Community Forums

kurtdnellson · 09-02-2013, 04:38 PM

Hello,
Thanks to everyone who responded to my first post...very informative.
I've been doing more reading and find that the side mounted cooling seems to have less problems with clogging and overheating the unit.
Agree ? Disagree? How do I find out what manufacturers use that cooling method.
Thank you, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions

Tha_Rooster · 09-02-2013, 05:12 PM

I agree and mine is a spartan chassis with side radiator.

pivotdoc · 09-02-2013, 05:15 PM

Generally speaking, when you get over 350 hp and/or near 40' length, the manufacturers start using sidemount radiators..............not seen too often in shorter/lower hp coaches.........

JB

smlranger · 09-02-2013, 05:26 PM

As noted, many higher-end DP's with 400 HP and up are equipped with side cooling packs. Winnebago is an exception with the Tour and Ellipse since they dropped the Vectra and Horizon line. Their 'high end' 42' coaches with 450 hp Cummins engines are on Freightliner chassis with rear radiators. We had two Winnebagos and really liked them but, when we started looking for a larger, nicer coach with a tag axle, we eliminated Winnebago from the list since they have nothing with a tag axle with a side radiator.

RickO · 09-02-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtdnellson

Hello,
Thanks to everyone who responded to my first post...very informative.
I've been doing more reading and find that the side mounted cooling seems to have less problems with clogging and overheating the unit.
Agree ? Disagree? How do I find out what manufacturers use that cooling method.
Thank you, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions

Yep, I'd have to agree from what I've read here on the forum... and it makes sense. My 400 HP Cummins on a FL Winnie is rear radiator.

Rick

Mr_D · 09-02-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pivotdoc

Generally speaking, when you get over 350 hp and/or near 40' length, the manufacturers start using sidemount radiators..............not seen too often in shorter/lower hp coaches.........

JB

Our 2000 38' Dutch Star was 300 hp and a side radiator on a FL chassis. The Spartan chassis 2000 38' Dutch Star was a Cummins with 330 and side radiator.
It depends on how the RV manufacturer spec'd the chassis out and usually the bean counters had a say in it.

Dr4Film · 09-02-2013, 05:43 PM

The very BEST reason for having a side radiator is for ALL the times when either you a repair tech needs to work on the engine.

The cost per hour stays the same but the number of hours to get the job done grows very high when dealing with a rear radiator coach.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Pigman1 · 09-02-2013, 06:07 PM

It's not the manufacturer as much as it's the coach model. Many builders have both rear and side radiators in their lines.

becks · 09-02-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

As noted, many higher-end DP's with 400 HP and up are equipped with side cooling packs. Winnebago is an exception with the Tour and Ellipse since they dropped the Vectra and Horizon line. Their 'high end' 42' coaches with 450 hp Cummins engines are on Freightliner chassis with rear radiators. We had two Winnebagos and really liked them but, when we started looking for a larger, nicer coach with a tag axle, we eliminated Winnebago from the list since they have nothing with a tag axle with a side radiator.

These were our thoughts also. We too owned a Winny in the past, but when we went shopping for our retirement coach a rear radiator was a deal breaker.

Skip426 · 09-02-2013, 07:50 PM

Side radiator coaches may cost more to buy, but as soon as you hear about some poor owner being charged 5 hrs labor to replace belts, on his rear rad unit

. A 20 min( DiY ) job on a side rad coach, that's when the savings start.

Chaffeekid · 09-03-2013, 05:25 AM

Dr4film and Skip426 are right on! I had to replace the AC Belt on my rear radiator 5.9 Cummins, it was a JOB! I love my small motor and the mileage I get from it, low cost of maintenance, i.e., oil changes only 14 quarts, etc.
I HATE to think of replacing the serpentine belt, which I will have to do at some point....probably.
If it had a side radiator and air suspension, yeah it has squeaky springs, it would be perfect, specially after I get the new residential fridge put in today

Jim

Cbones · 09-03-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaffeekid

Dr4film and Skip426 are right on! I had to replace the AC Belt on my rear radiator 5.9 Cummins, it was a JOB! I love my small motor and the mileage I get from it, low cost of maintenance, i.e., oil changes only 14 quarts, etc.
I HATE to think of replacing the serpentine belt, which I will have to do at some point....probably.
If it had a side radiator and air suspension, yeah it has squeaky springs, it would be perfect, specially after I get the new residential fridge put in today

Jim

The serp belt on the isb is not too bad. It slips right around the fan and then over the pulleys. The only hitch is if you have an electric fan clutch. In that case you will need access to the top of the engine to disconnect the plug to get the belt on the pulleys. Still not too bad of a job.

hawgguy · 09-04-2013, 04:17 PM

Side radiator all the way. The doctor has it right.
My two DP have been rear radiator and maintenance is a bear, not to mention the radiators get gunked up more easily.

My official wish list is now: Tag axle, 3 AC units AND side radiator.
It's a learning process - the lessons are expen$ive

gemini5362 · 09-07-2013, 08:15 PM

be careful of the side radiator coaches also. Some of the older tiffins and a couple of other brands I believe had cooling issues with their side mounted radiators. I suspet the issue is that the radiator is a tad too small in those ( this includes mine) Read up on the problem and try and avoid those years and models.