36 Bounder Ford V-10 Towing Limits

Ok, fuel/air issues.
Certainly makes sense.
7mpg is not a happy mans fuel mileage, i can tell you that. Is that what most get?
I am going to see a new mechanic this weekend, and will suggest we do a full tune-up, filters and fluids change.thanks

I've owned several V10s and looked into Banks extensively.
Unlike the old 460, the V10 doesn't get a lot of help from headers.
The engine computer negates any air-intake changes.

If my brain is working, you have the improved crank 2-valve engine. 310HP @ 425 ft-lb (vrs 362 @ 457 for the 3-valve).

It sounds like you are under performing, I would look into fuel, air, etc and ensure your system is running per spec.

Ford Fuel Filter Change Thread. It's about a 2002 Class C (E450) but the process is the same and the warnings about the wrong filter still apply. Coach may run with restricted filter, but it's taxing the pump to push through it.
Wide open throttle climbing a steep grade calls for something like 25-gallons an hour. That's a lot through a 5/16" fuel line. Needs all the help it can get.

jmcgilvary wrote:
Thanks, I was pretty sure that was going to be the answer!
OK, tow the golf car, rent a car.
I can handle that now.
Pretty sure I better stay out of the big mountain ranges!
Really appreciate the info!

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? The only time we had power problems when towing with our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer 32V in the mountains was when the fuel filter started to plug up.

We have driven through the Eisenhower tunnel many times with no problems, took it to Alaska(in and out of Skagway is a 12% grade for 12 miles), to the Canadian Maritime provinces, and literally through all the lower 48 states. We pulled either our Buick LeSabre on a dolly, or our Jeep 4 down over 100,000 miles.

Only one time did we have a performance problem. When I removed partially plugged the fuel filter it felt like it weighed 10 lbs. After changing the fuel filter it ran like new.

Thanks JD;
I am just thinking now that the golf cart in my 12' trailer is the best.
We are now learning (after 7 years of RVing) to cut back on the misc. weight we carry, and truing to get down to more light weight stuff, and less of even that.
Still, not sure we can get down to a manageable number even then.
If I dropped 1,000 of misc weight, I cannot imagine a real improvement.
Sill, as a matter of safety, I am going to have the coach weighed, and se where we end.
Thanks

Weigh your coach at a Truck Stop. Front, Rear, Total, Loaded and Occupied as if for an RV trip.
Compare Loaded Weight with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Should be a label on the coach. Should be capacity left over.
Compare Loaded Weight with Gross COMBINED Weight Rating (GCWR). This is what Ford says you can tow PROVIDED you equip it with Supplemental Braking.
Our Class C has essentially the same power plant, and downshifts for slight grades. That can be modified with a Bank$ kit, Bank$ TransCommand, a Five-Star tune, and other ways.
Without seeing your numbers, you should be able to tow a mid-size pickup like Colorado, Frontier. I don't know if a golfcart will fit in one. The heavier the towed weight, the more you'll feel it. We're towing nearly 4000-lb and can feel the difference between that and 2500-lb, let alone nothing. Heavier, the more you'll feel it. I don't think I'd tow more than 5000-lb with a V10 coach.

Thanks, I was pretty sure that was going to be the answer!
OK, tow the golf car, rent a car.
I can handle that now.
Pretty sure I better stay out of the big mountain ranges!
Really appreciate the info!

jmcgilvary wrote:
The wife and I were going to buy a replacement coach, Diesel Pusher, because of the better towing abilities.
The issue is, at present, we have a 2002 36ft Fleetwood Bounder with a Ford V-10.
Going up a bridge, the coach has to drop down into "passing gear" to get up most expressway bridges.
This makes me think that I will never be able to pull a TOAD of any size.
I wanted to pull a truck with a golf cart. Now I know that is NEVER gonna happen with this gas coach.
Am I mistaken in believing I will never tow? Maybe a small compact car?
Would a Bank's System help at all?
Or, should I just plan to rent a car when I get there, and use the golf cart for the park?
We just do not want to buy another coach, thinking this will last us as long as we expect to be able (only have 38K miles on it to date)
Thanks

have you weighed your MH as you normally load it for travel? we have a 2000 Itasca suncruiser with the ford V10/F53. we tow either a 2003 Jeep Wrangler (approx. 3400-lbs) or a 2010 Jeep Liberty (approx. 3900-lbs). our MH also drops into 2nd going up hills whether we're towing or not. I don't see a problem with that.

in general, the maximum amount of weight you can safely tow will be the lesser of the following:

* the GCWR (gross combination weight rating) of the MH minus the actual weight of the MH as it is loaded for travel (includes fuel, fresh water, food, clothing, people, pets, supplies, eyc)

* the weight rating of your tow bar

* the weight rating of your hitch

if you want to cruise up hills and the like at 55-60 MPH then you are going to need something other than your gasser.

Banks will help, but will never compete with a diesel. I had a 27ft C-class with a V10 and towed a 10ft enclosed trailer with two motorcycles in it and it seamed sluggish. I had to floor it on on ramps to get up to speed in a reasonable time, and it down shifted on slightest grades. I cant imagine that V10 in a 36ft A-class.