FORD E450 V-10 Gas query

**dcheatwood** · 05-28-2018, 10:44 AM

So I'm looking at Class C Forester/Sunseeker with Ford E450 V-10. Thinking this is a big, powerful power plant. But checking the stats on it, its not that impressive. In fact my 2008 1/2 ton tundra with 5.7 V8 has more HP and almost as much torque as this V-10.
GM, Dodge and Ford all have V-8s equal to or greater than the V-10.
I'm not a motor head by any means so I'm wondering why the V-10 is the power plant of choice in so many Class C motor homes. Is it just more durable for the constant strain of load hauling? Interesting.

PhoneDude 8289 · 05-28-2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

So I'm looking at Class C Forester/Sunseeker with Ford E450 V-10. Thinking this is a big, powerful power plant. But checking the stats on it, its not that impressive. In fact my 2008 1/2 ton tundra with 5.7 V8 has more HP and almost as much torque as this V-10.
GM, Dodge and Ford all have V-8s equal to or greater than the V-10.
I'm not a motor head by any means so I'm wondering why the V-10 is the power plant of choice in so many Class C motor homes. Is it just more durable for the constant strain of load hauling? Interesting.

Subscribed

007matman · 05-28-2018, 12:38 PM

When it comes to a towing it's not a HP or even really 100% torque game. It's really about the drivetrain, tranny, suspension, brakes, and how well the engine handles heat.

My 2010 Escalade will pull the doors off of my camper if I wanted to.. I'd probably end up buying a new engine after the experience but it pulls like heck for most of the time.

This spring I retired it from pulling when I purchased a F-350 w/ the 6.0 Power Stroke. If I could have found a decent V-10 truck that wasn't all beat up I probably would have bought that. However, I know if I would've continued pulling with the Escalade I would have needed to replace the engine at some point in the future. It just wasn't meant to pull as well as a larger 3/4 or more ton vehicle.

The V-10 in the Ford is a great pulling motor, the tranny and the suspension are all beefed up to handle the load. You've got a dynamic duo there that'll serve you well for years to come.

A32Deuce · 05-28-2018, 02:15 PM

Total hp/torque doesn't tell the story. Its the torque curve that counts. The flatter the curve the better pulling. Look at some of the old big blocks. Not a whole lot of hp, but the torque would pull over a house!

**dcheatwood** · 05-28-2018, 04:19 PM

Beginning to make sense. Thanks guys.

kc5mhb · 05-29-2018, 01:57 PM

Gearing makes a difference too. In 2012 I picked up a 2000 Ford F250 Crew cab 4X4 V10 with an 8' bed (4R100 4 speed tranny). That truck came with 4.30 gearing. It has torque like you wouldn't believe and tows great. It builds power on the high end of the RPM range so expect to use fuel. Depending upon transmission and gearing I wouldn't expect more than 12 MPG on flat ground. I got somewhere in the range of 7-8 MPG pulling my former camper on flat ground. When I got to hills it was more of the 6-7 MPG. I'm not sure which year they went to a 3 valve setup and 6 speed gearbox on the V10s but at some point I believe they actually had better fuel economy. Empty I can get somewhere in the 10-13 range depending upon how heavy my foot is.

CDRJML · 05-29-2018, 01:59 PM

Our experience over many years is that the Ford V-10 has been around forever and is just plain bulletproof.

**dcheatwood** · 05-29-2018, 02:17 PM

I found this. Torque is optimum up in the 3200rpm range. thats about the same as my 5.7L. I'm thinking this monster V-10 just has a proven track record and can bear the load better. There has to be some reason its so popular in Class C and Gas powered Class As.

EngineTriton / V10Chassis BrandFordChassis ModelE450Cylinders10Horsepower305 hp @ 4,250 RPMTorque420 ft-lbs. @ 3,250 RPM

kc5mhb · 05-29-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDRJML

Our experience over many years is that the Ford V-10 has been around forever and is just plain bulletproof.

Only real issues Ford had with these and the 5.4 Triton was those trashy 2 piece spark plugs and the few years the aluminum heads didn't have enough threads for the plugs. Real issue was you had to torque them to spec or they would back out and then the engine would spit them out pulling the threads with them. There was a fix for that but I never had that happen to me. Two piece plugs, yeah had 3 or 4 break but my mechanic was able to get them out but that was in the wife's 2007 Expedition.

