Frods V10 engine

Now on our second V-10. IMHO a good dependable motor. It likes revs and is noisy when it downshifts in cruise for overpasses, etc. a quick tap on the brakes before hills that will cause the noisy downshift is easy to do. Also learn to use the tow haul feature it really helps. Ours is always on.

Maintenance is not difficult or costly. In a newer class A gasser, it is the only game in town. Good luck.

Good engine. A couple of the first year motors had a few plugs blow out, easy fix.

They've been updated a few times over the years, new ones always seem a little better.

If you were buying a new Class A gasser today it would be your only choice.

Good solid engine. Probably good for at least 150,000 miles. We have 91,000 on ours, and after 4500 miles on this oil change the oil level is just a tick below full - IOW - does not use oil. Can be a bit noisy on long climbs, but that's only temporary (until you get up the hill). As @georgeleslie says, maintenance is not difficult or costly.

Al

georgelesley wrote:
...Maintenance is not difficult or costly. In a newer class A gasser, it is the only game in town. Good luck.

second V-10 here as well and agree with everything that's been written. only one FYI and that is warranty work. you may have difficulty getting warranty work. most Ford dealers won't touch a MH you may have to go to a Ford truck dealer. they're around but may not be convenient to you.

I’m on my 2nd V-10. First was in an 02 Excursion towing towing a 9300lb TT, 18klb GCW. Now have a 2012 in a 36ft class A. More HP better trans (this one has the 5speed auto) with the tow haul feature. I haven’t driven this one very far yet, but it performs very well. The V-10 and Tow Haul are excellent. My Excursion had a 5 star tune which made the V-10 and 4 speed auto perform better than the factory tune ever did. I may get a tuner for this one, but I want to see how it performs first! The MH will be around 24-25k loaded with a toad!

Our 2004 Trek 32 ft MH was one of the few Safari's to come on the F53 chassis. It's been trouble free. Before we had a 2001 37 ft Residency on a 2000 F53 chassis. The engines never gave any problems. Up through the 2004 model year, the transmissions only had 4 gears. Dec 31st 2004 was the last date they built that chassis. Jan 1st 2005 production began on the 2006 F53 chassis (there are no 2005 VINs on the F53 chassis) - it was a huge year for upgrades. The engine got a lot more hp and the transmission got another gear (Tow-Hall). If you find what you're looking for on a post 2005 chassis, you'll more than likely be well satisfied as are the others posting here.

georgelesley wrote:
Now on our second V-10. IMHO a good dependable motor. It likes revs and is noisy when it downshifts in cruise for overpasses, etc. a quick tap on the brakes before hills that will cause the noisy downshift is easy to do. Also learn to use the tow haul feature it really helps. Ours is always on.

Solid, dependable. Not noted for fuel economy.

On older models, I think what you are referring to was called "OD Cancel". It prevented the transmission from using 4th gear.

4th gear with a heavy load (never seen a really "light" Class A !) is fine for flat roads, once you are up to speed. Cancel th OD at the bottom of a hill is simpler than tapping the brakes.

V-10 Miles

Here you go.

What year? Prior to 07, V10 was 2 valve. We added Banks to get adequate power in mountains. After was 3 valve. Our current MH, 2013 36LA, does not need Banks for good power in mountains.

First MH had little floor & firewall insulation, up front. Very noisy. Current has good insulation and except for high RPMs is not overly noisy (it is not near as quiet as a rear diesel) nor is there any heat on the floorboard.

How the house and insulation is put together is important.

Not sure of your budget but after 2016 you get a six speed auto that basically drops cruising rpm 1000 rpm.

Class Cs don’t get the three valve.

I’ve seen delivery vans in the NE go to auction with 300-400k miles. Not as heavily loaded as a RV but still ...