Community Forums

Bad Bolt · 05-12-2015, 10:05 PM

Well, I've been with a DP for a few years now and sure have learned a lot and read a lot. The coach I have now was pretty much a budget coach that needed the TLC that I was so willing to provide to make it mine. Also, mainly bought it because the floor plan offered a sacrificial curb side wall to install a wheelchair lift for my dear mother. Ended up with the 99 HR Endeavor 37WDS.

We love it and are having a great time using it.

However, my mother may not have too many years of coach travel left. I don't know. I have started to look a bit down the road to a possible follow on coach, once that milestone has been reached.

I would really like to state that the engine, for me, will play a huge part in what I choose next. The engine at the top of my list is a pre DEF ISM.

My problem is that I don't know when the last pre DEF ISM was built or what models from low to high had them. I'm not too big on a 45' type coach. I think I would like to stay around 39' if at all possible. Don't know if the ISM is available in a shorter coach such as that or if I could get one in an even shorter chassis.

That's why I'm posting here. I'm not going to be able to spend more than $150k for a used unit.

What models should I look at and what years. Any comments or suggestions are very welcome...

Dutch Star Don · 05-12-2015, 10:19 PM

In 2009, Monaco made a 39' Dynasty with a tax axle called the Bishop IV. It was built with a 425 ISL, but had an optional 500 ISM. I found one, but it sold before I could get to it. I never found another. I'm guessing some of the older Monaco Signatures and Executives came with the ISM. If you go Monaco's website, still available, they have archives with the older coach information.

Either way, you'll probably have to go with a higher end coach like a Foretravel, Monaco, Newmar, etc, that offered the ISM in there coaches around 2004 to 2009.

Coma · 05-13-2015, 06:00 AM

ISM is pretty common in older Foretravel, they are often 450HP rather than 500HP. They are in shorter MH also.

Bad Bolt · 05-13-2015, 06:45 AM

Those Foretravels are beautiful! Looks like the U320 in a 40' configuration is about where I would like to be. The engine access is epic. Really something within' my budget. A top of the list candidate...

tom chelbana · 05-13-2015, 08:50 AM

Most ISM have 1550 pounds of torque with some having 1450. ISL highest is 1250 and that's what pulls hills. To the best I know no ISM came with DEF. We have an 04 Essex with ISM with EGR but no DEF. All Essex from 04 to 10 have ISM with EGR and no DEF. 08 and 09 Mountain Aire's have ISM. We found the ISM a great engine with 115,000 miles.

Smitty77 · 05-13-2015, 01:01 PM

I'm a fan of the ISM, and also the good old M11 too. Another two great BIG BLOCK's are the Detroit and CAT C12 (Not knocking the C13 and on, but the C12 was a very mature and relatively bulletproof engine. CAT had some teething pains as the newer engines came out with all of the new and every changing smog requirements.)

So, if your search for an ISM does not find a coach that meets your needs - you might consider some of these other mature BIG BLOCKS too.

Happy hunting,
Smitty

becks · 05-14-2015, 12:35 PM

Travel Supreme Select coach's have the ISM motor also.

scenic 8406 · 05-17-2015, 08:11 AM

Gulfstream Motorhome luxury division offered the ISM in there 4

scenic 8406 · 05-17-2015, 08:21 AM

[QUOTE=scenic 8406;2560078]Gulfstream Motorhome luxury division offered the ISM in there 41 ft scenic cruisers in 2001 with Allison 4000 transmission they also came with the tag axle . The scenic cruiser was the replacement for the tour master model at this time, the model was 8406- which only shows up in tourmaster nada specs . The chassis was a spartan K-2 they built 9 . We've had this unit since 05, pullin a 31 pace America race trailer . Good luck on your search , I wouldn't trade the ISM unit for anything , ]

Scottybdivin · 05-17-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Most ISM have 1550 pounds of torque with some having 1450. ISL highest is 1250 and that's what pulls hills. To the best I know no ISM came with DEF. We have an 04 Essex with ISM with EGR but no DEF. All Essex from 04 to 10 have ISM with EGR and no DEF. 08 and 09 Mountain Aire's have ISM. We found the ISM a great engine with 115,000 miles.

2007 Mountain Aire also has ISM 450, 4000MH, and K2 chassis. 2006 NOT. It was probably the biggest decision make for us, besides the normal appearance and condition.

Rich-n-Linda · 05-20-2015, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

Most ISM have 1550 pounds of torque with some having 1450. ISL highest is 1250 and that's what pulls hills...

No, it is not TORQUE that "pulls the hills..." It is HORSEPOWER that pulls the hills.

Scottybdivin · 05-20-2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich-n-Linda

No, it is not TORQUE that "pulls the hills..." It is HORSEPOWER that pulls the hills.

Seriously?

Mr_D · 05-20-2015, 09:43 PM

HP is a figure derived from torque and rpm.

HP =

Where T = Torque (lbft)
N = Speed (rpm)

No dyno measures HP directly, only the rpm and torque, then Hp is calculated from that.

Coma · 05-21-2015, 07:28 AM

Here is another explanation.

Two differences. The diesel T and HP curves are different. In our diesels as RPM drops torque rises so the torque rise tends to offset the HP loss from the RPM drop. Sometimes, RPM has to take priority for cooling requirements.