Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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Joined: 01/06/2005
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I am looking for owners that have the above mentioned motor in their class A diesel pushers. Would like some feedback of the pros and cons of this engine in a 38 ft motorhome Thanks Ronnie
* This post was
edited 10/15/09 12:05pm by Nascarcruzin *
Ronnie & Rebecca
Check out our adventures:
Travel Journal Enter the password - 12345
2008 Alaskan adventure
2009 Northeast coast and Canadian Maritimes
1999 Holiday Rambler Imperial 40WDS
FMCA #388387
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william554
Minn U.S.A
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Joined: 04/02/2002
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What Mfg chassie and type of tran.Also i have the 275hp 5.9 isb cummins 6 speed allison.tow a 2008 jeep wrangler sahara.Works great for us, may not be the fastest up but i can hold 45mph on steep grades.
* This post was
edited 10/15/09 12:35pm by william554 *
Bill&Diane 2000 Chieftain 36DP
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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Yup, and what does it weigh? What will it weigh with your toad attached?
HP is interesting. HP/weight IS IMPORTANT.
Our coach only has 250 HP (Caterpillar 3116), but our coach weighs around 23,500 pounds loaded. And when we tow, it is a Ford Focus 2 dr. So we pass many 400 HP rigs on the grades.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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gmanatl
Hiram, GA
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Joined: 02/28/2007
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We had a 1999 Winnebago Chieftain DP with 5.9 Cummins 275 hp and 6 speed allison transmission. The coach was 36' and we towed a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had fair performance and excellent fuel mileage 10-11. We traded it in April on a 2008 Winnebago Tour with 400 ISL Cummins. The coach is a 40 footer and weighs considerably more than the Chieftain and we are getting low 9s on fuel usage. The big difference is the power, we have about twice the torque at 1200.
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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The motorhome I am looking at is a 99 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. Not sure what chassis or weight. It is 37 ft. What would the torque rating be? Ronnie (I will be towing a 1998 Saturn)
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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As Brett says, what is the weight. My 5.9 ISB, 260 HP is well matched to my 36' MH, 21,000 loaded pulling a 3,000 car. A 38' DP will no doubt weigh more and beyond that length you don't find any 5.9 engines. If the weight to HP ratio is similar to mine you should be all right. I have driven a 38' DP with a 5.9 and it was fine.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
Brake Buddy
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BigWinnie
Atlanta, GA
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Joined: 07/12/2005
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I have the 5.9 ISB 275 in a 36 Winnebago. Loaded and towing my total weight is around 24,000#. I find it performs quite well, even in hills. The steepest grade I normally tackle is Monteagle in TN, and I can hold 60mph.
I do not know how maintenance costs compare between Cummins and Cat, but I have found that _total_ repair costs on the Cummins are a lot higher than they were on my old workhorse chassis with a 454.
1998 Winnebago Chieftain
Cummins 275 Turbo
2003 Honda Odyssey - 4 down
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SS Slacker
Lino Lakes, MN
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Before we bought ours I looked at and drove a 99 HR Endeavor with one large slide. It also had the 275 ISB. I believe the torque is 550 for that year ISB 275, however all the Endeavors I looked at during those years had the 6-speed 3000 series Allison. That would also allow you to upgrade the HP and Torque if wanted. When we were looking for a motorhome I specifically was targeting the ISB for ease and lower cost of maintanance, and based on my type of usage that is all the engine I needed. I ended up with the 300HP "low torque" (600 as normal torque for the 300hp is 660) ISB with the 5-speed 2000mh allison. For my 36'RV with two slides, it has plenty of power for me. In fact the engine is one of the things I like best about my RV.
Dan & Tracy
2 kids ages 6 and 8
2003 HR Neptune 36PBD
300 ISB Cummins/5-Speed
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CyberVet65
Cedar City, Utah
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I recently (April) purchased my 99 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a 5.9 ISB. The drive train only had 12,000 mile on the clock. I took it in to be serviced and had the coolant flushed and replaced, new oil and filters. Same for the trans (Allison 6 speed). I replaced the turbo because of a seal leak and same for the compressor. The we took off for the summer.
I do not tow, yet.
We did 7,000 miles across the country and did not have a single problem. No overheating or anything else. We were home for a month and took off again for 3,000 miles to the coast of California and Oregon. Again no problems.
I have been RVing for a long time and a little preventitive maintenance goes a long way. I think the engine will last a long time. I don't push it past the design limits. Even though I have considered a "chip". Maybe after I get a tow.
Chet
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Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
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Joined: 08/17/2006
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The Torque for that motor is most likely 605 feet lbs. I think that in the 25,000 lb Weight class you are OK. If over that consider more motor. At 22,500 lbs loaded we do real well with ours. We are getting 11.4 over the last 4000 miles. (after an exaust manafold change)
93 Airstream 35' Dp
5.9 230 uprated to 300 HP
Allison MD 3060
Dutchess and Shadow (fur Bearing Children)
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