Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Motorcoach & Motorhome > Class C and Super C Motorhomes
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-24-2020, 02:28 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum kw29
State: Tennessee
Posts: 28
THOR #20213
new Ford 7.3 in Class C

Hi, we are looking to buy a 2021 Class C with the 7.3 eng. any throughts? It will be in a 30 to 33 foot unit, rated to tow 7500 lbs, BUT i know not to tow that much, and what about your real MPGs, with and with out towing?
Thanks for your help, take care...

__________________
tugboat911 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 05:07 PM   #2
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
Too many problems with the 7.3 in other vehicles right now. I would not go near it for at least another year.
__________________
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 05:09 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,762
THOR #13932
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
Too many problems with the 7.3 in other vehicles right now. I would not go near it for at least another year.
I did a perfunctory search last week when someone said this.
I didn't in two or three minutes find anything about problems.

Do we have a link?

I'm not sure problems matter much if it's your only choice for a new purchase.
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 05:32 PM   #4
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
Too many problems with the 7.3 in other vehicles right now. I would not go near it for at least another year.
What are they seeing?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 05:48 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Travelin' Texans's Avatar
 
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
The mileage can't be much worse than the V10!! Depending on the transmission & gearing it may get better.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
Travelin' Texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 05:53 PM   #6
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
I agree: I got as low as 5 mpg , and as high as 9 mpg with the 6.8.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 06:28 PM   #7
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29D
State: Maryland
Posts: 79
THOR #19558
We have the 7.3 in our new Freedom Elite and so far no issues at all. Mileage out to WY and back was around 10.4 or so (using a/c) and cruising at 65 mph.
__________________
John and Carol and Daisy the Wonder Dog
US Army Retired
2024 ACE 29D, the "RITA V"
2009 SmartCar Toad,the "SMT L80"
Johnandcarols is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 06:30 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans View Post
The mileage can't be much worse than the V10!! Depending on the transmission & gearing it may get better.

Based on Tugboat911 looking for 30~33 foot Class C, that would make it an E-450; and Ford specs show the same 6R140 transmission and same 4.56 final gears. Originally Ford claimed some fuel economy improvement, but I seriously doubt it’s significant enough to worry about.

The new 7.3L V8 engine does have higher compression ratio which should help, and it “may” be able to run a little leaner also (I don’t know but it’s possible), but other factors like driving speed will likely make a larger difference. I’d bet it remains in the +/- 8 MPG range like so many large Class As.

I have not heard of any issues with new engine.


P.S. — I assume Tugboat911 is looking at standard Class Cs and not Super Cs that are based on Ford F-550 (most of those are longer than 33-ft anyway). I haven’t seen any yet but expect manufacturers may build gasoline F-550 or F-600 at some point in time.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 06:37 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnandcarols View Post
We have the 7.3 in our new Freedom Elite and so far no issues at all. Mileage out to WY and back was around 10.4 or so (using a/c) and cruising at 65 mph.

That’s excellent.


Specs show it’s on E-350 chassis, is that correct?

I ask because E-350 is available with 4.10 final gearing, which should help with fuel economy a little compared to same motorhome with 4.56 gears.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 07:58 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
RACarvalho's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34R
State: Indiana
Posts: 609
THOR #19887
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnandcarols View Post
We have the 7.3 in our new Freedom Elite and so far no issues at all. Mileage out to WY and back was around 10.4 or so (using a/c) and cruising at 65 mph.
We have not put too many miles on it yet but we are seeing 9.5mpg @ 60mph with gen and two acs on w/o towing.
RACarvalho is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 08:14 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by RACarvalho View Post
We have not put too many miles on it yet but we are seeing 9.5mpg @ 60mph with gen and two acs on w/o towing.

That also sounds better than the V10 for a large Class A.

Two A/Cs powered by larger generator can burn a lot of fuel.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2020, 10:53 PM   #12
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
Plug and coil wires with no replacements in stock nationwide. Delivery dates of the end of September. I am a Ford fan but they really blew it on this roll out.

