Towing with a Tiffin?

[MichaelOH59]

Gentlemen, sages, and world travelers I have been soaking up Class A knowledge since we have decided to trade in the 5th wheel at some point. Thanks.

Have been looking at Tiffin 40AH with 380 Cummings and the American Coach Revolution with the 450 Cummins and side radiator and somewhat beefier tranny than the Tiffin. I want to occasionally tow a boat of around 10,000 lbs. maybe 4 times a year we would tow such a load.

Any comments as to towing such a load with a 380 horse diesel? Seems a little on the light side but all is relative to how fast you think you need to be going when you top that hill.

Appreciate any comments on towing, Tiffin Phaeton 40AH vs Am Co Revolution 39A, or the wisdom of buying a 16 in either of these models is greatly appreciated.

[MichaelOH59]

Thanks for all the replies, Gents.

[FormerBoater]

RayChez wrote:

FormerBoater wrote:
This is a bit of an apples to oranges question.

The Tiffin side-radiator Allegro Bus would be the apples to apples comparison with a coach in the American Coach line.

The original post was not comparing the Allegro Bus. He was asking about a Phaeton with rear radiator vs an American Revolution with side radiator.

Oh, and by the way the American Revolution is equal to the Allegro Bus. The are both pretty good coaches.

That is exactly what I pointed out.

[45Ricochet]

If the 380 HP 1050 TQ isn't enough, Cummins will gladly re tune your engine to a higher HP/TQ rating. It's a bit expensive though.
Personally I'm fine with the 380/1050 ISL.

[Bill1374]

While I am not at 10k towing, I think it may be a comparable load on a 40ah. I run an Overbilt mc lift with a 800 pound Harley Street Glide and tow a 4200 # SRX behind that. My Cat is only a 330 horse rated so I didn't expect a speed demon at all. Highway speeds are quite satisfactory for me while it will definitely pull down on the hills. I knew that going in so it didn't bother me at all.

[Trumpet_Player]

timmac wrote:

Trumpet Player wrote:


As for your towing capacities, I would recommend getting the specifications for the coach from the posted Federal Weight Certification label.

Safe travels.

Those Fed weight certs can also be upgraded to tow more weight if needed by doing some chassis modifications and such, right lbligh

😉

Federal weight certificates/certifications CANNOT be upgraded/changed without a factory/chassis manufacturer re-certification. Certainly not by any independent shop or vehicle owner. That is why federal law requires them.

[lafrentz]

AllegroD wrote:
I am W. Washington and make treks to IL & LA, regularly. I do make the mountains at 50+.

your the only one I know with a rig loaded with small power like yours
that can do so.

[AllegroD]

I am W. Washington and make treks to IL & LA, regularly. I do make the mountains at 50+.

[lafrentz]

AllegroD wrote:
Our 36LA tows our Outlook up mountains with ease. We rarely drop below 50 and that is if we cannot get into the accelerator before starting up. It also stops very well.

not sure what area your in but you wont be going up many western US/Canada mountains at 50+ with that unit loaded

[AllegroD]

Our 36LA tows our Outlook up mountains with ease. We rarely drop below 50 and that is if we cannot get into the accelerator before starting up. It also stops very well.

[timmac]

Trumpet Player wrote:


As for your towing capacities, I would recommend getting the specifications for the coach from the posted Federal Weight Certification label.

Safe travels.

Those Fed weight certs can also be upgraded to tow more weight if needed by doing some chassis modifications and such, right lbligh

😉

[MichaelOH59]

It sounds like the Tiffin would be adequate, if barely when pulling such a load uphill. Not necessarily a deal killer since I am not even sure that it would be a frequent thing.


Can I assume that pulling a smaller load such as 3-4K lbs we can dang near reach orbital velocity even going uphill?

[RayChez]

DSDP Don wrote:
I have a 40' Newmar Dutch Star that would be a pretty close comparison to the Revolution. It has the 450 ISL. I tow a 6K Silverado and it does a good job, but drops to about 45 on steep grades. Surprisingly, my 2005 Monaco with the 400 ISL did a better job towing my truck and could easily hold 55 mph.

I think the 380 HP at 1050 torque will do the job, but will struggle on the hills with a 10K boat. If it's not a regular thing to tow the boat, as you said, you could probably get away with the Tiffin.

You probably did not have a tag on your Monaco. While your Newmar has a tag and it adds a lot more weight to that engine.

[RayChez]

FormerBoater wrote:
This is a bit of an apples to oranges question.

The Tiffin side-radiator Allegro Bus would be the apples to apples comparison with a coach in the American Coach line.

The original post was not comparing the Allegro Bus. He was asking about a Phaeton with rear radiator vs an American Revolution with side radiator.

Oh, and by the way the American Revolution is equal to the Allegro Bus. The are both pretty good coaches.

[DSDP_Don]

I have a 40' Newmar Dutch Star that would be a pretty close comparison to the Revolution. It has the 450 ISL. I tow a 6K Silverado and it does a good job, but drops to about 45 on steep grades. Surprisingly, my 2005 Monaco with the 400 ISL did a better job towing my truck and could easily hold 55 mph.

I think the 380 HP at 1050 torque will do the job, but will struggle on the hills with a 10K boat. If it's not a regular thing to tow the boat, as you said, you could probably get away with the Tiffin.