Community Forums

Herd fan · 09-17-2007, 07:17 PM

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.

Herd fan · 09-17-2007, 07:17 PM

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.

RV Wizard · 09-18-2007, 12:55 AM

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.

J Walker · 09-18-2007, 07:13 AM

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.

Scratch & Goose · 09-18-2007, 01:49 PM

I have the 6 speed, and the derfferance is one spped....
Scratch

Pusherman · 09-18-2007, 04:06 PM

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).

LHyzer · 09-18-2007, 04:55 PM

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.

quikduk · 09-19-2007, 10:33 AM

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