Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Newmar Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-03-2013, 08:38 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 164
Cummins 500HP lack of power?

I owe an Essex 2008,
Feel that when I climb any kind of hill, the speed maintain but unable to increase. Even sometimes decrease.
Am I asking too much from this 500HP or is it just the ratio of weight versus power that is a his limit?
laurier is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-03-2013, 08:58 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Lug_Nut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
Well, it is pretty open question. What grade %, length, towing or not, etc. But, generally, what you experienced is probably normal. Some slowly during inclines is par on all coaches at times.

Peter
__________________
Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
Lug_Nut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2013, 09:46 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Steve Ownby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 6,587
Quote:
Originally Posted by laurier View Post
I owe an Essex 2008,
Feel that when I climb any kind of hill, the speed maintain but unable to increase. Even sometimes decrease.
Am I asking too much from this 500HP or is it just the ratio of weight versus power that is a his limit?
I assume this is the Cummins ISM. Cummins also has an ISX13 that is rated at 500 hp but I don't believe it was available in '08. The Easex is a pretty heavy coach. If you are towing I'm sure that you are between 40-45k. The key is to keep your rpms up between 1800-2000 when you start the climb. If your temp starts to get too high, downshift another gear and back out of the throttle some. Maintain your rpms at1800-2000. If you lose speed due to traffic or road conditions when climbing a 5% or greater grade you will not be able to recover. Just select a gear too keep your rpms up and enjoy the ride.
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
Steve Ownby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2013, 09:55 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Lug_Nut's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,838
Over heating on climbs has never been an issue, but maintaining fairly high RPM's is correct. One thing that can however reduce the power is if the mechanical clutch that drives the fan assembly engages. This can absorb up to 70 HP of the available power. The fan is controlled by more than just engine heat. It is also activated by transmission heat, charge air temperature and several other factors.

Peter
__________________
Peter - Doctor of Mixology
KADB 2013
Lug_Nut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2013, 10:24 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,311
Your current power to weight ratio; Loaded coach with toad : is in the range of 90lbs> 1hp, last car available with a ratio like that was a 1977 Yugo. Your current car is probably 8lbs >1hp. So do you look for a coach with 4500hp or sit back and enjoy the ride and having all the comforts of home with you.
JMHO. If your able to pass loaded semis while climbing hills , chances are your getting all there is out of your coach.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2013, 12:16 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Triker56's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,031
How many miles are you trying to cover each day?
And worry about lost speed going up hill.

Are you in that MH that passes me in my 275 HP MH 2-3 times a day?

It may be hard for some 500 HP MH's to maintain 75 MPH up a 6% grade.

My 275 HP can maintain 55 MPH up most in 4th gear at 2,200 RPM.
But I usually let it lose some speed for better MPG.
__________________
99 Discovery 34Q ISB
2014 MKS AWD EcoBoost Toad
Fulltime Since "99"
Triker56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2013, 05:58 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 164
I was just hoping that with a 500HP diesel engine I had a little more power in reserve.
It is not a gas engine so as far as comparing to a car, I believe that it does not make much sense.
I had before a Ford F250, 2003 power stroke, a lemon but wow for the power.
(sucks fuel do, I average 4.5mph with a 35 ft cedar creek fithwheel...)
Thanks to all for the time you spent to reply.
Norm
laurier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2013, 06:56 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
vraines's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 715
Most likely power to weight ratio. I have a friend with a 2010 Essex who tows a 6,000 lb. SUV. My Dutch Star 400 hp ISL generally outperforms his motor home in the mountains because of his weight. On the straight and level he can out cruise me because of differences in final drive ratios and the fact he has 80 more hp. My drive ratio lets me cruise at 60-62 mph at about 1800 rpm, and his Essex can do in excess of 65 mph at that rpm. What is your final drive ratio?
__________________
2007 Dutch Star 4320
2010 Mazda Miata 6 speed
Roadmaster tow
vraines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2013, 07:24 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Lee0920's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wickenburg,Az
Posts: 137
If you think your Cummins is not up to power take it over to a Cummins shop and have them download the computer and see if it up to stuff. They will be able to tell you more than you want to know.
Our Beaver Patriot has a 525 Cat and on a 6% grade I'm full on at about 40+ mph and this coach is heavy.
__________________
Lee, Judy & Pepper
06 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42 525
13 Honda CR-V EXL Toad. Az.
Lee0920 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2013, 07:32 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 890
That's life with an Essex.
__________________
2016 Winnebago Grand Tour QL
2006 Hummer H2
Blue Ox/M&G
soricobob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2013, 11:31 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Anywhere, USA
Posts: 451
What is your Turbocharger boost pressure like? With maximum effort on grades should be around 34-36 psi.
shaman52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cummins, power



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.