Community Forums

M. Liner · 05-26-2019, 04:31 PM

I am considering the Renegade Valencia but my one concern is how much power the S2RV chassis with the Cummins 6.7L engine has when the rig is fully loaded and towing a car up the the steep grades here in the western U.S. (pretty hard to replicate in a test drive). So my question for Valencia owners (and newer Jayco Seneca owners who I believe have the same set up) is what has been your experience? And does the Performance Mode make a significant difference? Thanks for your real life insights.

HaRVey 74.5 · 05-26-2019, 04:49 PM

I can't speak to your specific coach (what is the rated hp & torque?) but I was disappointed with our stock 300hp/640ftlb factory power but much happier term after having the Cummins authorized 360hp/800ftlb tune installed. If yours comes with this or more you should be happy.
As for the "Mode" setting on the transmission control panel, I think it is for Economy not for power and will only try to upshift early (oposite of a power or tow/haul mode), unless of course yours really does come with a Power Mode button, then I'd be jealous!

M. Liner · 05-28-2019, 10:32 PM

Thank you HaRVey,
The Cummins 6.7L is rated at 360HP and 800 lb. ft. torque, compared to 350HP and 1150 lb. ft. torque on the Cummins L9 on the M2 Freightliner chassis which is on the Verona (at $50K more). To my understanding the Mode button on the Allison 3000 transmission is indeed a performance mode that will allow each gear to rev at higher RPMs before shifting. I am attracted to the (entry level) Super C because of the extra power, but if it is not noticeably better than my Ford E450 gasser than I fear I will be making a costly mistake. Anyone out there who can share their experience with the new S2RV?

Wayne Clamp · 06-05-2019, 01:28 PM

We have the L9 in the Verona LE 40 LRB we tow a 3/4 ton ram mega cab, most adequate in power, we feel

M. Liner · 06-05-2019, 01:36 PM

Thank you Wayne,
Right now I tow a Subaru Forester, under 4,000 lbs. with no plans to pull anything heavier in the future. I am sure the Verona would have more than enough power for my needs but with the 20,000 lb. towing capacity is it overkill and really worth the extra $50-$60K?

Rotis · 06-05-2019, 11:20 PM

We tow our 4500+ JLU Rubicon with our Valencia all over Montana, Colorado and Utah and have never felt we were under powered. You wont win any races going over the passes but the 6.7 pulls steady, we can maintain about 50 mph over Wolf Creek Pass, as an example.

The Valencia is fully loaded, we even travel with a full fresh water tank of 150 Gals. The performance mode certainly makes a difference. I always drive in performance mode living here in the west. The only time I use the economy mode is if I'm on a long stretch of flat freeway, which is rare for us.

tdeperte · 06-06-2019, 07:04 AM

I have a 2019 Verona 40 VRB. Out here in the West on a long grade it will slow to about 43-45. If you get caught behind a slower vehicle it is nearly impossible to get your speed back. I am pulling a 5000 lb pickup.

The mode button works the opposite on the Verona. Neither mode gives you the extended shift points necessary and for best performance you need to shift manually when climbing grades.

M. Liner · 06-07-2019, 01:42 PM

Thank you Rotis,
Your real life experience with the Valencia is invaluable. If you have any other likes or dislikes about this model you'd care to share I would love to hear them.

M. Liner · 06-07-2019, 01:46 PM

Thank you tdeperte for sharing. I wonder what the weight difference is between the Verona 40RB and the smaller 36SB, and how much that might affect (if at all) the climbing power of the Cummins L9?

deputybubba · 06-08-2019, 01:46 PM

I have a 36vsb. Just started towing a 18 Gmc Sierra.. Slows us down to about 45 now. Was about 50-55 when we towed the Jeep.

M. Liner · 06-09-2019, 02:45 PM

Thanks deputybubba for the information. That is sort of surprising (and discouraging). The Sierra is what, about 1,000 lbs. more than the jeep, but with the 1,150 ft. lbs. torque on the L9, I would not expect it to make that much difference. That isn't much slower than I'm moving with my underpowered gasser.

deputybubba · 06-09-2019, 03:20 PM

A couple of points.. My 17 is only 1000 ft lbs.. And the Jeep we towed was old and only 3000 lbs.. I will say the Verona towed the Jeep better than our gas rv...

M. Liner · 06-10-2019, 08:32 PM

Thanks deputybubba for the clarification. That explains a lot. I am still wondering if the 800 lbs. torque of the ISB 6.7 will be enough to pull my 3,500 lb. Subaru up the steeper mountain grades at a reasonable 50-55 mph, which is my main motivation to upgrade to the diesel.

deputybubba · 06-10-2019, 08:38 PM

So the 7% grades in Arizona.. I was down to 55 or a bit less going up with the Jeep.. That's about what you could expect from the isl. The Valencia might weight a bit less so that would help