E450 V10?

We just finished a 1,000 mile trip in a Cruise America 30 with the V10. Despite the noise I was impressed with the engine (86,000 miles). We averaged just under 9mpg and I think the tank wasn't quite full when we got it. Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Sedona, to Phoenix so some mountain travel. I did not use tow/haul mode except in some severe situations. Only used 87 octane except one tank in Utah (I think) which was 85. Did not notice any pinging.

You may want to add gas stablizer to your fuel tank before storing your rig for any length of time. It will prevent your gas from degrading and gumming up your engine especially your generator carb. I don't hear much about using gas stablizer in RVs, however, it is used regularly in storing boats. Hope this helps.

"I did not use tow/haul mode except in some severe situations."

That's too bad as the non use of Tow Haul is hard on the trans {it runs hotter}, and hard on the brakes as they are needed far more than with the proper TH use. Every Class C renter {at least a dozen}, I have spoken with was never told about using Tow Haul. Just another reason I will never buy a former rental unit.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

:C

Desert Captain wrote:
"I did not use tow/haul mode except in some severe situations."

That's too bad as the non use of Tow Haul is hard on the trans {it runs hotter}, and hard on the brakes as they are needed far more than with the proper TH use. Every Class C renter {at least a dozen}, I have spoken with was never told about using Tow Haul. Just another reason I will never buy a former rental unit.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

:C

Please explain how running in tow haul increases the trans temp. It would seem to me that the opposite is true. Certainly the engine runs at higher rpms and burns more gas. If you drive easy, you don't need to ride the brakes. I experience much better performance running my Expedition without tow/haul.
Thanks

cross21114 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
"I did not use tow/haul mode except in some severe situations."

That's too bad as the non use of Tow Haul is hard on the trans {it runs hotter}, and hard on the brakes as they are needed far more than with the proper TH use. Every Class C renter {at least a dozen}, I have spoken with was never told about using Tow Haul. Just another reason I will never buy a former rental unit.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

:C

Please explain how running in tow haul increases the trans temp. It would seem to me that the opposite is true. Certainly the engine runs at higher rpms and burns more gas. If you drive easy, you don't need to ride the brakes. I experience much better performance running my Expedition without tow/haul.
Thanks

It doesn't... Please re read my post...

I stated {correctly}, that the "NON" use of tow haul increases trans temps. Any rig that is operating anywhere near its GVWR {like most of the larger Class C's out there}, or towing anything should have the TH engaged at ALL times. When using TH on long down grades the the braking afforded by the engine/transmission nearly eliminates the need for the brake pedal and you are not burning a drop of gas.

If you had a Scan Gauge or other display that showed the trans fluid temps you would realize that you have been cooking your trans, especially on long slight grades by not using TH. Even a 2 per cent grade will drive your trans temps up 12 - 20 degrees. Engage TH and watch it drop like a stone as the Torque Converter is locked up eliminating friction/slippage that generates heat.

Tow Haul is one of the most useful, least understood and consequently properly used functions found on any motorhome/truck. It's all right there in the owners manual. Better performance comes from running the rig the way the engineers designed it for optimum efficiency.

:C

Jackha1949 wrote:
You may want to add gas stablizer to your fuel tank before storing your rig for any length of time. It will prevent your gas from degrading and gumming up your engine especially your generator carb. I don't hear much about using gas stablizer in RVs, however, it is used regularly in storing boats. Hope this helps.

I use marine grade Stabil in my rig when it sits, and I make sure to run the genny so it gets in there too. The difference between the red Stabil and the green Marine Stabil is the marine is much more concentrated. Is more practical to use than the red stuff. I have never had the gas go bad in the rig or genny.

I'm not sure if Tow/Haul is a button to push, or just taking it out of overdrive when climbing/descending a step hill. 2003 Ford V-10 and all I have is the overdrive button on the shifter. Maybe newer units have this button?

I use tow mode when climbing and on flat grounds but when decending, I usually turn it off. Reason is because our's is very harsh on the downshift and it also seems to downshift way too early. I heard 5 Star tune may change the way tow mode down shifts? Anyone else have this experience with their tow mode? The tow mode on my silverado 2500 works great and is pretty smooth.

VA-Apraisr wrote:
I'm not sure if Tow/Haul is a button to push, or just taking it out of overdrive when climbing/descending a step hill. 2003 Ford V-10 and all I have is the overdrive button on the shifter. Maybe newer units have this button?

The 5 speed and newer transmissions have tow-haul; the older 4 speed transmissions have overdrive off. The buttons are generally on the end of the shifter in both cases, but are labeled differently and cause different behaviors.

The overdrive off for the 4 speed transmission does exactly what it sounds like: it locks out overdrive, similar to how shifting from "D" to "2" locks out overdrive and third gear. Tow/haul, on the other hand, does not lock out any gear, but alters the programming of the transmission computer brain thingy to be more appropriate for heavy loads (by changing shift points, downshifting when braking on a hill, changing when the torque converter locks and unlocks to reduce heat, etc.).