Community Forums

tnjmich · 04-06-2017, 06:07 PM

I am looking for a used late model 3436 Ventana. I have been openminded to a Ventana or Ventana LE, but some people I have talked to have strongly encouraged me to buy the Ventana to get the extra torque. We spend 6 weeks in the Rockies every year.
Aside from pulling power I am ambivalent about which coach. I would appreciate any feedback about pulling a toad through the mountains with the LE. Is it adequate or really working hard?

Secondly, I know they started building the STAR chassis in 2016. Does it really make a difference? If it is much better and really would be a tighter coach with fewer slide out issues I would find a 16.
Thanks for the feedback.

vsheetz · 04-06-2017, 06:32 PM

Look at the torque ratings, not just the horsepower. I think you will find the LE has the smaller displacement ISB engine where the non-LE has a larger displacement ISC or ISL engine, with substantially more torque.

tom chelbana · 04-06-2017, 08:42 PM

HP rating to 360 are ISB engines with low torque ratings. 380 to 450 are ISL engines with higher torque. ISB engines are 6.7 liters and ISL engines in 2016 are 8.9. Would be a noticeable difference to get a 380 or higher ISL engine. We travel the western US and find some RVer's very disappointed with 6 plus % grades especially if towing. Might see if anybody post what they have found if they have the same coach you are posting about. If not doing much western travel not that important.

Bucky573 · 04-06-2017, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnjmich

I am looking for a used late model 3436 Ventana. I have been openminded to a Ventana or Ventana LE, but some people I have talked to have strongly encouraged me to buy the Ventana to get the extra torque. We spend 6 weeks in the Rockies every year.

Aside from pulling power I am ambivalent about which coach. I would appreciate any feedback about pulling a toad through the mountains with the LE. Is it adequate or really working hard?

Secondly, I know they started building the STAR chassis in 2016. Does it really make a difference? If it is much better and really would be a tighter coach with fewer slide out issues I would find a 16.

Thanks for the feedback.

I've got the ISC 8.3 360 on Spartan chassis. We run at about 39k lbs + tow a Ford Edge. We've been through nearly every mountain range out west. No we don't pull the 6-8% grades at 65 mph, more like 45 - 55, but I'm not in a race. I keep to the right lane with the trucks and climb on.

capnqball · 04-06-2017, 11:51 PM

Vsheetz is wrong on the engine sizes of the smaller Ventana and Ventana LE. The LE has the 6.7 B series at 340 hp while the regular Ventana has the 6.7 B series at 360 hp. To get the L series 380 engine in the Ventana line you must step up to the 40 ft category.

To the OP my LE 3847 with the 340 has traveled in the mountains of the west several times as I live in Oregon and have twice made it thru the Rockies to the east coast. I tow a CRV and almost always maintain 40-45 mph up the 6% grades. I run 4th gear at about 2500 rpm at 55 mph up the lessor hills. Several conversations with Cummins advised me to run 2600-2800 rpm if needed as it won't hurt the B engine whatsoever. I watch the temp closely on grades and have not had any issue with overheating. The weight difference on the 3436 LE should make the 340 work that much less also. I drove a 3436 Ventana a couple weeks ago (with the 360) and was a bit disappointed in the difference than driving my 340. The options (tile, etc.) make it heavier than the LE so that is something to keep in mind. The demo I drove was also empty of all gear and excess fluids other than a third tank of fuel. Something to think about for the 50 thousand difference in money.

JnC · 04-07-2017, 08:54 AM

We have a 2017 3436 LE (340) which is no rocket, but its just fine. It's been through the sierras into the snow, etc. I have a box trailer with toys I sometimes pull, but we don't have a toad. I think more hp would just equal more fuel costs and higher speeds for me. The current setup is just fine traveling as fast as one wants. The real difference between the Le and non-Le are the carrying capacities for cargo. Check the ccc on both. We're happy with the Le.

Waywards · 04-07-2017, 09:44 AM

The difference between the VTLE and VTDP is the transmission. LE has the 2500, VT has the 3000. 100 lbs difference in torque. VT has heavier rear axle, more CCC and much more tow capacity (10000 LBS)

MH Mike 51 · 04-07-2017, 02:33 PM

One thing that everyone is missing in this discussion is the transmission. The 3436 in the LE gets the 2500 transmission while the same unit in the non LE gets the 3000 transmission.

vsheetz · 04-07-2017, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnqball

Vsheetz is wrong on the engine sizes of the smaller Ventana and Ventana LE. The LE has the 6.7 B series at 340 hp while the regular Ventana has the 6.7 B series at 360 hp. To get the L series 380 engine in the Ventana line you must step up to the 40 ft category.

Thanks for the clarification!
Vince

jimbo2013 · 04-07-2017, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnqball

Several conversations with Cummins advised me to run 2600-2800 rpm if needed as it won't hurt the B engine whatsoever. I watch the temp closely on grades and have not had any issue with overheating.

So the sweet spot is 2600-2800 sound kinda high, sure about that.

I have a 330 caterpillar my last coach, the sweet spot was 1800+ up grades

capnqball · 04-07-2017, 10:30 PM

I'm not saying 2600-2800 is what I'd call a sweet spot. But that is the rpm that the 340 B series develops it's maximum HP. I like to run about 1750-1800 under normally flatter terrain which is about 60-64 mph towing my CRV. The B series is a higher revving engine by design than the 330 or 350 cats, or any of the other C and L series Cummins. My previous coach was a C-7 Cat in a 36 Journey so I've had some experience with Cat. The max torque develops at 1500 or 1550 if I recall on my 340. When I discussed rpm with the CSR folks at Cummins, one of them confided the B would go to 4200 for a very limited time," before bad things happen" (using their words). My coach is the third B series engine I've owned having had two previous B's in my Dodge Pickups. Damn solid engines in my experience. As mentioned above though, the transmission difference may be the most overriding issue to consider in a particular persons expected usage. Just my two cents worth.

jimbo2013 · 04-08-2017, 03:39 AM

Ron, on a grade what rpm do you downshift at to keep momentum up avoid bogging down?

ChassisGuy · 04-08-2017, 04:42 AM

The ISL and 3000 series transmission is worth the upgrade if you can afford it. Granted, the ISB AND 2500 series transmission would probably be fine, but I'd rather have too much power than not enough.

JMH · 04-08-2017, 08:40 AM

We drove both LE and VTDP 37XX coaches. Although the LE is a capable coach, the added HP and torque on the VTDP was noticeable. We travel from California to the Denver area at least once a year. Going over the rockies towing a jeep sahara with no real issues. We do slow to @ 35 going through Eisenhower tunnel though.

Both will tow over mountains in our experience talking to other "small" Ventana owners. I think you would like either. We went with the added luxury of the increased horse power and higher carry capacity.

Mark and Louene Hetrick
Newbee the last VTDP 3725