350 Cummins Enough Power

[kongmen]

Just found out that the winabago Vectra that I'm looking at has a 350 commins in it (from another thread). I just wanted to get opinions from other 40' motorcoach owners be it winabago or other wise on the performance of this size motor. We will be pulling a Toyota camry. Thanks in advance.

[Clayobx]

It all about torque! What is the power to weight ratio? Somewhere in the past post, just an arbitrary formula, 10 HP for 1 ft. of coach. Now that's just an assumption. I'm sure others will offer more specific data.

[DegoRed]

Have that motor in our coach, we are 42' and pull our Jeep, so far the motor has been fine. On certain grades wish it had a little more power, but for the most part its been fine, can cruise at 80 mph at will. I would not let that motor deture me from buying a MH.

[MSHappyCampers]

We have the Cummins ISC350 in our MH and have never found a hill it won't climb! Sure, on steep inclines we can only average 35 to 40 MPH, but that's OK, we've got the time!

[bailiff]

Our ISC 350 will usually out pull other trucks and buses on Virginias I-81 pulling our Accord. I usually gear down a few gears but it goes pretty well.


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[TurtleKent]

I had an ISC 350 in my 40' Horizon(same as Vectra), and I would have much preferred a 400, with 150 lbs more torque, but the 350 was ok. Mileage was 6.7 , towing a Honda CR-V, with a light foot. The 350 is the ISC 8.1 L. engine, whereas the 400 is the ISL(larger 8.9 L. displacement). Previously the performance of the ISC 350 could be improved with a Banks kit, but that kit has been discontinued, and no replacement parts are available. Be aware if there is an existing Banks kit in place and it is working that's great, but you cannot get the Banks repaired. Also check thoroughly, the ISC 350 has an exhaust manifold which is prone to cracking, and is expensive to replace.

[CampDaven]

10HP per 1000 lbs is appropriate.

[Old Scout]

You didnt mention the model year....new coaches have the DEF, EGR and who knows what else to deal with, side radiators use some HP too. Accordingly, an older 350
[pre-2008] is probably stronger than a newer 350. The last models of our coaches went to 425 hp to compensate for the HP losses of the newer engines--original engine was a 400 hp. Unless you are climbing a lot hills or really need to be some where fast--the 350 will be fine -- old or new model.

[phil57]

I have a 2011 40' with a ISB 6.7 340 hp. I pull a two door Wrangler and it does fine. A couple of times I wished I had more HP and torque but never at the fuel pump. I can set the cruse on 65 and get 10.5 mpg. I have made it to the top of ever hill so far but don't win many races. I am the guy that always wants more HP but I am content with this setup. I also have the DEF system. My GCVW is 33000#

[MSHappyCampers]

I forgot to mention that we pull a 2008 Honda Accord and get about 8 MPG.

[Skip426]

Comes down to power to weight, and your expectations.
I'm rolling at 102 lbs. of GCVW, per 1 HP up to 9.5 mpg. and get up the hills , way faster than a loaded semi.
The 350 Cummins will get you there. But if you expect to go up every hill at the speed limit, well that's why some coaches have 650 HP, and some hills will slow them down too.
Speed costs how fast do you want ( need ) to go.

[rebelcarm]

I have the 350 isc works great, towing jeep gc.
rebel

[poppopc]

Our journey has 380 Hp! Not overly excited! But only have 15,000 + Mi.
Onit. See sig.

[TMan59]

We have a 2001 40' Windsor with the 350 cummins.
Love it, slows down a bit on a steep hill, average about 8mpg.
Brought a trailer home from Boise and didn't even no it was there.