F450 motorhome

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pdzz

fixing something
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
1,904
I've been milling the idea of buying a motorhome to tow the car hauler. I've come across a 31ft. F450 with the V-10 low mileage very well maintained. I'm a GM tech, GM guy all the way... but, the price is really good. Do you think the V-10 has enough power to haul itself and a 24ft. car hauler? Anyone else towing with one? Any help much appreciated. Phil.
 
The price is good because they love gasoline.

They tow pretty well 415 ft.lb. of torque but the fuel mileage is terrible 9-10 tops when towing 11-14 hwy empty in my Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4X4 (weighs 7K lbs). Towed our horse trailer 5-6K lbs easily with one, ran great never had an issue. I likem, most don't. If your going to tow alot buy a diesel and get 16-17 city and 22-28 highway.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you run premium fuel when towing or you'll toast the head gaskets from detonation. Many V-10 owners have learned that lesson the hard way. The programmers really make a difference too in helping them tow better but don't really effect fuel mileage gained one mpg.

They have a unique sound to them.

Mikey
 
A customer of mine just got rid of his. He was getting between 5 and 8 mpg. He did most of his driving in the mountains going to Arizona so thats probably the worst mileage you would see he had 27,000 miles on it when he got rid of it. I know he had two transmissions replaced and the dealer replaced the heads on it. He wanted me to install the banks kit on it but that was $4,000
He ended up buying a diesel pusher thats worth more than most houses but he loves it and the mileage is about the same.
I have a v10 e350 and it gets just under 12mpg going down hill but its a news conversion so its heavy.Buy a diesel. Alot less maintence
 
I just bought the same setup 34' motorhome with the Triton V10. For comparison, I towed an open car trailer with my GN weighing 5000lbs. Had no problem towing thru Washington State mountain passes. Total weight on truck scale registered 26650lbs.
 
V10 is a good engine. Biggest issue is spark plugs blowing out if they get too many miles on them. The V10 will have far fewer problems than either the 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke will.
 
Yes, it will probably have enough power. We have a V10 in our motorhome, its a good running/pulling motor. The ones that popped the spark plugs are the early ones (97-02's), Ford only allowed a few threads for the plugs, most mechanics know how to fix them properly. Just be sure to check the towing capacity of the motorhome. If you can find one with a tag axle that would be best.
 
Get ahold of Louie L on here. He has a motorhome with a V10 and tows an open trailer with it.

There's a certain year cut off where Ford increased HP on the V10.

Another thing you need to be concerned about is the strength of the rear overhang on the F450 chassis. It might pay to tow the trailer with a Trailer Toad.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com
 
Thanks for the help guys. Now the owner is talking me out of it, he thinks it has barely enough power to move the motorhome! Let alone a hauler!! Well, at least he's honest. So the search continues... Phil.
 
They have plenty of power to tow and enclosed 28 ft trailer. I have done so with mine with no problems. I regularly tow with a open 18 ft trailer and again no issues. The spark plug issue had multiple causes. Mine is a 2001 and no plug blow out. My friend has a class C RV with the latest V10 motor and although the gas mileage is the same, the extra power of the later V10 is noticeable. He also tows a 24 ft V-nose.

I used to tow with a 99 Suburban and get 11-12 MPG, towing an open trailer I've had as good as 8-9 MPG going 65mph. Anything over that and MPG mileage a dive.
 
I have a 2006 Diesel Pusher 400 hp, that would tow anything you want!!! Only 13,300 miles on it.... For Sale!! July 2011 Vacation 019.jpg
 
The V10 is OK for power as a gas motor goes. Head Gaskets and the number 10 plug blowing out is the biggest issue.

Since I decided long ago I did not want a motor home the F350 and PSD 7.2 are rock solid with very little to no issues.

I have done a couple of the V10, ford actually makes a repair kit and the after market repair kit works just as wekk for about 50 bucks and a couple of hours.
 
I have a 2006 Diesel Pusher 400 hp, that would tow anything you want!!! Only 13,300 miles on it.... For Sale!!View attachment 141070
HAHA!! Thanks Holly!! I'd have to stop buying parts and picking up parts for other people to afford that thing!!Could you put me on an easy payment plan?? Say 100.00 month for the rest of my natural life?;) Phil.
 
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