Soon to be full timers but a question re: 6 speed gassers

[FREEWHEELINIT1]

My Wife and I are about to embark on a one year (possibly longer) full time RV trek and have a question regarding class A's. Prior to pulling the trigger on a purchase after the 1st of the year, curious if anyone has driven or own the newer Ford V10 with the 6 speed tranny. And if you did, is it a significant enough improvement over the 5 speed performance? We will be flat towing a 3,000 lb car. Love the floor plans of the newer class A gassers with the L shaped sofa and disappointed that the 2013-2015 pre-owned class A entry level DP's we've looked at don't have what we love in layouts. About a 150k max budget. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[hohenwald48]

Bruce Brown wrote:
^^^ I think you'll find the transmission discussed in that link isn't the current 6 speed transmission they are using today. That was the old 5R110W, used up until 2015. The new ones are using the TorqShift 6 speed, released in 2016.

Sorry, I didn't know there was more than one type of 6 speed used by Ford. I don't guess I know what year the OP is looking at so I suppose it could be either of the two 6 speed transmissions.

Having said that, I have a 2007 F-53 (actually a 2006 chassis). It has the 5 speed and I've been dragging my 5K Jeep toad all over the country. Up and down many of the passes out west and long 6-7 percent grades with a few short steeper grades thrown in. I haven't had the first problem going up or down and the 5 speed has been fantastic. I imagine a 6 would be better but the 5 has performed just fine. I doubt I'd make a purchase decision based only on the transmission type.

[vjstangelo]

The Thor Palazzo is a DP that should come in at your top end budget. We really liked the 33.2 floor plan and would consider if I were to take the diesel plunge. FYI we do have a v10 has set with the 5 speed, towing a CRV and it is a great tranny and light years ahead of the old 4 speed 4R100.

[theoldwizard1]

The Ford 6R140 transmission is a BEAST ! It is waht is used in the F650/750 so you know it is strong.

[Dog_Trainer]

I can say that our 2016 w/6 speed transmission is a good one. Then I will tell you that based on my past experience with a Ford P?U and after reading many reviews and posts , I bought a 5 Star tune and there is a very pleasant difference in the shifting and manners of this unit. I had seen many good reviews on this for the 5 speed traany as well. I paid $499 for the tune and I feel it is worth it. I tow just under 4,000 lbs. Happy hunting

[Bruce_Brown]

^^^ I think you'll find the transmission discussed in that link isn't the current 6 speed transmission they are using today. That was the old 5R110W, used up until 2015. The new ones are using the TorqShift 6 speed, released in 2016.

[stvdman]

For me it would depend on the amount of miles I was planning on driving. Especially if there were a big price difference.

I REALLY like the new 6-speed F53 set-up. Had a 5speed in a class C and the new 6-speed is a noticeable improvement.

If you aren't putting on a lot of miles and staying put for most of the time, it shouldn't matter as much, if really travelling throughout the year, yeah, that 6-speed may be worth it.

Good luck!

[hohenwald48]

This thread has some good information about the differences between the 5 speed and 6 speed transmissions. Pay particular attention to posts #1, 7, 14 and 19. They indicate that the 6 speed transmission actually only uses 5 of the gear ratios. Which 5 are used is based on operating temperature.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/does-ford-reprogram-transmission-364296.html