Ford v10 or gm 8.1 liter class A

Gale Hawkins wrote:
Either engine will need to make some higher RPM's in the hills.

And remember that a V10 at 4000 rpm sounds like a V8 at 5000 rpm.

Billinwoodland wrote:
For those with the V-10, how is it pulling a toad over a grade? My dentist (an avid fisherman and Rver, somewhere on this forum) highly urged me to stay away from the V-10 and go diesel. His complaint was the pulling power over a grade. He had his hand in my mouth and was drilling a tooth at the time so I was certain to agree with him. How is your V-10 over a grade? I am sure it has to do with your rigs weight, etc., but on the average, how is it?

For whatever it's worth, in 2002 or 03 towing a 1990 Ford Aerostar van with our 2000 v10 powered coach we had occasion or perhaps I should say made a BIG mistake taking alternate US 14A from Lovell to Dayton WY.

Barely made it over the grade in 1st gear, but we made it. Later I discovered it was a 10% grade. Now I know why we didn't see any 18 wheelers on that highway.

Since that event, had the Banks system installed along with the 5 Star Tune and stay away from any grades over 8%:B

Either engine will need to make some higher RPM's in the hills.

timmac wrote:
V-10 going over a grade with a toad is no worse than the 8.1, but it all depends on the weight of RV and toad, my 08 V-10 on a 32 ft motorhome and a Jeep as a toad does real good, 45-55 mph even on the steep grades.

That's about the same as my 35 ft V-10 gets pulling the Focus on a Dolly.

V-10 going over a grade with a toad is no worse than the 8.1, but it all depends on the weight of RV and toad, my 08 V-10 on a 32 ft motorhome and a Jeep as a toad does real good, 45-55 mph even on the steep grades.

No problems going up any grade, maybe not at 75mph, but I have made it up all I have been on.

For those with the V-10, how is it pulling a toad over a grade? My dentist (an avid fisherman and Rver, somewhere on this forum) highly urged me to stay away from the V-10 and go diesel. His complaint was the pulling power over a grade. He had his hand in my mouth and was drilling a tooth at the time so I was certain to agree with him. How is your V-10 over a grade? I am sure it has to do with your rigs weight, etc., but on the average, how is it?

I've had both, the 8.1 and two versions/years of the V10. Personally, I prefer the Ford chassis and the V-10 engine series,by a wide margin, but only you can make that decision. Test drive both. Even though the better quality of the coaches was an '04 37DB Tiffin Allegro Bay, I did not care at all for the 8.1 and it's Allison transmission. Far too much engine and tranny noise, to much road wander, and had poor fuel economy, avg 5.5 to 6 even though the wife and I are conservative drivers. On the V-10s, I had one of the early, lower HP version in a 31KS Coachman Class C. Never had a problem with it and we got 8 to 10.5 mpg. I've had the higher HP V-10, first in a Vista 26P and now in a Sunstar 35F and am very please with it as well. At first I thought that it was a little gas thirsty, but it was a new unit and we're just now getting it broken in. We also towing an '07 Focus and we are getting just over 7 mpg, so I fell that probably within what it should be.

I have owned both, 1st was a 8.1 2002 and now the V-10 2008, let me be the 1st to say if its older than 2006 than the 8.1 would be a better choice if it had the Alison trans and 2006 and newer I would go with the V-10..

They are both good combinations
Depends on your preference Ford or Chevy
Look for a good floor plan where the Wife is Happy
Things are good when she is happy

PS - Love my 8.1L Chevy but I'm a Chevy guy had a few Fords never again