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Old 07-24-2021, 10:16 AM   #1
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V10 vs. V8: Experience with Noise & MPG?

We're thinking of upgrading from our current rig to an FR3 30DS. I've been following the threads here and have found excellent information regarding the noise of the V10 and the 6.5 to 7.5 MPG fuel consumption. I'm wondering if anyone coming from the old V10 to the new 7.3 V8 has any insights on the "real world" differences between the two engines:

1) Noise?

2) MPG (& speed driven)?

3) Power?

TIA!
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Old 07-24-2021, 10:48 AM   #2
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I can't speak for the V8 but I have a Class C on an E 450 chassis with a V10 and I don't find engine noise to be an issue. Road noise in general is worse than engine noise in that big hollow box. I really like the performance of the V10. It's a hungry beast though so I just keep feeding it.
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Old 07-24-2021, 12:37 PM   #3
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Our 2021 33DS has the V8 and we average 7MPG on the highway, though that's been while towing a Jeep. Power seems fine, even during inclines. Noise doesn't seem too bad. Never had another motorhome to compare to.
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Old 07-24-2021, 10:53 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by besweeet View Post
Our 2021 33DS has the V8 and we average 7MPG on the highway, though that's been while towing a Jeep. Power seems fine, even during inclines. Noise doesn't seem too bad. Never had another motorhome to compare to.
Same here with 2021 30DS towing a Spark. Drives just fine with no additional mods. I probably will insulate the AC ducts at some point though.
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Old 07-25-2021, 12:31 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo View Post
We're thinking of upgrading from our current rig to an FR3 30DS. I've been following the threads here and have found excellent information regarding the noise of the V10 and the 6.5 to 7.5 MPG fuel consumption. I'm wondering if anyone coming from the old V10 to the new 7.3 V8 has any insights on the "real world" differences between the two engines:

1) Noise?

2) MPG (& speed driven)?

3) Power?

TIA!
I own a 2350 Sunseeker C class 2014 and got 10-11. Of when I went across Canada with it
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Old 07-25-2021, 12:47 PM   #6
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I own a 2350 Sunseeker C class 2014 and got 10-11. Of when I went across Canada with it
One gallon of gasoline in the US equals 3.78 liters of gasoline in Canada, so you were getting the same as the rest of us with a V-10. I am waiting for the hybrid technology to catch up to the big block engines and until then I will enjoy the dependability and power from my V-10.
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Old 07-25-2021, 12:54 PM   #7
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Same here with 2021 30DS towing a Spark. Drives just fine with no additional mods. I probably will insulate the AC ducts at some point though.
Any need for the CHF (cheap handling fix)?
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Old 07-25-2021, 01:21 PM   #8
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Any need for the CHF (cheap handling fix)?
Only 1500 miles behind the wheel so far but I tend to agree with Brent's post here (#5 in the thread). I guess beyond that it's just an individual choice to cost vs benefit. So far I'm pretty happy with ride and handling.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ng-223656.html
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Old 07-25-2021, 03:36 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by fuzzball View Post
Only 1500 miles behind the wheel so far but I tend to agree with Brent's post here (#5 in the thread). I guess beyond that it's just an individual choice to cost vs benefit. So far I'm pretty happy with ride and handling.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ng-223656.html
Thanks, fuzzball!

That’s excellent info posted by Brent. With the upgrades he mentioned, we’ll see how the 30DS feels before we make any plans for mods. Now we’ll see how we can tow our (automatic) MINI R57…flat tow is out…perhaps a dolly or flatbed.
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Old 07-25-2021, 05:50 PM   #10
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Hard to compare a class C to FR3. From what I have heard and read the dog house on the class C, E-series are a lot better at killing engine noise than the on on most class A's. On my Class C the road noise was not bad to begin with but I sprayed a bunch of rubberized undercoating in the wheel wells of the cab and the coach and that made it even better. Love the V10 in my rig. I get around 9-11 mpg depending on wind. It has a little over 28k now and overall I would guess an average of 10mpg.
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Old 07-26-2021, 05:42 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Bob Gowryluk View Post
I own a 2350 Sunseeker C class 2014 and got 10-11. Of when I went across Canada with it

Those are KPG not MPG Im guessing
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Old 07-26-2021, 07:14 AM   #12
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Having owned a Class A with the Triton V10, and now our Class C with the V10 Triton, I find the cockpit noise comparable.

