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

We had a 2007 Mandalay Valencia 38C. It was a 38' with the 300 ISB. It was a very nice entry level, budget MH. However, you are correct that it was under powered. It was fine going down the road on flat land, but it struggled in any mountains, and I'm talking east, not west. Did we make it? Yes, but not without some stressful moments for us. We never took it to the western mountains. We towed a CRV, which is about 3,500 lbs.

Our current coach is 40' with the 400 ISL. DH says it's a night and day difference driving, even when trying to maneuver between traffic situations. Plus, you'll need to watch the weight limits. It was just the 2 of us, and we were really close to the weight max for a 2 month trip.

I agree that floor plan is supreme, but our Mandalay had what I call a "standard" MH floor plan. Our current coach is very similar except we now have 2 bathroom sinks, and the fridge is a double door and is on the driver's side vs. the passenger side. I've seen so many of these similar floor plans, that you should be able to find another
that the DW likes.

If it were me, I'd keep looking. There's a reason the price is so good. As stated. it's a very nice entry level, budget RV. There have to be less expensive/lighter things in it to be able to have the lesser price point (such as the smaller engine).



Good Luck!

Me, I keep looking. There are plenty out there to buy. I have a 38' with the CAT 300 860 ft lbs and I wouldnt want any less than that.

Plus you will wish you had a double door fridge.

Randalvv wrote:
I have to come to the conclusion that she wins.

so, she's not going to be reading this thread :)

Kidding aside, I just want to make sure we're safe and not taxing the engine. The van will always be with us and i just don't want to be 'pushing' the engine all the time.

The two downsides to this coach are the engine and the small fridge. But the floorpan really is great.

She wins. Years ago when we had a 38ft motorhome with a 454 engine pulling a station wagon I could only make it up the Grapevine (I-5 Bakersfield to Los Angeles) at 25 to 35 mph. It added a half hour to trips in that direction. We made it, and had wonderful times. Now I have the Cummins 340hp and pull a 3700lb car. 45mph is really tops over that grade, but it is an easy pull. I intend to get a larger toad shortly, closer to 4700lb, and I don't anticipate any problems. Enjoy and Happy Trails.

Sorry but I would have to side with the Mrs on this one. Floor plan is number one. Consider the time you may actually be going up a steep enough grade to slow you down vs the time you will spend parked and enjoying the floor plan. I left west of the mountains in WA state so we often goover the passes. I have a 34 foot V10 gaser pulling a 4000 lb Suzuki and slow to 45mph for 10 minutes or so. That is is no time at all compared to the total trip time. Now given that you would have more torque than I do, I have to come to the conclusion that she wins.

And ISB engine is NOT ENOUGH for a 39 foot coach

Ivylog wrote:
If mamma is not happy...

you're supposed to tell me I'm right!

It is very, very simple. Get the one the wife wants.

If mamma is not happy... and you'll be able to cruise 65 on the flats in the East. Yes it's going to be a slug out west but it will make it up and over 10,000' passes. You could let the DW drive the SXT in these situations. Unless it's a older SXT, it will be close to 5000 with the normal stuff that ends up in it.