6.8 Ford Triton V10 Specs: Motorhome Reliability

Are you looking to power an RV or tow a trailer and want to know if your 6.8 Ford Triton is up to the mark? Perhaps you have recently upgraded to a V10 engine and want to know how your vehicle will now perform?

Or maybe you are curious and want to know more? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!

When it comes to towing trailers or powering an RV, you want to know that your engine is up to the job. You want an engine that can run for thousands and thousands of miles without any trouble.

You want one that has incredible horsepower and torque to power you through the steep inclines and rougher terrain. 

And the V10 engine claims to do all of this with a horsepower of 362 and 457-foot pounds of torque. But is it the right choice for you? And what does any of this mean?

The world of engines can be a confusing one to navigate and leaves many of us overwhelmed and in need of a lie-down. 

Well, no more! Today we are here to walk you through the specs of the Ford V10 engine to help you learn more about its performance and see if it is the one for you. Just keep reading to find out more. 

How Much Does A V10 Engine Weigh?

Let’s get straight into it! A V10 engine weighs roughly 620lbs. There might be a discrepancy of a few pounds depending on the year it was produced, but this does not impact the performance of the engine. 

Considering the cast-iron block, most people assume that a V10 engine would weigh far more than it does. But the incorporation of the aluminum cylinder helps to keep it a little lighter. 

Despite this and the changing weights, the engine is still capable of delivering fantastic horsepower, RPMs, and torque when towing a heavy load. You also get insane durability thanks to the cast-iron block.

You won’t need to worry about replacing the engine any time soon, even if you frequently put it through its paces with a full trailer to haul! 

How Much Horsepower Does A V10 Engine Have?

Now, the horsepower (hp) that your engine can generate will vary depending on the year the engine was made. Initially, the earlier models of the V10 engine had 305 horsepower. While that is fine, it was later boosted to 310 in 2000 and stayed the same for five years. 

In 2005, the horsepower was boosted again to reach 362 hp until 2010. There are other versions of this engine too from 2000 to 2005 where the horsepower stayed at 310 hp before returning to 305 hp in 2014

To find out the horsepower that your engine has, you will need to know the year the engine was produced. You can usually find this information in your user manual.

You can also check the model of your truck or RV to find out what horsepower your Ford V10 engine will have. 

Whatever year it is, you can still expect decent horsepower that will come in handy when towing a trailer or powering your RV. 

Triton v10 Horsepower And Torque: Year By Year 

Ford triton HP

As we mentioned earlier, the amount of horsepower that your engine has will vary depending on the year the truck or RV was made and the version of the engine used.

Now, some versions have a higher horsepower than others, meaning that their power is slightly different.

To help you navigate this and narrow down the horsepower in your engine, let’s take a closer look at the triton v10 hp over the years. 

1999 

Let’s start at the beginning. 1999 was when the motor was first created and the 6.8 Ford Triton V10 had a horsepower of 305hp with 420-foot pounds of torque.

Compared to other models at this time, this was a huge upgrade in power, and one the market needed. 

2002 

In 2002, Ford gave the engine its third upgrade. Now, it has a horsepower of 310 and 425-foot pounds of work. At the same time, other motors on the market were upgraded to a horsepower of 250.

They were still trailing behind Ford’s engine, so if you wanted serious power, Ford was the obvious choice! 

2008 

Here we see a huge jump to a horsepower of 362 and 457-foot pounds of torque. This stayed as the standard for three years along with other models of Ford trucks and vans. People wanted powerful motors and Ford was listening!

Their competitors were also listening and upgraded their horsepower to 350, closing the gap between them and Ford’s V10. 

2014 

Ford added V10 engines to their F350 and 450 trucks, but the horsepower was lower than what we had seen in recent years. Now, it was back down to 305 and has stayed that way. 

However, there were cases where some RVs had the 362 horsepower version of the engine. It’s always worth checking the stats of the engine in the truck or RV before making your purchase to see how powerful it is. 

2015 

In 2015, the performance remained the same for the V10. The performance and power of a 2014 and 2015 model should be the same.

Although, generation 3 is the stronger motor compared to others that Ford created in this series. 

2018 

Here, there was a downgrade in horsepower for some RVs and trucks. The V10 engine installed had a horsepower of 320.

While that is still enough to power a Class A RV or tow a travel trailer, it was less power than we had previously seen. 

