Class C

[handlinranch]

We just bought a new Fleetwood Jamboree 30U. If anyone else has these, what do you do for power and tracking. The tracking on the highway is poor and the power is awful towing a jeep. Any suggestions? Thanks

[cgmartine]

I think you will find lots of suggestions on tire inflation, and ultimately, you will decide what feels good to you. I have a 32 foot Class C Tioga, and after trial and error, I found that the best tire inflation to give me the best ride and handling was 72 up front and 80 in the rear.

[Bea_PA]

We bought a 24 E 350 and it was all over the place towing a 4000 lb Vue. Had the front end alleined(sp) at a good truck shop . Weighed it, set the tire pressure per Michelin chart and it is fine. Doesn't drive like a diesel but I'm fine with it. 45 to 50 in tow haul is what we get on our PA mountains. If you have a 450 it should be towing fine. Personally I would never buy from a dealer who wouldn't allow a test drive, never heard of that before. Good Luck

[mountainsam]

Take it to the Ford dealer and have them run diagnostics on it. I had to do that to mine. Cost me nothing and the computer needed flashed and some upgrades. The engine preformance is not a MH dealer issue. Its the chassis manufacturers responsibility.

[Desert_Captain]

The Tow Haul {active/on}, light {bright yellow/orangish}, is on the dash of my 2011 E-350. Don't know when Ford moved it but from 2011 forward at least it is where it belongs.

:C

[pnichols]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Have that red tow/haul light come on when you are NOT using it and you have transmission problems. THAT tow/haul mode light has more indicator functions then just towing mode. Been there done that and it happened.

Good point .... and you're absolutely right.

The Tow/Haul mode light on the end of the Ford V10 TorqShift transmission's shift lever can indeed indicate more than Tow/Haul mode ON or Tow/Haul mode OFF.

It can mean other things - I know because I've experienced it.

IMHO, that's just plain dumb on Fords' part - combining that light's function to also mean other transmission problems. Ford should have put a specific "Check Transmission" symbol on the dash that lights up for tranny problems.

Also, the indicator light for Tow/Haul mode ON or Tow/Haul mode OFF should not be on the end of the gearshift lever ... sometimes I cannot see it to quickly check status without turning/tipping my head ... which requires me to take my eyes off looking forward. The indicator light for this function should be a light right on the dash ... like on other vehicles that have transmission status lights on the dash. It would be the absolute best to have this indicator light both places - on the dash and on the end of the shift lever.

But again, the Tow/Haul mode light should be for just and only that. A separate Check Transmission light for other tranny problems needs to be on the dash.

[rockhillmanor]

ron.dittmer wrote:

pnichols wrote:
Also, keep it's transmission in Tow/Haul mode all the time - not just when going up/down hills or when towing something.

I agree with you because E-series motor homes are always hauling a house with contents, close to or at max GVWR.

It is unfortunate there is not a means for the Tow/Haul mode to be "ON" by default. I had called Ford twice over the years hoping to get a different answer. Unfortunately internal software forces it off after turning off the engine, and there is no software patch or jumper wire we could install somewhere to reverse it.
😞

Did Ford also tell you why it shuts off when not manually turned on?

Have that red tow/haul light come on when you are NOT using it and you have transmission problems. THAT tow/haul mode light has more indicator functions then just towing mode. Been there done that and it happened.

I surely would NOT be jumping wires or reversing it's original connection.

[ron_dittmer]

pnichols wrote:
Also, keep it's transmission in Tow/Haul mode all the time - not just when going up/down hills or when towing something.

I agree with you because E-series motor homes are always hauling a house with contents, close to or at max GVWR.

It is unfortunate there is not a means for the Tow/Haul mode to be "ON" by default. I had called Ford twice over the years hoping to get a different answer. Unfortunately internal software forces it off after turning off the engine, and there is no software patch or jumper wire we could install somewhere to reverse it.
😞

[pnichols]

handlinranch wrote:
We just bought a new Fleetwood Jamboree 30U. If anyone else has these, what do you do for power and tracking. The tracking on the highway is poor and the power is awful towing a jeep. Any suggestions? Thanks

For best power out of the Ford V10 you have to not be afraid to rev it. Running above 4000 RPM going up grades does not harm it ... but doing this does feel strange to folks used to good old rumbling V8's or diesels. Also, keep it's transmission in Tow/Haul mode all the time - not just when going up/down hills or when towing something.

For best tracking, have the front end alignment adjusted just right with a full load in the motorhome and also .... consult the tire inflation weight charts for the proper recommended tire pressure to match the weight on each front tire. Do not go over this recommended front tire pressure, as that will create a feeling of "wandering" as you go down the road ... which may be the cause of at least part of what you feel is bad "tracking".

