5.4L vs 6.8L in small Class C

I think in a heavy vehicle, always get the larger engine. You will appreciate the extra torque on steep grades and short entry ramps or when you have to pass a farm tractor on a busy 2 way. Also, you will be using more pedal on the smaller engine using as much fuel plus putting more strain thus wear on it. If you ever want to tow anything, even more reason.

5.4 will have to work harder than the 6.8 V10. 5.4 will get worst gas mileage than the V10.

I own a 2009 E250 cargo van w/5.4L. A 5.4L is great for a 3/4ton cargo van plenty of torque and horsepower to get out of the way. And carry a load. I get 14mpg average.
I would not recommend one for any motor home two different applications.
I have a 2003 Winnie Minnie 29B with a E450, 6.8 V10 I would not want any less of an engine in a RV.
I get 6-8 mpg maybe a little better if I drove easier.

Chae

Thanks to all for your thoughtful input!

I am still hoping that an owner or renter of a V8 powered Class C would weigh in with some real life feedback and data.

I understand that the larger engine (305 hp, not 362 hp) will be more powerful, I am just wondering if the V10 that does such a good job in a #14,500 31 footer with multiple heavy slides is really essential in a #11,500 coach with less storage, smaller tanks and no slide.

I can see where a smaller/lighter coach with the V10 would be lots of fun shooting past the 31 footers in the mountains.

It just seems like a coach that weighs 30% less could somehow get by on 20% less HP, even accounting for the final drive gearing.

pnichols wrote:


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 responsivness.

So many people have so many different opinions on this. I always looked at it like you are; an E450 VAN wouldn't really need to run Tow/Haul, but a E450 w/ a house dropped on it would almost certainly constitute HAULING right? Yet so many people only engage Tow/Haul when going up or down hills.

I still don't really get it - I want to leave it in Tow/Haul b/c logically it makes sense to me but so many don't run it there.

Alternative view: I don't use tow haul unless in hilly areas and I find a need. I find it to be over the top hyper. Banging off downshifts on brief downhills, racing engine to over 4500 RPM on a hill that will run out imminently. There is no way it can read the terrain as well as a set of eyes. For my tastes it holds gears too long on acceleration as well. Frankly I think as implemented it is of marginal utility. Good for engine braking when needed. But I think a set of paddle shifters would be better-simply select the gear of choice. On acceleration it is an alternative shift program of some usefulness if you feel you want to run out the gears a bit longer.

At least on my 24' I don't see any way towhaul could increase fuel economy. Everything it does points to just the opposite.

At some point a GPS tie in with the towhaul could give a better shift strategy for those who want automatic shifting in all conditions. At least the system would know the hill would run out in a half block.

I can see where a smaller/lighter coach with the V10 would be lots of fun shooting past the 31 footers in the mountains.

These things even with the V10 are not that fast. Sure they'll pass 31 footers with V10. But they'll be racing at 4000 to do it. I will test my 11000 pounder at some point but I suspect 0-60 times are in the 16 17 second range. Yes I've passed slower motorhomes, but four cylinder cars routinely blow by me.

Drive it nice and mild let it roll back to 50 on a hill @ about 3100 RPM seems to me like the way to go. Sure they'll run all day at 4000 RPM- but I tend to drive so it stays in the mid 3000s or less. The speed and handling prowess of these motorhomes can be overrepresented on these boards.

Just people happy with their RVs. But there are pluses and minuses.

Duplicate

mr61impala wrote:
Thanks to all for your thoughtful input!

I am still hoping that an owner or renter of a V8 powered Class C would weigh in with some real life feedback and data.

I gave you 75,000 miles worth of real life experience with a small V8 powered Class C in my post above.

Tim

Compared to even the 5.4, the old 360 Dodge (or Ford or Chevy small block from that era) was a turd. Having said that, the V10 compared to the 5.4 will give you better acceleration, faster hill speeds and probably the same mpg as the 5.4. No reason to not get a V10 if you find a motorhome you like with that engine.