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EcoTraveler · 10-15-2022, 05:37 PM

I have a 2017 Thor Windsport 29M with a 2017 Ford Triton V10 engine. What improvements could the 5-Star tune do? I was up in Colorado and Wyoming this past summer and it struggled a bit on the hills. I had to downshift a lot. Wondering how much improvement the 5-start tune can provide. Thanks in advance.

BirchyBoy · 10-15-2022, 05:41 PM

I think you’ll enjoy the tune. I had a tune done for my F-350 with the 6.2L gas engine and it pulled my fifth wheel much better including better shifts. I wish I had done that with my 2017 Winnebago with the V-10.

twinboat · 10-15-2022, 07:43 PM

It did good things to the older 5 speed transmission but Ford did good things with the 6 speed.

It gives you more HP and torque but only when floored.
Did you have it floored on the hills ?

If not, save your money.

SergioP · 10-15-2022, 11:04 PM

I think it was worth it for our 2018 E450 V10 6 speed. Cuts down on the downshifting for minor hills. As for the power increase it’s hard to tell on 12,000lb rv. Fuel economy didn’t change.

I got mine during the Black Friday sale a couple years ago.

fcbbob15 · 10-15-2022, 11:37 PM

Not a lot of change for me as far as hills. Using tow/haul helps a lot. No noticeable difference in fuel milage. Would I install it again, YES shifting is better and smother including down shifting. My favorite thing was being able to raise the speed limiter. Factory setting was 83mph. You normally don't drive that fast but try passing a slow vehicle on a two-lane road. Very slow acceleration so I moved mine up to 95 and it's much safer to pass. No, I don't drive 95 but easier to pass.

EcoTraveler · 10-16-2022, 07:34 AM

Although overall it seems the reviews have been positive, the improvements do not seem to indicate an overwhelming approval. I am still undecided, but i am not in a hurry. What is involved in doing a tune? Is there anything needed besides the tuner (special chip?). What tuner have people used on their RV's?

OkieSVT · 10-16-2022, 07:50 AM

I have it on my 2009 V-10. The only difference I can tell is the shift points are better, but the haul/pull selection does that anyway. No, I don't think it is worth the money. The V-10 has more power than I need without it. JMO

creativepart · 10-16-2022, 07:52 AM

I owned a Class C with the 5-speed and thought it needed the 5-Star Tune but never bought it. When I traded the C for a Class A with the 6-speed I bought the tune almost immediately based on the experience with the Class C.

I realized quickly that it was a waste of money due to the improvement with the newer transmission. I would not recommend the Tune for F53 chassis built after the 2016 transmission update.

corvetteSS · 10-16-2022, 08:06 AM

Well I don't have the 5-star tune, but I have the UPFORD tune.
I have seen 0.5 MPG increase (average measured) and have seen about 25-30 HP increase (measured with scangauge). The shifting is WAY better (even with the 6 speed) and am looking forward to how this works in Colorado.
My "miles to Empty" went from 500 miles to 545 miles on a tank fill, which also is about 0.5 MPG. The shifting is just more "normal" now. I think it was worth it. I figure it will take 12000 miles to pay for itself (2 years)
I wish I had installed the UPFORD tune earlier.
I have an 2017 Winnebago Vista on 18K F53 chassis. (V10)

wadewit · 10-16-2022, 11:30 AM

I tried the 5Star in 2019 Holiday Rambler 34J, Class A on a 2018 Ford F53 with the 6-speed. Power and shifting was better, BUT I logged consistent .5 to 1 mpg lower fuel mileage vs. the stock Ford software. That's huge when working with 7.5 mpg best. I switched back and forth couple times with same results. Also noticed the 5Star seems to engage the tow/haul full time. With the 5Star load RV would not "coast" when lifting off gas at around town speeds. Rather it would stay in gear and overslow the RV when I wanted to coast towards a traffic light. The mpg hit plus the akward around town shifting is deal kill for me. Don't recommend the 5Star for 2018 F53.

twinboat · 10-16-2022, 12:26 PM

My Scangauge II shows more HP then the stock engine specs show.

It's not an accurate measurement of HP.

flipper003 · 11-01-2022, 03:25 PM

I got one for my 2015 Axis with the V-10, 5 speed and it made it much more user friendly to drive. Have been to Colorado with it and couldn't tell the difference from sea level to 8k +. The mileage did not change, but the lack of unnecessary downshifting made it worthwhile to me. I was able to get in on another site for a group purchase and saved $100 - this was a couple of years ago.

Mijjil · 11-01-2022, 04:05 PM

We applied this specific 5Star tune - https://5startuning.com/product/7015fs/ - last week to our 2017 Thor Vegas 25.5 on the E-450 chassis with the Triton V10 and 6-speed transmission. The shifting profile is *so* much better! No more useless double downshifts going up shallow hills, and a real feeling of power/torque increase in the lowest gears. Can't wait to take a longer trip (this weekend!) to see how much better the gas mileage gets. I can't recommend 5Star highly enough. (Use code ENDLESS at checkout for 10% off too!) Edited: I forgot to mention how much quieter the engine was!

ChrisDParise · 11-01-2022, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

It did good things to the older 5 speed transmission but Ford did good things with the 6 speed.

It gives you more HP and torque but only when floored.
Did you have it floored on the hills ?

If not, save your money.

I get that. In the mountains out west it's impossible to not go WOT.

Biggest consistent advantage seems to be the shifting for us 5 speed V10 oldies.

Not sure which tuner to buy. Banks has one so does UPFORD RV but they appear to be the same.