Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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JamesBr wrote:I am just wondering how many of you need access to the front of the engine to perform maintinence. I have a rear rad and the only item I can think of that requires access near the radiator is the drive belt. All the fluids level checks are right there and from under the coach I can get to all of the filters with nothing more then a creeper. So what other shade tree maintinence do you need direct front access to the motor for?
Dont know about others but on mine its..
1) Check and or add coolant
2) Check engine oil
3) Check and or replace tranny fluid
4) Location to add or replace engine oil
5) Check or replace HYD fuild ( for radiator fan and my power steering
6) Check or replace "fan belts" ( qty 2)
Unfortunately engine oil filter must be changed from underneath, but fuel filters ( qty 2) and air filter are changed from a side compartment while sitting down.
Which one ( or more ) of these "shade tree" maintainence items DONT you do???
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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UltraKen
Ohio
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Probably not the way you spelled it.
UltraKen
Ex -1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Cat 300 - Model 3530
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jmanatee
Willington, CT
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Joined: 04/27/2004
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Sully2 wrote:JamesBr wrote:I am just wondering how many of you need access to the front of the engine to perform maintinence. I have a rear rad and the only item I can think of that requires access near the radiator is the drive belt. All the fluids level checks are right there and from under the coach I can get to all of the filters with nothing more then a creeper. So what other shade tree maintinence do you need direct front access to the motor for?
Dont know about others but on mine its..
1) Check and or add coolant
2) Check engine oil
3) Check and or replace tranny fluid
4) Location to add or replace engine oil
5) Check or replace HYD fuild ( for radiator fan and my power steering
6) Check or replace "fan belts" ( qty 2)
Unfortunately engine oil filter must be changed from underneath, but fuel filters ( qty 2) and air filter are changed from a side compartment while sitting down.
Which one ( or more ) of these "shade tree" maintainence items DONT you do???
I have a rear radiator coach (stacked charge cooler / radiator design). On both sides of my radiator grate (rear of coach) I have two access doors.
From the left door I can:
check / fill my radiator
from the right door I can:
check / fill the oil
check / fill tranny fluid
check / fill power steering fluid
check air filter restriction indicator.
I dont have to worry about hydraulic fluid for a fan.
The air conditioning condenser is on the side of the coach (where a side radiator would be), it is hinged with access behind it to gain access to:
Primary Fuel Filter and water drain.
Air Dryer
Hydraulic jacks reservoir
Behind that access is the rear compartment door, from there I can change the air filter.
I do have to climb under the coach for the oil filter, secondary fuel filter, and changing belts.
I do not see why I would need to open the inside access panel.
I do not see much difference between the two designs
Jon
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Gau 8
United States
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To the OP: Your logic doesn't hold water. True the rear radiator uses air from the engine compartment. However, the power required to turn the fan on a rear radiator is about half that required to turn a side radiator.
On both systems, the engine runs at the manufacturer's design specs for temp.
My DP with a read rad is my first RV period. In a perfect world, I would probably have a side radiator.
The only time I must access the engine from the inside is to do annual MX. It is not bad.
Changing the belts is much more difficult on a rear rad. That is the only really bad thing I can think of.
My rear rad MBE926 gets 10 to 11 MPG on flat ground. The "slobber tube" exits below the rad and emits little or nothing. My rad stay very clean.
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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Okay....I've read through five pages of this. Would I like a side radiator.....most definitely.....because it would come attached to a much more expensive motor home. Other than that, my rear radiator, 400HP ISL is a beast that climbs like crazy and runs cool all the time.
Jackjagt.....I could understand someone posting information about a product they bought or performance of their particular coach, but to come on here and make a bunch of blanket statements about radiators that are soooooo off base makes me laugh. I'm thinking your web name should be "Jack Daniels". 
Don & Mary
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins
2007 Dodge Dakota 4WD
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distaff
Alberta
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I'm guessing "Diplomat Don" owns one, but isn't one.
Paul
2006 Beaver Patriot Thunder
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I have the rear radiator and average 8.5 mpg. Never had a problem with the slubber tube since it was redirected already when I bought the coach new. But my next coach will have a side radiator. The only reason would be to access the engine easier to change belts. Other then that there is no other advantage of a side radiator. Plenty of disadvantages though? They do take up compartment space. It does take more power off the engine to run the hydraulic pumps, they do stir up a lot of dust and they are right behind the wheel where debri could damage the radiator. But I am still going to get one with a side radiator because of the changing of belts. I really don't believe economy will be that much different between the two.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2005 Honda Pilot EXL 4WD
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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RayChez wrote:I have the rear radiator and average 8.5 mpg. Never had a problem with the slubber tube since it was redirected already when I bought the coach new. But my next coach will have a side radiator. The only reason would be to access the engine easier to change belts. Other then that there is no other advantage of a side radiator. Plenty of disadvantages though? They do take up compartment space. It does take more power off the engine to run the hydraulic pumps, they do stir up a lot of dust and they are right behind the wheel where debri could damage the radiator. But I am still going to get one with a side radiator because of the changing of belts. I really don't believe economy will be that much different between the two.
Geez----how often do you change the belts on a DP???
Once every 10 years or 100,000 miles is what I do on my gas vehicles.
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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wolfe10
Texas
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RayChez wrote: It does take more power off the engine to run the hydraulic pumps...
Actually, most rear radiators have direct drive fans, so HP enough to spin the fan fast enough to keep the engine cool in 120 degree temps is being expended all the time.
Yes, there are some two speed fan clutches in use on a FEW rear radiator coaches.
The vast majority of side radiator coaches have a valve that controls fan speed (and therefore HP demand to turn the hydraulic pump). So it only takes max HP when max cooling is required. In cooler temperatures, it takes quite a lot less HP.
Bottom line, side radiators get better MPG than rear radiators everything else being equal.
I don't want to get into the debate, just want to keep the FACTS straight.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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wolfe10 wrote:RayChez wrote: It does take more power off the engine to run the hydraulic pumps...
Actually, most rear radiators have direct drive fans, so HP enough to spin the fan fast enough to keep the engine cool in 120 degree temps is being expended all the time.
Yes, there are some two speed fan clutches in use on a FEW rear radiator coaches.
As an owner of a gas MH, I find that interesting. Considering the overall cost of a diesel engine and drivetrain, I would have thought they all would be using some kind of a clutched fan.
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