Just an observation re: Ford chassis...

[goufgators]

Over the years, I've seen many, many posts regarding any number of problems with, for example: fogged windows, leveling jacks, slides, steps, Norcolds, tires, etc. I could go on but you get the idea. What I do not see are problems being posted concerning the Ford chassis w/the V-10 engine. Earlier ones did have a problem spitting out plugs but other than that, there have been very few posts describing problems with this chassis. I'm on my second one now and have had zero chassis problems (knock on wood!). Point: This is obviously an exceptionally dependable, trouble free product. Does anyone see it differently?

[Georgia_Popcorn]

Roadmaster... or... Safe-T-Plus? OR BLUE OX?

[TropicalRV]

We're on our third one with over 100K miles of experience. All i've done is change oil and filters. No problems with any of them. That said, these are mechanical devices made by human beings. Somewhere, someone has had problems.

[rgatijnet1]

Sultan1966 wrote:
Just had a V10 with 5,324 miles obtain a fist sized hole in the block while going through a school zone. After a month a new long block was ordered by Ford and once engine was put back in the rig it was found that the driveshaft carrier bearing had failed as well. This occurred in Sept and we now own a DP.

I had a similar issue with the Ford V-8 back in the late 70's. I was on my third engine in my work van, after throwing a rod in the previous two, and had not hit 10,000 miles yet. At that time it was attributed to Union sabotage which explained it but if it happens to you it sure turns you off to Ford products. It was 35 years later before I bought another Ford product.

[goufgators]

Sultan1966 wrote:
Just had a V10 with 5,324 miles obtain a fist sized hole in the block while going through a school zone. After a month a new long block was ordered by Ford and once engine was put back in the rig it was found that the driveshaft carrier bearing had failed as well. This occurred in Sept and we now own a DP.

Well, just goes to show...contrary to public believe...nothing is perfect! Obviously, the V-10 is a flawed engine and must be avoided. LOL

[Sultan1966]

Just had a V10 with 5,324 miles obtain a fist sized hole in the block while going through a school zone. After a month a new long block was ordered by Ford and once engine was put back in the rig it was found that the driveshaft carrier bearing had failed as well. This occurred in Sept and we now own a DP.

[Chum_lee]

goufgators wrote:
From the OP: Many good comments and consensus is that the Ford F-53 is a very good chassis. After posting my comment it dawned on me that the Ford chassis is not the only very good automotive product on the market these days. If you're as old as me, you can recall the days when an automobile that clocked about 50K miles was due for a complete engine rebuild. It was common to see cars and trucks driving down the highway with smoke billowing out the exhaust due to burning oil (rarely see that today). A car that made it over 100K miles was almost unheard of. Now-days, it's common for automobiles and small trucks to clock well in excess of 300K miles without having the engine touched by a wrench. So, it's not just the Ford F53, it seems to be all cars and trucks are substantially better than their predecessors. Some would say the overall improvement was caused by better quality products coming out of places like Japan and Germany forcing U.S. manufacturers to 'shape up or ship out. Thankfully, they 'shaped up'.

Yes, a lot has changed/improved in automotive/truck markets over the last 50 years. Fuels are better, no alkyl lead compounds, lower sulfer content, and less varnish build up because of improved oxidation stability enhancers. Oil is better. Oil is much more highly refined (or synthetic) with better extreme pressure wear additives. Rarely do you see the internal engine sludge buckets of the past. Material alloys are better. Hard surface wear coatings are better. For the most part, fuel injection has replaced carburetion giving better fuel atomization, cleaner burning, and less cylinder wash down which contaminates the engine oil less. Modern electronic engine management systems have all but replaced seat of the pants mechanics. (good and bad) The list goes on.