Forget about noise accelerating from a stop for the moment, because everyone can control the engine noise depending on how aggressively they accelerate……

The ENGINE noise that everyone talks about is basically the same in both units, and is actually almost non-existent. I have confirmed in both of our rigs, that while at a cruising speed of about 60-65 miles per hour, if I shift into neutral, the noise level did NOT change significantly.
The remaining sound level was simply road noise from the tires based on the pavement texture. Both motorhomes have a LOT of hard surfaces behind the cockpit, and that’s actually where I find the majority of any sound or noise is coming from.

This is not a scientific study……just what I noticed.
Next time where conditions allow, try it yourself and really listen.

YMMV.
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Old 07-26-2021, 12:35 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by fuzzball View Post
Same here with 2021 30DS towing a Spark. Drives just fine with no additional mods. I probably will insulate the AC ducts at some point though.
To insulate AC ducts, go to my post at:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2602810
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Old 07-26-2021, 10:33 PM   #14
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Measured about 67db on my 2021 30DS running about 60 down the highway today. The type of pavement makes a big difference. Some quieter and some louder. With AC fan on high and Blake Shelton on medium it went up to about 73...LOL!
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Old 07-27-2021, 12:19 PM   #15
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I have a 2005 v10 class C and the new V8 Chassis FR3 30DS. I have been running tests with a SoundMeter App and I cannot tell the difference, during normal driving. I also tested on my 2010 V8 F150 which was the quietest but not by much. The FR3 makes a bit more noise with the rattling of the window shades,etc. but the motor sound is much the same.

I did notice that the V8 will rev up more on inclines but going over mountain passes both will make a quite bit of engine noise. I have a dynapad that I am testing on the FR3 and it does help with the higher revs. I also have some dynamat product as well that I am going to install in the engine "doghouse" at a later time.


I have been getting 8mph and the power is fine for this motor home, also great acceleration compared to my v10 ~28-foot class C.

I have driven the FR3 at 70mph without issue or concerns. It is in the shop now getting several suspension mods which I will also post on another thread.

Jason
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Old 07-27-2021, 12:49 PM   #16
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My V-10 isn't really that loud now that I added the second idler pulley on the right side of the motor, previous to that I was getting a lot of belt chatter.
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Old 08-02-2021, 05:49 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Theo View Post
1) Noise?

TIA!
The V8 has good power, but it can get REALLY noisy if you are climbing a mountain pass and want to keep it at 55 or higher. When the engine downshifts and revs high -- Wow! I found that slowing down to 45 on mountain passes makes a world of difference with noise level.
-Cliff
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Old 08-02-2021, 06:48 PM   #18
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{snip}... I found that slowing down to 45 on mountain passes makes a world of difference with noise level.
-Cliff
Great info, Cliff! Thanks. How thirsty is your V8?
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Old 08-02-2021, 06:55 PM   #19
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Hi Theo,
Thirstier than the Honda toad… ;-)
Seriously, I haven’t looked at that part of the display. This is our 4th mh, with the previous three being older model diesel-pushers. I decided long ago that low mpg won’t stop me from traveling.
-Cliff
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Old 08-11-2021, 03:42 PM   #20
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Regarding V8 thirst, I've got three readings to date: 6.65, 8.0, 7.03 MPG. I run 65 on the interstate towing a '18 Kia Forte 5 four down - 6-speed and about 3300#. Negligible wind wind but some serious hills on I26 in TN.

I figure $0.50/ mile and so far I'm better than that.

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