Class A Motorhome Engines

How are the Ford Triton V10's doing?

oienoien Posts: 7
December 1999 edited March 8 in Ford
I ordered an F250 SD 4X4 SC XLT with a V10, Auto
and 3.73LS on Sept 29th. As of now I still don't
have a build date. The dealer is offering me a
PS Diesel with same options for cost. It would be
about a $3000 difference in price. I like the
diesel, but hate to spend the difference in price
and maintenance. I will be hauling under 8000 lbs.

I don't hear too much about the V10's lately. Is
that because everyone is forced to buy a diesel?

I would like to hear some feedback from V10 owners
about how they like or dislike the engine.
This may persuade me to go with the PS or wait for
my V10. Is it worth waiting for?
Tagged: Ford Ford F-250 Super Duty Pickups General 2000

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/410/ford/x/how-are-the-ford-triton-v10-s-doing

I would not take advise from that mechanic again, the Ford F-53 chassis and the V-10 is very good, many trucks with the V-10 have gone 200,000 miles without issues, 06 and newer the V-10 out performed the 8.1 GM, and the F-53 is a well built chassis..

Ford still makes motorhome chassis, GM does not, also no more 8.1 to be had anymore, Ford now rules the gas motorhome market..

Find a new mechanic..

Not sure why your mechanic would say that. The Ford V-10 is one of the best gas MH engines built. Matter of fact it’s the only gas engine/chassis you can get anymore. It’s powerful, reliable, and parts are readily available. Might be a bit noisy and revs high but it performs just fine. I would worry more about manufacturers of the MH than the engine. That engine will outlast any RV that’s built on it.

timmac wrote:
I would not take advise from that mechanic again, the Ford F-53 chassis and the V-10 is very good, many trucks with the V-10 have gone 200,000 miles without issues, 06 and newer the V-10 out performed the 8.1 GM, and the F-53 is a well built chassis..

Ford still makes motorhome chassis, GM does not, also no more 8.1 to be had anymore, Ford now rules the gas motorhome market..

Find a new mechanic..

You sound like a ford salesman! The 8.1 is still available in the year models they are looking at. The 8.1 is one tough motor, with proper maintenance, It will run 1/4 million miles. But V-10 or 8.1 who's going to put that many miles on a motor home?

usmohls2@yahoo.com wrote:

timmac wrote:
I would not take advise from that mechanic again, the Ford F-53 chassis and the V-10 is very good, many trucks with the V-10 have gone 200,000 miles without issues, 06 and newer the V-10 out performed the 8.1 GM, and the F-53 is a well built chassis..

Ford still makes motorhome chassis, GM does not, also no more 8.1 to be had anymore, Ford now rules the gas motorhome market..

Find a new mechanic..

You sound like a ford salesman! The 8.1 is still available in the year models they are looking at. The 8.1 is one tough motor, with proper maintenance, It will run 1/4 million miles. But V-10 or 8.1 who's going to put that many miles on a motor home?

Not a Ford salesman, just trying to set the OPer straight from his mechanic bad advise, the 8.1 was a good motor but they are no longer around and the Workhorse chassis has also been laid to rest, however the 8.1/Alison was a better choice before 2006, but after that Ford did a little better than Workhorse/8.1, Ford F-53 is still around I would lean with the Ford..

IN the years that you are looking at, both engines will work fine and get the job done. The difference is the chassis. Depending on what size coach you are looking at, the Workhorse chassis may be the P series or the W series. Both will have the 8.1GM engine but on the W series chassis will have the Allison transmission, which many prefer. The P series chassis had the GM transmission.
The Ford V-10 F53 chassis will all have the Ford transmissions, which will work fine but I don't believe the tow/haul mode came out until 2006. In 2004-5 Ford had the overdrive 4 speed which was discontinued in 2006.

The pre 2006 V10 can have problems with the spark plugs if removed or installed incorrectly. Normally this isn't a problem considering the OEM plugs are rated for 100,000 miles. The Workhorse chassis had brake caliber problems. A bit more of a problem which resulted in a recall. Both are/were excellent platforms to build a coach on. Shop a floor plan first then worry about what it's built on.

The earlier V-10's did have a few problems. 2005 and up are great motors. So is the 8.1/Allison combo. I believe the V-10 will get a little better MPG.

I currently own a Chevy V-8, 8.1 Vortech engine with Allison Transmission in my Winnebago! I've owned in the past a Ford V-10 Triton in my Fleetwood. There both very good engines. I prefer the 8.1/Allison combo it's very responsive to me in hill climbing and when needed passing! The 8.1 is also is outstanding doing the opposite lowering the RPM to drive at slower speeds to get excellent fuel milage! Good Luck in whatever you choose to buy!

So what did he recommend and why. Any fact VS. opinion!!!!

Dutch Dolly wrote:
My husband and I are looking at buying a used motorhome (probably around 2004-2005) and were told by a mechanic friend of ours to stay away from the Ford Triton V10 engine. But it seems like everything I look at has this type of engine. What can anyone tell me about this engine and can you suggest other models that have different engines? I did see a 2005 Damon Challenger that has a GM 8.1L engine. Does anyone know anything about this type of engine?