A32Deuce · 05-29-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc5mhb

Gearing makes a difference too. In 2012 I picked up a 2000 Ford F250 Crew cab 4X4 V10 with an 8' bed (4R100 4 speed tranny). That truck came with 4.30 gearing. It has torque like you wouldn't believe and tows great. It builds power on the high end of the RPM range so expect to use fuel. Depending upon transmission and gearing I wouldn't expect more than 12 MPG on flat ground. I got somewhere in the range of 7-8 MPG pulling my former camper on flat ground. When I got to hills it was more of the 6-7 MPG. I'm not sure which year they went to a 3 valve setup and 6 speed gearbox on the V10s but at some point I believe they actually had better fuel economy. Empty I can get somewhere in the 10-13 range depending upon how heavy my foot is.

3 valve is only in the F53 chassis. E class C only gets the 2 valve but newer has the 6 speed trans!

garbonz · 05-29-2018, 04:21 PM

The V10 and Chassis has been around forever and are CHEAP for the MFG to buy, so it lowers the price point. The "new" diesel transit is also appealing for smaller rigs d get awesome fuel economy, great power and has a long track record in Europe.

klickitatjim · 05-29-2018, 04:41 PM

I've had a 2000 f250 4x4 with v10 w/5 spd for about 14 years. Still only 120k on it. Used to pull an 8k lb bumper pull with it. It did fine but I'd get passed a lot. Empty it would get 12 mph, towing about 7 or 8.

I now have a 2017 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins with auto. It gets 23mpg empty, and 10-12 mpg towing. I set the cruise at 65 and go with 11k lb 5th wheel.

In my personal experience, the v10 is a good deal. Less expensive initially, but less fuel economy. slower going but reliable. Be patient.

If I had the money, I prefer not getting passed all day or listening to the wife ask how much farther...

gmacklem · 05-30-2018, 06:55 AM

It is an amazing motor and trans combo. My Sunseeker will run to 4500 RPM before shifting if starting from a stop and going uphill. Seems like the engine will blow but it keeps on pulling.

The tranny is nice as well, as it down shifts to hold you back when going down hill or when breaking.

Overall it seems to be a great combo as it is in every Ford based Class C and every gas class A as wells as in UHauls and other trucks. I am counting on it to out last the rest of the RV. I don't know what RV MFGs will do if Ford ever discontinues it.

jeffnick · 05-30-2018, 09:08 AM

My '05 E350 w/ V10 has about 150,000 miles much of which is pulling 12,000 lbs.
I'm listed at 300HP and 300 torque - it's interesting that you can now get those specs w/ a 4 cylinder engine.

BTW I get between 8 -9 mpg towing 12,000 lbs and can see 17mpg unloaded @~55mph.

Wolverine 1945 · 05-30-2018, 09:10 AM

I dough very much that the E450 with the V10 is cheap !!!
It is the most used chasse in the world !!!
#1 seller !!!

May not be important,,, but the V10 is quite and smooth,,,
unless you are putting it to work !!!
LOL !!!

A32Deuce · 05-30-2018, 09:34 AM

What I like about it, at a traffic light, everyone gets in another lane not to be behind you. When I feel like it, they are quite surprised as I leave them behind not really trying!

Wolverine 1945 · 05-31-2018, 06:07 AM

Several years ago when the V10 first came out I test drove an F150 with a V10,,, I stopped at a traffic light,,, and I thought the freaking engine had died,,, the only way I knew it was still running was the tac !!! Smoothest Ford engine ever !!!

garbonz · 05-31-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmacklem

It is an amazing motor and trans combo. My Sunseeker will run to 4500 RPM before shifting if starting from a stop and going uphill. Seems like the engine will blow but it keeps on pulling.

The tranny is nice as well, as it down shifts to hold you back when going down hill or when breaking.

Overall it seems to be a great combo as it is in every Ford based Class C and every gas class A as wells as in UHauls and other trucks. I am counting on it to out last the rest of the RV. I don't know what RV MFGs will do if Ford ever discontinues it.

Nope not every food based class C. More and more transit based diesels coming on every day. Wave of da future.

kc5mhb · 05-31-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

What I like about it, at a traffic light, everyone gets in another lane not to be behind you. When I feel like it, they are quite surprised as I leave them behind not really trying!

When I purchased my F250 in 2012, it was 12 years old with only 58,000 miles on it. The previous owner had a Banks Power Pack system installed. That truck was fast, faster than my previous vehicle, a 1996 Bronco with a 351. The F250's Banks chip was apparently bad so I was having issues from the day I got the truck home. Pulled the chip, hit up Mike at 5StarTuning and I haven't looked back. I did have the OD in the transmission go out due to a bolt on the band coming loose but going back, they put a shift kit and a better stall converter on it to make it more reliable. Getting on the interstate with a running start, I can usually get up to speed and merge in with no issues.

You may also like: