I am buying a Diesel Pusher and have questions

[daytripper63]

I am getting ready to buy a 38ft Diesel pusher and have a few questions for those of you that may already have one and things to beware of or things you would or wouldn't do again.

I found a beutiful coach loaded but it only had a 300hp 5. 9 cummins in it and I really like the coach but I want more power, so do I BOMB it or find one I like with the 8. 3 Cummins.

 

[DonTX]

Well, you asked, so here goes. You did not say if you drove it yet or not, but I would suggest you drive it and become REALLY sure you need that much horsepower. I am suspicious of the one you describe, what did you use to determine the hp?, you did not mention what transmission it has, but most automatics used in motorhomes are not even rated for 300hp, has it been turned up already? What transmission does it use? What year is it?

I have just gone thru that with a number of potential buyers of mine with 180hp, all sure they needed 400hp and were astounded at how well 180hp did he job.

 

[daytripper63]

Here is a link to the coach I want to get but like I said earlier it only has the little 5. 9

2007 Damon Astoria Motorhome

And yes I drove it and it did ok but I always want more, I guess its a sickness or something:-laf

And the trans is an Allison MH2500 5 speed

 

[daytripper63]

180hp but what is your torque?

The one I listed is 300hp 600tq

 

[DonTX]

I downloaded their brochure, sure looks like an attractive price for an attractive motorhome, I am impressed.

I had no idea it was new you were talking, I was talking old stuff. The "5. 9 300 hp (low torque)" listing is interesting, I just admit I have no idea about that engine setup, and the transmission will handle 325 hp and just over 600ft lbs of torque. I would suspect they just wind it up tighter to get the HP, at the expense of torque. I would love to see a hp/torque curve for that engine, I bet at 300 hp the torque has fallen off bigtime.

 

[SnoKing]

The fact is the the 5. 9 in a larger coach just does not cut it. Hold out for a big block unit. SNOKING

 

[wantabe351]

The 5. 9 is used in many DP and come with the allison trans most likely the 3000 and go to--- rv.net---a great RV site with lots of info, and from so info that I read on that site about the 5. 9 in the DP can be inhanced some with programers at the dealers(cumins shops too) ,also ck out ---Escapees.com--another RV site... . Rich

 

[DonTX]

I think I would have to agree with Snoking based on your criteria. The one in my signature does alright, but it is lighter, no slides, etc.

The fact is the the 5. 9 in a larger coach just does not cut it. Hold out for a big block unit. SNOKING

 

[Stoops]

Check out an old Newell motorhome... . the original DP!

 

[JWashburn]

I had a 38' Dutch Star DP with the C8. 3. I suggest that is the engine to buy with a 38' coach. Unless you have money to burn, I'd also suggest that you look around for a nice used coach. The depreciation on these things is significant, unless you never plan to sell it.

 

[AKaiser]

Surely a new ISB can push 28,000 GVWR/33,000 lbs GCWR quite handily. It's not a racecar. Looks like it will cost you considerably more to go to the C motor (assuming that's what's in the Tuscany), which has a 31,000 GVWR/41,000 GCWR. The gas Intruder only has a 24,000 GVWR/30,000 GCWR.



In a nutshell, the ISB will take care of the motor home satisfactorily, but if you're going to do any heavy towing, you would want the ISC, as it adds 10,000 lbs capacity over the tow vehicle, about double the ISB and gas engine. Remember, you are going to use more fuel with the ISC, most likely.