Community Forums

pine tree · 02-05-2018, 06:08 PM

Hi All,
Long time RVers here that have been inactive on IRV 2 for some time. Need recommendations on what year Journey or other diesel pusher that has solved the radiator plug up problem that is caused by backward mounting of the cooling system on diesel pushers. Need to buy a new rig pretty soon and would not like to play the high RPM game in the mountains with a different RV. Frankly, considering a front mounted “Gasser” to avoid the problems I had with our 2001 Journey over heating. The Ford V10 looks like it might be a good way to go. Any and all suggestions most appreciated.
Pine Tree

AITG · 02-05-2018, 06:25 PM

Wow, you are about to be bombarded by the diesel-or-nothing crowd!!
We have a 2017 Ford F53 with the 6 speed transmission. We have made two trips over the Rockies and it is quieter than my Duramax diesel pickup.
That said, the sound deadening is done by the coach builder. Newmar does an excellent job of it. Road test each coach you're interested in and see how they compare.

chuckftboy · 02-05-2018, 07:29 PM

My last coach was a high end gasser with a V10 and 5 speed trans. I never found it to be loud and crossed a lot of mountains with no over heating.
Cleaning a rear radiator on a pusher is no big deal either if you decide to keep yours.

windsorbill · 02-05-2018, 07:49 PM

I personally don't see a problem with a rear radiator DP. you do have to keep it clean, but there are many coaches out there with rear radiators with no issues.

To me, the biggest negative with the rear radiator is how difficult it is to get to the engine. But to go to a side radiator, it's usually (not always) a higher end coach and more money.

vsheetz · 02-05-2018, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windsorbill

I personally don't see a problem with a rear radiator DP. you do have to keep it clean, but there are many coaches out there with rear radiators with no issues.

To me, the biggest negative with the rear radiator is how difficult it is to get to the engine. But to go to a side radiator, it's usually (not always) a higher end coach and more money.

Agree. Keeping it clean is a biggie, one that most folks don't do.

Dutch Star Don · 02-05-2018, 08:38 PM

The secret is to keep the rear radiator clean from day one. It needs to be serviced/cleaned EVERY year, not when it starts to heat up on grades. If kept cleaned, you should be able to climb ANY grades without issue.

If you look for another used diesel pusher, go with a Monaco brand coach and you'll have less issues with the radiator. Monaco stacked their charge air coolers on top of the radiator, rather than one in front of the other. It was a better design, easier to clean and cooled well.

FIRE UP · 02-05-2018, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pine tree

Hi All,
Long time RVers here that have been inactive on IRV 2 for some time. Need recommendations on what year Journey or other diesel pusher that has solved the radiator plug up problem that is caused by backward mounting of the cooling system on diesel pushers. Need to buy a new rig pretty soon and would not like to play the high RPM game in the mountains with a different RV. Frankly, considering a front mounted “Gasser” to avoid the problems I had with our 2001 Journey over heating. The Ford V10 looks like it might be a good way to go. Any and all suggestions most appreciated.
Pine Tree

"Backward mounting"????? Huh?
If you're referring to a REAR RADIATOR diesel coach, that's an odd way of putting it for sure. You say you've been "inactive" for some time. Well, then you've not read the many, many threads on how folks have taken care of any heating problems they MAY have developed with their rear radiator diesel coaches. There's a few zillion rear radiator coaches running around the U.S. with ZERO cooling issues. As you've been told by the few answers already, a thorough cleaning every once in a while is all that's needed to keep your system working efficiently.

