Cummins Cruiser

[Superburban]

Its an RV with an identity crisis.


Some places say Country Camper, others say Country Coach. Some say 1983, and others say 1984.



What I know, is it is a fairly equipped mid 80's class A. Re-powered in the early 90's with a 6BTA5.9 Cummins, turning a TH475, and gear vendors overdrive. With a US gear exhaust brake to help the brakes.


It matches more up with a classic class A, then a Country Coach (Or Country Camper, 83 & 84 ish, is when they changed names)



Found her on Craigs list last summer, and kind of fell in love with the looks.

[Superburban]

Off the top of my head, she is also equipped with:


Hydraulic levelers.
6.5 Onan Generator.
Air horns (Needs compressor)
remote controlled roof top search light
rear extra back up lights.
Both side back up lights.
A dead awning.
2 roof top Coleman AC units, with heat.
Microwave/ convection oven.

and a built in blender.

[All_talk]

I like it, and I know what you mean about love at first sight. When I first saw the pictures of mine on Craigslist I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have something like that. From that point I couldn't get it out of my head.

P.S. I have similar equipment, and the same blender.

Gary

[Campasaurus]

A Country Coach found me on craigslist last summer also. Country Coach on front and rear with country camper on front left and right sides. Conflicting dates were explained to me as chassis built 1983 coach was finnished in 1984,vin tag on drivers side inside wall by door on mine.

[guardrail53]

Superburban, I would be concerned about a few things with this motor/chassis combo!
1st- What chassis is it? Who made it?
2nd- Does it have proper clearance for the front tires to turn lock to lock?
3rd- I would also be concerned about the cooling? That 5.9 Cummins is going to require a big radiator! If this had a 454 or a 460 gas motor, did they change the radiator out for a 4 row, radiator for a diesel motor?
4th- does it have a-frame's, coil springs, with air bags, (Chevy P-30) or is it a straight axel with leaf springs? (Dodge, Ford, Oshkosh) Reason I ask, it is sitting very low in the front!

I would hate to be riding in the passenger seat next to that turbo, even with heat shields in place!


I would check the weight rating for the front axel, and go weigh this, for sure, before you put too much money in it! I am guessing it is way over on the front axel! And that will wear out the front end parts very fast, putting you and your family in danger!


It is bad ass for sure, but you want it to be safe for you and your family!


You can beef up the front end to carry the extra weight, by adding leaf springs, air bags, etc. but you will have to keep a very close eye on the wheel bearings, and the temps of them!

Good luck with this project, let us know how the things work out, and how it drives, (Beast Mode)! Rail!

[SWO Vette]

I think I read the thread about the build of this thing somewhere in the past on a motorcycle forum. It was quite involved and it seemed to me a really well thought out build. I'll try to find it and post a link if it still exists.

[Superburban]

The engine was installed by a shop, and seems to be well done. Most of the issues are with the original build. Back in the early 90's, from what I can tell. The rig has just under 100K miles, how much was done on the old engine, and after, I have no way of knowing.


It is the chebby chassis. Comparing it side by side with my sisters 97 Winnebago, The front suspension travel is about 1/2" more then hers. The early CC's just sit low. Here is a couple of pics of others I found on the internet.


It has the independent front suspension, with 4 wheel disk brakes.

[Superburban]

Sound wise is not bad. The air inlet is behind the grill, then it goes back to the tny compartment in front of the door. Has a big air cleaner, then goes to the turbo. I also plan to add some more sound deadning to the inside of the doghouse.


Also have added a turbo blanket to help retain the heat.

[Superburban]

When I got her, the wipers did not work. I thought it would be no big deal. It seems country coach only had a few colors of wires, and did not want to go through the hassle of using the supplied spots in the chassis fuse block. I spent most of the winter re-wiring it. Now has about 35 fuses, and no inline, or glass style fuses.


I only have about 8 hours behind the wheel, many of those climbing some of our tiny hills. The cooling system seems adequate. I'm soon going to re do the hoses. They have the lower hose going into a fubar metal tube setup, which has to be about 1 inch inside diameter.


I also have not tested the Gear vendors over drive. The wire were messed up. When asked for a diagram, GV said "Get a new controller, the wiring you have is over 25 years old". I think I have it figured out. If that does not work, I'll rid it of the controller, and wire things direct.

[Superburban]

Also going to do a little more for the tranny cooling.



I guess the PO did not know of any issue since the added gauge never went above 200 degs or so. Here is the gauge, and where the sender is located.


For those that do not recognize the location, that is the front of the engine head. Not close to any transmission stuff.


The gauge is different then those added when the engine was installed, so I assume it was done later in life.


I can't imagine an owner doing that, Just assume the mechanic figured the owner would not come back if the gauge appears to be working.

[All_talk]

My GV OD has a different control box but the unit under the dash looks the same as yours. I have the manuals and troubleshooting guide, let me know if I can help.

Gary

[Superburban]

Originally Posted by All_talk

My GV OD has a different control box but the unit under the dash looks the same as yours. I have the manuals and troubleshooting guide, let me know if I can help.

Gary

Thanks. I think I have it, just have several other things to get fixed before I can test drive it.


Do you use yours to split the gears, or just when you get in the top gear?

[Superburban]

Gary. Do you have anything that shows the wiring for the 4wd lockout? Since they say not to have it on with jack or exhaust brakes, I have been thinking of doing some type of lockout so both cannot be engaged at the same time.


Thanks George

[All_talk]

I haven't put a lot of miles on my MH but I do find 2ed gear-over handy on the hills.

The manual does not show wiring for the 4x4 lockout but based on some web searching it looks like you ground the connection (through a switch) to lock out the OD.

Gary