Class A Motorhome Engines

If your mechanic said to stay away from EARLY V-10s, I would agree.
They were still good motors, but the three valve motors had more power, better heads, etc. I'd take an old one over a 8.1 anyday.

tropical36 wrote:

Dutch Dolly wrote:
My husband and I are looking at buying a used motorhome (probably around 2004-2005) and were told by a mechanic friend of ours to stay away from the Ford Triton V10 engine. But it seems like everything I look at has this type of engine. What can anyone tell me about this engine and can you suggest other models that have different engines? I did see a 2005 Damon Challenger that has a GM 8.1L engine. Does anyone know anything about this type of engine?

That's ridiculous and you can tell your mechanic I said so, although I wouldn't want one of the first V10's about 1999 or so and feel that they were somewhat underpowered. Now having said all that, I would probably go for a nice Workhorse W chassis, while I could still get one, in that year model with the GM 8.1 and especially with getting an Allison transmission that comes with it. Be sure that the brake recall has been done on all but the W24 chassis, which didn't require it and you should be good to go after a close inspection.
I'm also partial to National products and especially the Dolphin model in those years, while you can still find one of them, except some have basement air, that I would rather not have, so there you have MHO on the subject and for whatever it's worth.

I have the 99 6.8 V10 in a 36' Holiday Rambler. It tows my PT Cruiser ok. The main problem I've had is once in a hard rainstorm. The early Ford F53 chassis had an air inlet that was too close to the road and could suck water into the filer, colapsing it and starving the engine for air. I'm guessing you know how I know this. Now I travel with a spare filter until I can find/make a fix for it.

Not to run down the GM Workhorse chassis, but I've never seen one for sale in my area. I don't know why they quit making them, but I know GM didn't have that engine very long.

Dutch Dolly wrote:
My husband and I are looking at buying a used motorhome (probably around 2004-2005) and were told by a mechanic friend of ours to stay away from the Ford Triton V10 engine. But it seems like everything I look at has this type of engine. What can anyone tell me about this engine and can you suggest other models that have different engines? I did see a 2005 Damon Challenger that has a GM 8.1L engine. Does anyone know anything about this type of engine?

That's ridiculous and you can tell your mechanic I said so, although I wouldn't want one of the first V10's about 1999 or so and feel that they were somewhat underpowered. Now having said all that, I would probably go for a nice Workhorse W chassis, while I could still get one, in that year model with the GM 8.1 and especially with getting an Allison transmission that comes with it. Be sure that the brake recall has been done on all but the W24 chassis, which didn't require it and you should be good to go after a close inspection.
I'm also partial to National products and especially the Dolphin model in those years, while you can still find one of them, except some have basement air, that I would rather not have, so there you have MHO on the subject and for whatever it's worth.

Bruce Brown wrote:

As to avoiding a V10, thats kind of silly. The V10 is and has been an excellent motor, and as of a few days ago Ford announced they are going to offering it in the medium truck market as well, territory previously you'd only find a diesel.

That would be on account of the price of fuels. Diesel is 40 to 75 cents more per gallon. And the V10 motor has almost the same torque numbers.

RayChez wrote:
LVJ58, You have a tag axle, that is what makes the difference. The tag axle prevents the wag the tail effect with cross winds, plus it helps to lift that rear end up to prevent it from dragging on dips. What you have will work just fine on any coach.

I rather thought the tag may be the reason it handles as good as it does.

In our travels, I've often seen 36'+ coaches without a tag and it sure looked as if they had excessive rear overhang.

I guess though the newer 26,000 GVWR ford chassis with a 252.3" wheelbase may work better on the 36 & 37' gas coaches, but who knows.

Take care and travel safe :)

LVJ58, You have a tag axle, that is what makes the difference. The tag axle prevents the wag the tail effect with cross winds, plus it helps to lift that rear end up to prevent it from dragging on dips. What you have will work just fine on any coach.

RayChez wrote:
I would not have any gasoline motorhome over 36'. They do not handle good on windy days and if they are even longer the over hang would be so bad it would be dragging on any dip, plus terrible handling. Either engine would handle the motorhomes, just the handling.

I had a 36' and kept it six months and 5K miles later I got rid of it. Best move I could have ever made. This coach has been fantastic for eleven years. But it is a diesel pusher.

Interesting, we've now had our 37'8" coach for 14 years and with 88k miles never encountered the problems you mention. Of course it does have a tag axle so that may account for better handling in cross winds in maintaining directional stability. Also the front trac bar I had installed probably helps a bit as well.

We're quite satisfied with our coach and plan on keeping it for quite a while.

Best regards and safe travels...:)

I have had the Ford F53 chassis with the V10 for 12 years. The first was a 2003 which I had for 10 years 35ft long. It was a 2valve (20 total valves). Never had a problem with the tranny or engine. Averaged 7-8 MPG towing an escape hybrid (after break-in, around 7k miles). Decided I wanted a different MH to go into retirement. So we let the floor plan we liked, generate the engine/tranny. Gasser or diesel did not matter as the floor plan was the decider, after all if you are unhappy with the floor plan, you won't like the coach no matter what engine. Floor plan we loved turned out to be a gasser, 3Valve (total 30), V10. MH is 37ft long. Only have 3.5K miles on it so it is not broken-in yet but have averaged 6.4 to 7.2 MPG towing the Escape hybrid. This tranny is a 5 speed and has Tow-Haul mode (my first was 4 speed and no tow-haul mode). I need more time and some very long trips to do a good evaluation, but so far so good. Handling was very good, but added a Blue Ox TruCenter to the front and a TigerTrak bar to the rear. Now it handles like a dream. Just my thoughts, I am sure some will agree with my choices, some will not...they are my choices, yours may be different...but they will be yours to make. Have fun, camp often.

I would not have any gasoline motorhome over 36'. They do not handle good on windy days and if they are even longer the over hang would be so bad it would be dragging on any dip, plus terrible handling. Either engine would handle the motorhomes, just the handling.

I had a 36' and kept it six months and 5K miles later I got rid of it. Best move I could have ever made. This coach has been fantastic for eleven years. But it is a diesel pusher.

Perhaps a case of "ideal" vs "acceptable".

I happen to agree with Sully. Were I looking for a coach over 36', I would definitely go diesel.

Under that, the newer generation gas chassis have made great strides.

However, our 35' DP with Cat 3126 (860 lb-ft torque at 1,440 RPM) is a lot of fun to drive and 9.8 MPG.