Lmcneil
Fresno, Ca
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Joined: 08/14/2008
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I am looking at (for possible purchase) a 1999 Southwind 36T motorhome with the Ford V10. The motor seems underpowered and pretty noisy. It seems to labor at the slightest grade, which makes me wonder about the fuel mileage. It only has 4700 miles on it. I've read that the 1999 has 275 HP and the 2000 went up to 310. Is this true? What can I expect from the 99?
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Joined: 09/24/2007
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They had many transmission problems, that problem going up hills may be the transmission slipping. They sold for $1500 dollars less, from factory, than the Chevy Chassis, and that's why many are out there. The Chevy vortec with the overdrive Transmission is the way to go. It has the 290 HP 454 multi port injection, with dual converters. Front engine motorhomes are all noisy, rear engines are mostly diesels and some gasoline units after 2006. The tires have to be replaced after 6 years so if you right down the codes on the tires and they are 6 years or older they have to be replaced no matter what they look like. That's about $2500. The roof may also need to be coated or replace at 10 years old.
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rvtommy
blooming prairie minnesota
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Joined: 07/15/2004
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We have 2001 V-10 on a 36ft. motor home and yes it really sucks!!! We could fix it with the banks system for 4000 dollars but we really only drive 3000 miles a year and the mountain climbs we do are few will put up with it!!! We have diven the new V-10 is 364hp. my my it does fly right by me!!! good luck rvtommy
this is rvtommy
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Kanata
Ottawa, Ontario
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Joined: 09/23/2006
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I have the 1999 southwind 32V, with the F53 chassis and the Ford V10. I have no problems with the engine and can easily due 75 MPH if I want to. It is not noisy and has adequate power to climb I77 at Fancy Gap. It maybe that your weight is over the limit for this engine.
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Gsmitty77
San Diego
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Joined: 10/09/2006
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Lots of considerations on this.
If you can negotiate this down to a good price, adding the Banks and Transcommand does make a difference. The V-10 is a high RPM engine, will run all day at 4500 RPM if needed. The smaller Bounder we have, was quite loud at these RPM's. Helped substantially by adding dog house matting.
The transmissions are the weak link in the power train, but one rebuild with a better quality torque converters, usually set you up for the long haul.
If the coach is clean, well maintained, you like the layout - and can get the price down low enough to rebaseline the RV with Banks and budget for a good rebuild Auto - you could have a solid coach.
I think this is the first year of the wide body, so that does set it apart from the earlier units.
All that being said, many, many good RV's for sale now. Take your time, and get what you want. Ford vs Chevy always come up - but good and bad points with both...
Best of luck,
Smitty
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mtrumpet
Hamburg, NY
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Joined: 07/08/2005
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I have the same engine in mine. No problems. However, my rig is on the lighter side compared to most others - only 32 ft (actual measurement), no slides. My loaded-for-travel weight is 8 tons (just weighed last weekend). I now pull my 4400lb Dodge Dakota around with it. That brings me up to to a hair over 10 tons GCW. I do know that it's back there and I'm not going to be winning any uphill races when pulling it, but overall plenty of power to get the job done. I doubt that I'd want to pull the Dakota around all day in mountainous regions with it though.
In my opinion, a 36 footer may be a little much for the 275 V-10.
mtrumpet
2000 Southwind Storm 30H
Ford Triton V10 6.8L
F53 Chassis
Davis Tru-Trac
Henderson Rear Trac Bar
Carquest/Moog Steering Damper
Monroe RV Gas Magnums
Goodyear G670 RV's
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Houndog101
Fallston Md.
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Joined: 07/11/2005
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Lmcneil wrote:I am looking at (for possible purchase) a 1999 Southwind 36T motorhome with the Ford V10. The motor seems underpowered and pretty noisy. It seems to labor at the slightest grade, which makes me wonder about the fuel mileage. It only has 4700 miles on it. I've read that the 1999 has 275 HP and the 2000 went up to 310. Is this true? What can I expect from the 99?
Why would you even consider something that your disatisified with from the getgo ??? Look for something else...
98 Pace Arrow Vision,F53, 37', 2 slides, Gibson, TransCommand
Breed, raise, show Bloodhounds
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Deputy Chief P.O.
Linden, California
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Joined: 07/31/2006
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We have a Southwind 1999 36Z. No mechanical problems with the engine what so ever so far and have 45,000 miles on it. We took a trip last January to Mexico (2400 miles round trip) and had no trouble. We got 8 miles to the gallon.
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Surfingfool
California
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Joined: 08/15/2007
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I have a 1999 Pace Arrow Vision 36B with V10 and 2 slides. No problems running up hills without a toad. Adding 4k lbs toad it slows down, but still gets you there. Same chasis as mine and it is stable in cross winds and when passing or being passed by semi's. I was on a budget, so this was the best I could do. Will see about 7 mpg with toad at around 60 - 62 mph freeway driving.
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newxmar
East Otis, MA
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Joined: 02/04/2004
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Had a 1999 32H Bounder with this new (then) Ford v-10 engine. Ran it 85,000 happy miles towing a light car.
Yes, as all front engine coaches it was noisy and we didn't "fly" up the hills, but it went thru 49 states in a fine manner. We had a fun time with it.
(Remember that it is a house on a truck and it does not behave like a car.)
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