Clive24332150
Victoria, British Columbia
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Hi Guys
We are just starting to look around for a good used Class 'A'. One of the units is a 2003, 38ft Dutch Star with the Cummins 300hp engine. I was told that this engine is not strong enough for this M/Home. Especially for full time usage. Is this true? and should I look for a bigger engine or is this Bull?
Cheers
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jwmII
out west
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Is it the Cummins B series engine? If so it is an excellent engine for lighter vehicles and applications such as the Dodge Pickup.
Compared to other Cummins engines that are available the B is a little light on torque.
There are those that will swear by this engine for their large coach. Do your homework and make your decision.
jwmII
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v8q
Oviedo, FL
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That hp in an 03 would have to be a B series. An ISC would be a 330 or 350. I would say thats a bit small. If it were an 8.3 it would be ok...
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ROwen
British Columbia, Canada
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There are many factors involved in this question, but I like the general rule of keeping the load per HP in the 90-100 lbs range. Closer to 90 is better. The load should be the gross load including tow vehicle.
In your case, the GCWR would have to be between 27,000 and 30,000 lbs. to make this work.
I know that there are many, many MH's on the road happily outside of these parameters - I just like to have the power there when it's needed.
From my experience, not full-timing, but using the MH for months at a time, you will load it up to max when full-timing.
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flhtci-rider
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At least make sure you have a 6 speed and not a 5 speed tranni. Had a HR Neptune with a 5 speed and found it reved on the high side. It was a great engine but for myself I felt it was underpowered. If you can find a unit with an ISL (400) you will be much happier
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Should be the ISC, in 2000 we could have gotten the ISC 325/Spartan as an option over the Freightliner 3126 300/860. In 2002 the Spartan had the 350/1050.
I don't thenk they used the ISB anywhere in that time frame in the DSDP. In some of the cheaper units they did use the ISB, just not in the Dutch Star. I don't think they used the 5 speed either, even our 2000 with CAT 300 had the 6 speed trans. Again, in some of the cheaper models they did go with the smaller trans as I remember.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
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dadkids
Virginia
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I have a 5.9 ISB engine and am pretty happy. I tow a open trailer with 5 atv's or a escalade on a car hauler and have no problems with power. It does slow down to maybe 35 on steep grades like Sandstone Mountain in WV but other than that I am happy. I have the 5 speed tranny and get around 8.5 mpg running 65 mph average.
Just my .02 cents from personal experience.
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Torque pounds for a 300 is 660# not bad for flat landers.
My 370 is 1200 torque pounds and I have been where I would of liked more. Never hear to many complain about to much HP/torque !
DeWayne & Judy
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Norm Payne
Livingston, TX
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Clive24332150 wrote:One of the units is a 2003, 38ft Dutch Star with the Cummins 300hp engine.
The 2003 Dutch Star did not come with a 300 horsepower engine. If it is a Cummins ISC it will be either 330 or 350 hp with either 950 or 1050 ft lbs torque and if its a CAT it will have 330 hp.
Look at that Dutch Star again and there will be a sticker on the wall behind the drivers seat. It gives information on the chassis, engine, transmission, tires, axles, etc.
Norm
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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I've got to ask what fulltiming has to do with horsepower?
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