, which is the MH and trailer combined weight. My MH, totally loaded, is less than 16,000 and the trailer and all the junk is right about 9K. Last time on the scales loaded with my "crew", fuel and water, it was right about 24K. The V10 does remarkably well. You'll just have to get used to the engine screaming at 4500 RPMs when it is really working hard but it will suprise you at how well it pulls. You really have to pay attention to the hitch and what it is attached to. A lot depends on the wheelbase of the chassis on your box. If you have a short wheelbase then the OEM chassis gets extended by the coach mfg. This can be a recipe for disaster since a lot of times the material used for the extension is lighter weight than the OEM chassis and fabricated by some high school kid. Ultimately the hitch is connected to the chassis and if it is through weak frame extensions it is never going to be right. When I went shopping for a box I searched until I found one that did not have any frame extensions and the hitch (Reese) was welded directly to the OEM chassis. I then had it reinforced further with some additional gussets. You MUST use a weight distribution hitch. I also added the dual-cam style sway bar. This setup is fairly expensive but it is worth it's weight in gold. The trailer is rock steady behind the MH and after a while you almost forget it's there. Look at a setup like this: http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/prod...und_Bars,66078 I have never used a Trailer Toad but except for sway, it looks like it would be a nice setup too. It would certainly help keep the tongue weight to a minimum. I fiddled with the placement of my car in the trailer to get the best tongue weight. I also added the Firestone air bags to the rear suspension which was a very noticable improvement too. They are cheap and really easy to install yourself on the Ford MH. I have not had any trans problems although it doesn't suprise me to hear that others have. The E4OD/4R100 is essentially a C6 with an overdrive. It is a very stout unit and rated at 1000 ft/lbs of torque. It is the same trans they put behind the Powerstroke diesel for many years. Even so, I plan on adding a trans temp gauge and maybe a deep aluminum pan which adds six quarts. Heat is the trans killer and when the converter unlocks and your pulling a big hill, it's gonna get HOT. Forget about gas mileage. I get 6 to 6.5 MPG when hauling the trailer. I have read a lot about the banks kit for the V10 and supposedly it really helps with pulling power, but does nothing for fuel mileage, which seems reasonable to me. You gotta burn fuel to make power. Pricey package though. I've been tempted, but haven't done it. Watch those frame extensions..!!!! Good luck __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S

11-10-2008, 11:29 PM	#4
curtis hieb Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 125 Likes: 5 Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Motorhome help I have a 29 ft 2003 with work horse chassis 8.1 liter it works well, i get 71/2 mpg. All i have done to it was put some magna flow mufflers on it what a difference, I pull a 28 ft Vintage trailer in over drive it runs about 2500 rpms at 70 mph. Not very often do I have to use 3rd gear maybe in high head wind.

11-11-2008, 05:32 AM	#5
Barney B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wadsworth, Ohio Posts: 510 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Motorhome help Mine is a 02 Gulfstream V-10, bought it new, 37000+ miles, had a recall on the fridge, 28', foot extra tall, dragster, golf cart, I am happy with it. Like said before, have the hitch done up good and arange your trailer for the least amount oftongue wieght. I think tongue wieght is the key. Also, mine never goes into overdrive until I am on the hy-way BB