Power question
we currently own a 2004 Itasca 34' MH with the workhorse chassis. We full time and need a little more room and carrying capacity. We are looking at a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH. It has a GVWR of 32,...
Forum Discussion
cpd520 wrote:
we currently own a 2004 Itasca 34' MH with the workhorse chassis. We full time and need a little more room and carrying capacity.
We are looking at a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH. It has a GVWR of 32,400 lbs. and a Cummins ISC Engine 380 HP/1050 Lb. I am curious if this is enough power to weight. I don't need to be first up the hill, but don't want to be woefully under powered. After a couple years in the overloaded gasser, I am even more concerned about getting down the hill comfortably.
looking for input from others with a similar set up. Also any known issues with this year/model?
Can only say that our 41 ft/GVW 34,000lbs (about 32,000 actual) with a C9 400HP Cat and 1150lbs of torque @ 1400RPM was quite impressive with our maiden voyage over a lot of the Appalachian mountain range and yes they can be as demanding as the Rockies in many cases.
Unbelievable with the way it stuck in 6 and 5th gear overdrive pulling over 2 tons worth of toad in the process. Had some downshifts into 4th on occasion, but only with the long 6% grades did it drop below 50mph and this with the speed control always set at 55. Tried to out think the Allison Tranny on occasion, but to no avail, as it is pretty smart in the gear selecting process.
As for going downhill, the brakes should last forever, as I quickly got in the habit of leaving the exhaust brake on, at all times. Many times I needed to give it a little pedal to keep it moving downhill and if anything, I came to watch the automatic downshifts on the steep ones, so as not to allow over revving of the engine. It's supposed to protect itself, but still don't want to see 2900 before doing so and certainly don't want an upshift at that point either, so a little extra braking might be necessary at times.
All in all, I like 400HP for 40ft lengths generally speaking and we do have a friend with 330 or 350Hp Cummins in a 40ft Holiday Rambler that complains of having low mountain power. Doesn't seem that he's all too happy with the brakes on the downhill either and don't know what that's all about.
