460 or V10
So hubby and I are looking at some older class C's since that's what we can afford right now. 96 - 01 years We would like to tow our 01 grand cherokee behind whatever we get. So do we need shorter ...
Forum Discussion
I had a 460" V8 in my 75 F-350 pickup, and again when I bought a new Bounder in late 96, as a 97 model. I like the power of the 460" engine. The V10 is also powerful, and can rev up to a much higher RPM due to it's tiny pistons and short stroke, so it actually makes more power from a smaller powerplant.
I would stay away from the 97 - 2001 or 2002 V10's because they only used 3 threads on the spark plugs to hold them it the engines. While you do not need to change the spark plugs until 100,000 miles, when they do get removed many 'backyard' mechanics would tighten them to 'firm' and bottom out the threads, remove the tiny amount of aluminum (that is soft) and the spark plugs would pop out of the heads after a few dozen miles. The proper way to install them is with a torque wrench, and it is only something like 37 inch pounds of torque! A little more than what is holding the cabinet knobs on your kitchen cabinets!
I agree that if you are going to get something in the 24 - 26' long range, it will fit into most parking places at the mall, grocery store, ect. Towing the jeep would only be required if you wanted to take along a off road vehicle, or avoid leaving 'camp' to go sightseeing. Yes it does take a few minutes to put everything away and run to the store, while taking a Jeep is much faster to get ready and go.
I found that when I had a 27' long class C, I would do all the shopping that I needed while out sightseeing, or traveling to a campground and never really broke camp just to go to the store.
The 460" engine will power any RV, mine is 30' long and 17,000 GVWR, I tow a 4,000 pound car. I have towed a 8,000 pound cargo trailer with my brother's dragster in it. . . No problems with power in it.
I think it was 96 or 97 that Ford changed over the Econoline from 460" V8 to V10. Just do not go older than 1990, because those are fuel injected, and better mileage. In 93 or 94, they all came with overdrive!
Some of the older RV's did not have a strong hitch. Make sure that the chassis is strong enough to haul the expected load.
Good luck,
Fred.
I would stay away from the 97 - 2001 or 2002 V10's because they only used 3 threads on the spark plugs to hold them it the engines. While you do not need to change the spark plugs until 100,000 miles, when they do get removed many 'backyard' mechanics would tighten them to 'firm' and bottom out the threads, remove the tiny amount of aluminum (that is soft) and the spark plugs would pop out of the heads after a few dozen miles. The proper way to install them is with a torque wrench, and it is only something like 37 inch pounds of torque! A little more than what is holding the cabinet knobs on your kitchen cabinets!
I agree that if you are going to get something in the 24 - 26' long range, it will fit into most parking places at the mall, grocery store, ect. Towing the jeep would only be required if you wanted to take along a off road vehicle, or avoid leaving 'camp' to go sightseeing. Yes it does take a few minutes to put everything away and run to the store, while taking a Jeep is much faster to get ready and go.
I found that when I had a 27' long class C, I would do all the shopping that I needed while out sightseeing, or traveling to a campground and never really broke camp just to go to the store.
The 460" engine will power any RV, mine is 30' long and 17,000 GVWR, I tow a 4,000 pound car. I have towed a 8,000 pound cargo trailer with my brother's dragster in it. . . No problems with power in it.
I think it was 96 or 97 that Ford changed over the Econoline from 460" V8 to V10. Just do not go older than 1990, because those are fuel injected, and better mileage. In 93 or 94, they all came with overdrive!
Some of the older RV's did not have a strong hitch. Make sure that the chassis is strong enough to haul the expected load.
Good luck,
Fred.
