Community Forums

Motor7 · 12-28-2014, 07:58 AM

Jjva, I would look at it this way. If you(we) can afford to buy a Class A, then afford the fuel to put enough miles on it to wear out the engine, then you can afford to repair that engine if or when that time comes. So I say, buy, drive, and enjoy.

nothermark · 12-28-2014, 08:10 AM

I don't get the "used up by 100,000 miles" idea. Those engines go a lot farther than that in heavy trucks and buses that are as big and heavy as a MH plus they accumulate miles a lot faster in most cases. We bought one with over 100,000 on it to get a feel for motorhomes at a low entry cost then traded for a new one. Would do it again if we needed to. The chassis will likely need more work than the engine. Did brakes and U-Joints on that one.

RodgerS · 12-28-2014, 08:17 AM

"I've looked around on sites like this and have seen where the Fords can die in 50,000 miles or last for over 150,000 miles, based in large part on how they are maintained, and part on luck."

I've spent a year researching rvs on this forum, another forum, and reading various articles. I don't believe you did any research at all as no general range like that has come up. If anything it is 150k to 200K before major maintenance/replacement costs.

If your range was true the market would know about it and the word would have gotten out in a forum such as this and the gas models would not be the hot sellers they are, especially with the new suspensions.

To me, you sound like you are just having fun trolling to stir the pot. Sorry, that dog won't hunt.

chboone · 12-28-2014, 09:18 AM

I'm not a Ford person, but have one. The 50,000 mile statement it totally ridiculous and coming from someone totally uninformed. I agree with RogerS, just someone trying to stir the pot.

halftimer · 12-28-2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

With all due respect, I'm not a Ford fan, but find this very hard to believe...

I am also not a ford fan but put79000 miles on myv10with just oil and filter abs fuel change and most of those it had a 24ft enclose with a car in it

jjva343 · 12-28-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motor7

Jjva, I would look at it this way. If you(we) can afford to buy a Class A, then afford the fuel to put enough miles on it to wear out the engine, then you can afford to repair that engine if or when that time comes. So I say, buy, drive, and enjoy.

Yes, I agree. I just didn't want to hear that if and when the engine needed replacement, the cost would be prohibitive. From the costs I hear here, it would be economically infeasible if the motorhome was probably very, very old and abused. Thanks.

Deny · 12-28-2014, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjva343

First, let me be clear, I am no mechanic. Not at all. I might be buying a used gas Class-A motorhome with the ever present Ford V-10. I might be wrong about this, but replacing the engine with a new or a rebuilt one would be the largest single expense I might face. And yes, I know that there are plenty of other big problems I could face.

Has anybody had to do this? How in the world can someone replace the engine with the whole "house" built on top of, and around, the engine? Does anybody have a solid idea of what the worst case could cost? Thanks. Don't ask me to clarify my question more than I have, because I would be talking without understanding of the issues.

My story is about 15 years old, but here it is:

I bought an older coach with a noisy motor (Piston Slap). I took it to a mechanic, and he put in a new piston and Crank, for about $800. Still noisy, after the repair. Lots of conversation ensued, but engine was still noisy, he was paid- he would not do anything else .

I gathered info-and started taking the engine apart-taking all the parts out through the door . It did not take long to get to the naked block- which I took out through the door, as well. I took the Block to a builder-he bored, the block & put in new pistons ($3000). I then put the block back in, & reassembled the engine ($400 gaskets & incidentals) .

The job was done part-time, and took me about a month. But, when I was done, it ran like new. I kept the coach about a year, and then sold it. The mechanics were fine, but I just did not like the coach.

So, I suggest staying away from rebuilding - Buy one that runs good, there are plenty of them out there, and they will run a long time if they are cared for. Motorhomes are enough trouble without fooling with a bad drivetrain.