If you've made up your mind about what you cooling issues you THINK you'll find if and when you purchase another rear radiator diesel coach, well, then simply walk away and go purchase any other type/chassis. It's not rocket science. Good luck on your next coach.
Scott

Sweetbriar · 02-06-2018, 04:25 AM

A Gas front engine won't totally solve your problem. With three heat exchanges (engine, transmission and A/C) it also needs to be checked and cleaned as necessary. General maintenance might be a little bit easier on a gas coach but just as necessary to ensure long term reliable use.

pine tree · 02-06-2018, 06:18 AM

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. Each and every one of you is absolutely correct. KEEP IT CLEAN. My problem restated however, is very simple to state in a question: Why would my diesel pusher radiator be dirty, plugged up and cause over heating after 50,000 miles of highway travel? I did have the engine “Slobber vent” routed out the rear end when I bought the coach at 36,000 miles. A diesel pusher radiator system is about 12” thick, almost impossible to get at and therefore almost impossible to clean in place. I am not in the market for a new $250k coach, so I really want to know when and which, if ever, the RV builders started dealing with this problem?

barmcd · 02-06-2018, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pine tree

Hi All,
Long time RVers here that have been inactive on IRV 2 for some time. Need recommendations on what year Journey or other diesel pusher that has solved the radiator plug up problem that is caused by backward mounting of the cooling system on diesel pushers. Need to buy a new rig pretty soon and would not like to play the high RPM game in the mountains with a different RV. Frankly, considering a front mounted “Gasser” to avoid the problems I had with our 2001 Journey over heating. The Ford V10 looks like it might be a good way to go. Any and all suggestions most appreciated.
Pine Tree

There isn't any way to get up the mountains without the engine making RPMs whether its a gas or diesel engine.

barmcd · 02-06-2018, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pine tree

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. Each and every one of you is absolutely correct. KEEP IT CLEAN. My problem restated however, is very simple to state in a question: Why would my diesel pusher radiator be dirty, plugged up and cause over heating after 50,000 miles of highway travel? I did have the engine “Slobber vent” routed out the rear end when I bought the coach at 36,000 miles. A diesel pusher radiator system is about 12” thick, almost impossible to get at and therefore almost impossible to clean in place. I am not in the market for a new $250k coach, so I really want to know when and which, if ever, the RV builders started dealing with this problem?

You might want to look at a a side radiator coach. Much easier access to the radiator and engine for maintenance. You can find some nice used coaches for less than $100K. We paid less than $50K for our Dynasty.

DENSHER · 02-06-2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pine tree

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. Each and every one of you is absolutely correct. KEEP IT CLEAN. My problem restated however, is very simple to state in a question: Why would my diesel pusher radiator be dirty, plugged up and cause over heating after 50,000 miles of highway travel? I did have the engine “Slobber vent” routed out the rear end when I bought the coach at 36,000 miles. A diesel pusher radiator system is about 12” thick, almost impossible to get at and therefore almost impossible to clean in place. I am not in the market for a new $250k coach, so I really want to know when and which, if ever, the RV builders started dealing with this problem?

It is not that the radiator fins are necessarily PLUGGED but get coated with a thin layer of dirt (road grime) which starts acting as an insulation between the cooing fins and air passing through them. Try to imagine how much dirt, grime would be on outside of the MH if it was never washed in 50,000 miles or even 14,000 you have had it.

Granted, some radiator systems are easier to clean than others but all need to rinsed out occasionally.

deaton · 02-06-2018, 02:08 PM

If you do decide to upgrade, take a look at a side rad coach. On the Newmar Dutch Star, my radiator is stacked instead of sandwiched which makes it thinner and easier to clean.

vito.a · 02-06-2018, 02:23 PM

Look for used coaches with a side radiator and at least an 8.3L engine.
Dennis gave you a great recommendation. Look at 2000-2009 Monaco Dynasty, Windsor, or Camelot.
I also agree with Dan, a used Dutch Star or Mountain Aire with a side radiator would also be very nice.
There are several others out there: Tiffin, American Coach, Travel Supreme (these are hidden gems), and Country Coach are all great as long as they have a side radiator and are not equipped with the small 5.9L Cummins ISB or Cat 3126/C7. (Almost always, the small ISB and C7 will be in rear radiator coaches.)
Look for a Spartan, Roadmaster, or Dynomax chassis over a Freightliner.
If you find something you like but it's too expensive, just drop back a few model years.
Look nationwide.
Hope this helps!