Ford V-10 owners tell me your story - like it or not - issues ????

[fishon71]

What is the year your and model MH with a the Ford V-10?
Do you pull a car?
How does it do in the mountains?
What kind of MPG are you getting?
Have you had any issues like spark plugs blowing out?
How many gear transmission do you have?

I just recently drove a 460 V-8 Ford and did not like how it constantly down shifted an tached way up all the time. I plan to drive a 2001 Georgie Boy this weekend with a V-10 to compare but would like to hear from you who already drive one and your experiences, thanks

[Phrg34]

We have a 2001 Winnebago with a V10. I suppose it is OK, I really don't know the difference.  I need to try a diesel someday.  I don't go west of the flat country as I have no faith with the engine in mountains.  I know in West Virginia, Kentucky etc., it lacks real go response in the short mountains.  The mileage is bad, but 7 is pretty much what everyone gets on the road.  We pull a toad (small Saturn.)  There are days I would really like a 450 Cummins. 

[maddog348]

Had the V-10 in '97-'98  19 1/2' Catalina ClassC.  Lot of engine for smallish RV.  Lot of power. Great on hills with or without toad. No problems with engine just needed larger RV.

[wodnek]

A large RV with a gas engine will always have to be reved to create the horsepower to get up over a hill.  Its just the nature of the beast.  Diesels create peak horsepower and torque at a much lower RPM and have a flatter torque curve.  So long as maintanance is up to date and it is not being overheated, the gas engines are made to be reved.  Automatic transmission tech is getting alot better, and trannys from the 21st century hunt alot less than the earlier ones.

[Mc2guy]

This might be the most posted on topic of this entire forum.  Accordingly I would recommend you try the search feature and you will find a treasure trove of discussion and debate on the merits of the Ford V-10 vs. other engine options.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?action=search2

[Tom]

That's not the correct link; The search feature is best accessed using the Search button in the toolbar above.

[geodrake]

We have the V-10 in our 2002 Itasca and tow a Honda Fit ......... can't even tell it is back there.  No problems with spark plugs.  Like everyone else we get about 7MPG.

Previously we had a Chevy 464 in a 36ft Airstream and it was way underpowered.  What research I have done on the V-10 seems to indicate that it is built with small pistons allowing it to be ran at high RPMs.  I don't like driving it that way so driving through the mountains I move to the left hand lane with the trucks, downshift till I find a gear that allows me to climb with the RPMs at about 3200.   

I would be interested in others openions on this. 

[Mc2guy]

We have the V-10 in our 2002 Itasca and tow a Honda Fit ......... can't even tell it is back there.  No problems with spark plugs.  Like everyone else we get about 7MPG.

Previously we had a Chevy 464 in a 36ft Airstream and it was way underpowered.  What research I have done on the V-10 seems to indicate that it is built with small pistons allowing it to be ran at high RPMs.  I don't like driving it that way so driving through the mountains I move to the left hand lane with the trucks, downshift till I find a gear that allows me to climb with the RPMs at about 3200.   

I would be interested in others openions on this. 

Let'er rip I say...these engines are load tested under these conditions and designed to run at these higher RPM speeds.  In fact, from a thermodynamic stand point, they are more efficient at higher RPM where they are creating higher combustion temperatures than when they run slower and colder.  Change the oil every 3000 miles and you'll be fine.

You'll be fine at lower RPM too, just won't get as much power as you could otherwise.  The current 3-valve V10 has a peak torque at around 3900 RPM and a HP peak around 4750 RPM.  The older two valve version was a little less RPM for both.

[fishon71]

We have the V-10 in our 2002 Itasca and tow a Honda Fit ......... can't even tell it is back there.  No problems with spark plugs.  Like everyone else we get about 7MPG.

Previously we had a Chevy 464 in a 36ft Airstream and it was way underpowered.  What research I have done on the V-10 seems to indicate that it is built with small pistons allowing it to be ran at high RPMs.  I don't like driving it that way so driving through the mountains I move to the left hand lane with the trucks, downshift till I find a gear that allows me to climb with the RPMs at about 3200.   

I would be interested in others openions on this. 

How long is your Itasca? Is it a Class A? How much does the Fit way?

[Mc2guy]

That's not the correct link; The search feature is best accessed using the Search button in the toolbar above.

Sorry Tom, I tried to link actual search results and I guess the results don't convey.

[fishon71]

Let'er rip I say...these engines are load tested under these conditions and designed to run at these higher RPM speeds.  In fact, from a thermodynamic stand point, they are more efficient at higher RPM where they are creating higher combustion temperatures than when they run slower and colder.  Change the oil every 3000 miles and you'll be fine.

You'll be fine at lower RPM too, just won't get as much power as you could otherwise.  The current 3-valve V10 has a peak torque at around 3900 RPM and a HP peak around 4750 RPM.  The older two valve version was a little less RPM for both.

What year was the three valve introduced?

[Tom]

OK thanks Christian, now I understand what you did. I thought you'd linked to an old search page; I've changed the page and the search engine a number of times in the last few months.

[Mc2guy]

What year was the three valve introduced?

