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RJOL · 09-28-2018, 04:08 PM

I'm looking at a 2012 Coachmen DP with an Allison 2500 tranny. I have an Allison 3000 in my current coach. Can anyone give me the Pros & Cons of a 2500 over a 3000?

Finance · 09-28-2018, 04:44 PM

The 2xxx series is torque limited in lower and upper gears. Slower off the line and more downshifting on hills.

RJOL · 09-28-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finance

The 2xxx series is torque limited in lower and upper gears. Slower off the line and more downshifting on hills.

Thanks for the info... I'm assuming you own a 2500. If so, how is the towing up hills? I have a toad that is just under 3k lbs. and I have a lot of hills to climb in the great NW.

Old Scout · 09-28-2018, 05:00 PM

…..think what is being said here is that the 2500 has a lower torque limit, so this usually means you are matching it with a smaller/less powerful engine--that is what makes the difference?????

FleetMan · 09-28-2018, 05:10 PM

We live about 20 miles from you and have towed our 4,000# toad over just about every “hill” you might encounter out here. 300 hp, 600 ft lb torque, MH2500 five speed transmission without any problems. Not the fastest up the hills but pulled them all comfortably and reliably. Passed some slower movers and have been passed by faster rigs. Lookout Pass, MT to ID is about the toughest, 35 to 40 mph in 3rd gear about 2,300 rpm.

Finance · 09-28-2018, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJOL

Thanks for the info... I'm assuming you own a 2500. If so, how is the towing up hills? I have a toad that is just under 3k lbs. and I have a lot of hills to climb in the great NW.

No, I read the Allison spec sheet, and then followed up by test driving identical sized coaches, one with a 340/2500 powertrain, the other 360/3000. Noticeable difference. After which I ruled out any coach with a 2xxx for our needs. Our coach has a 10k tow rating and GCVWR is 44,000. You can't do that with a 2500. Or shouldn't I suppose.

The 2500MH has a max torque rating of 700 in gears 3-5. Only 575 torque in other gears. Consequently slow to accelerate in 1-2. And it will not pull a hill in 6th.

There's nothing wrong with the 2xxx, as long as it's limitations are understood.

Skip426 · 09-28-2018, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

…..think what is being said here is that the 2500 has a lower torque limit, so this usually means you are matching it with a smaller/less powerful engine--that is what makes the difference?????

X2.
Usually the coach manufacturer , has ordered the 2500 series trans to save a few $$$ , and then has to order a de-tuned , engine to avoid over working the trans.
2500 series also has a lower GCWR , so coaches with this trans , will have a lower tow weight rating.

FleetMan · 09-28-2018, 08:55 PM

FWIW, our coach is rated with 10k tow rating, 10 k receiver hitch factory installed, and 33k GCVWR. I’ve weighed the coach in normal travel configuration several times and am normally in the 23,000 to 23,500 pound range. That gives me quite a margin before reaching the max rating.

RJOL · 09-28-2018, 10:19 PM

Appreciate all the info.

The coach I'm looking at has a 28K GVWR and a 33K CGWR. It comes with a 340 ISB and an Allison 2500. I'm not full timing and tow a toad that is close to 3K. I don't mind slowing down to tackle long steep hills, but I would like to feel that the coach is up to the task. As I said in other posts, I took a trip to Idaho in August during a heat wave. I'm at just over 30K in my 2002 Dutch Star. The temps that day were in the mid 90's and over 100 when we reached Caldwell, ID... The coolant overtemped on almost every significant hill and I had to take the coach down below 30MPH a few times to keep it close. I attributed this to the heat, as I didn't have this problem last summer, and all fluids are current/changed...

I'm assuming this coach I'm looking at will be close to 30K loaded. The specs say it should work, but I just wanted some "first hand" experience/knowledge from other forum members...

Thanks...