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09-17-2007, 07:17 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
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I am thinking about buying one of the Sportcoach diesel products by coachmen. I am new to this and need feed back from someone other then a salesmen who wants me to buy!
1st- I have noticed on a couple of 06-07 models that the ones with an allison 5 speed transmission are priced $10k to $20K less then the same rig with the allison 6 speed. Is the 5 speed not a good performer or does it not tow well? 2cd-I would like to be able to tow my suburban with what ever I get would the 5 speed hinder me?. Most of the units in the price range I would like to be in seem to have the 300hp engine. How does this perform on a 37-38 ft coach? Lastly what about the coachmen MH product itself?
Any warnings or known problems I should be aware of. Thanks for any input.
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Bill, Jenni & Kids
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09-17-2007, 07:17 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
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I am thinking about buying one of the Sportcoach diesel products by coachmen. I am new to this and need feed back from someone other then a salesmen who wants me to buy!
1st- I have noticed on a couple of 06-07 models that the ones with an allison 5 speed transmission are priced $10k to $20K less then the same rig with the allison 6 speed. Is the 5 speed not a good performer or does it not tow well? 2cd-I would like to be able to tow my suburban with what ever I get would the 5 speed hinder me?. Most of the units in the price range I would like to be in seem to have the 300hp engine. How does this perform on a 37-38 ft coach? Lastly what about the coachmen MH product itself?
Any warnings or known problems I should be aware of. Thanks for any input.
__________________
Bill, Jenni & Kids
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09-18-2007, 12:55 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Bill, first off the difference between the 5 and 6 speed Alison willbe more than just the transmissions in a diesel pusher. THe 6 speed has a double overdrive and a higher torgue rating; is physically bigger and tougher than the 5 speed. Usually the 5 speed is behind a smaller engine (less torgue) than the 6 speed. Stay tuned for more info on the Coachmen brand from those that have or have had one.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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09-18-2007, 07:13 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Oakton, Va
Posts: 1,160
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The five speed Allison is a fine transmission and I see no reason it could not last as long as a six speed. The large price difference between five and six speed DPs is because there are several differences in the chassis including HP, torque, and weight. One unique advantage of a six speed is that you can better match peak torque with speed and get a little better performance and fuel economy. However, for less cost a package with a five speed can be put together that performs well. I have a five speed which has been flawless for seven years and is a good match for my power, weight, etc. Since the five speed was developed after the six speed it is more advanced in some ways. It has torque converter lockup in all speeds except 1st as I recall. I am not sure if the six speed has as complete a lock up. It explains why the five speed doesn't overheat. I advise some care with towing a suburban. Look carefully at the MH towing capacity which includes the receiver rating. The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR)should be closely checked. Few MHs can tow a suburban.
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Jim Walker
N Virginia
2014 Palazzo 33.2
Cummins 6.7 ISB, Allison 2100 6 Speed
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09-18-2007, 01:49 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Livingston
Posts: 63
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I have the 6 speed, and the derfferance is one spped....
Scratch
__________________
what ever it takes.....
2006 Itasca Meridian 39K
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09-18-2007, 04:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 2,706
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The 5-speed has 1 overdrive gear; the 6 speed has 2. 4th gear in both trannys is 1:1.
The real difference between the 2 trannys is how much torque they can handle. I do not have the specifics, but the 6-speed Allison can handle more torque than the 5-speed.
If you are towing a heavy Toad, I would go with the 6-speed. (I would go for the 6-speed for driveability reasons also, with a 350hp engine being much more driveable in a coach the size you state above, over the 300hp engine. I owned both. Like the 350hp CAT C7/Allison 6speed over the 275/300hp engine w/5speed tranny much better).
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
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09-18-2007, 04:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Bexley,Ohio USA
Posts: 115
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I had both setups. I had the 300 with the 5 speed and now have the 350 with the 6 speed.
There is a big difference between both setups.
The 350 with the 6 speed out performs the 300 with the 5 speed by a long shot.
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2009 Winnebago Adventurer 38 N
2004 Suzuki XL Toad
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09-19-2007, 10:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 533
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I only have the present DP for info. since it is my first DP, I can't compare it to anything else.
Mine has the 275-C Cummins 8.3L engine and the 3060 6 spd. trans. This was the ONLY combination in my particular mfrs. version since the 8.3L engine is the 800 FT/LBS of torque version whereas the other Gulfstream Sun Voyagers used the smaller 660 FT/LBS engine configuration.
BTW, my coach is a 8362 (36') but is actually 36'-10"...
I do not have any issues with power or torque. In fact the power is so smooth that your speed/acceleration can be quite deceiving.
Ken
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1998 Gulfstream 36' Sun Voyager Bus Platinum
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