Ford V-10

[dezolen]

Love our 37' In the first 4 years I have done my own oil changes at 30$ a crack. Nothing else.

[Cover Dog]

Originally Posted by tvp

Ok guys , since there is no longer the 8.1 L workhorse GM / Allison package in new RV,s ....how is the Ford V10 / tranny combo in a 37 foot RV and can you tow a Honda CRV with this drive train ?

Any problems , reliability , enough power , history of engine failure etc.

Good ...bad....ugly.....

Thanks
TVP

We've been doing it for a year and a half, and no problems whatsoever. We are just under 39' and when towing our CR-V (3,740 lbs.) CGVW 27,260. Plenty of power for the WV turnpike. Will tackle the Rockies next year. 6.8-7.7 mpg. <65 mph. Our 6 speed is a plus.

[vettenuts]

Originally Posted by nothermark

6 spd transmission and they moved the torque peak down a bit. The latter reduced published HP.

I didn't think they actually changed the engine, only the way they measured torque and horsepower so the numbers appear lower than prior years.

[Percival6]

We have a 2010 32' MH on an 18k lbs Fordchassis with a GCWR of 23k lbs. We tow a 2005 Honda Pilot that weighs ~4500 lbs and live in Northern California where there is a mountain pass on just about every direction we turn. The F-53 chassis performs very well and while it is a little noisy, DW and I can hold a normal conversation when going uphill.

This engine/transmission combination lives at higher RPMs. It can pull for miles up mountains revving at 4500 all day long without a hiccup. In fact, I pulled the Pilot up and over the mountains leading into Death Valley from the West, I think it's about 9 or 10 miles, the MH was in 1st gear the entire way doing about 20 to 25 MPH. Yes, it's that steep and long. No problems at all, had a great trip. It probably helped it was early spring, too.

I don't think you can go wrong with this combo. Good luck!

[mrsportys]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Love our 37' In the first 4 years I have done my own oil changes at 30$ a crack. Nothing else.

I have a 36' 2014 Fleetwood bounder. Adds the 5 star tune and definitely helps the 5 speed transmission.
Never looked at buying a old diesel with the maintenance up keeps and older style lighting and packages inside.
A decent diesel is over $100k more than I paid for my class A gasser. Mountains have not been a problem.

[bamaguy911]

We had a 2010 Jayco Melbourne 33 ft with 3 slides. Could not get used to the high reving noise of the V10. It had plenty of power. Sold it and bought the older Intruder 39 ft class A with the 8.1/Allison Much happier! I think 2009 was the last year for the 8.1

[Waiter21]

I've owned 2 older V10s, the 305 hp version, with the 4R100 transmission

We haul a toad with our 35ft Soutwind, no problems, I sometimes need to climb the steeper / high altitude grades at 25 mph, 1st gear, and 4000 rpm, But it does make the climbs.

The F53 is a good chassis with no nasty habits.

Here;s a list of things I look at and maintain:

F53 inspection maintenance checklist – 1999 Southwind 35S

..

[partskenn]

We have 35ft, towing a 3700lb Equinox. V10 with the 6 speed. It works just fine. Downshifts a lot on hills, revs to 4500rpms which bothered me a lot at first, but I have gotten used to it. You can't even tell that the toad is back there most of the time.

[IrihRed]

I have a 2016 V10 with the 6 speed in a 38 ft Challenger, after a year and 12k+ miles I can say it gets the job done very well. Crossed the Rockies twice and with out the rear camera wouldn't know our Jeep tow is there. The Tow Haul function works great and I keep it on all the time. Engine braking keeps the speed down and brakes cool while going down hill. I keep checking mileage each month because I thought I was getting bad numbers or something, but it stays in the 9+ range consistently. Yes, I would rather a DP with air suspension, but floorplans and costs made the gas a very viable option. We only drive the coach 4-5 days a month but live in it 30 days a month! So I feel the V10 is the engine and trans that can! Just change oil every 4k miles and enjoy miles of smiles!

[flywithcoop]

I have a 2014 Allegro open road 36LA with the Ford F53 chassis. Tows a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited just fine. I don't have the 6 gear tranny mine is the 5 gear. On I-77 north at the NC/VA border you will start a long steep uphill drive from the NC plateau to the VA Blue Ridge parkway. I pass semi trucks going up this very steep climb with my RV while towing the Jeep. Yes the Diesel MHs pass me but I really don't care as my maintenance cost are half the cost of the diesels and I have the same features as they do except for the drive train.

[Vicr]

We have q 36' 10" Jayco Precept and tow a 2014 CRV, can't even tell it's there. We drive mountain passes regularly and have had no issues. Plenty of power for US 2 and I-90.

[stvdman]

I had the 8.1 / Allison combo in a Kodiak based Super C, I now have a 2017 Thor Miramar 35.2 with the V10 / 6-speed torque-shift combo, much prefer the V10/6-speed.


I did have the older V10 "5"-speed in a C, that was NOT good for driving dynamics.


I just did a r/t from MD to FL towing a 4500lb Dodge Dakota behind the Miramar, got 7.5+mpg traveling at ~63mph @ 2200 rpm most of the way. The newer V10 / 6-speed did great, it towed it better than the 8.1 Allison, less gear changes and lower cruising RPM.


I get 8-8.5 mpg when not towing and keeping the cruise set just under 65mph.

[tvp]

Originally Posted by stvdman

I had the 8.1 / Allison combo in a Kodiak based Super C, I now have a 2017 Thor Miramar 35.2 with the V10 / 6-speed torque-shift combo, much prefer the V10/6-speed.


I did have the older V10 "5"-speed in a C, that was NOT good for driving dynamics.


I just did a r/t from MD to FL towing a 4500lb Dodge Dakota behind the Miramar, got 7.5+mpg traveling at ~63mph @ 2200 rpm most of the way. The newer V10 / 6-speed did great, it towed it better than the 8.1 Allison, less gear changes and lower cruising RPM.


I get 8-8.5 mpg when not towing and keeping the cruise set just under 65mph.

Great feed back .... thanks guess I should hold out for the 6 Speed ford tranny ��

Tvp

[wredman]

I have not driven up the steepest and longest grade, but for most of my rolling hill driving I can limit the downshift to 6 - 5th gear, and stay in ~3100 rpms, a little more noise than cruising. Cruise control will take it a step further to 4th, and that is loud, and I think unnecessary, so I usually manually control the hill climbs.


All of the talk relative to the GM makes me wonder if that platform never had to downshift???