Check the Jayco forum and enjoy the reading.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ues-78912.html
__________________
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 12:07 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
It was interesting reading that thread. It sounds like most posters agree the engine is great so far, except for the plug wires which are in short supply due to Covid manufacturing delays.

No doubt wire quality should have been better — PERIOD. No excuse for defective wires.

However, if a person had to choose between a newer V8 engine that may need a few wires replaced, or go with a V10 engine over 20 years old in design which may be perfect for what it is but will remain the older V10 for ever, I’m not sure I’d exclude the new V8 to avoid possible wire replacement.

I guess it comes down to what’s more important to each of us.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 01:43 AM   #14
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
It was interesting reading that thread. It sounds like most posters agree the engine is great so far, except for the plug wires which are in short supply due to Covid manufacturing delays.

No doubt wire quality should have been better — PERIOD. No excuse for defective wires.

However, if a person had to choose between a newer V8 engine that may need a few wires replaced, or go with a V10 engine over 20 years old in design which may be perfect for what it is but will remain the older V10 for ever, I’m not sure I’d exclude the new V8 to avoid possible wire replacement.

I guess it comes down to what’s more important to each of us.
No problem is someone is willing to take the risk of a motor home sitting idle for weeks while waiting for wires.

That V10 may be old in design but it is a proven workhorse.
__________________
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 02:50 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Damon Daybreak
State: New Mexico
Posts: 359
THOR #19133
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ine-78354.html

Also this thread.
__________________
HarryS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 11:37 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chatea 31E
State: Maryland
Posts: 453
THOR #5837
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post

That V10 may be old in design but it is a proven workhorse.

Yes, the V10 is known for being pretty bulletproof, running reliably for many years and many miles. Time will tell if the new V8 is as durable and reliable.


My 2018 V10 has had a couple of peripheral issues. I just had a catalytic converter replaced after only 45K miles, which was surprising. It has also had the evaporative emissions purge valve replaced twice.
__________________
jabrabu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 11:43 AM   #17
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
There are some known issues with the V10:
  • Early ones were known to spit out sparkplugs
  • Many of the Triton engines also commonly break exhaust mainifold bolts

The V10 in our Axis is our 3rd V10. The first one was in an F250 and I traded it in on an F350. When I did, the F250 had 138,000 miles on it. The F350's V10 broke several exhaust manifold bolts after about 50,000 miles. When I traded that in on the Axis it had over 70,000 miles on it.
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 01:59 PM   #18
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
The V-10 has a proven and admirable track record.
Let's hope that the new V-8 proves to be a worthy successor.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 02:36 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 887
THOR #5313
Wow! Leaving an RV sit over plug wires. Is there something unique about them? I have plug wires stored in back bin. Some are made up and some are unfinished. I always keep more recent set removed from drag car because never know when new set has issues.
__________________
Muggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2020, 02:45 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
No problem is someone is willing to take the risk of a motor home sitting idle for weeks while waiting for wires.

That V10 may be old in design but it is a proven workhorse.

That’s a great analogy, as in a farm horse used to plow the fields. Strong and reliable, but not what you’d enjoy riding for pleasure.

I’m on second V10 and it’s a few miles short of 204,000 miles, so I’m not complaining. However, as I’ve stated before in other threads, just because it’s reliable doesn’t mean a gasoline engine can’t be improved significantly.

The problem I have with V10 has nothing to do with reliability. I don’t like the noise level, the vibration of a 90-degree V10, or overall lack of refinement.

A large V8 has the potential to be better than V10, and I trust that Ford engineering wouldn’t design and build an inferior engine as a replacement. Granted, they were driven (no pun intended) in large part to build a more cost effective engine, and they probably succeeded; not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with building a cheaper engine, particularly if accomplished through simplicity.

The new 7.3L V8 is inherently better balanced, it’s smaller, lighter, has fewer moving parts, and was designed from ground up as a heavy-duty truck engine. Yeah, it may turn out to be less durable, but it may be even better and with fewer compromises.

The only real hesitation I’d have buying a 7.3L V8 at this point is that it may be too large to maximize fuel economy when installed in smaller motorhomes. And that’s not a big fuel cost penalty anyway.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 07:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2