Ford v10 vs. Chevy V8?

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Sequim Guy

Buy the one with the floor plan you like best, you will spend a lot more
time living in the coach than you will driving it.....

.

Joning the chorus.

Now about the engines

The two I know (8.1L Chevy Vortec and the ford Triton V-10) are so close to each other in ratings to be identical, The Ford engine is rated 15HP higher than the chevy (And in a 300+ HP engine this is less than 5%, in short, nothign) but to get it they run the engine at a higher RPM, TORQUE ratings are identical, but again Ford's peak torque is at a higher RPM.

I'm real happy with my Chevy and personally prefer Chevy to Ford, but I'd not turn my nose up at the Ford either. It is a very good engine,

[LVJ58]

GM 8.1L peak torque 455 lb ft. @3,200rpm
Ford (3valve) 6.8 peak torque 457 lb ft @ 3,250rpm.

GM 8.1 peak HP 340 @ 4200rpm,
Ford (3 valve) peak HP 362 @ 4750rpm

GM push rods/rocker arms
Ford Overhead cam

GM 4 coils on each bank with High voltage leads to plugs.
Ford Coil over Plug low voltage leads to coil over plug.

GM 5/6 speed Allison automatic transmission
Ford Torqueshift 5 speed automatic transmission

Wouldn't have a problem owing either chassis & drive train.

My priority would be focused more on a comfortable livable floor plan.

Good luck with your choice..

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by tdeloughry

Hi,

A major difference in the two Class C's we're considering is that the Four Winds Chateau 21 has a Ford V10 and the Freelander QB21 has a Chevy V8.

We're heard that the V10 gets about 2 mpg less and that it heats up the cab.

Please comment on your experience with v8s and v10s - such as the benefits and drawbacks of each. Thanks!!!

It looks like these are both assumed to be new rigs.. Is that correct?

[jimbo16720]

Originally Posted by milasman

Gas mileage-Chevy
Torque-Ford
Horse power-Ford
Engine specs-Ford
Noise-Ford (louder)
Cargo-Ford
Towing-Ford
Ride-Chevy
Leg room -Chevy
Cab body length-Chevy
Braking problems-Chevy
Front end alignments -Ford
Long term commitment to RV chassis-Ford

My 27 ft chevy with a 454 has plenty of power and torque and gets 11mpg. I haven't have any of those problems you list with it and it's an 86.

[milasman]

I was not listing problems, but strengths and weakness and comparing what others have said about the two chassis. Generally, Ford need front end alignments as to Chevy having poorer brakes. The law of averages will eventually catch up to someone and they will get a crap ass chassis, doesn't mean they are all bad. You may have gotten a good one for all you or anyone else knows. I got a pretty decent Ford this time, had some crap ass ones too. I bought my coach for the floor plan, happened to be on a Ford, most coaches at this dealer were.

[mfire1339]

You mean 5 up hill and 6 down?





Mike

[csdavis62]

I own a 32' E450 with the V-10 pull a V-8 Toyota 4Runner 4 down. Got the 5 Star 87 octane tune and a K&N cold air intake. Pulls like a beast 6.5 to 8.5 mpg depending on foot and wind. Floor is warm near dog house but not an issue seats are not that great.

I am real happy with the Ford on balance and the only option for a 22.5k CGVW Setup in an entry level class C

Enjoy

[milasman]

I must agree on the seats, not all that comfortable. I have a 32ft and pull a Corolla on a dolly, does quite well and about 7.5mpg highway.

[Izzyblueye]

If you are talking an older Chevy V-8, be prepared to replace several starters from heat exhaustion. I have owned them both and I don't think for dependability, you can beat the Ford V-10. I have never experienced excessing heat or noise in the cab.

[Jon Mopar]

Ford V10 hands down. More power, better-ish fuel mileage, very reliable and they the most popular choice. Many used RV dealers will agree. GM 7.4 and Vortec 8.1s have their share of problems (the 8.1 less to than the 7.4 vortec/454). I get awesome gas mileage out of mine.

Im a Dodge guy, so if I'm giving Ford credit, it must be for a reason.

[jimbo16720]

Originally Posted by mfire1339

You mean 5 up hill and 6 down?





Mike

No I mean 11 miles to the gallon in the hills of western pennsylvania. Incase you don't know...Appalachian Mts. If you buy one thats areodynamic and don't drive like an idiot you'll get that too. And thats why I don't like posting on this site because you always have some ******* that doubts you....yes I said ******* and I now delete the site from my computer.

[JayGee]

Unless you plan on driving or racing more than "camping" I would be more concerned with floorplan.

[The Shadow]

Of the five MHs we've owned two were DPs and one a Class A Ford, another a Class C Chev and now a Class C E450.

No real mention of service to date. Our experience with the Class A Ford and the Class C Ford was very good. When we had the Class A both Ford dealers in town wanted to service it. We've since moved and once again both Ford Dealers in town want to service the E450. With the 8.1 Kodiak neither GM dealer in town would touch it (and the Chev dealer was also a truck dealer and we bought a 2007 Tahoe LTZ and a 2006 Equinox from them and they still would not touch it). We had to locate a GM dealer that was also a WH dealer to have annual maintenance done. The next year we had it done at McCormack in Indiana (they supplied the units to Jayco) since we went to the Jayco factory for some fixes. McCormack was very good.

The engine comparisons above appear to me to be incorrect. The 8.1 in our C Class was NOT the same version of the 8.1 in Class MH's. Lower HP and torque and longer life expectancy. Same with the Ford - not the 3 valve and only 305 HP and 420 torque. The Ford gets about 1 mpg more than the Kodiak (likely all due to weight). Based on what we read on the forums we expected more noise from the Ford. DW says NO WAY - it is quieter. I say about the same but less drive train whine with the Ford.

Warm floor on passenger side - yes - but DW finds it is no problem and actually enjoys the E450 cab more than the Kodiak even though it is narrower. From my point of view as the driver the Kodiak was much higher and you felt you were with the big guys when they passed you. But other Chev C's are no higher than the Ford. Our E450 came with rear airbags and frankly, if I could turn the calendar back I'd put them on the Kodiak immediately. We are much happier with the Impulse 26QP than we ever imagined before our trade.

Starting in 2011 the GCWR for the E450 is 22,000 lbs - much higher than the Chev. Also the GVWR in 2011 when we switched was higher for the Ford than the Chev and we have highly adequate CCC - which may not alway be the case for the Chev and the E350 Ford. You will not find most C manufacturers using the E350 for longer units and I seem to recall the Chev is only used for short boxes as well.

Don

[Jon Mopar]

we get 10+ MPG with a V10 Class C w/2 slides with the power upgrades. If I watch my driving habits, I've seen as much as 14mpg!! and by watching my driving habits, I don't mean driving like an 80yr old woman on her way to Church on Sunday....rather just knowing your RPM range, speeding up a little for hills, just the normal stuff.

My 460 V8 30ft was much the same. 10-12mpg if I drove it right.

Ppl complain about getting 5mpg....we've had a few MHs, and we never really had below around 9-10mpg