A V8 in motorhome chassis December 03, 2007, 10:31:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 86678I can't believe that Ford would even offer a V8. The 5.4 liter Triton might be OK for a delivery van on the E350, if it was for light use, lightly loaded in flat terrain, in city applications. I've got a 23.5 TKB with the older V10,(that was only 1997-1999), and wish that I had the current V10 with more horses. When buying an $80k new motorhome the extra $1k disappears in the noise. Buying a 24' with the V8 would make resale much more difficult and probably negate any initial savings. Oh did I mention that gas mileage might be even worse than with the V10, because you would be constantly struggling to keep up with the rest of the traffic? With my current work schedule I'm lucky to put even 3,000 miles a year on Bluebelle. At even 2-3 mpg better, that might account for $100 or so per year? Depreciation costs, insurance, smog checks, repairs and improvements, tires, batteries, etc. all would put gas savings in the negligible category. Ron, in sunny San DiegoCheck out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #1 – December 04, 2007, 10:41:15 am Yahoo Message Number: 86724Hi Ron,
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #2 – December 04, 2007, 11:22:07 am Yahoo Message Number: 86727"I have a 26.5' with the 454 V8 and find absolutely no lack of horses. I, for one, don't need the extra complexity and weight (?) of a big V10."GingerYou are comparing apples to oranges. The older Chevy based LDs had a choice of a 350 cubic-inch V-8 and the optional 454 cu-in V-8. Older Ford based LDs has either the 351 cu-in V-8 or the 460 cu-in V-8Chevy's 454 V-8 is similar in power output to Ford's V-10. Ford's 6.8 liter V-10 replaced the older 460 cu-in V-8. The V-10 may have two more cylinders but it only has 415 cu-in. Ford's new 5.4 liter (332 cu-in) V-8 replaced the 351 cu-in V-8 and is much smaller than the V-10 and even smaller than your 454 V-8. Your 454 V-8 is, for all practical purposes, the equivalent to the V-10. As for the weight, Ford's V-10 is little lighter than the 454 V-8 due to extensive use of aluminum.Larry
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #3 – December 04, 2007, 11:52:44 am Yahoo Message Number: 86731Quote "I have a 26.5' with the 454 V8 and find absolutely no lack of horses. I, for one, don't need the extra complexity and weight (?) ofQuotea big V10."GingerYou are comparing apples to oranges. The older Chevy based LDs had a choice of a 350 cubic-inch V-8 and the optional 454 cu-in V-8. Older Ford based LDs has either the 351 cu-in V-8 or the 460 cu-in V-8Chevy's 454 V-8 is similar in power output to Ford's V-10. Ford's 6.8 liter V-10 replaced the older 460 cu-in V-8. The V-10 may have two more cylinders but it only has 415 cu-in. Ford's new 5.4 liter (332 cu-in) V-8 replaced the 351 cu-in V-8 and is much smaller than the V-10 and even smaller than your 454 V-8. Sorry, I have the _Ford_ V8, so that is 460 cid, if I understand you correctly. 454/460, such a difference.I was amazed at how well it moved that big box of air.Sorry for adding to the confusion, :-( Ginger
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #4 – December 04, 2007, 12:08:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86733"Larry W" wrote: Ford's new 5.4 liter (332 cu-in) V-8 replaced the 351 cu-in V-8 and is much smaller than the V-10 and even smaller than your 454 V-8. ---- The Ford "fleet" site offers this (very) basic spec information on the 2008 "class C" cutaway chassis options, including the now-standard 5.4L V8:http://tinyurl.com/37rnpwJust a suggestion, but those ordering 2008s might want to do the research, including consultation of "knowledgeable sources" (like Mr. W) about the real, haul-it-down-the-road differences between the now- stock 5.4L V8 and the optional 6.8L V10 before making the choice. I don't know why Ford went to the 5.4L as the stock engine in the E- 450, but when I read Ford's statement about giving their customers "more choice" by offering the smaller engine as a base, I smell smoke! If I were ordering a new LD (including the 24'), my choice would be the V10; YMMV.Joan
