Anyone excited about a new Class 'A' engine?

[TCHB]

Originally Posted by Peter M

Are there any published HP and TQ Specs of the new engine?
My current 2017 V-10 rated at 320 HP 460 ft lbs with the 6 speed does quite well. Noise is not a problem, no doubt a DP is quieter. IMO the driver needs to learn how to drive both the Gasser and DP to optimize performance.

The new Six speed really helped with the gas RVs. Put a 10 speed in it and away we go.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by TCHB

The new Six speed really helped with the gas RVs. Put a 10 speed in it and away we go.

What will a 10 speed trans do for a low RPM, high torque, big block, V8 ?

You don't see them in diesel pushers.

[Massparanoia]

Originally Posted by twinboat

What will a 10 speed trans do for a low RPM, high torque, big block, V8 ?

You don't see them in diesel pushers.

Allison makes a 10 speed auto for class 8 diesel trucks, the TC10. Eaton makes automated transmissions up to 18 speeds. Diesel RV chassis manufacturers have plenty of transmission choices, they just choose old technology.

[R.Wold]

I thought the V10 only “screams” in rental units.

Im also interested in the new motor, just for more hp and torque. My V10 isn't overly noisy, they run forever with normal maintenance, but it is a bit under-powered, for me.

Im not thrilled about a 10 speed because it seems to me it would just have more gears at closer ratios over the normal range, with maybe a third gear over driven, but end up hunting a lot more for the right gear. Maybe Ill be pleasantly surprised.

Somewhere I heard something about coil spring front suspension and better turning radius on the next gen chassis. Anyone else hear that?

Regardless, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a couple years for the 7.3 to make its way to the F53. Time will tell.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Massparanoia

Allison makes a 10 speed auto for class 8 diesel trucks, the TC10. Eaton makes automated transmissions up to 18 speeds. Diesel RV chassis manufacturers have plenty of transmission choices, they just choose old technology.

Yes, and a lot of them gears are for pulling a fully loaded truck out of the sand pit.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

I thought the V10 only “screams” in rental units.

Im also interested in the new motor, just for more hp and torque. My V10 isn't overly noisy, they run forever with normal maintenance, but it is a bit under-powered, for me.

Im not thrilled about a 10 speed because it seems to me it would just have more gears at closer ratios over the normal range, with maybe a third gear over driven, but end up hunting a lot more for the right gear. Maybe Ill be pleasantly surprised.

Somewhere I heard something about coil spring front suspension and better turning radius on the next gen chassis. Anyone else hear that?

Regardless, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a couple years for the 7.3 to make its way to the F53. Time will tell.

I have a 9 speed Jeep. It only uses 8th and 9th gear at highway speeds and will start downshifting at a slight incline like a bridge overpass. The 9 speed is just a way to raise the highway MPG to meet standards. Small engine and lots of gears.

If I want to pass someone while at highway speed, I have to add the lag time as I step on the gas and wait until it drops to 4th or 5th gear, before it starts to accelerate.

Imagine a loaded RV hitting a hill and dropping down from 10th gear to 5th or 6th.
Why do that when the NEW motor has all of this torque ?

[Jimwsch]

I've driven in diesels and you know There is a motor back there. As for f53 we have an 07 class A with 55k miles replaced on starter and nothing else. I've talk to lots of DP owners and non have that kind of reliability. We have 30k miles on a reprogrammed v10. No wasted downshifting shifts smoother. My shifter but on now works to control overdrive which is way more usefully. Brand of coach has a lot to do with quietness we happen to have a quiet one. Also no one has to go up a 6% grade at 65 mph. We roll up at 45 or 50 at 3400 rpm quite comfortable an quiet. I still think people who criticize the newer f53 for DP just want the prestige of a diesel. I can't afford a high end one and I won't buy a cheap one. Will stick with my lowly gasser and enjoy the road.

[Dave11]

I am a little curious but not excited about the new engine and hope it will be well designed and durable. I never buy the first year or two of any new vehicle until it is proven in the real world but thats just me. Add to that the fact that the V10 is durable, relatively inexpensive to maintain and not overly expensive to buy makes it easy to be patient.
Personally, I think the weak link in the F53 is the suspension rather than the engine/transmission. It appears that the new chassis will still use leaf springs and a solid front axel, so not likely any improvement there. Also, it appears it will have the 6 speed trans so those wanting the 10 speed will have to wait.
It is a bit difficult to imagine that a larger displacement 7.3 engine will be more fuel efficient than a 6.8 but time will tell. On the other hand it seems likely that some real power gains could be made and thats a good thing for sure.