So why the change? Well, Ford changed their engine design to include a 3 valve system that had an independent cam in each cylinder.

Each cylinder also had two valve intakes and one exhaust valve to give the engine the power it needs. 

Ford V10 Bolt Torque 

Now that we have looked at the horsepower, let’s take a look at the bolt torque and its specs. Ford lists the bolt torque as 40 Nm and 30-foot pounds, meaning that you need to do a 90-degree turn twice.

If you are unable to or notice a fault, then you will need to replace the bolts with new ones. 

These bolts cannot be reused, unfortunately, so you will need to order some online, or take your truck or RV to a repair shop for them to carry out the work.

It’s best to double-check your owner’s manual too, as there are slight differences here depending on the year your truck or RV’s engine was made. 

If you do have any questions or queries, then it’s best to seek the help of a mechanic. They will be able to tell you what the motor needs or carry out the repairs for you if needed. Just remember that this will cost you! 

Ford 6.8 V10 Compression Specs 

The compression specs for this engine are slightly different depending on the year that it was made, so be sure to double-check your user manual to get an accurate answer. 

The 2011 V10 motor had a compression ratio of 9,06:1. Now, this ratio does vary as we mentioned, so be sure to check your user manual to find your compression ratio.

The motor used in many Class A RVs was different from the ones in Ford 350, 450, and Excursion trucks after 2004. 

From 1997 to 2004 the F250 – 450 and F53 Motorhome had the same engine, generating a horsepower of 305.

In this same time period, the F250 – 550 and F53 had a horsepower of 310 and likely the same compression ratio as 2005 – 2010 motors, even after they boosted 362 horsepower. 

The slight differences here show why it is vital that you check the ratio in your user manual. 

Ford V10 Oil Change 

When it comes to the amount of oil that your engine needs, there is some conflicting information out there.

Some sources suggest 6 quarts of 5w20, while others suggest 7 quarts of 5w20. So which figure should you believe? And how much oil should you use in your engine? 

Well, it’s best to check your owner’s manual and follow the instructions listed there. As engines have been updated and new oil products entered the market, the amount of oil needed has changed.

So to prevent running out of oil, or using the wrong type, stick to what your manual says. The last thing you want to do is to underfill or overfill the oil and cause any harm to your engine! 

ford 6.8 v10

Ford V10 RV Performance Upgrades

As we have said throughout the article, the V10 is no stranger to performance upgrades. Throughout its life, it has undergone changes to enhance its performance and we have seen it used as a reliable and durable engine.

But what are some of the performance upgrades that the engine has received?

Let’s take a look at the upgrades it has undergone to enhance the performance of the engine and address previous issues. 

  • 3 valves were added to each cylinder (1 exhaust and 2 intakes)
  • 90,000 mile spark plug maintenance when driving under normal conditions 
  • Coil on the plug ignition system 
  • Deep skirt engine block 
  • Electronic throttle control and sensors to replace the mechanical linkage 
  • Fail a safe cooling system that protects your motor while you find a repair shop. The 10 cylinder system will switch to a five-cylinder system allowing you to continue to move the vehicle. How far it will travel depends on the road conditions, temperature, and the weight of your load. 
  • Low friction internal components 
  • Silent chain cam to reduce harshness, noise, and vibration 
  • SOHC design to offer better valve control 

Ford V10 RV Mpg 

The V10 engine has different mpg due to the range of factors that can threaten its performance. Some people report a 9 ½ mpg on one tank when traveling at 65 mph while others a 10 ½ mpg when traveling at 60mph. 

The mpg changes when towing a car too. When the same RV as earlier towed a car, they saw their mpg drop to 9 and 8 ½!

Other drivers saw a far lower performance of 6 1.2 or 7 mpg when towing a Cherokee, and 8 or 9 mpg when they weren’t towing anything. 

Overall, this seems to be the average for drivers in real road conditions. Now, some variables need to be considered of course.

Things like the state of the road, the load you are towing, wind resistance, the speed of the road, and the weight of your RV. 

As these factors can vary from state to state and road to road, it’s hard to give one answer that will apply to everyone. However, you can expect to see lower mpg when your RV is driving in poorer conditions with heavier loads.

If your RV is lighter and driving in perfect conditions, then you can expect a higher mpg. 

Any Issues With The V10?

Now, although the V10 engine is a powerful and reliable motor, it isn’t without its faults. It can reach and exceed 297,000 miles before needing a service, but it’s not a happy ending for everyone. So what can go wrong with it?

