Community Forums

tbwhit · 12-15-2012, 10:18 PM

Just wondering if there are any American Coach owners out there with the new Detroit Diesel power plant? Was really interested in the real time monitoring system.Sounds like a very nice feature! Always been fond of the Detroit since Penske redisigned it years ago.

chuydog · 12-15-2012, 10:26 PM

What series of engine are you interested in? I recently retired from DDC and may be able to toss out some information that may help.

tbwhit · 12-15-2012, 11:32 PM

I think it is the dd13 that they put in the coaches. Around 400hp. Just curios about the performance and like I said that virtual technology has me interested. They say mpg is alot better but any DEF engine will get better fuel mileage, but then you have to consider the cost DEF I would think. Besides I just like the Detroit.

Lault · 12-16-2012, 05:08 AM

It is only in the American Eagle 45 foot unit at 500 HP. Also would like to drive one.

super_rep · 12-16-2012, 06:07 AM

Monaco also built some 45' Executive Castle IV units with an option for the 515hp Detroit series 60 engine around 2004-5. These units came stock with the SilverLeaf realtime monitoring systems installed. These engines easily go 1,000,000+ miles in the over the road trucks.

Ed-Sommers · 12-16-2012, 10:27 AM

I am still chugging along with my DD 8V71 and love it! But then I prefer old but reliable things to newer technology.

Ed

thrushl · 12-16-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_rep

Monaco also built some 45' Executive Castle IV units with an option for the 515hp Detroit series 60 engine around 2004-5. These units came stock with the SilverLeaf realtime monitoring systems installed. These engines easily go 1,000,000+ miles in the over the road trucks.

I have the DD 515 in a 45 ft 2005 HR Navigator. I LOVE it and have more power than I need.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-17-2012, 08:00 AM

I think the DD13 (and DD15 too) are just another iteration of the Series 60, adding the Bluetec DEF system to the previous design to comply with 2010 EPA standards.

I find it odd that they use the DD13 for the 500 hp version but go back to the Cummins ISX for 600 hp and the ISL for 450 hp. Detroit also offers engines in those same ranges but for some reason they chose Cummins. Would be curious to learn about the reasons for that decision.

According to the Freightliner Custom Chassis site, only the DD13 is available with their high end SL-series chassis that American Coach now uses. But obviously they made the Cummins ISX available to meet the requirements for a larger engine than the DD13, so why not make a DD15 available instead?

tbwhit · 12-17-2012, 08:56 AM

What I find odd is that Detroit Diesel is part of the Freightliner Truck family, so I too am surprised that they do not offer the DD15.May be that the truck and chassis divisions are completely different company's?

Gary RVRoamer · 12-18-2012, 09:55 AM

The Freightliner truck and Custom Chassis (RV) businesses are indeed separate corporations, and Detroit Diesel is separate from both of them. All are owned by Daimler Benz, though, and I'm sure under pressure to share components and buy from each other as much as possible. There must have been a good reason not to offer the DD15.