[MrGoodwrench]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

If you’re set on new you're in a tough spot. You may not be satisfied with any of your 3 current options. Spend the same money on a 10 year old DP and you’re now looking at coaches that originally listed for half a million. This may lead to satisfaction.

Couldn’t agree more with respect to current options, and your advice to look at used DP’s.
Since the late ‘70’s, we’ve owned every variety of gasoline powered motor home chassis (440 Dodge, 454 GM’s, 460 Ford’s, a couple recent Ford V-10’s), most impressed with the 440 Dodge for sheer power, and most disappointed in the 454 GM for stupid design/engineering/reliability. Best chassis ever was the John Deere with Ford big block drive train-almost bullet-proof I always wanted to buy a DP but never able to until the pre-owned ‘14 Phaeton. 10 minutes behind the wheel made it impossible to EVER go back to an engine in the front screaming at you all day. Then the 1st long 6-7% grade on a 95 degree day further solidified the “satisfaction” you mentioned!!

They say to “never say never”; however, unless there are substantial improvements in suspension, load carrying ability, and engine performance while fully loaded and towing, front gasoline engine powered coaches are out of the question. The brand new ‘16 38’ coach on the 26K lb F53 chassis I bought test drove GREAT on the extensive test drive in the VA hills and Interstates. Then we inflated the tires properly, loaded it up, and after the first hill in MD I thought “What have I done?”. Within a year it was dumped off for the Phaeton...

[8Ballred]

So I just bought my 2002 Fleetwood Bounder V-10. I haven't driven it much yet. What is your opinion on them? (Mine starts right up and sounds great but the does'nt have bushels of power but will be fine on the mostpart where I go at 65-70mph.

[mcbus]

My thoughts on the new Ford coming out.....I really encourage all you guys to visit your local RV dealer and purchase one of those new 2020 fords. I personally think its going to be a heck of a package. I really do.
So get out there and get one ordered. I want you to load up those lots with your trades. That's about the time I will visit those overloaded lots and maybe pick up a good deal on a 16 or 17 F53.
A little tongue in cheek but I've been trailering, 5th wheeling and motorhoming a long time. I've climbed the mountain, peaked out and now coming down the other side. Been a fulltimer and now a parttimer. I see the possibility of moving down to a gasser again and if you guys fill up those lots I just might find a good deal. I've loved my diesels but they are more expensive to operate, added insurance for the driveline (engine, trans etc), heavier, longer and I'm older.
I've test drove a friends 17 Bounder and loved the floor plan and the engine noise was not even a consideration. Easier to maneuver and I still like to do some of my own maintenance.
So to each his own and every circumstance is different.
Buy Ford.

[tuffr2]

I am thinking that V10 Triton engine is a 25 - 30 year old design. The power output is not great but overall it has been a good engine for it's day.

I bought the Coyote engine the 1st year it came out in 2011. I thought, wow, much much better than the 5.4 Triton.

I bought the Ford 6.7 powerstroke diesel the 2nd year but was still the 1st generation. I had that engine 6.5 years without any issues.

Ford laid so many duds in the 90's and 2000's I am hoping they follow the winning trend with a reliable, powerful, smooth 7.3 gasoline engine.

[DryCreek]

Originally Posted by NeilV

In the 1990's Ford introduced a new pushrod engine for their trucks and SUV's and my youngest brother bought one the first year that it was introduced.

I'm curious as to which engine that would be? In the 90's Ford introduced the modular series, including the 5.4 which they stuck in just about every heavy duty pickup they could. It replaced the old 351's that they used right up until 1997. The 351 was a solid engine. We had one in an F-350. It wouldn't win any races, but it pulled our trailers pretty well. I think that the 5.8L (351) was the last pushrod small block V-8 offered by Ford. The 460 was the last pushrod big block that was replaced by the V-10 and 5.4 liter engines (OHC).

[DryCreek]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am thinking that V10 Triton engine is a 25 - 30 year old design. The power output is not great but overall it has been a good engine for it's day.

Not unless todays date falls within the years of 2024 to 2029.
My calendar might be a bit behind, though. It says 2019, so the design was introduced in the 1999 F-Super Duty Series only 20 years ago, as a 2 valve SOHC engine.