Looking for input.....

BobUnkefer · 11-21-2010, 02:59 PM

Right now I'm considering a class c motorhome to replace my crew cab Powerstroke F250.
Most seem to be built on an E450 chassis with the Ford V-10 for power.
Enough power for towing in the V10 or should I look for a Powerstroke?
Any brands to stay away from? Any units that are especially well made to look into?
Good unit to tow a 24' Pace?
Never owned any type of motorhome, but I am familiar with RV ownership, my parents pulled a Holiday Rambler across half this country.

Lile I said, considering at this time, don't know that I'm going to make the move, looking at options and would appreciate educated input.

Thanks,

Unk

Chad Rhodes · 11-21-2010, 03:04 PM

Unk, i think the biggest issue you need to look at will be rear overhang. Look for the shortest model on a given wheelbase. I would also look at a trailer toad or whatever they call those things. The long rear overhang on a Motorhome doesn't like the normally heavy tongue weight of an enclosed trailer. I haven't heard much good about the V-10's in motorhomes, particularly the trans. Have you looked at the "Heavy C" motorhomes that are on the GM5500 platform?

Ed Wright · 11-21-2010, 03:27 PM

Bob, I would look for one with the Workhorse chassis. I have never been impressed with the Ford V10. If I had it to do over I would get a diesel. My GM 8100 is fine if there is not a strong headwind. Headwind = 5mpg. lol

Mine is a low-dollar 34' class A.

Alan Roehrich · 11-21-2010, 03:28 PM

The V-10 for most people, does well to pull a small trailer, maybe with a very light car and not much in the trailer (certainly not a gold cart, a tool box of any consequence, and spares), and get 4-6 MPG. It won't pull it real well, and it won't get any sort of reasonable fuel mileage doing it. The transmission, usually an electronic over drive version of the C-6, doesn't seem to work well or last long.

Alex Denysenko · 11-21-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

The V-10 for most people, does well to pull a small trailer, maybe with a very light car and not much in the trailer (certainly not a gold cart, a tool box of any consequence, and spares), and get 4-6 MPG. It won't pull it real well, and it won't get any sort of reasonable fuel mileage doing it. The transmission, usually an electronic over drive version of the C-6, doesn't seem to work well or last long.

Total missinformation Alan!

The early V-10 circa 1998-2002 had some spark plug tossing issues and were down on power.
They got much better in 2003 and have been improved every year since.
Anything from 2005 up has very good power and fuel economy.
A cold air kit and exhaust upgrade does WONDERS as well.

The FoMoCo 4R100, E4OD, 5R110, 5R110W electronic transmissions are exceptionally reliable when properly serviced at appropriate intervals and share nothing in common with a C-6.
Our crew cab which most everyone has seen has one of those transmissions.
It has pulled our two car trailer coast to coast and border to border.
180K miles and still going strong. ATF is changed religeously every 12K miles.
Unk,
If I were you I would look for a class "A". You will be much happier in the long run.
This comes from a family who started out with a class "C".
If you start looking now in the Florida and Arizona markets you will find something affordable.
There is a HUGE glut of used units in those states.
Lots, and lots of retired people who bought them, didn't use them much, and then settled in those states desperatly want out of them.
You would be shocked if you knew what we paid for our 40K mile 32 foot class "A" last year in Florida.
Contact me or Beth for more info if you like.

Alan Roehrich · 11-21-2010, 05:51 PM

Alex,
You may have had better luck than many. But as a rule, and I worked on the stuff for a while, the E4OD and the 4R100 had some serious durability issues, they often burn up the over drive, they lose reverse on a fairly regular basis, among other issues, such as the torque converters coming apart. When I was doing transmission work for the general public, as opposed to almost strictly racing and high performance, I saw a lot more of the E4OD and 4R100 than I did any other light truck transmission. We had a fleet customer that used Ford trucks, and it was a serious problem for them. I built the E4OD from the time it entered service until it was "replaced" with the 4R100, and yes, it was most certainly based on the Ford C6 transmission. They added a center support that was somewhat similar to the one found on a GM 200 4R and an extra drum. In fact, the thing looks a lot like an over grown version of the A4LD, the over drive version of a C3. They've gotten better over the years, and may be decent now, but I would not tell anyone to go buy one.

The V-10 may have gotten better, but was never a great piece for the average truck owner. Your definition of acceptable service may be different than mine. I've known quite a few people who bought V-10 powered Fords, you're the first person I've ever met who bragged about one. One of my best friends bought one on a Friday and the rods came out of it the next Monday on the way to work. The new engine never had any power, it was an extended cab Ford 4X4, it never got better than 10MPG unloaded, and never had any more power than a good 460 had.

