Community Forums

Shmily · 01-10-2018, 08:33 PM

Question to all:
I have been on the hunt for a 34-35' Class A Diesel Pusher and finally landed on the 2014 Ventana 3436, love the floorplan, quality... My search has been hard because of my requirement for a 10K tow capacity and it has been hard to find the HP / transmission requirements which this coach meets. Needed to have minimum 350 HP and the Allison 3000 BH, both of which are rated for this capacity. Just when I thought I had found my dream coach I am finding that they come with a 5500 LB capacity hitch. Called Freightliner / Cummins / Oasis service center who informed me the hitch was a factory install at Newmar. Today I called Newmar and explained my situation, quoting specs from the Newmar 2014 Spec. sheet. GVWR: 35,400 LB, GCWR: 45,400, UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) 26,900, NCC (Net Carrying Capacity) 8,500 LB. So they are telling me they install a 5,500 LB Capacity Hitch. I asked him why they didn't install the 10K hitch, didn't really get a straight answer although he told me I could put a 10K hitch on it and as long as my GCWR is under the rating I would not be overloading? I am really skeptical, although I may never tow 10K that's why I opted for the 360 HP / 3000 BH transmission? I would love to hear from some experienced knowledgable veteran's, this is clouding my decision to buy the coach, which I will be looking at on the 17th. Please help, thank you, a wanna be Newmar Owner.

TJ · 01-10-2018, 08:49 PM

What are you planning to tow that requires a 10K hitch?

TJ

vsheetz · 01-10-2018, 09:41 PM

Sounds like you are looking at coaches with the Cummins ISB engine? Step up to coaches with ISC or ISL engine. They will typically have 10k tow capacity.

Mr_D · 01-10-2018, 09:47 PM

Our '02 DSDP ISC 350/Allison 3000 MH had a 10,000# tow rating and a 6,000# hitch. Spartan said I could install a 10,000# hitch.

Finance · 01-11-2018, 05:49 AM

Firstly, are you sure the hitch is 5k? Ours for instance is labelled 5k weight carrying and 10k weight distribution. A hitch like that is certainly good for 10k flat tow. You haven't said whether your anticipated use is flat towing or a trailer?

Secondly, the chassis -it it's the 360/3000 as described- certainly has the capacity and I would not hesitate to upgrade to a 10k hitch if the existing hitch is in fact only rated for 5k maximum.

We went through a similar decision process because we tow a full size pickup and so ruled out MH with the Allison 2500 due to limited GCWR.

Let the capacity from Freightliner be your final guide.

Final thought- it's not uncommon for sellers to be mixed up in describing whether they have a Ventana or Ventana LE. The LE will have a detuned engine, 2500 trans, and a 5k hitch.

travelwarm · 01-11-2018, 02:10 PM

We have had no towing issues with our toad wt. We were actually very surprised that when we recently had the coach weighed it is far less then we ever thought. Full tanks of water, fuel and gray/blk are big factors. It all comes down to what you are towing.

Shmily · 01-15-2018, 05:17 PM

Thanks to all you folks for your information. Since you were all so kind to answer or comment on my question I'll fill you in. To Tranquil Jim, I don't have anything that weighs 10K but just want that capability. The 2014 Ventana 3436 has the Cummins ISBXT 6.7L 360HP engine and the Allison 3000MH transmission. I talked to Newmar customer service who were very patient and helpful, they transferred me to Freightliner Direct Customer Service at their factory in Gaffney, SC, who walked me through the website to the specification page on the 2014 Ventana, broken down by wheelbase. Also, per your comment "Finance", it reads 5,000 lbs. weight carrying / 10,000 lbs weight distribution. He also said it should be on a sticker on the driver's side of the hitch. I will be seeing the coach on Wednesday and am very impressed with Freightliner
customer service, FYI, they are available 24/7 and also have a Freighliner Chassis Owners Club, as a member offering discounts at select Freightliner Oasis Service Centers, parts stores and a Michelin Advantage Program, and more...Website is FCOCRV.org for more information. Sorry for the long winded message, I give them and Newmar 5 stars for customer service. Hope to be on the road soon and thanks again.

MisterT · 01-15-2018, 05:22 PM

my isb 300hp coach came with a 10,000 lb rated hitch...

but that certainly does NOT mean I can tow 10,000 lbs... I have to subtract my weighed coach with my GVCWR to determine that, no matter what the hitch says.

Finance · 01-16-2018, 08:42 AM

No worries with a 34 VTDP. The GCWR is at least 10k more than the GVWR.

lass · 01-16-2018, 09:11 AM

My ISB Ventana was delivered with a 10K hitch but received a new sticker 2 years later which said 5K hitch, 10K weight distribution.

Shmily · 01-20-2018, 01:51 PM

We purchased the 2014 Newmar Ventana 3436 this past week. I will be updating my personal profile and look forward to being part of the group. We will be taking possession March 6 and will be returning home to re-group and prepare for some short trips to get our feet wet.
Thanks for all the advice, be safe...
Steve C.

travelwarm · 01-20-2018, 05:25 PM

Congrats you will enjoy your Newmar.

HavingABlast · 01-20-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmily

We purchased the 2014 Newmar Ventana 3436 this past week. I will be updating my personal profile and look forward to being part of the group. We will be taking possession March 6 and will be returning home to re-group and prepare for some short trips to get our feet wet.

Thanks for all the advice, be safe...

Steve C.

Congratulations...and welcome to the Newmar family.

rodz · 01-22-2018, 08:31 AM

It will pull 10k easily. We've been pulling 32' enclosed race car trailers all over the country since the 90s and never had a problem. Every race track is full of them every weekend.