275 HP Cummins diesel on a 31' coach

dmatt wrote:
Ok, so our search for the next RV is ongoing and I have expanded it to included the smaller sized DP coaches. Tiffin has a 31' Breeze that has a 275 HP Cummins diesel that produces torque of 560 at 1600 RPM.

That is less HP than the V10 Ford gasser, but more torque.

So, my question is.....will I feel underpowered driving a 31' coach with a GVWR of 24500 pulling a 2 dr Jeep Wrangler? The Wrangler weighs in around 3400#.

Since I have no experience with a diesel engine whatsoever, input is must needed!!! Thanks

General rule of thumb, is 10HP per foot, but you should still be fine.
Hard to beat that low end torque, which never ceases to amaze me, since buying our first diesel and especially since it's in the back and not screaming for mercy in the cockpit, on those long 6% grades.

I truly have no complaints about this engine. It really does perform well IMO.

Well, even though you have 25 more HP that the Breeze, I think it should be ok since the Breeze is shorter and lighter. I haven't read anyone saying they were disappointed with the performance.

I finally put my 5.9L Cummins 300hp w/5 speed Alison combo to the test this past week and was rather impressed.
Drove Hwy 65 N in Arkansas from I-40 to Harrison, AR & back ~105 miles one way. Pretty country and some steeeeep long hills pulling my 3200 lb cargo trailer with 2 Harley's & a golf cart.
Even caught the only light in a small town at the base of one hill. Didn't break any speed records, but eventually sped up to 43 mph by the time I got to the top. Never once overheated or let me down. I was stressing out at first knowing I was starting this steep long climb from a dead stop. :).
Actually drove much better than I expected.

Don't know about the 6.7, but the 5.9 Cummins had a problem with cracking of the Manifold due to heat. In the MH application, the 5.9 units couldn't get proper cooling and caused the Manifold to get hot, warp, crack. That particular setup had the engine torque at 660 ft-lbs. Don't know if the newer 6.7 may have some of the same problems. Hopefully, the manifolds are much improved. I suppose the higher weight Coaches made that engine have to work harder. FWIW.

Thanks for the info. We are looking for a 31' Tiffin Breeze also as our first DP. Learned a lot.

Lambogojo wrote:
Id check to see if your transmission has the ability for a more aggressive shifting pattern. doesnt add power to your rig, but it would use the power you have more efficiently.

Thanks, will look into that when we check it out.

Id check to see if your transmission has the ability for a more aggressive shifting pattern. doesnt add power to your rig, but it would use the power you have more efficiently.

It has the Allison 6 sp transmission with OD

here is how I view HP and torque.

Horsepower is how fast you can go, and torque is how fast you can get to max speed. 500 ft lbs of torque is going to be enough for your motorhome, the issue may come into towing a vehicle. what transmission does it have??