Campfire

[gingerK]

Found these two, in MI. If I can arrange it for this weekend, I would like to see both of them. One is farther north and the other is on the way home.
http://southbend.craigslist.org/rvs/4986645814.html

this one has had some water issues, I think. You can see where someone has caulked around the bullnose.

[gingerK]

and here's the one farther north. Of the 2 I prefer this one's layout but they have it way overpriced.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/rvs/4977786420.html

[Bethers]

and here's the one farther north. Of the 2 I prefer this one's layout but they have it way overpriced.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/rvs/4977786420.html

I, too, prefer this layout (but it's not for me ). That said it has twice as many miles, but if the pictures are accurate, they are telling the truth about taking care of it. Keep us up-to-date on them!

[gingerK]

Oh snap. Look what just popped up practically in my backyard. Only problem is it's got the V10 engine. Do I go look anyway?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/rvs/4989332614.html

[Bethers]

Oh snap. Look what just popped up practically in my backyard. Only problem is it's got the V10 engine. Do I go look anyway?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/rvs/4989332614.html

What's wrong with the V10 engine? I would like that, not hold it against the rig.

[gingerK]

My mechanic (my son) said that the V10's are known to crack exhaust manifolds and my DH agrees; he's heard that too. Also my mechanic says that if I get one and it's cracked don't ask him to fix it! Apparently they are a real b***ch to get apart. I will call my "other" mechanic (the one I have here in town who usually fixes my cars; my son's shop is 40 minutes away) and ask him tomorrow. If I go look at it, I will take that guy with me or have them bring it to him to look at.

[JudyJB]

I have a Ford v10 and it has been a champ. I used to work with Ford engineers in the quality group in Dearbor on, and they said it was one of the most reliable they make. It has been a workhorse of medium duty trucks for a decade so well tested. I put on 55,000 miles in three years with NO trouble at all!!

[gingerK]

I have a Ford v10 and it has been a champ. I used to work with Ford engineers in the quality group in Dearbor on, and they said it was one of the most reliable they make. It has been a workhorse of medium duty trucks for a decade so well tested. I put on 55,000 miles in three years with NO trouble at all!!

good to know Judy, thank you! What year is yours?

[MandysMom]

In looking at new RVs at manufacturer websites over the past few years, I find that the Ford v10 is one of the most used in Class C RV's . I doubt manufactures such as Winnebago, Fleetwood, and Tiffin would continue with an engine which was prone to failure. I found interesting information just by googling "Ford v10 reliability". Also go to other RV forums such as IRV2 and search for the engine and you will get a lot of information. Bottom line, if you want a class C and not a diesel, you will most likely find a Ford engine, usually the v10, because as one review said, the engine is basically bullet proof with exception of some in early years that had too few threads for the spark plugs causing aggravation but not failure.
Velda

[MandysMom]

Just for fun I googled ford v10 cracked manifold and what I got was people talking about the studs which hold it together not being long enough and separating requiring putting longer ones in but not the manifold itself cracking.
Velda

[MelissaD]

The V-10 is a very reliable and desired motor. The only issue people ever said negative was the bolts that hold on the exhaust manifold would rust off but with preventative maintenance that can be avoided.

[gingerK]

thanks, ladies. I did google it, Velda, and that is what I found. As this is a '98, I wonder if it is the one that the threads didn't go long enough into the engine. I had also read that the reason so many RV manufacturers used the Ford engine and chassis is that it is the cheapest option, Chevrolet's being more expensive. Having heard that though, I have to agree that if it were so prone to catastrophic failures, it wouldn't be (or have been) so widely used in RVs. So will call my in town mechanic and see what he can tell me; he'll most likely be the one who has to work on the thing if it needs fixing. Just trying to cover all my bases before I hand over my hard-won $$$. That's why I posted here, to get all the opinions I can before I make a decision.

(p.s. my son (my other mechanic) hates Fords. So of course he's biased against it!)

[Bethers]

Actually, the Chevy options in smaller Class C's are usually the less expensive.

[JudyJB]

My motorhome is a 2012, but the chassis and engine are a 2011 E-450, which is slightly different than the E-350, but then again my motorhome is 32' long, so it is bigger and heavier than what you are looking at. That happens when the chassis is delivered during the summer, just before the new models begin to be constructed, so it is pretty normal. One thing that amazed me was that my first big trip was across Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Wyoming in 100 degree temps in early July in 2012. In addition, that route constantly climbs, sometimes slowly and sometimes more steeply. I was convinced that my temperature gage was broken because it never budged off of the center! In fact, no matter how steep the road in mountains, and I have done a lot of mountain driving, it has never budged from the center. I am told that is due not only to the engine but to the cooling system, since I have a super heavy-duty cooling system. So, you might want to check what kind of a cooling system yours has.

I have worked for both GM and Ford at corporate levels writing training material and been in a lot of plants, and in terms of trucks, Ford has the better reputation, which is one of the reasons I made sure I got a motorhome with that v10 engine on a Ford chassis. I was also told by Ford engineers that that engine ought to be good for 200,000 - 300,000 miles with no problems. Consider that the vast majority of those engines are put in medium-duty delivery and commercial trucks, so they get a lot of hard use by people who don't own them.

If the engine bolts are a problem, perhaps your mechanic friends can just check them more often.

[Excel]

I have a '99 Born Free with V10 E450 engine....have had no trouble with it over the last several years & many miles...especially mountains & freeway driving not a problem...I think everyone knows California highways, especially hwy. 5, 405, 101 & 99....not easy roads to drive a 26' RV on but mine does fine....Just wanted to add my 2 cents....