towing with Ford V10

My last setup was a 36' Bounder, towing a 2004 Wrangler. Also had the Ford V-10 setup.



Averaged 7-8 MPG towing, with the Onan 5.5 KW generator running too. Cruised at 63-65 MPH.

My Jeep had an A/T. It was connected to the MH, the transfer case was put into neutral, and the transmission into park. I had a spare key (no chip) made to unlock the steering column when towing.

I would put my butt against the Jeep's front bumper, and push it away from the MH, which would cause the extendable towing arms to extend and lock into their driving position. This also verified the Jeep was ready to roll.

Once we arrived, I'd set the parking brake on the Jeep, and engage the transfer case. Could easily drive it afterwards. Never had a problem getting it in gear once again.

With the very poor mileage, makes me wonder if your transfer case didn't properly disengage. You could try your procedure on a flat parking lot, and have someone inside the vehicle, then try to push it. Should roll very easily.

And FWIW, the V10 had no problem getting up to speed onto on-ramps, and maintaining hwy speeds over rolling hills. Bigger hills, the transmission gets to do its job, but still got there.

It really blew us away how well the cruise control works with tow-haul. We get 8.6 to 9.0 MPG running at 58 MPH, which is the "sweet spot" for our rig. This is the first RV I've had that the T/H mode & Cruise Control combination does great both up and down hill, and still gives us great mileage.

Something to be said for modern computer controlled drive-trains.

PatrickA51 wrote:

Jopopsy wrote:
A couple thoughts. The Ford V10 is a revving motor. The Ford E450 is rated to 22000 pounds GCVWR - it will handle what you're pulling.

You might want to run it w/ the Tow/Haul mode on and see how it works for you.

This may sound stupid, "But Just what is "Tow/Haul Mode" ?
Do you mean setting the Cruise Control? Any brain dead person knows that if you are pulling a Grade of any kind that while you are driving a Motor Home, RV even a Pick Up Truck up for example on Cajon Pass or Conway Summit in California, even if you are not towing anything that you turn off the cruise control.

The 5R110 and 5R120 transmissions in later model E-450s have a "Tow/Haul" mode activated by the button on the end of the shift lever. Earlier E-450s and smaller E-series vans use the 4R100 transmission in which that button simply locks out the overdrive gear.

The later model transmission works quite well with cruise control in tow/haul mode, actually providing engine braking in cruise.

Towing a Jeep you are probably around 18,000 to 20,000 pounds combined weight. 60 to 70 pounds per horsepower, and that's when you are full throttle in the 4500-5500 RPM range.

If you have a typical midsize car or SUV, it will be in the range of 12 to 18 pounds per horsepower; even most subcompacts are no heaver than 25 pounds per horsepower. So yes, compared to what you might be accustomed to driving, your heavy combination does not have enough power. 20-30% more power, and it still will not be "enough."

To get close to the performance of a passenger car, a motorhome that size would need 600 to 800 horsepower, and that isn't going to happen. Not even 80,000 pound trucks have that much power. But regular drivers of heavy vehicles have adjusted their performance expectations.

Jopopsy wrote:
A couple thoughts. The Ford V10 is a revving motor. The Ford E450 is rated to 22000 pounds GCVWR - it will handle what you're pulling.

You might want to run it w/ the Tow/Haul mode on and see how it works for you.

This may sound stupid, "But Just what is "Tow/Haul Mode" ?
Do you mean setting the Cruise Control? Any brain dead person knows that if you are pulling a Grade of any kind that while you are driving a Motor Home, RV even a Pick Up Truck up for example on Cajon Pass or Conway Summit in California, even if you are not towing anything that you turn off the cruise control.

Just towed my Wrangler to Vegas and got 7.5 on the way there, haven't checked for the way back. I travel 60 mph seldom 65. I use tow/haul on hills only. On the long grade out of Baker I

was down to 45/50mph,same on the return out of state line. I see no need to have the coach revved to the limit to get up a hill. I had MH's passing me and maybe they were getting 5mpg

IDK. Flashers were on, classic vinyl on the XM radio, sipping cool water, no need to hurry........

Go here and read:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/955188-the-5-star-mike-sticky-thread.html

I put the rv 5 star on our 2012 and it made a big difference. We tow a 2013 Hyundai about 2800 lbs and get around 8-9 have gotten better and worse (mountains). The 5 star takes command of the trans and give some better control to the throttle. Also I think the jeep is around 4000lbs is it not? So a heavy tow and and a heavy bus will make the mpg's lower. You can try slower but I doubt that will help much as from what I have read even those that drive 60 or less still only get about 1/2mpg better than what I see at 65-70.

My 5 year average towing a Jeep Cherokee weighing 4,000 pounds is 8.5 mpg with an '03 V-10 Winnie. I rarely drive faster than 60 and I'm happy to go up mountain passes at 35 mph. If you can stand the racket, you can go up the passes faster than me but you'll get even lower mpg. The majority of my driving has been in the West where we have the real mountains. If you're really getting 6 mpg, someone probably has a lead foot. The transfer case in my previous '89 Cherokee was very reluctant to be shifted into and out of neutral but my "new" '98 Cherokee shifts in and out happily. Try shifting the transfer case when the tranny is in neutral and without the brakes on. If that doesn't work, try the same with the engine idling.

wantingtogo wrote:
We have a 31 foot Class C. We tow a Jeep Wrangler. We only get 6 mpg. We're feeling we do not have enough power. Also, when we unhook, we're having difficulty getting the jeep back into gear. Is anyone else having those problems? Any suggestions.

What speed are you driving at? Fuel consumption increases dramatically over 65mph.
I used to get 7.5mpg with the V10 in a 30' Class "A" driving 62-65mph towing nothing.

I tow a Ford Flex at 4200#'s. MPG is around 8.

Tow Haul hold the trans lower gearing longer than with it off. I do not use it pulling the flex.
Only when going down hills and mountains.