Ford V10 with 4 speed or 5 speed transmission

[skes]

Looking at my first class A. I've settled in on a used 29 or 30 foot Winnebago. It looks like they changed from a 4 speed to a 5 speed in 2006. I'm wondering what difference I would expect to experience between the two transmissions. Thanks in advance.

[dodge_guy]

frankdamp wrote:
I gave up RV'ing a few years ago. our last rig was an '02 Georgetown 32-footer with the V-10 engine. I'm sure it had a 5-speed transmission, but can't nip outside to check. I sold it about 5 years ago.

I'm probably remembering wrongly!

The 5 speed never showed up until 2006 behind the V-10.

[frankdamp]

I gave up RV'ing a few years ago. our last rig was an '02 Georgetown 32-footer with the V-10 engine. I'm sure it had a 5-speed transmission, but can't nip outside to check. I sold it about 5 years ago.

I'm probably remembering wrongly!

[map40]

WOW! A lot of information, some not right.
Tranny: In 06 ford went with the 5 speed. It is a totally different controller with the same transmission gears but a split top end. This means that it allows you to use engine breaking in Tow-Haul mode (keeps the engine at higher RPM at any speeds reducing wear and tear in the powertrain and giving you engine breaking). The 4 speed only has an overdrive that forces the tranny in 3rd gear or allows you to force it into 4th gear even when it is calling for 3rd. If you really know what you are doing with the transmission, you can manually handle the 4 speeds to work as good as the 5 speeds in controlling downhill slowdowns or fuel consumption, but the 5 speed is a much better transmission.
Engine: The 3 valve 362HP V10 was only installed in the Class A models. Class C kept the 305HP configuration.

[eadeal55]

Detroit Chassis did not build a 2005 Ford F53 chassis. Went from the 2004 v10/2v/4spd engine/trans to the 2006 v10/3v/5spd engine/trans. VIN for my 2005 Bounder is for a 2004 F53 F550 Strip Motorhome chassis built 01 Jun 2004. My Bounder was built 01 Nov 2004 as a 2005 model, with a 2005 Fleetwood FIN. I have a friend with a 2006 Bounder, and his is built on a 2006 chassis.

[dodge_guy]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
I have never had a stock V10, mine has the Banks Power Pack with Trans Control. I have read here that without some tweeking the old four speed trans on cruise control there was a lot of gear searching on very slight grades. I run on CC a lot and don't have that problem. I am very happy with my 2001 engine.

Yes the stock program that ford supplies does not do anything for the performance. I also had a 5star tune on my 02 V-10 Excursion. Performed the way it should have from the factory. However the Ford cruise control is very lazy. It lets too much mph drop before the throttle opens. By then it’s too late and it’s kicking down to get the speed back up . This was even with the tune. I learned to watch the road and give it a bit of throttle to keep it from kicking down.

[Jayco-noslide]

We have a 2003 30 ft. Class C on a Ford E-450 chassis and it has a 4-speed trans. Sure, I would like it to be 5 speed but one can live with 4 just fine. The goal is to have a gear(ratio) to match every demand to prevent big changes in RPM's downshifting and upshifting. But, remember when Chevy cars and pick-ups only had 2 speed powerglide trans. It still worked.

[DrewE]

steved28 wrote:

Gjac wrote:
The greater advantage to buying a MH 2006 or newer chassis is the increase of HP and 3 valve engine (362 HP).

Are you sure of this? I don't think my 08' had a 3 valve engine in my class C. I have it now in my 2019 class A. Noticeable difference, especially mated to a 6 spd. tranny.

Your class C doesn't have the three valve engine because it's built on the E series chassis rather than the F53 chassis that a class A is built on. The E series chassis never got the three valve engine due to space limitations in the chassis (the three valve heads are apparently larger than the two valve ones). Even the current 2019 production uses two valve heads on the V10.

[carringb]

steved28 wrote:

Gjac wrote:
The greater advantage to buying a MH 2006 or newer chassis is the increase of HP and 3 valve engine (362 HP).

Are you sure of this? I don't think my 08' had a 3 valve engine in my class C. I have it now in my 2019 class A. Noticeable difference, especially mated to a 6 spd. tranny.

He's correct. I thought the changeover was 2005 but it might have been 2005. Your '08 definitely had the 3-valve. The 2016+ does make more low-end torque however, even though it's rated at less HP for greenhouse-gas emissions compliance.

[jy]

I had a 99 coachman 33 foot with Im assuming the 4 speed.Transmission was so so.Bought and installed the Banks transcommand.Best money I ever spent.

[D_E_Bishop]

I have never had a stock V10, mine has the Banks Power Pack with Trans Control. I have read here that without some tweeking the old four speed trans on cruise control there was a lot of gear searching on very slight grades. I run on CC a lot and don't have that problem. I am very happy with my 2001 engine.

[steved28]

Gjac wrote:
The greater advantage to buying a MH 2006 or newer chassis is the increase of HP and 3 valve engine (362 HP).

Are you sure of this? I don't think my 08' had a 3 valve engine in my class C. I have it now in my 2019 class A. Noticeable difference, especially mated to a 6 spd. tranny.

[Gjac]

The greater advantage to buying a MH 2006 or newer chassis is the increase of HP and 3 valve engine (362 HP).

[dodge_guy]

Where you will notice the difference is in the gear spacing from a standing start. He 4 speed has a very wide spread. Meaning the rpm drop from first to second is ridiculous! It was very noticeable in my 02 V-10 Excursion. However a swap from 3.73 to 4.30 gears took care of that and made OD useable on the highway. The 5 speed got rid of that rpm drop. I have the 5 speed in our new to is 2012 V-10 class A. It is a much better setup for the V-10.

[pianotuna]

Hardly any difference, and no mileage advantage.