Community Forums

J Walker · 04-24-2011, 06:11 AM

I agree with Moxy. I have a 260HP ISB with a 5 speed Allison 1000 trans and it is well suited for my 36' MH weighing about 21,000lbs and a 3,500lb toad. Don't use the ISB for a lot more weight than that or you may wish for more HP and torque. I get 11MPG and that gets more important the more prices rise. My experience is that HP is matched to MHs and the MHs with more HP weigh more and the results are about the same. Reliability is about as high on my list as MPG and the ISB surely has that. There are so many built.

PHESPE · 05-02-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernieh

A good rule of thumb is nothing less than 20ft/lbs of torque per foot of coach. Anything less is going to be pretty slow going in the hills with a toad. 23 to 25 per foot will take you anywhere "with style".

Where did those numbers come from??

In my Journey 39F there was a Cat 350 (350 hp) engine - it sure was not underpowered - and using your formula 350 divided by 39 gives 8.97 Hp per foot

If I look Tiffin web site for the Allergo Bus I see 450 hp for a 43 foot unit or 10.43 HP per foot

PHESPE

ernieh · 05-02-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHESPE

Where did those numbers come from??

In my Journey 39F there was a Cat 350 (350 hp) engine - it sure was not underpowered - and using your formula 350 divided by 39 gives 8.97 Hp per foot

If I look Tiffin web site for the Allergo Bus I see 450 hp for a 43 foot unit or 10.43 HP per foot

PHESPE

I made no mention of horsepower because it means nothing as far a work is concerned. Torque is what moves you and your coach probably has over 800 ft. lbs.

PHESPE · 05-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernieh

I made no mention of horsepower because it means nothing as far a work is concerned. Torque is what moves you and your coach probably has over 800 ft. lbs.

Really not true - but rather than get into a war of words may I suggest you do a little research on the subject. It may be if interest to read this explanation

The Straight Dope: What's the difference between horsepower and torque?.

and maybe this one

RevSearch Engine Dyno; Torque vs Horsepower

PHESPE

"007" · 05-03-2011, 05:41 PM

Just had a friend have his Transmission Control Unit go on Bounder 2001 Cummins engine and cost him $3100 big ones, without a, at least, 30 day warranty, DP's can be expensive.
Tried to have him get a rebuilt or look elsewhere but he didn't want to go that route.

Automobilist · 05-03-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHESPE

Really not true - but rather than get into a war of words may I suggest you do a little research on the subject.
PHESPE

Phespe;
Erine's rule uses TORQUE. You twisted it to horsepower. They are not the same. Use the correct factor, and you'll probably get a better result.

Triker56 · 05-03-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Just had a friend have his TCU go

A google sears of TCU only came up with Texas Christian University

Nothing on a Cummins search either. Other then a ECU

"007" · 05-03-2011, 06:23 PM

Check edit.

wddogger · 05-04-2011, 03:58 PM

We have a Model 36G Itasca Meridian GVWR: 27,910 Lbs
Freightliner XC-S chassis - Cummins 300HP Engine Marketing Model Name: ISB-300
Service Model Name: ISB850 Eng. Config. # D403061BV04
Built: 11 OCT 2005
We purchased it as a pre-owned vehicle last October and have been completely satisfied with the performance. We are on the coast in So. Calif and have made the trip to Idyllwild, CA at 6,300' and over the Cajon Pass with no problems at all.

We just acquired our "toad", a Honda CR-V and have yet to take any trips since we got our Blue Ox installed but on flat ground with the CR-V being towed, you can't tell it's there unless you look at the tow monitor.

Personally, IMHO, those folks complaining about the engine being underpowered must expect Ferrari performance from a workhorse.

spike45 · 05-05-2011, 03:21 PM

There has never, ever been one recorded case of an ISB having cylinder wall cavitation pitting. ISC and ISL cannot say the same thing. ISB 5.9 and present 6.7 engines do not require the use of a heavy duty antifreeze with chemical additives to protect against cavitation pitting of the cylinder wall. In case you do not know what that is, it is a perforation of the cylinder wall by violent implosions of vacuum bubbles against the cylinder wall. Coolant eventually enters the oil. A VERY expensive repair in an ISC or ISL.