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #5 – December 04, 2007, 12:33:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86735QuoteI've got a 23.5 TKB with the older V10,(that was only 1997-1999), and wish that I had the current V10 with more horses. The trade between the 2008 standard V8 or optional V10 in the 24 seems like a no brainer to me. The V10 will have better resale, more torque, greater carrying capacity and probably as good or better mileage as it won't be working as hard. The extra $1000 bucks is just over 1% of the selling price. It's not about being a hotrod, it's just common sense. Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #6 – December 05, 2007, 01:24:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86778"If I were ordering a new LD (including the 24'), my choice would be the V10." I agree. The cost to upgrade from V8 to V10 is less than 1.4% of the total cost of a 24' 2008 LD. As others have pointed out, that's so trivial a difference that I think it would be crazy not to go for the V10--if only because the V8 will hurt the coach's resale value.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #7 – December 05, 2007, 02:28:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86779Hi Group,I think we need to put the discussion about 5.4L V-8 engine being made the standard engine on the new Ford cutaway chassis into perspective. Just because Ford made this engine standard equipment, does not mean that RV upfitters are going to order their chassis that way. We need to understand that this chassis is also used for applications other than motorhomes; some of those applications may benefit from a smaller and more fuel efficient engine that costs less too.While it does look like Ford is making that engine available on the motorhome spec package, that does not mean that many RV builders will order them that way.I looked at the Lazy Daze site and saw no mention made of any 2008 specifications; am I missing something?I have a feeling that LD, with their desire to uncomplicate their business by offering too many choices, will specify the chassis they order from Ford, all be built the same way. That means with the V-10. I would be my old Velvac mirrors against a new tank monitoring system this will be the case!;-)Steve K.
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #8 – December 05, 2007, 04:55:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86783QuoteI looked at the Lazy Daze site and saw no mention made of any 2008 specifications; am I missing something?I have a feeling that LD, with their desire to uncomplicate their business by offering too many choices, will specify the chassis they order from Ford, all be built the same way. That means with the V-10. I would be my old Velvac mirrors against a new tank monitoring system this will be the case!;-) Steve,If you go back and read the thread that started with msg. 86211 ("2008 models"), you'll see that it appears the V8 will be standard for the 24' models and that the V10 will be an option.Art
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #9 – December 05, 2007, 08:34:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86788In a message dated 12/5/07 2:56:25 PM, no_reply@yahoogroups.com writes:Quotethe V8 will be standard for the 24' models and that the V10 will be an option. If that's the case LD probably won't stock the V10 and will order it only when specified to reduce inventory. That should extend the order to delivery process out to infinity!! Bonehead Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #10 – December 05, 2007, 09:01:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86789QuoteI would be my old Velvac mirrors against a new tank monitoring system this will be the case!;-)Steve K. Keep your old Velvac mirrors, Steve, I also have a pair. :-)Here is the source of the information concerning the V-8/10. I have a copy of the 2008 "Available 2008 Custom Options" in front of me. Here is a quote: "Ford 6.8L V-10 engine available on 24' models (Standard on 27' and 31' models)." Option cost $1,050.00.Note the word "available" as opposed to "standard" on 27' and 31' models The V-10 is clearly a $1,050 option on the 24' model.Ed
Re: Delivery time Reply #11 – December 05, 2007, 09:25:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86790Quote In a message dated 12/5/07 2:56:25 PM, no_reply@yahoogroups.com writes:Quote "...That should extend the order to delivery process out to infinity!!..."BoneheadHey, you newer folks are spoiled. Five years ago I had to wait nearly 8 months to get my 30'. Seems like it's only a 3-4 month wait nowadays.Chris
Re: A V8 in motorhome chassis Reply #12 – December 07, 2007, 10:06:21 am Yahoo Message Number: 86862QuoteKeep your old Velvac mirrors, Steve, I also have a pair. :-) Here is the source of the information concerning the V-8/10. I have a copy of the 2008 "Available 2008 Custom Options" in front of me. Here is a quote: "Ford 6.8L V-10 engine available on 24' models (Standard on 27' and 31' models)." Option cost $1,050.00.Note the word "available" as opposed to "standard" on 27' and 31' models The V-10 is clearly a $1,050 option on the 24' model. Ed Art and Ed, thanks for the info. I had missed that little tidbit.It would be interesting to learn how many rigs end up with the V8.Steve K.
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