I'm not going to argue with you about it, I'll just say that the experiences of my friends and customers do not agree at all with your assessment, and leave it at that.

mopar · 11-21-2010, 08:32 PM

i have a class a v-10 30 ft towing a 28 ft box with about a 4000 lb load in it. can leave md and go to the grove on 1/4 tank ( 65 GAL ) KNOW problem with power takes hills well.

ron waters s/st

John Kelley · 11-21-2010, 09:35 PM

You might check out a Gulf Stream Endura with a DuraMax Diesel and the Allison trans.
It has a 10,000# hitch and seems to have the power !

Ed Fernandez · 11-21-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kelley

You might check out a Gulf Stream Endura with a DuraMax Diesel and the Allison trans.
It has a 10,000# hitch and seems to have the power !

This advice from a guy who probably towed with a Conestoga wagon,back in the day.:>):>):>)

John Kelley · 11-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

This advice from a guy who probably towed with a Conestoga wagon,back in the day.:>):>):>)

That was my Great Granddad......... :-) :-)..........or Dedman...he is OLD ! ! :-0

11-21-2010, 02:59 PM	#1
BobUnkefer Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 465 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking for input..... Right now I'm considering a class c motorhome to replace my crew cab Powerstroke F250. Most seem to be built on an E450 chassis with the Ford V-10 for power. Enough power for towing in the V10 or should I look for a Powerstroke? Any brands to stay away from? Any units that are especially well made to look into? Good unit to tow a 24' Pace? Never owned any type of motorhome, but I am familiar with RV ownership, my parents pulled a Holiday Rambler across half this country. Lile I said, considering at this time, don't know that I'm going to make the move, looking at options and would appreciate educated input. Thanks, Unk __________________ Bob Unkefer 4409 STK

11-21-2010, 03:04 PM	#2
Chad Rhodes VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Where the Green Grass Grows, AL Posts: 2,375 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... Unk, i think the biggest issue you need to look at will be rear overhang. Look for the shortest model on a given wheelbase. I would also look at a trailer toad or whatever they call those things. The long rear overhang on a Motorhome doesn't like the normally heavy tongue weight of an enclosed trailer. I haven't heard much good about the V-10's in motorhomes, particularly the trans. Have you looked at the "Heavy C" motorhomes that are on the GM5500 platform? __________________ Chad Rhodes 2113 I/SA

11-21-2010, 03:27 PM	#3
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... Bob, I would look for one with the Workhorse chassis. I have never been impressed with the Ford V10. If I had it to do over I would get a diesel. My GM 8100 is fine if there is not a strong headwind. Headwind = 5mpg. lol Mine is a low-dollar 34' class A. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

11-21-2010, 03:28 PM	#4
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,090 Likes: 1,534 Liked 1,758 Times in 398 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... The V-10 for most people, does well to pull a small trailer, maybe with a very light car and not much in the trailer (certainly not a gold cart, a tool box of any consequence, and spares), and get 4-6 MPG. It won't pull it real well, and it won't get any sort of reasonable fuel mileage doing it. The transmission, usually an electronic over drive version of the C-6, doesn't seem to work well or last long. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-21-2010, 05:51 PM	#6
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,090 Likes: 1,534 Liked 1,758 Times in 398 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... Alex, You may have had better luck than many. But as a rule, and I worked on the stuff for a while, the E4OD and the 4R100 had some serious durability issues, they often burn up the over drive, they lose reverse on a fairly regular basis, among other issues, such as the torque converters coming apart. When I was doing transmission work for the general public, as opposed to almost strictly racing and high performance, I saw a lot more of the E4OD and 4R100 than I did any other light truck transmission. We had a fleet customer that used Ford trucks, and it was a serious problem for them. I built the E4OD from the time it entered service until it was "replaced" with the 4R100, and yes, it was most certainly based on the Ford C6 transmission. They added a center support that was somewhat similar to the one found on a GM 200 4R and an extra drum. In fact, the thing looks a lot like an over grown version of the A4LD, the over drive version of a C3. They've gotten better over the years, and may be decent now, but I would not tell anyone to go buy one. The V-10 may have gotten better, but was never a great piece for the average truck owner. Your definition of acceptable service may be different than mine. I've known quite a few people who bought V-10 powered Fords, you're the first person I've ever met who bragged about one. One of my best friends bought one on a Friday and the rods came out of it the next Monday on the way to work. The new engine never had any power, it was an extended cab Ford 4X4, it never got better than 10MPG unloaded, and never had any more power than a good 460 had. I'm not going to argue with you about it, I'll just say that the experiences of my friends and customers do not agree at all with your assessment, and leave it at that. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-21-2010, 08:32 PM	#7
mopar Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 11 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... i have a class a v-10 30 ft towing a 28 ft box with about a 4000 lb load in it. can leave md and go to the grove on 1/4 tank ( 65 GAL ) KNOW problem with power takes hills well. ron waters s/st

11-21-2010, 09:35 PM	#8
John Kelley Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tightwad,TEXAS Posts: 911 Likes: 6 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Looking for input..... You might check out a Gulf Stream Endura with a DuraMax Diesel and the Allison trans. It has a 10,000# hitch and seems to have the power !