Well, let’s take a look at some common faults you can experience with the V10 engine. 

Launching Spark Plugs 

Spark plugs can get loose and the engine can spit them through the cylinder head, stripping the head as they go! This can cause some damage to your engine and leave you with some expensive repairs.

Thankfully, you can avoid this by regularly checking your spark plugs and re-torquing them when they feel loose. 

It’s worth noting that re-tapping the threads can take some time, so you might want to dedicate an afternoon to checking your plugs and carrying out any necessary maintenance. 

Engine Misfire 

While the coil design on this engine is innovative, the design of the plugs can cause some issues and leave you exposed to moisture. This is more commonly seen with the plugs next to the engine firewall.

If your engine is misfiring you will see an error code from P301 to P310, and the last two digits will show you which coil is misfiring. This makes it easy to identify the root of the trouble and you can replace the misfiring coil. 

Manifold Studs Rust And Break 

It is a known fact that the factory studs used are prone to rust. When they rust, they cause an exhaust leak, which no one wants! In this case, it is best to take the truck or RV to a mechanic to have them carry out the repairs.

You will want a professional to complete the welding here so that you know it is done correctly, and to avoid any further issues.

Oil Leaks 

Sometimes oil can leak on the driver’s side of the motor. This happens when the seal between the engine block and the oil cooler adapter fails.

You can have this repaired by a mechanic or you can do this yourself if you have an understanding of the engine and its oil storage system. 

It Takes A Lot Of Oil 

Speaking of oil, it is worth noting that this motor takes a lot of oil! It can consume a quart of oil between changes, meaning it burns through oil pretty quickly!

We recommend checking your oil regularly to avoid any issues should you run your truck or RV with little or no oil. 

Additional Ford v10 Engine Specs 

Let’s take a look at some final specs before you leave today so that you know everything about the V10 engine! 

  • Engine – Ford 6.8L, Modular V10 
  • Block material – cast iron 
  • Bore x Stroke – 3.552” (90.2mm) 
  • Configuration – 90” V10 
  • Compression ratio – 9.2:1 
  • Cylinder head material – aluminum 
  • Displacement – 413 cid, 6.8 liters 
  • Firing order – 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9 
  • Fuel needed – 87 octane unleaded gas 
  • Stroke – 4.165” (105.8mm) 
  • Valvetrain – SOHC 20 and 30 valves, hydraulic lifters 

Ford V10 Reliability In Motorhomes

The Ford V10 engine has been a popular choice for motorhomes due to its impressive power and fuel efficiency. A major selling point of the Ford V10 is its reliability when used in motorhomes.

Ford V10 specs like the 6.8L gasoline-powered engine can handle long trips with ease, while also providing excellent performance on the open road.

The Ford V10 was first introduced in 1997 and has since become a trusted choice for motorhome owners. The engine is designed with durability in mind and can easily handle the high stress of towing heavy loads over long distances. With its robust design, the Ford V10 is capable of handling both hilly terrains and flatlands with ease.

In addition to its reliable performance, the Ford V10 is also known for its fuel efficiency. The engine was designed to deliver maximum power without consuming large amounts of gas, making it an ideal choice for motorhome owners looking to save money on fuel costs.

On average, a motorhome outfitted with the Ford V10 can achieve up to 11 miles per gallon, making it one of the most fuel-efficient engines available.

Finally, the Ford V10 is easy to maintain and service. The engine has few moving parts which makes it simple and straightforward to keep in good condition. Furthermore, regular maintenance intervals are relatively short thanks to its robust design and construction.

Are There Any Ford V10 Years To Avoid?

The Ford V10 engine is known for its reliability and performance, but there are some years that have been noted to have issues.

Specifically, models produced in 2004-2006 often encountered problems related to the crankshaft which can lead to a decrease in performance and fuel efficiency.

If you’re considering purchasing a motorhome with the Ford V10, it’s important to make sure the engine is from prior to 2004 or later than 2006.

Final Thoughts 

And there you have it, everything you need to know about the 6.8 Ford V10 engine. Whether you are driving an RV or towing a heavy trailer, you will have the durability and power of the engine to enjoy a smooth driving experience.

And while it has some issues, most can be repaired easily, allowing you to drive for thousands of miles without any issues. Why not test it out today and see for yourself? 

Madeline Cooper