Perspective - Please post Good with the Bad:)!

[Smitty77]

I heard a conversation yesterday that mad me chuckle. Gent A was telling Gent B to avoid a certain diesel engine, because he had read about problems with them on an internet board.

I think we all know this, but most times these boards are used to 'Solve Problems' - thus most of the posts are 'problem related'.

I thought for those researching, and just good ole 'Gee Whiz!' info. That it would be interesting to have owners post some simple info:

-Engine Type (ISB, ISC, ISL, ISM, ISX (and older names like M11, Etc.)
-Year (Engine year vs coach year if different and you know it.)
-Miles
-AVG MPG
-Coach (CC Allure 40', Alpine 36', etc.) (To factor MPG.)
-Perspective (No problems; Never out of the shop; Few problems but still good; --- Just any short perspective on the engine ownership experience.)

This way people researching may see a more balance blend of experiences. I will add, that shocking as it is, this will still be a smaller subset of the overall RV'ing community experiences with engines. As a larger population of RV'ers NEVER GO ONLINE...!

Best to all, and thanks for sharing your experience with your Cummins!
Smitty

[Smitty77]

ISL (CAPS era)
2003
27K
7.6MPG
Country Coach Allure 40', Tag
Perspective:

No problems, normal maintenance items. Runs well, 95%+ of the time has all the power needed for our weight coach. Less then 5% of the time, climbing long grades, I'd like just a bit more power, but it is for sure not greatly underpowered.

Best to all,
Smitty

[dstinch]

2006 journey 36
cat 350, m3000 trans
40,000 miles
7 miles/gal avg. always tow a dodge mini van 6000 lbs
Van is heavy because it is a wheelchair van.
MH is 8 years old and no big problems.
cat engine is great, love it, most of our driving is in high country 5000 plus feet. 35-38mph up steep long grades we just sit back and enjoy till we get to the top.
It does cost more to maintain than a gas rig so just get out your check book!
I under stand things break but the one thing that my Winnebago and many more I have seen is around the years that mine was made the paint shop they use is horrible! The clear coat on the caps started to peel within a couple years. Around 6 years some of the clear coat on the rear and one side started to peel. I'm lucky to have a shop near us that can spot fix the paint. Had it done 3 times now. But don't get me wrong I still love our rig.

Don

[Vicap]

Cummins 340 ISB
Freightliner chassis
2010 Damon Outlaw Class A Toyhauler
60,000 miles
carry Smart Car in Garage
Fairbanks, AK to Lodi, CA = 10.14 mpg
maintained according to specs.
NO PROBLEMS!
Live in it fulltime. It has never sat longer than 40 days without being driven at least 20 miles: "taking the Beast out for a walk". Keeps everything lubed and running smoothly.
I take care of it, it takes care of me!

[CoCoDave]

-Engine Type: ISL 370 HP
-Year: 2002
-Miles: 24,000
-AVG MPG: 7.8 (includes generator and Aqua Hot use since I have no way of measuring those amounts. In other words, total miles driven divided by total fuel put in the tank. The engine's computer says that the lifetime average is 8.3 mpg. Includes a lot of mountain driving.)
-Coach: 2003 Monaco Windsor GVWR 37,600 towing a 4,400 pound toad.
-Perspective: Solid, trouble free. Compression brake versus exhaust brake would be nice but that's the way Monaco ordered the engine and not a Cummins problem.

[DSL417]

Engine type: Cummins 450 ISL

Year: 2013
Miles: 14000
Coach: Entegra Anthem DEQ
MPG: 7-7.5 (pulling about 6500#s)
Perspective: Good pulling power. Solid performance. Only problem was wall leak in front and and lower seals, both cheerfully repaired under warrantee by Cummins.

Side comment: Have yet to find a Cummins Coach Care that wasn't run very well. Rocky Mountain Cummins in Albquerque was the best.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Smitty77

I heard a conversation yesterday that mad me chuckle. Gent A was telling Gent B to avoid a certain diesel engine, because he had read about problems with them on an internet board. I think we all know this, but most times these boards are used to 'Solve Problems' - thus most of the posts are 'problem related'. I thought for those researching, and just good ole 'Gee Whiz!' info. That it would be interesting to have owners post some simple info: -Engine Type (ISB, ISC, ISL, ISM, ISX (and older names like M11, Etc.) -Year (Engine year vs coach year if different and you know it.) -Miles -AVG MPG -Coach (CC Allure 40', Alpine 36', etc.) (To factor MPG.) -Perspective (No problems; Never out of the shop; Few problems but still good; --- Just any short perspective on the engine ownership experience.) This way people researching may see a more balance blend of experiences. I will add, that shocking as it is, this will still be a smaller subset of the overall RV'ing community experiences with engines. As a larger population of RV'ers NEVER GO ONLINE...! Best to all, and thanks for sharing your experience with your Cummins! Smitty

1. ISM
2. Engine Build date 9/9/2002. Coach build 3/2003
3. 97k miles; ECM says 7.6 mpg life time. Currently averaging 8.2. MPG has steadily crept up last 50k.
4. Monaco Signature. Usual total weight of 44k including toad when traveling.

Have had ZERO engine issues over life of coach which is now 11 years. I'm currently knocking wood furiously. Purchased the coach at 3 years old with 40k miles in 2006. Moved in full time March 2007. Started doing my own routine maintenance (L/O/F) in '08

[deandec]

CT8.3L Mechanical Cummins 300HP
Engine built 1994
94,000 Miles
7.3 MPG hand calculated over 12 years in West Coast Mountains
36,000 lbs Coach and Toad

No engine problems with exception of Fuel Injection Pump in 2005.

[dons2346]

-Engine Type ISC
-Year Engine build 2001, coach year 2002
-Miles 113,000 +
-AVG MPG 8.7
-Coach 40ft CC Intrigue
-Perspective Replaced an alternator and cracked manifold

[AFChap]

ISC 350hp (02 build)
88K miles
7.4 MPG
03 Winnebago Ultimate 40'
towing Honda Odyssey

No real problems. Oil pressure sender replaced under warranty at 12 mo, lift pump leaking/replaced apx 2008, runs well.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by Smitty77

ISL (CAPS era)
2003
27K
7.6MPG
Country Coach Allure 40', Tag
Perspective:

No problems, normal maintenance items. Runs well, 95%+ of the time has all the power needed for our weight coach. Less then 5% of the time, climbing long grades, I'd like just a bit more power, but it is for sure not greatly underpowered.

Best to all,
Smitty

Windsor Dave made a good point, to add a note about if the MPG posted is adjusted for Generator and Aqua/Hydro Hot usage.

My posted MPG does include both of these, so actual MPG is higher. (I keep a rough log of HyrdoHot usage and Generator Ours at the Start and End of long trips. So I have at times calculated MPG manually, and it is usually runs consistently above 8MPG.)

Thanks Dave!

Smitty

[jlfbatonrg]

engine Cummins 5.9L 300 hp
Miles ~56000
MPG 9.5 over all terrains Adjusted for generator usage
Only problem was radiator overflow reservoir needed to be replaced.
coach Expedition 38N
NO serious problems with amount of power. Fill a bit underpowered when climbing in the Rockies, but still faster than the semis.