It was introduced in the 2005 model year line-up for the heavy duty F-series trucks and modular trucks (F53 motorhome chassis is an example).  My understanding is the E-series van chassis still use the 2-valve design, hence their 305HP rating to the 368HP of the 3-valve.

[JNewkirk77]

I'm still getting used to ours in our 2000 Jayco, but so far have been very pleased with it.  My only wish is that it sounded a little more "muscular" on takeoff, but that's the only complaint I have.  The sound reminds me of my '77 Dodge Tradesman van that had Chrysler's Slant Six.

Between 55 and 60 MPH, I get about 7 to 8 MPG.  Running a little faster than that puts us closer to 7 MPG.  Still, for something weighing north of 12,000 pounds loaded, I'm not upset by that at all.

[geodrake]

How long is your Itasca? Is it a Class A? How much does the Fit way?

It is a 32 ft Sunrise, class A.  The fit weighs 2300lb.

[mphy98]

I have a class A 35' 2 slides and ford v10.  1999 Coachmen Santara.  It gets between 7-8mpg and I tow a 18' fiberglass boat to Canada. No problems, less maintenance than a diesel and no diesel smell. Just came back from Nashville and Memphis and had no problems with the hills hunting and pecking, just didn't happen.  Plenty of power.  I would have no problem buying one again

[fishon71]

I have a class A 35' 2 slides and ford v10.  1999 Coachmen Santara.  It gets between 7-8mpg and I tow a 18' fiberglass boat to Canada. No problems, less maintenance than a diesel and no diesel smell. Just came back from Nashville and Memphis and had no problems with the hills hunting and pecking, just didn't happen.  Plenty of power.  I would have no problem buying one again

That sounds pretty good to me, this would be a gen 1 V-10 and you feel it has plenty of get up an go.

I'm going to drive a diesel and see how it feels too compared to the early V-10, I don't understand what all the extra maintenance is on a diesel, I thought other than changing the oil & filters it was pertty basic, maybe a glow pug every once in a while.

[Mc2guy]

That sounds pretty good to me, this would be a gen 1 V-10 and you feel it has plenty of get up an go.

I'm going to drive a diesel and see how it feels too compared to the early V-10, I don't understand what all the extra maintenance is on a diesel, I thought other than changing the oil & filters it was pertty basic, maybe a glow pug every once in a while.

You would be best to ask one of the DP owners about their maintenance schedules. 

As I understand (merely from reading this forum and not from direct experience), the diesels require maintenance at greater intervals (once a year or 15,000 miles for example), but it is much more expensive when they are serviced due to the greater capacities and additional fuel filters, et al.

There are more systems to maintain on a diesel as well since you also have an air system (compressor, tanks, valves, air dryers, etc).

[wackymac]

I have a 2002 Fleetwood Fiesta 31H with a Ford V-10 in it.  The MH weighs about 15,000 pounds ready to go. I pull a 2002 Toyota Tacoma Xtra cab pickup which weighs 3200#.  I usually drive around 55-60 mph and don't try to race anyone up the hills.  I have 58,000 miles on the MH and just drove it from Portland, Oregon to Ocala, Florida.  The engine never missed a beat.  The only thing that has happened is at 29,000 miles the transmission took a dump.  Fortunately it was still under warranty so the dealer put in a remanufactured unit.  I get about 7-8 mpg but really don't keep track of the mileage that often.

[fishon71]

When I told my wife 7-8 mpg, 1500 miles to FL, gas @ $3.00 per gallon it would cost us over $600 just in gas to get there she says lets just fly! Our big deal here is to take a 4-5 week trip to Yellow Stone. Yes, we will be in what ever I buy for 4-5 weeks maybe a room here & there. I checked out renting and it made no sense to me I would rather own what ever it is but maybe I should get back to a 28 footer just for the first trip until I decide I want to spend 2 months in it like a house in FL. But then again it seems MPG is not that much better in 28 footer. I read the big article on diesels and think its best to stay away for now, they are a little more complicated than the standard gas engine.

[Natetheskate]

I have one on my 2001 Four Winds Funmover.  It did great in the Rockies west of Denver, but I wasn't towing at the time.  It has given no trouble, but haven't done anything major to it (not even the spark plugs) so can't tell you about maintenance.

[Wizard46]

I wouldn't worry too much about the mountains. I went over the Bighorns this past summer towing my 4500lb. Explorer with my 2002 V10. Sure I was only running about 35 to 40 MPH but so was everyone else. No problems with temps or anything else. Only problem I encountered was coming down the other side. Had to really take it slow and gear it down to keep from overheating the brakes. BTW, my 3000 mile service costs about $50.00.

[rutherford.ms]

 :)I like mine a lot. 2007, 32 footer model and we pull about 7500 pounds of racecar and trailer with no problems so far. We have made a couple of trips into Bristol, TN with the rig and of course use the towing gear for most of the run. Mileage is good and power is fine. Only two maintenance issues. One is putting oil back into the engine after a change - absolute PITA. And changing out the air filter requires a few beers. I finally gave up and went with a K&N filter the last time.