Cloud Dancer wrote: I can tell you about mine. Today, I am replacing the serpentine and the dash a/c belts. If I have the wrenches and belts in my hand, I can walk up to the rear cap, flip open the rear hatch, and change the belts in 15 minutes, or less. Plus, I can see the and touch everything on top and sides of the engine (Cummins ISC 350).
I'll attempt to post a suitable photo, or two, so you can see what I mean. Will someone post the same on a rear-radiator unit.
I'm guessing there's no comparison.
BTW I had no problem finding the serpentine, in stock at Cummins and at NAPA, right here in the city. The a/c belt DENSO 90871-12005, THAT'S a different story,...still looking.
Took me less than 15 min. total to replace both belts on our DSDP and some of that was finding the right wrench. Didn't have to go through the bedroom floor or lay on the engine either.
As a person who has owned 1 rear radiator pusher motorhome, and 3 side radiator pusher motorhomes, I have been following this thread with a great deal of interest. Personally I prefer the side radiator strictly because of access to the engine. Over the years I have replaced serpentine belts, an alternator, and had a dealer replace a water pump. All of these jobs would have been much harder had I a rear radiator.
In addition, CAT used to suggest a valve adjustment at 10,000 miles. The CAT dealer who did mine said that they normally took twice the time to adjust the valves on a rear radiator motorhome if it had a side facing bed. That normally adds about $300 to the cost of the job!
Having said all that, I notice that the side radiator motorhomes are getting more and more expensive, so IF I get another diesel pusher, it will probably be another rear radiator just because I can't afford my preferred side radiator.
Ed Headington
2005 Revolution LE
2004 Tracker toad
I've been asked more than once when I take it in for maintenance, is it side radiator or rear radiator. They seem happier with side radiators and I've asked "why they ask." I've been told they schedule rear radiators differently. For all the reasons mentioned here, it's just more difficult to work on rear radiator equipped RV's. I took my RV in recently to have the AC compressor replaced and the system flushed. This particular shop didn't want to work on it from the top, but seemed quite happy to open those doors on the back. The work was completed without removing the floor in the bedroom either. (they could easily reach it from the back)
I have a rear radiator in my 1982 Newell, which has a 6V92 Detroit Diesel. I have side access to both sides of the engine....cavernous access. The only thing I cannot access would be the mechanical water pump, which on the backside of the motor, otherwise ALL is accessible from either side, or underneath. So, I guess the issue really comes down to what you have, and what kind of access one has, whether from each side, or the rear. In addition, I am able to clean the radiator just fine. Just completed a 1600+ mile trip and averaged over 10mpg.
The reason maunufacturers have switched to Rear Radiator setups is because it's cheaper for them (and more expensive and inconvenient for us). After a while the blow-by oil will decrease the efficiency of the radiator. Cleaning doesn't get all the gunk on the engine side. If you haven't cleaned the rad regularly, your MPG could lower than you think.
Life's a Trip!
Greyhead & a cute Brunette
07 Safari Cheetah 36PPD
02 red VW Jetta TDI toad
FMCA F226315,
Ontario OverLanders
Michigan Knights
Skype "merrieyacht'
What are you talking about...The rear radiators on mid size coaches do just fine the way they were engineered. Not all coaches need side radiators. I have a B5.9 cummins and it cools just fine in most, if not all conditions, as long as you keep it clean. (It must be very lonley out there in never never land).
I can't comment one way or the other regarding rear vs side radiators and fuel economy, but I can say that whatever the difference, it pales in comparison to such factors as weight, speed, and driving style.
I'll preface this by saying I have a rear radiator... it will be the last one! I don't care about the minimal mileage difference, I don't mind cleaning the radiator once or twice per year (you should do this regardless) - but maintenance is a headache. I perform almost all maintenance from oil changes to a recent waste gate valve replacement - so it's typically not a problem, but I have taken it in before for things I couldn't be bothered with and some have flat-out said they won't work on rear radiator units anymore. One large, reputable facility said it's just more trouble than it's worth - they get the bedroom dirty, customers complain, techs get hurt crawling through closets, etc.
I have a rear mounted and was wondering about adding a clutch fan to it. It seems that all the HP used to run a fan that isn't always needed seems dumb. On the other hand anyone with a clutch fan, does it ever really stop once the engine is hot? I wonder if it's worth a bunch of money to get one only to find out the fan really needs to run most of the time anyhow.
Joe & Paca
Gainesville, FL
08 Safari Simba RD 37PDQ 06 CAT C7 330hp
07 Honda VTX 1300R loaded in the dinghy
05 Mazda B2300 dinghy
Offline
