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Stretch · 02-10-2017, 06:24 PM

Our coach is brand new. Only 3000 miles and most of it was a driver bringing it out to the dealer in LA from factory.
We are not new to RV game. This is our 10th and most likely our last. (We are in our late seventies.
Our latest coach was an 05 Monaco Navigator with a 60 series Detroit Diesel engine. So I am used to lots of power. Our new DS4369 not so much. I am getting used to it. However today driving south thru LA I was troubled by two situations. One is that the bumpy ride on califs terrible highways. I was surprised at the rude ride. The other is the engine's throttle. It would, on excelleration just refuse to power up. I would step on the throttle and nothing. I started to pull off the freeway and wait for help. Suddenly I had power again.

My question is, is this normal?

Tall Tex · 02-10-2017, 06:36 PM

I have the same chassis as you have and I had an older coach with a pre emissions engine. The ISL has some lag in the throttle response. It waits for the turbo to spool up before the ECM allows fuel delivery. Your Detroit had a lot more torque and much faster throttle response. What you described does not sound normal. But you may need to get some seat time to get used to the difference in performance.

Good luck with your new coach.

ewlee · 02-10-2017, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Our coach is brand new. Only 3000 miles and most of it was a driver bringing it out to the dealer in LA from factory.
We are not new to RV game. This is our 10th and most likely our last. (We are in our late seventies.
Our latest coach was an 05 Monaco Navigator with a 60 series Detroit Diesel engine. So I am used to lots of power. Our new DS4369 not so much. I am getting used to it. However today driving south thru LA I was troubled by two situations. One is that the bumpy ride on califs terrible highways. I was surprised at the rude ride. The other is the engine's throttle. It would, on excelleration just refuse to power up. I would step on the throttle and nothing. I started to pull off the freeway and wait for help. Suddenly I had power again.

My question is, is this normal?

Were you able to observe the transmission shift pad to see if the transmission down shifted when power was restored.

DrPhil · 02-10-2017, 06:57 PM

RPMs do anything strange?

RVRon · 02-10-2017, 07:28 PM

Stretch, If it were me, I would take the coach to the nearest Cummins dealer to check out your concerns immediately. As far as the 4369 power goes, it's no rocket ship but holds its own on the freeways. My 400ISL in my '09 HR Endeavor would've blown it away. That's what an extra 7,000 lbs will do for you. Don't forget you're down probably 400 lb/ft of torque from your old coach as well.
My ride is great, so you may want to have Freightliner take a look too.

judgebobk · 02-10-2017, 07:42 PM

I have a 2016 DS4369 and I agree with the others, this is not normal. The accelerator needs a lot of pressure to work but the lag you describe is not what I experience.

Tobias7000 · 02-10-2017, 11:14 PM

We have a 2015 and the ride can be horrible on the rotten roads in CA. But, it is a nice ride on a smooth new highway. My 2008 Country Coach handled the CA roads a bit better. There is probably things we can do to tune the suspension. But wanted you to know that our FCC rides like a stiff truck on bumpy roads too.

joes2901 · 02-11-2017, 02:39 PM

I agree about the terrible California roads; nothing smooths out broken and missing chunks of concrete. [Mod edit] A few years ago I test drove an Essex around Indio at the FMCA January show and was shocked to find that it rode no better on bad roads with storm drains along the curb than my Bay Star. For only $600K more you would not get a better ride in California. Along with NCCC and axle loads you have to do a spreadsheet for power to weight ratios to choose the right coach for you.

DrPhil · 02-11-2017, 02:59 PM

Ok, having lived in the land of fruit and nuts for a time myself, it would be easy to do some CA bashing, but seriously. To the OP's original point about ride...

My old rig would vary from a ride like a log wagon to one like on a cloud. The difference maker was adjusting the tire pressure for exact weight that the rig was carrying. Early on, I didn't know any better, and as such I approached tire pressure like in my cars - up to the maximum. When I learned better and dropped the pressure to that recommended by the manufacturer FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE SPECIFIC AXLE, the rig road like a dream. Perhaps it is just the crummy CA roads, but have you weighed your rig and adjusted the tire pressure recently?

Stretch · 02-12-2017, 12:04 AM

Dr Phil:
I have not weighed the coach as loaded. That needs to be done for sure. The op who suggested looking at tranny for shift down, that could be part of problem. It's slow to shift. Gonna give it a bit more time b4 going to Cummings.

Agaveguy · 02-12-2017, 12:41 AM

You may have a partially clogged fuel filter, yes even at 3000 miles. It only takes one tank of dirty fuel. Power that comes and goes is a characteristic of a plugged filter. It happened to us on our maiden voyage too.

tizzyfit · 02-12-2017, 02:17 AM

If you haven't already, you may want to weigh the 4 corners of your coach and adjust the tire air pressure accordingly. A few years ago, when I had the 6 tires replaced, the tire store put 120 psi in each tire. After weighing the 4 corners and reviewing the tire chart, I reduced the tire pressure to 85 psi. WOW! What a difference in the ride.
I agree with the other posters, make an appointment with the closest Cummins facility and let them deal with the lack of power/poor responsiveness of the engine. Best of luck, I hope these items get resolved to your satisfaction.

twojayhawks · 02-12-2017, 08:47 AM

I doubt there is anything wrong with your Cummins. My experience (now 12K miles) is similar. When I want more power and it seems as though nothing is happening it's because the powerplant is already giving me as much as is available hence the feeling like there is a "lag". This experience is likely more common with those that are used to more power.