15' Ventana 43' got enough grunt?

[jpzeroday]

Considering a 2015 Ventana 43'. 400hp Cummins. Is this rig teasonably powered? With. Toad or 8000# trailer at times, too?

How much more powerful is a Dutch Star with the 450hp Cummins? Big difference?

Thanks!

[jpzeroday]

Ok. So I am likely to move forward with the 2015 Ventana.

I plan to flat tow a Yukon XL. That work ok?

[eheading]

For what it is worth, we owned a Revolution LE for 9 years and 90,000 miles. It was a wonderful coach and we loved it. We decided we wanted to downsize though, and last spring bought a 34' Ventana LE motorhome. This unit is the bottom of the line for Newmar's diesel motorhomes. We have driven it a little over 6000 miles since we purchased it, and absolutely love it. One of the things that makes us so fond of it though, is the floorplan.

Ed Headington

[jpzeroday]

eheading wrote:
I would suggest you buy the motorhome with the floorplan and amenities that you prefer. Both of these motorhomes are excellent choices. The Mountain Aire will certainly have some more upscale features, but they won't count for a lot if you don't like the floorplan.

Ed Headington

Yep. Funny enough that was the line of thought that was developing for me. The Ventana we are looking at has a perfect floorplan for us: bunk house. We sometimes travel 8 with four kids. It looks perfect for us.

[eheading]

I would suggest you buy the motorhome with the floorplan and amenities that you prefer. Both of these motorhomes are excellent choices. The Mountain Aire will certainly have some more upscale features, but they won't count for a lot if you don't like the floorplan.

Ed Headington

[golfman_1]

x3 mountain aire

[eheading]

I believe if you research it, you'll see that the 2015 Ventana has the independent front suspension and the Newmar Comfort Drive.

Ed Headington

[jpzeroday]

How big a difference is the IFS on Dutch Star versus no IFS on Ventana

[Sully2]

DSDP Don wrote:
Mountain Aire

YEP!!

[DSDP_Don]

Mountain Aire

[jpzeroday]

Somewhat related question: if you could choose between a low mileage (14k) 2012 Mountain Aire and a 2015 new Ventana at a similar price, which would you purchase?

[DSDP_Don]

On my Freightliner chassis, the fan is running all the time between low and high. Even on low, you're still driving a belt operated pump (for the lack of a better name) which drives a short driveshaft, which drives a gear box. A lot of stuff running even on low.

I've read guestimates that a rear radiator takes 25 HP, while the side radiator takes 40 HP.

On my rear radiator Diplomat I replaced the OEM fan with a custom fan from Source Engineering that increased my power by 25 HP. You can also purchase a Horton electric fan for a rear radiator that will shut off when not needed.

My point is/was, he could probably bump the HP in the Ventana to pretty close to what the Dutch Star has. They are the same floor plan, but the Dutch Star comes in a little heavier.

[RLS7201]

DSDP Don wrote:
The Dutch Star has a side radiator that draws a lot of HP to turn the pump, gearbox and fan. The rear radiator Ventana doesn't use as much HP to cool.

Don, Help me understand you comment. Doesn't the side radiator fan throttle in and out when needed to reduce energy needs, where as the rear radiator fan runs all the time, consuming HP all the time?

Richard

[Sully2]

I chipped it to 450HP and it would climb any grade at 55 mph, even towing my truck.

Funny....since they dont use chips..??

OP: Go for the 450 right off the bat. You wont regret it at all

[DSDP_Don]

"jpzeroday".....When looking at the Dutch Star at 450HP and the Ventana at 400HP they're are a couple of things you should know. Both engines are putting out the same torque. You can also call Cummins and see if the 400 can be uprated to 450. Often this is possible, but there is a charge which includes warranty coverage.

The Dutch Star has a side radiator that draws a lot of HP to turn the pump, gearbox and fan. The rear radiator Ventana doesn't use as much HP to cool. I think you would find that in a drag race, they would probably be about equal.

Lastly, a lot of coaches don't come with a 400ISL at a Ventana level. We previously had a 400ISL in a 36' Diplomat and it was a rocket. I chipped it to 450HP and it would climb any grade at 55 mph, even towing my truck. I can't say the same for my new Dutch Star. With a larger front nose, more weight and a tag axle, I'm down between to 40-45mph on grades when towing my 5500 pound truck.

The Ventana will do fine, but will be a little slow on the hills with an 8K trailer.