Allison 2100 MH six-speed automatic with lock up and towing

[DanO5150]

Hey All,

I'm toying with buying a RV...one of them has a 300HP Cummins with an Allison 2100 trans. I know the towing spec is 30,000 Lbs for total weight.

Does anyone have any long term experience towing with this trans?

I'm going to be roughly 3-5k over Allison's spec for total towing capacity.

I want to know if this trans is gonna grenade on me going slightly over the tow spec. And or if there are any upgrades that are available for the trans.

Thanks in advance.

-DanO
Dan Ortega Racing | Facebook
@DanOrtegaRacing

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by DanO5150

Hey All,

I'm toying with buying a RV...one of them has a 300HP Cummins with an Allison 2100 trans. I know the towing spec is 30,000 Lbs for total weight.

Does anyone have any long term experience towing with this trans?

I'm going to be roughly 3-5k over Allison's spec for total towing capacity.

I want to know if this trans is gonna grenade on me going slightly over the tow spec. And or if there are any upgrades that are available for the trans.

Thanks in advance.

-DanO
Dan Ortega Racing | Facebook
@DanOrtegaRacing

The receiver hitch is most likely rated for 500 pounds tongue weight. I would be mort concerned about overloading the drive axle than any thing else. Since you are going to be towing regularly, you would be better off looking for something with a Cummins ISC and Allison 3000.

[DanO5150]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

The receiver hitch is most likely rated for 500 pounds tongue weight. I would be mort concerned about overloading the drive axle than any thing else. Since you are going to be towing regularly, you would be better off looking for something with a Cummins ISC and Allison 3000.

It's got a 10k hitch...and from what FreightLiner says the Chassis will pull it fine.
I'm just concerned about the trans you know?

Thx

-DO

[Skip426]

I'm a little confused by the numbers in your post.
Trans load rating of 30,000, Correct ?
What is the listed GCVW for the Chassis, from the info tag?
What is the GVW?
10,000lbs could be what the hitch is rated at,and bolted to a bigger chassis you could tow 10,000lbs. but the difference between GCVW and GVW is the trailer tow capacity, of the chassis.
If your running 3>5000 over-weight ,you'll be in trouble for brakes too.

[Mr_D]

3 to 5K#'s over is not "slightly over"! That's 10 to 17% or so. The MH is only rated to tow so much and braking, engine and transmission are all part of that rating.

[DanO5150]

Yes, I've opted to go with a much more heavy duty rig.
Thx

-DO

[Triker56]

With the 2100 you couldn't put a Banks Kit on it later if you wanted to.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by DanO5150

Yes, I've opted to go with a much more heavy duty rig.
Thx

-DO

The right choice.

[DanO5150]

Originally Posted by Skip426

The right choice.

Just picked up a 2012 Fleetwood Expedition. So far so good. Will test it out towing this weekend before heading to NJMP for the AMA round.

[Skip426]

Sounds great; what are the names & numbers like?
Engine brand,trans model # , HP, GCVW,GVW ?

Like we used to say at the track " There's no substitute for cubic inches!"

[DanO5150]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Sounds great; what are the names & numbers like?
Engine brand,trans model # , HP, GCVW,GVW ?

Like we used to say at the track " There's no substitute for cubic inches!"

It pulls really good. I wouldn't mind if it had a "bit" more power...you can never have too much power. So far really happy with it.
Engine: Cummins 360JHP
Transmission: Allison® 3000 MH 6-Speed w/ Electronic Shifter
Torque: 800 lb-ft @ 1,800 RPM
GCVW 42400lbs
GVWR 32400Lbs

It's good! We'll see I might chip it...I'm always messing with stuff. I would do it just to get better fuel economy but like I said we'll see. Banks makes some good "hot rod" stuff :-)

[Skip426]

Sound like you've found a rig that will do the towing, that you want to do;safely.
As you say more power would be nice; BUT; don't void your warranty, by throwing a chip in.
A lot of issues with chips on the Common Rail Cummins engines over pressurizing the fuel injectors and spliting the injector housings, filling the oil pan with fuel. Or blowing the manual pressure release valve and stoping on the road.When you show up for warranty work with one of these conditions the first thing the shop will look for is a chip, even if you pull the chip before the coach hits the shop, there is evidence in the ECM, then the fight is on , warranty or retail.

[DanO5150]

Good Call...just got back from NJMP. It towed really good...Very impressed. Can't wait for it to break in... :-D

[Skip426]

Check your engine manual for break in proceedures, Dodge Cummins , says not to use cruise control for the first 12,000 miles, they want RPM to vary for the best seating of the piston rings.
Safe Travels