Ace 29.3 - how noisy is your engine?

[Bob Montgomery]

We have a 2016. As long as we don't use cruise control in hilly situations, it isn't too bad. In cruise control it shifts down too low and the noise is awful.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your engine with 10 being way too loud.

[Chance]

Bob, I don't own a Class A (yet anyway) but have owned two Ford V10s and rented many more RVs with them for long trips with family, and every one of them was loud, particularly at high RPMs.

My present van is so light that it practically never shifts out of overdrive at highway speeds, so the noise isn't bad. At 75 MPH we can carry on a normal conversation. And if it shifts to drive, it's loud but tolerable.

However, one time I stepped on it hard in heavy traffic to change lanes at around 45 MPH, and when it downshifted it went from OD to second and it was so loud that it startled me. And that's in a van with factory doghouse and sound insulation.

Above 3500 RPMs it starts to get noisy, and above 4,000 it's too loud for me. That's one reason I'm looking forward to see how much of an improvement the new V8 can make. That an improved fuel economy.


For what it's worth, I once rented a Ford Pickup with 4.6L Triton V8 and it too was loud at higher RPMs. Maybe it's just part of that engine family.

[gentilebrian]

my 2017 class C is pretty loud at high RPM's. I think its just the nature of the beast. Its a big motor. My 2011 F250 with a 6.2 gas is not much quieter. My old 2013 F150 with the Ecoboost was much quieter.

[bevedfelker]

The Ford V-10 is a high revving engine. On my Vegas sometimes as I'm entering an Interstate it is not uncommon to rev to almost 4000 rpm before it shifts.

...I reccon' that's why they put a volume knob on the radio.

[djnash]

Huh! WHAT DID YOU SAY. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE LOUDER....

[Bob Montgomery]

I would like to hear from those owning an Ace 29.3 .... thanks to all. Interesting that Tiffin Alegro owners say their V10 is not very noisy.

[Jegdrum5050]

I believe my unit is not very noisy, upgrading from my class C. It is a huge improvement. Maybe some insulation is in order to lower the sound.

[Brown Ace]

ACE 29.2 with V-10: Installed 5 Star tune before June trip across country. More throaty, much less need to downshift. Goes up hills at 3200-3600 rpm not 4000+. Still high revs with cruise-control on the hills so I don't use it much. Much quieter, more driveable.

[Bob Montgomery]

Originally Posted by Brown Ace

ACE 29.2 with V-10: Installed 5 Star tune before June trip across country. More throaty, much less need to downshift. Goes up hills at 3200-3600 rpm not 4000+. Still high revs with cruise-control on the hills so I don't use it much. Much quieter, more driveable.

What did you pay for 5 Star Tuning? "More throaty"...not sure what that means. I too discovered not to use cruise control in areas where it might downshift. When not engaged in hilly or mountainous areas, I have much more control. Mine is a five speed.

[Brown Ace]

After much review and consideration, I bought the 5 Star Tune with one of the group buys. Paid less the $500 with postage. Well-spent money! Until this tune, I considered the old MoPar engines of the same cubic inches in my boat to have more torque. I felt the new Ford V-10 was anemic. After the performance tune, it is doing what it should be. Easy to install. My plug was right on the steering column, not even under the dash.

[Jedsmom]

Originally Posted by Brown Ace

After much review and consideration, I bought the 5 Star Tune with one of the group buys. Paid less the $500 with postage. Well-spent money! Until this tune, I considered the old MoPar engines of the same cubic inches in my boat to have more torque. I felt the new Ford V-10 was anemic. After the performance tune, it is doing what it should be. Easy to install. My plug was right on the steering column, not even under the dash.

Can you please explain what this "5-star tune" is? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks.

[Brown Ace]

I read review on iRV2 forum

Company info:
"GOT A V10? On a Ford Chassis or Super Duty F-Series / E-Series Welcome to 5 Star Tuning, a family owned business with one goal - to help you get the most performance and efficiency out of your vehicle. Whether you're looking for improved fuel mileage, increased towing capacity and control, or simply Extreme Street Performance, we can help you achieve all of your tuning needs. Nothing is more fulfilling than helping you tune your vehicle exactly like you want it. "

Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services - 5 Star Tuning

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Jedsmom

Can you please explain what this "5-star tune" is? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks.

MotorHome Magazine did a review that may help answer your question somewhat.

5 Star Tuning Talk - MotorHome Magazine May 2016 - 5 Star Tuning

They got more power and a little improvement in performance, with a slight decrease in fuel economy.

Major disadvantages are more subjective and already covered in other threads.

[West]

There is a number of free apps for you cell phone that will measure the DB level in your coach. I use Decibel 10th. I added a lot more sound proofing on my dog house and it made a big difference in sound and heat. Mine is a 30.2 but I believe yours would be the same up front.

[Mousemate]

Funny you talk about engine noise .
I just brought this up to a salesman at camping world last week when I was looking at new ace 29.4....just looking....

I told him I had a 29.3 and he ask me if it was noisy, I told him yes, but also told him that fleetwood offers a upgrade to soundproof the front cab....

He told me that was one of the biggest complaints of new buyers had...
and that he has had to have them drive multiple units to prove that it's all of then.
He said that would be a great option Thor could do...

Fleetwood does a lizard skin coating...

I myself was looking at spray foaming parts of the cab and sound proofing others.

I also tend to stay of the gas up hills and take it a lot slower .....