300 HP cummins

[Mr_D]

Our 2000 Dutch Star with 300 HP CAT 3126 made it up every hill we tried.
Our 2002 Dutch Star with 350 HP ISC made it up every hill we tried, just a little bit faster.
After adding the Banks kit we made it up just a slight bit faster.
With the rig we now have, well, what hill? is the answer now.

Our GVWR is 57,000#'s and GCVWR is 73,000#'s, so if fully loaded and towing heavy we'll be in the slow lane too with 112 #'s per HP. But right now we're about 50,000#'s and towing 4,500#'s so about 83#'s per HP.

But, at the end of the day we all arrive at about the same time anyway!

[Randyman1]

I agree with Piker about the drive and working that engine feeling. This coach has been the most fun of any that we've had. I'm constantly smiling as I drive it, because nothing seems to bother it (wind, hills, meeting semis on a two lane road, etc). Used to be I would try to map out the flattest route to our destination and then cringe because it seemed i always had a head or side wind to deal with. Now, I don't notice nor do I care I just sit behind the wheel and grin all day long. That, for me being a gear head, is as much fun as glamping once we get to our destination. Randy

[deandec]

Originally Posted by franktr

Been looking at MH's 34 to 38 foot and a lot have a 300 HP Cummins engine. A salesman said for a 38 foot I need 350 to 400 hp. I know it is about torque but they go hand and hand. Those that have 300 hp cummins is it enough? Or do you want more?

My 300hp C8.3L Cummins has 860 lbs torque.

It moves our 38' rig and tow weighing a combined 36,000 lbs to the top of all passes I have attempted here in the West. We pass some trucks. Some trucks pass us. Always have made it home.

[Jmills1975]

I just from Destin FL to Indianapolis, IN last week with my 300HP/660FtLbs Cummins in an Excursion 33D loaded up and towing a 4700 pound Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Over 95% of the time I can drive 70MPH. On the bigger hills in Alabama, Tennesse and Kentucky I will sometimes slow to 45MPH. The most frustrating thing is getting behind loaded semi that brakes your momentum and you are unable to accelerate going up hill.

I am 39 years old and like to drive fast, but I think the trade off of going slower than you want less than 5 MPH in order to get 3-4 MPG better all the time makes sense. I got about 10 MPG on a 1400 mile trip. 140 gallons x $3.30 = $462, 233 x 3.30 = $770. I saved $308 in fuel on a single trip over someone getting 6MPG.