Floorplan vs engine: is Cummins 300ISB 'enough' (39' coach)?

I have seen a few posts lately that say they gave 4000# minivans. I had a Dodge and a Chrysler and they were both very close to 5000# when I went to the scales. These vehicles usually get an additional use by loading another 1000# into them for the trip.

Blaster Man wrote:
I can't see getting excited over the engine/trans combo.

Exactly! I have the 300 HP 6.7 L Cummins with the Allison 2500 transmission. My rig weighs 25,000 lbs. and I tow a 10,000 lb. tow hauler up either the dreaded Grapevine or El Cajon pass in the West. We get up the hills just fine.

And I get pretty good mileage too. I averaged 9.2 mpg over a 2,200 mile trip up to Oregon and back. And that included 80 hours of generator time. I was towing my 4,500 lb. 4Runner the entire trip.

In my opinion, you have a lot more to think about wanting to full time with a family of 7 than what size engine you need.

I can't see getting excited over the engine/trans combo. Find the floor plan you like...take the eng/trans that are in it. Most MHs don't offer an option when it comes to engines. Some of the lower models will try to get by with a smaller 5.9/6.7, but most of the larger MHs will have an engine that will do the job...8.3 ISC or 8.9 ISL.

elhajj33 wrote:
well that astoria: bunk...but 660ft-lbs of torque out of that 340HP engine and CCC is limited; time to keep looking :)

My guess;

Budget_$123,456_?

Wants – like to have +-

• 1 -- 360HP+ 1,000 lbs torque
• 2 -- 4 slides or better
• 3 -- 5,000 + lbs hitch
• 4 -- Bathroom all in one
• 5 -- Aqua Hot with 7, hot water and heat will be nice

Needs – must have!

• 1 -- sleeping for 7
• 2 -- refrigerator for 7 four door or residential
• 3 -- 4,000 lbs CCC ?
• 4 -- storage for 7
• 5 -- seating / seat belts for 7

Names of the Manufacturer’s that build a COACH that is ABLE to do what you are trying to do. (Class A – Supper C – Prevost – band bus)

• 1
• 2
• 3


Just a guess but am I close?

well that astoria: bunk...but 660ft-lbs of torque out of that 340HP engine and CCC is limited; time to keep looking :)

Ivylog wrote:
A '08 excursion 39R is going to be $120K+... you can find a 9-10 year old 40+ tag axle DP with a ISL 400 (not a ISC 360) with 30K lbs of rear axles (not 19K) for that kind of money. Hidden on a cabinet door somewhere will be a CCC sticker, doubt it will be over 2000 lbs for '08 excursion 39R with a full wall slide. My Dynasty's CCC is only 9000 which does not include the 120 gallons of fuel and 100 water. As half timers and two people we use a lot of our CCC.

While this Super C is more $$$ than your budget... something like it might be the best solution for 7 plus it already has bunks.

waaahhhhhh $200k for that sucker on eBay- that is so far out of the budget that if you were standing in the range of the budget stretch for that and looking out, you might wonder: is pluto really a planet or just a rock in space ? :)

Back to the valencia real quick: when it was advertised, it was advertised as having 350HP cummins engine. The seller was only 10 minutes from our house so we shot over there. We didn't find out the coach only had a 300hp engine till we got home and looked up the specs.

Regarding list of needs vs wants. Do we have a list written down, no, but we do have a list it includes: 4 door fridge, min 330HP engine and 80+ gallons of fresh water. We're willing to give up some wants if the price point is right as the first thing we'd do is add whatever is that's needed.

The excursion, by the way is 90K. I'll have to checkout the CCC on it, but i know it has a 360HP engine and 10k hitch. Is it the right coach? I'm not sure, but i'm interested in looking at it as it should also have a residential fridge. That remains to be seen.

Just a minute or two ago, i ran across a Damon Astoria diesel bunk with a 340hp engine. I'm going to checkout the specs on that!

A '08 excursion 39R is going to be $120K+... you can find a 9-10 year old 40+ tag axle DP with a ISL 400 (not a ISC 360) with 30K lbs of rear axles (not 19K) for that kind of money. Hidden on a cabinet door somewhere will be a CCC sticker, doubt it will be over 2000 lbs for '08 excursion 39R with a full wall slide. My Dynasty's CCC is only 9000 which does not include the 120 gallons of fuel and 100 water. As half timers and two people we use a lot of our CCC.

While this Super C is more $$$ than your budget... something like it might be the best solution for 7 plus it already has bunks.

That's about where we stood when we found our Prevost. Looked at many, hated most. Once we found the right floor plan the rest was a no-brainer.

Mike,

GEE, us too.

DSDP Don wrote:
My wife and I discuss what we need and what works for BOTH of. I could care less about a happy wife if I'm miserable driving a slug around. Since my wife also wants a happy husband, we compromise.

Our current coach has all the mechanical stuff I wanted, and the floorplan and options she had in her mind's eye. We looked at a lot of coaches that didn't float her boat. Our current one is the first model she REALLY liked. Since we like similar things, the interior was something I liked too.

The 300 engine will run down the road all day long, but you'll be constantly looking for ways to improve performance from hill climbing to accelerating away from a signal. Another very important factor to consider is what Allison transmission is mated to this engine. If it's the 2500, there are no engine upgrades that can be done to improve performance.

My wife and I discussed our wants before we went out kicking tires. I told her my wants were A) Cummins ISL400 with 2-stage Jake brake and B) side radiator. She wouldn't even look at floor plans that weren't powered by an ISL. She had the final say on all interior appointments. We're both pleased with the Alpine Coach we bought and there was no battle of the spouses.