5.4L vs 6.8L in small Class C
We have been looking at Class C vehicles in the 24' range typically denoted as 22H, 23C, etc., we will not be towing a "toad". I see mostly units with the 6.8L V10 but occasionally one pops up with...
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I recommend that if you go with the V10 in a 24 foot range Class C, you find one built on the E450 Ford chassis instead of the Ford E350 chassis.
The E450 has a different rear differential ratio ("geared lower" with a 4.56:1 ratio) than the E350. You'll find that it will have plenty of pull right off the line and up all grades at speed. The V10 is a high RPM engine (for a truck) and the improved overall ratio of the E450 V10, due to it's rear differential, gets and keeps the engine higher into it's horsepower band for really great performance in a Class C motorhome.
This effect will especially be felt if you get a 2005 or later V10 powered motorhome. From 2005 onward Ford mated their V10 truck engine with their superb 5-speed (6 speeds internally) computer controlled TorqShift transmission. Put this transmission into it's Tow/Haul mode and the V10's performance really shines. Tow/Haul mode is meant to be used in V10 powered trucks when a heavy load is being carried .... and since a motorhome is heavily loading the chassis all the time .... many folks just leave their 2005 and later Class C motorhomes in the Tow/Haul mode all the time. Overdrive still works in Tow/Haul mode (plus you get automatic downhill engine braking), so cruising gas mileage is not effected in this mode while enjoying the improved responsiveness.
The E450 has a different rear differential ratio ("geared lower" with a 4.56:1 ratio) than the E350. You'll find that it will have plenty of pull right off the line and up all grades at speed. The V10 is a high RPM engine (for a truck) and the improved overall ratio of the E450 V10, due to it's rear differential, gets and keeps the engine higher into it's horsepower band for really great performance in a Class C motorhome.
This effect will especially be felt if you get a 2005 or later V10 powered motorhome. From 2005 onward Ford mated their V10 truck engine with their superb 5-speed (6 speeds internally) computer controlled TorqShift transmission. Put this transmission into it's Tow/Haul mode and the V10's performance really shines. Tow/Haul mode is meant to be used in V10 powered trucks when a heavy load is being carried .... and since a motorhome is heavily loading the chassis all the time .... many folks just leave their 2005 and later Class C motorhomes in the Tow/Haul mode all the time. Overdrive still works in Tow/Haul mode (plus you get automatic downhill engine braking), so cruising gas mileage is not effected in this mode while enjoying the improved responsiveness.
