CHEVY 6.0 V8 -vs- FORD 6.8 V10

[trx680]

I'm looking at the smaller Class C 21ft motorhomes on the General RV website.
They have two identical motorhomes at the same price, just one a Ford, the other a Chevy.
Chevy 324hp, 373 torque
Ford 305hp , 420 torque

Has anyone driven both and compared power and handling?

Wondering which would be the better buy.

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-chevy-4500-806837-16

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-ford-350-806835-16

[IAMICHABOD]

It is nice to see at the last gathering of RV MFG that they are offering more of their products on a Chevy Chassis than they previously offered in the last few years.

Like these.

Thor Four Winds or Chateau

Coachman Concord or Leprechaun or Freelander just click on floor plans to see them

Forest River Sunseeker or Forester just click on floor plans to see them.

Jayco

Roadtrek

Leisure

Just to name a few.

It is also nice to see that more members here are in favor of RVs on a Chevy Chassis.

[BruceMc]

Both engines are fine machines, but there's so much more than just the engine.

I've had both, but my comparison is not a fair one:
2000 ('99 chassis) 27' Four Winds 5000 on E-350 with the anemic V10/4spd
2016 ('15 chassis) 24' Sunseeker 2250 on 4500 with the modern 6 spd.

Yet, I wouldn't own another Ford for many reasons other than engine/transmission.
Having lived through many horrible experiences with bait-n-switch Ford dealers, expensive front suspension mods, cramped legroom, hot doghouse, fuel pump failure, etc, I was overjoyed to join the Chevy club.
The 4500 is not without its faults, but all in all, it's a much better chassis than Ford.

[jimx200]

We just sold our 1999 23' Class C for a 2016 26' Class C with the Chevy with the Vortec engine and both wife andI said the lack of power with the Chevy is disappointing in our Sierra's I California. Our proof was heading up Grapevine in the new rig with foot to the floor and struggling to hit 55. The V10 would cruise up at 70 with plenty of juice left over. We really miss the V10 power

[Stim]

I have heard so many complaints about the Ford high rpm noise.
Some even wanted to add extra insulation.

[OFDPOS]

Another vote for the Chevy Chassis !
Hate the front suspension of the ford period !!

[carringb]

IB853347201 wrote:
Have had one Class C with V10, one Class A with the V10 and now a Class A with the Vortec. Hands down the Vortec wins. Much more power at lower RPM's resulting in a much quieter ride. Don't miss the Ford V10 screaming that we used to get climnbing hills,,,,

Totally different Vortec. Your Class A has the 8.1L. The Class Cs all have the 6.0 (with the exception of 2002s)

The V10 makes power at a much lower RPM than the 6.0, however the 6-speed GM transmission was a little smarter than the 5-speed Ford transmission, but Ford now puts their 6-speedin the E-series which is a very nice transmission.

[ol__yeller]

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Ford guy. I have owned several V10s in pick-ups and Class C. It is a great motor. That said, the Chevy is no slouch. When I drove school bus several years ago, our fleet had lots of Chevy van based busses. The district was very good with maintenance but they were seldom down. I do feel that the V10 has more grunt but either engine would be a good choice.

[IB853347201]

Have had one Class C with V10, one Class A with the V10 and now a Class A with the Vortec. Hands down the Vortec wins. Much more power at lower RPM's resulting in a much quieter ride. Don't miss the Ford V10 screaming that we used to get climnbing hills,,,,

[jamesk1]

I had a 2011 Holiday Rambler with a Ford 350 chassis and v10 Now have a 2018 Jayco on a Chevy 4500 chassis. Chevy wins hands down on power from a stop and hills pulling my boat. Both RVs 24 ft.

[tenbear]

I have the Chevy V8 but I have never driven the Ford V10. The Chevy suits me just fine. It is comfortable to drive, has adequate power and I am very satisfied with it. I keep reading about all the additions that Ford drivers have made to their V10s and can't help but wonder why???

[DrewE]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
IIRC the fords numbers are actually substantially higher, the 6.8 has been listed with 320 hp and I believe 362. Ford has reduced the RPM used for the listing causing the apparent HP loss.

Edit add;
HP changes on 6.8 through 2010
http://www.dieselhub.com/specs/ford-6.8-triton-v10.html

362 hp was when the engine was measured at 4500 rpm

In 2016 the spec was changed at the same time the tranny became a 6 speed.
Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 320 @ 4000
Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm) 460 @ 3000

The only changes appear to be the rev limiter and lowering rpm to achieve different economy and emission standards.

Those numbers I think are for the 3 valve V10 as found in the F series and the class A motorhome chassis. The E series uses the 2 valve V10 heads as the revised 3 valve version doesn't fit. The 2 valve version produces less power.

Both the Chevy and the Ford engines are good, and serve the purpose just fine. The V10 does have its powerband at a higher RPM, so needs to rev more when under load and some people find that disconcerting. The general consensus seems to be that the Chevy cab has somewhat better ergonomics, particularly more foot room, and maybe a little better handling. If this is a choice between the Ford E350 and the Chevy 4500, and everything else is similar, I would most likely choose the Chevy (with its greater payload).

[timmac]

trx680 wrote:
I'm looking at the smaller Class C 21ft motorhomes on the General RV website.
They have two identical motorhomes at the same price, just one a Ford, the other a Chevy.
Chevy 324hp, 373 torque
Ford 305hp , 420 torque

Has anyone driven both and compared power and handling?

Wondering which would be the better buy.

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-chevy-4500-806837-16

https://www.generalrv.com/product/new-2019-coachmen-rv-freelander-21qb-ford-350-806835-16

I have a one ton chevy van with the 6.0 V-8, its strong but not strong as I would want it in a class C motorhome, my 08 Bounder 33 foot has the V-10 3 valve and it rocks. I would go with the V-10..

[Rangerider]

The Chevy is a 4500. The Ford is an E-350 not an E-450. Note the difference in GVWR and GCWR.

[kerrlakeRoo]

IIRC the fords numbers are actually substantially higher, the 6.8 has been listed with 320 hp and I believe 362. Ford has reduced the RPM used for the listing causing the apparent HP loss.

Edit add;
HP changes on 6.8 through 2010
http://www.dieselhub.com/specs/ford-6.8-triton-v10.html

362 hp was when the engine was measured at 4500 rpm

In 2016 the spec was changed at the same time the tranny became a 6 speed.
Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 320 @ 4000
Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm) 460 @ 3000

The only changes appear to be the rev limiter and lowering rpm to achieve different economy and emission standards.