We are looking into a class C due to all the available beds. Currently we are looking at 27-31 foot models with either the 460 Fuel injected or the Triton v10. We plan on towing a double axle car trailer with a sandrail and possible a quad or bike. The rail will weigh around 1800. So far we have found low mileage 460's less than 50K and higher mileage v10's (100K). If you have ever towed with one of these motors plaes let me know your opinion. Any pros and cons to either motor? One of my concerns is the pulling the grade going back to San Diego. Whatever I buy I will install a aftermarket transmission cooler with its own dedicated fan.

I have a 1997 Class A 34' bounder with a 460 in it. Mine has a Banks kit installed ( headers, bigger exhaust, air intake and some other stuff). I have pulled both a 4500lb boat and a buggy/ trailer that probalby weighed in around 2200. It does alright but you have to remember that you are pushing a lot of weight. I was told that the Banks kit on a 460 makes the power similar to a V10. A friend of mine that has 30' Class A with a 460 drove mine and commented on how mine has a lot more power than his. I have bought an Enclosed 24' Car trailer so it will be interesting on how well it pulls it?? Good luck with the hunt. You might also look at the Chevy powered ones i have heard that the pull great.

http://www.bankspower.com/products/show/139/46

Good luck with you hunt!

I have a 31' Class C (E-450) with the V10. I used to tow a 22' Enclosed with a Rail and 2-3 quads in it. I now tow the same trailer with a Jeep and 1 quad. I live in East County and do the grades all the time. It does fine. On a few hills I'd slow down to about 40mph but, that was about it. Of course this is with nobody slowing me down while I am climbing. It's all stock except for the hitch being beefed up for the weight. I have no heating issues or anything and feel like it has plenty of power for what I'm hauling.

I have a buddy who has a smaller (25-27'?) Class C with a V10 (the 2-valve with 4 speed trans) towing a buggy on a Carson flatbed. Even all loaded up for a long week, he never gets below 45mph on the 8 without having to rag on it (says he doesn't like to floor it unless he has to).

Get a 3-valve if you can (probably 2005 or newer), more power and a better trans.

I have a 31' Class C with a V-10. We tow the grade every time. I currently tow a 14' trailer and the motorhome really doesn't even feel it. I usually go about 45-50, but I am not pushing it, just cruising.

in my opinion look for a chevy (unless your a die hard ford guy) i used to have a 97 class c w/ 454 and did that thing run great! there was just no stopping it. way i repeat waay over loaded, used to tow a 32' enclosed that had to be well over 10k loaded w/ buggy, samurai, firewood, tools, fuel and water. if we ran 80-85 all the way to the dunes would only get about 5 mpg, but at 65 we would get 10 or so.
i have had a v10 in a p/u and would never do that again. buddies have had v10's in motorhomes and hated it. i know everybody thinks "oh wow a v10" but really its like 415 cubic inches?
cant believe i dont have any pics of the old girl all by herself, so please just ignore the silly lookin car Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
in short if your a ford guy look for a 460, if you dont care then look for the chevy. it took us a while to find, but they are out there

Thanks for all of the replys. I own a few chevys and one ford. And they all are pretty good. Each have their strong points and weak points. On the chevy chassis I had heard that there were some strength issues in the overhang part of the chassis? Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the 454 vortec. I will have to do some more research on that one. Our price range is only 10-12K, We have 4 kids and two adults so sleeping arrangment is important. Thanks for all of the advice and tips, please keeep them coming.

what ever you do on any gas engine MOHO put a full exhaust on it. You will have no issues with either one with full exhaust. My last MoHo was 36ft class A with slide and a 460. Once I put the full exhaust on I had no problems. I towed a enclosed trailer with buggy and toy. around 6000lbs.

Exhaust make that much of a difference? Cat back or muffler back?

Probably headers as well. My father-in-law noticed a pretty significant difference in power with his old F250 (460) when he threw some Thorleys and a catback on it.

If you are still looking, make sure you get a 2000 or newer if you do get a v-10. Search the internet on the v-10 problems with pushing out spark plugs. I have a 97 1 ton and it spit out a plug at 110,000 miles. They wanted 3k to replace the head and 5500.00 for a reman motor. I went with the reman motor. They have fixed the problem since. Just not enough threads to hold the plugs in the alum head.

Had a 29' class c with the 460. Towed very well up that grade. Mostly pulled a 3k-4k lb load. Also towed a jeep. No problems. The 460 has plenty of low end torque, but the v10 is makes its power at a higher rpm. Both will tow well. Definetely get the trans cooler.

I'm sure that either one will pull the load but what does the GCWR sticker say? There's more to safely hauling that trailer with a motorhome than just power. How about stopping going downhill? I had to go to the International Class 6 chassis with a diesel to get a weight rating that was worth anything. Even the Kodiak (class 5) won't legally haul what you're looking for. Just be aware for your family's sake.