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trx680's avatar
trx680
Explorer
Jun 25, 2018

CHEVY 6.0 V8 -vs- FORD 6.8 V10

I'm looking at the smaller Class C 21ft motorhomes on the General RV website.
They have two identical motorhomes at the same price, just one a Ford, the other a Chevy.
Chevy 324hp, 373 torque
Ford 305hp , 420 torque

Has anyone driven both and compared power and handling?

Wondering which would be the better buy.

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-chevy-4500-806837-16

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-ford-350-806835-16

16 Replies

  • kerrlakeRoo wrote:
    IIRC the fords numbers are actually substantially higher, the 6.8 has been listed with 320 hp and I believe 362. Ford has reduced the RPM used for the listing causing the apparent HP loss.

    Edit add;
    HP changes on 6.8 through 2010
    http://www.dieselhub.com/specs/ford-6.8-triton-v10.html

    362 hp was when the engine was measured at 4500 rpm

    In 2016 the spec was changed at the same time the tranny became a 6 speed.
    Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 320 @ 4000
    Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm) 460 @ 3000

    The only changes appear to be the rev limiter and lowering rpm to achieve different economy and emission standards.


    Those numbers I think are for the 3 valve V10 as found in the F series and the class A motorhome chassis. The E series uses the 2 valve V10 heads as the revised 3 valve version doesn't fit. The 2 valve version produces less power.

    Both the Chevy and the Ford engines are good, and serve the purpose just fine. The V10 does have its powerband at a higher RPM, so needs to rev more when under load and some people find that disconcerting. The general consensus seems to be that the Chevy cab has somewhat better ergonomics, particularly more foot room, and maybe a little better handling. If this is a choice between the Ford E350 and the Chevy 4500, and everything else is similar, I would most likely choose the Chevy (with its greater payload).
  • trx680 wrote:
    I'm looking at the smaller Class C 21ft motorhomes on the General RV website.
    They have two identical motorhomes at the same price, just one a Ford, the other a Chevy.
    Chevy 324hp, 373 torque
    Ford 305hp , 420 torque

    Has anyone driven both and compared power and handling?

    Wondering which would be the better buy.

    https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-chevy-4500-806837-16

    https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-ford-350-806835-16



    I have a one ton chevy van with the 6.0 V-8, its strong but not strong as I would want it in a class C motorhome, my 08 Bounder 33 foot has the V-10 3 valve and it rocks. I would go with the V-10..
  • The Chevy is a 4500. The Ford is an E-350 not an E-450. Note the difference in GVWR and GCWR.
  • IIRC the fords numbers are actually substantially higher, the 6.8 has been listed with 320 hp and I believe 362. Ford has reduced the RPM used for the listing causing the apparent HP loss.

    Edit add;
    HP changes on 6.8 through 2010
    http://www.dieselhub.com/specs/ford-6.8-triton-v10.html

    362 hp was when the engine was measured at 4500 rpm

    In 2016 the spec was changed at the same time the tranny became a 6 speed.
    Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 320 @ 4000
    Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm) 460 @ 3000

    The only changes appear to be the rev limiter and lowering rpm to achieve different economy and emission standards.
  • I have driven both,the same RV but on different Chassis. I opted for the Chevy Chassis. For all the reasons that are discussed in that clicky.

    More Leg room,better ride and no handling problems,power seems to be no problem and just a tad better fuel mileage.

    My choice would be overwhelmingly the Chevy.

    I would say drive them both and you will see the difference.
  • Haven't driven both, but have the Ford V-10 and absolutely love that engine!! Have 105,000 miles on it and going strong. Torque is much more important than HP and there is a huge following of fans for the V-10 engine. Just my .02 cents.