Chum lee

[map40]

goufgators wrote:
From the OP: Many good comments and consensus is that the Ford F-53 is a very good chassis. After posting my comment it dawned on me that the Ford chassis is not the only very good automotive product on the market these days. If you're as old as me, you can recall the days when an automobile that clocked about 50K miles was due for a complete engine rebuild. It was common to see cars and trucks driving down the highway with smoke billowing out the exhaust due to burning oil (rarely see that today). A car that made it over 100K miles was almost unheard of. Now-days, it's common for automobiles and small trucks to clock well in excess of 300K miles without having the engine touched by a wrench. So, it's not just the Ford F53, it seems to be all cars and trucks are substantially better than their predecessors. Some would say the overall improvement was caused by better quality products coming out of places like Japan and Germany forcing U.S. manufacturers to 'shape up or ship out. Thankfully, they 'shaped up'.

Look at my previous post. Rental motorhomes with 300K miles is a heck of a testament.
Also, I like older cars. My son and I drive late 90s town cars. One made it to 400K (a guy crushed into it at a stop light). His current one has 240K and mine 140K. Barely broken in...

[map40]

I have had 4 Class A (one 460, a 99 V10, a 2009 V10 and a 2012 V10) and 7 Class C (a 2006, 2 2007, a 2013, a 2015 and 2 2016).
The one with the most millage had 300K. I still currently own 7 of them, the highest is 170K, lowest 30K. All used as rentals. Not one problem yet, exept for the exhaust manifold in the 460.

[timmac]

J-Rooster wrote:
IMHO, If it works for you stick with it. I owned one of the Ford V-10's that was spitting plugs in my RV (1999) and I haven't owned a Ford product since. I spent good hard earned money in a Ford product that failed me and I couldn't trust it going down the road!

A lot has change on the F-53 and V-10 since 1999, quality has gone way up and issues have gone way down.

Plus more HP and Torque

[goufgators]

From the OP: Many good comments and consensus is that the Ford F-53 is a very good chassis. After posting my comment it dawned on me that the Ford chassis is not the only very good automotive product on the market these days. If you're as old as me, you can recall the days when an automobile that clocked about 50K miles was due for a complete engine rebuild. It was common to see cars and trucks driving down the highway with smoke billowing out the exhaust due to burning oil (rarely see that today). A car that made it over 100K miles was almost unheard of. Now-days, it's common for automobiles and small trucks to clock well in excess of 300K miles without having the engine touched by a wrench. So, it's not just the Ford F53, it seems to be all cars and trucks are substantially better than their predecessors. Some would say the overall improvement was caused by better quality products coming out of places like Japan and Germany forcing U.S. manufacturers to 'shape up or ship out. Thankfully, they 'shaped up'.

[J-Rooster]

IMHO, If it works for you stick with it. I owned one of the Ford V-10's that was spitting plugs in my RV (1999) and I haven't owned a Ford product since. I spent good hard earned money in a Ford product that failed me and I couldn't trust it going down the road!

[theoldwizard1]

chuckftboy wrote:
... if my mileage were a bit better, I would probably still be driving it.

Biggest complaint with the V10.

The upcharge for the diesel is steep and the fuel economny is not like it was in the days of the Powerstroke 7.3L. Add in the cost of DEF and the cost of oil and filter changes and you have to start wondering if a diesel is really worth the extra cost, IF the V10 has adequate power to carry your load.

[tropical36]

goufgators wrote:
Over the years, I've seen many, many posts regarding any number of problems with, for example: fogged windows, leveling jacks, slides, steps, Norcolds, tires, etc. I could go on but you get the idea. What I do not see are problems being posted concerning the Ford chassis w/the V-10 engine. Earlier ones did have a problem spitting out plugs but other than that, there have been very few posts describing problems with this chassis. I'm on my second one now and have had zero chassis problems (knock on wood!). Point: This is obviously an exceptionally dependable, trouble free product. Does anyone see it differently?

Engine, chassis and transmissions are production line items with tried and proven brand names and robot built for a lot of it. Used for other things, as well as Motorhomes. Basically a truck, that's been tried and proven over the years. With some of the DP's like Spartan, they're noted for their firetruck chassis.

[tinkerer]

Forums have a tendency to attract posters that have problems and not so much that don't have problems. I would say from the post the V10 Ford is very reliable. But like anything that goes around it can give you trouble. I know of one V10 in a motorhome that had to replace some broken valve springs at less than 100,000. Anything can happen.