We are looking at our first motorhome. A friend has a 35' 1999 Winnibago Chiefton V10, 60,000 miles. We would like to pull our HHR with it. Will this be enough to pull the mountains of Colorado? Is a diesel much more desireable? I've read all the gas vs. diesel arguments, but get lost in the torque, power, range ect. Just need a few experianced opinions. Thanks
V-10 is a very good engine, and will have about the same power as a diesel of equal size.....but the diesel will have an easier time with the mountains, since it's power is at lower RPMs.
That V-10 will be pushing some high RPMs for the power....but I don't think you'll have much problem with a toad as small as the HHR behind you.
Have the engine checked out, as well as the rest of the RV....since you are talking about an older rig, you'll need to be looking at the tires, drive train, batteries, appliances, and genset.....and of course, be aware that there may have been leaks!
Diesel vs. gasser will be on for a long time.....and I guess we would all like to have a diesel, but it's not always practical for our pocketbooks. But since the question is will that V-10 pull your car, the answer is yes, as long as you don't overload everything.
Good luck
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
A few things I'd check on. First find out if the receiver on the coach is even rated high enough to pull the HHR.
Second If you are at all near the GCWR of the coach & HHR supplimental braking IMHO would be a must.
Third as Pappy said check out everything. Especially the date code on the tires. Buying a new set can really put a hole in your budget.
I didn't even think about the hitch weight & supplemental braking. Just took it for granted. Good catch, thanks. Also, doesn't the V-10 have a history of spitting out spark plugs? Date code? Maybe I need to go with a newer rig. I really appreaciate the help here.
The V 10 is a great eng. So is the diesel but a lot of people cannot afford the extra money the diesel cost over the V10 or do not not want to spend the extra money the diesel cost
yes, the older v10s have a spark plug issue. BUT, the issue is that they spit out the plugs if they have not been properly torqued. they seem to be ok from the factory. they do not need to be messed with until 100,000 miles. take it to a ford shop when they are due for replacement. if they get spit out afterwards, its on their nickle.
1999 Winnebago Minnie, 29', Triton V10, mostly stock. So far...
W4MBG wrote: yes, the older v10s have a spark plug issue. BUT, the issue is that they spit out the plugs if they have not been properly torqued. they seem to be ok from the factory. they do not need to be messed with until 100,000 miles. take it to a ford shop when they are due for replacement. if they get spit out afterwards, its on their nickle.
As an engine rebuilder I can tell you do not leave the plugs in for 100,000 miles. I have had to repair countless heads becuse people wait 100,000 miles ,when they go to take them out they are so correded in they tear all the treads out with the plugs. Plugs are cheap the repair is not.
There is nothing wrong with a gas MH. A HHR is very light and can be towed with no problem. I would have a brake system on it though. Tire date codes can be the same problem on almost any vehicle. RV tires age out and usually get replaced sometime between 5 and 10 years of age before they blow out. Unless you put a lot of miles on a MH a DP will cost more in maintenance costs than a gas engine. I put less than 5000 miles on mine per year and get 1 oil change per year for about $60. with Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart. An oil change on a DP will cost much more with all the filters they require and the larger amounts of oil to fill.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
Ok what am I missing here? Everyone says the Ford V10 is "a GREAT" engine but I keep reading page after page about it spitting out sparkplugs and failure of the exhaust manifold studs both of which are not cheap fixes and which Ford doesn't really acknowledge as being a problem. {Also people complain about the gas milage}. I can't afford to buy new, but I don't want to be broke on the side of the road with a problem I knew was a real possibility of having. May be I'm condemed to Motel 6 instead of motorhomes !!
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