[John_S_]

handlinranch wrote:
NO....We were not allowed to test drive the Jamboree. We drove a friend's Forrest river 31', and the best we could tell, it drove fine. This test drive took place in Odessa, Texas in flat country. Our new Jamboree drives fine (in flat country), but the problems come when in hilly areas. Bought the unit @ Ancira RV in Boerne, Tx where it was displayed on the leveling jacks. When we drove the 300 miles back to the dealership (in our Jeep) to pick it up, it was on jack stands in their RV park. We spent the night there and in the morning hooked up the jeep and headed home on IH10. On flat country, it tows OK once you're up to speed. BUT....the hills west of there, trying to running 60 on Interstate, was where the troubles stated. On several long grades, the Jamboree was down to 40 mph and the engine RPM was near 5,000 in 2nd gear. I thought the engine was going to blow.
My mistake for taking the advise and assurances that the unit, although not as powerful as our old Class A, would handle our jeep.....No Problem. If we had been allowed to drive the unit, you really think they would allow us to drive it 100 miles and strap our jeep on the back ?? In talking with other salesmen on the Seneca.....NO, we can't test drive a new unit, and no way can we tie our Jeep on the back.
Ancira is willing to trade up to something else, but they don't handle Super C's ???? Only diesels are Class A's and we've been there-done that. I'm not anxious to buy a Super C due to their size. They all seem to be 37-40 feet long. That's why we sold our Class A. We wanted to downsize, but still have decent power and having poor luck finding something. It seems you can choose between a small Mercedes 188 HP van that won't tow our Jeep or a 38 foot Super C.

I bought a Born Free Royal Spendor (29.5 foot long) on a Ford 550 power stroke at Ancira in June of this year. It will pull mountains on cruise control at 65 with no problem towing my Grand Cherokee. In fact it climbs faster and better then my 42 foot Foretravel with the ISM 11 liter Diesel engine. They might have another and there are some of those out there for sale. The other thing is to look at Isata 5 series. they also build on this chassis. I had a 24 foot with the V10 and it would pull my jeep wrangler too with no issues but you are much heavier then I was. It would scream though going up the hills. I lived in the mountains of VA so there was nowhere I could go without hitting a mountain.

[suprz]

If you feel the need for more power, maybe a Banks aftermarket system? Headers, cold air intake, and a tuner, would work out for you. As far as handling, well... I think folks have already covered that. Oh, and is the transmission in Tow/Haul mode?

[TyroneandGladys]

You have a lot of weight behind the rear wheels and that takes weight off of the front axle. If you do not have at least 80% of the maximum weight on the front axle you will have handling problems and you will not be able to correct them till you get the weight back on the axle. Weigh your rig loaded as you would be for trip including the jeep hooked up.

[ron_dittmer]

I agree with Desert Captain on minimum cruising speeds. You need to maintain the speed limit at a minimum or you are a hazard to yourself and the people around you. There are different speed limits depending on if you are towing or not. When on flat terrain straight interstate highways, I pretty much cruise 5 mph higher than the posted limit, just to be less a hazard to the people around me. But my personal limit is between 65-70 mph. I could go a lot faster but I have fuel efficiency on my mind.

[Desert_Captain]

You really need to be able to comfortably run at 55 especially on the interstates which often include long 6 per cent grades. Driving 40 on some sections of the interstate is illegal as the minimum speed limit can easily be posted at 45 mph.

The 6.0 Chevy and certainly the 6.8L V-10 Ford have more than enough power if the Class C and its TOAD connection are properly matched. A lot of folks seem to fear letting the V-10 do what it does best, rev. They make their max HP at 4,250 rpm and you can run them at 5,000 all day long and the only damage will be to your wallet as they get thirsty.

I cannot imagine going down the interstate at 40 to 50 as that is simply a disaster waiting to happen but with either the 6.0 or the 6.8L this should never happen unless you have waaaay too much TOAD {and it does sound like that is the case}. Time to start looking for explanations, methinks there are mechanical issues that desperately need addressing and correction.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

[FunTwoDrv]

OP, not the same setup but similar experience. We have a Coachmen 28QB that is literally 32' bumper to bumper. It's powered by a 6.0 V8, We currently tow a dolly/car combo weighing about 3800lbs.
On our recent adventure out West, we encountered several long "hills" on the interstates that had us running 40-50mph! (We normally try to run about 65.) As someone noted, I had to learn to enjoy the journey. LOL It still bothers me to run that slow but, I realize that is reality for this type of vehicle.
Good luck,
Gary