I haven't been active on this forum for a while. I did a lot of research here in years past and thought I'd share my V-10 experience in case anyone can benefit. That said if you're looking for issues related to the V-10, I haven't had ANY with any part of the drivetrain for that matter. Maybe I'm a lucky one, but...

I've got a 2000 Pace Arrow motorhome (35ft Class A) that was bought new in 2000. It just turned 35K miles. The motorhome has always towed a 25ft enclosed trailer.

The mods to the motorhome include Banks headers, intake, and trans control module. I believe, from talking with other RVers, that the trans control module alone has saved my transmission. The higher pressure shifts limit the slippage and heat that kill automatics. I installed a trany temp gauge to keep an eye on the trany stress, but it has never gotten even close to a critical range.

I also installed a Gear Vendors Over/Under drive. I put the GV unit in after a couple of trips in the motorhome and after a LOT of research both on this site and elsewhere. The GV unit (along with the Banks header/intake) make driving the motorhome while towing a load...fun. I highly recommend it. There's not many heavy vehicles on the road that I cannot keep up with. I don't quite have the torque of the diesel semi's which shows up on steep grades and brutal headwinds, but that's just the nature of the beast. The GV unit allows me to keep the V-10 in its power band and get the most out of it.

I just got back from a 5K mile trip from SE Idaho to South Carolina and back (~5K). For this trip the trailer was loaded with a rolling 7-drawer toolbox full of tools, a PT Cruiser, and a H-D motorcycle. Once again, the V-10 performed perfectly. I run mid-grade and premium fuel and change the oil every 3K miles (I haven't gone to synthetic yet on this vehicle). I changed the trany fluid at 20K and clean/recharge the air filter every spring. I haven't yet changed the stock spark plugs, but will put some new ones in before the next trip. I have not had any plugs blow out.

With the loaded rig cruising at 70mph (turning 3100 rpm) I get 9mph on average with the typical headwind/tailwind variance of a one mph or two.

I live in SE Idaho and store the motorhome under a shelter, but out in the cold. I read on this forum (I believe) an issue with the rear differential and a suggestion to warm the rear diff to operating temps every month or so to avoid the issue. I get 3-4 ft of snow through the winter haven't managed to do that, but as yet have not experienced any problem with the rear diff either.

For what it's worth, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

-mark

 

Wow sounds like a great trip. Thanks for sharing. 3100 RPMS and 9 mpg! I'm impressed, I've seen a lot of guys on here state they don't get much better than that in the pick ups. Much less in a motor home pulling a trailer at 70.

 

Double post....

 

Wow 3100rpm at 70mph. What gear are you running in to get that rpm and what gears do you have in the axle.

Banks tuning and trans control is not the greatest. If you want to get better performance and better shifting and tq lockup get a custom tune for your RV. You have a lot of money in your RV you should have a good tune to take full advatage of the mods you have.

 

dkf,
Hmm, I got 13mpg on a rare trip without the trailer. I wasn't bragging about the 9mpg, I was thinking it was pretty low. I guess I'll be glad I'm getting that much out of it. I don't know which Dana axle I've got to be frank, either the 80 or the 135. I have the 4R100 trany. Other than the mods I mentioned everything else is stock.

I'd consider getting a custom tune on the rig, I haven't heard of that before...what businesses offer that type of service?

 

5 star is great, I would go with them.

What is your gross combined weight with the RV and trailer?

That is pretty good fuel mileage, I have dropped mine as low as 7.5 towing 10K at 90mph.