Used 350 HP vs 400 HP DP

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by MTK46

I had found the same thing but much closer to me.

https://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Aut...ness-120166582

Also found a triple slide 04 Newmar Mountain Aire with 66k miles ISL 400 HP for $74,000 OBO

That's what I paid for my 05 Safari (Monaco) Gazelle with a 400hp CAT C9. I don't know if you are totally against CAT power, but I've been very happy with it. I'm a long time Cummins fan, I've had three Cummins powered trucks and loved them. I wanted a Cummins, but this Safari fell in my lap and I love it. It doesn't have an engine brake, it's a PAC exhaust brake, but it works just fine.

I was also happy it's a side radiator model.

[MTK46]

Originally Posted by DD788Snipe

Mike I purchased my coach 3 years ago. It came with the 350 ISL. This engine is rated at 1050 ft/lbs of torque. With the Saturn in tow my GCVW was 33,000 lbs. It pulled the passes in the west very well as long as I anticipated the grade and down shifted manually. I averaged 7 to 8 MPG at 62 mph and it came with a Jacobs exhaust brake which works well in conjuction with the Allison trans. I paid the bucks and had the ECM reflashed to increase the the HP to 400 and the torque to 1200 ft/lbs. We gave the Saturn to the grandaughter and bought the Colorado which increased the GCVW to 35,000. That changed the whole complexion of the power band. I now run 65 to 70 mph and still get 7 to 8 mpg and on passes I never take it off the cruise control. My speed never drops below 60 even on 6 to 7% grades and the tranny rarely down shifts out of 6th and if it does its only to 5th. Also I have a side radiator and the engine never runs over 200*. As far as the exhaust brake it does a great job and yes a compression brake is better but don't let that be a deal breaker. The ISL is a great engine. Powerful and dependable. I wasn't unhappy with the 350 but WTH like everyone else I wanted more power. BTW the 370 ISL is rated at 1200 ft/lbs of torque FYI. Torque is what makes the power in a diesel engine. If this coach would have had the 370 in it I would have left it alone. Here's a link that I started about my coach: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f123/cumm...se-272964.html
Happy hunting.

Thanks Craig for the great in/fo. All the ISL engines I've seen have been 370 or 400 hp. I knew the torque was the same for both so that isn't a factor. Maybe the only other thing I need to check out is the build date of the engine. My guess is 03 MH aren't going to have 03 built ISL engines in them.

[MTK46]

Originally Posted by RobbieH

That's what I paid for my 05 Safari (Monaco) Gazelle with a 400hp CAT C9. I don't know if you are totally against CAT power, but I've been very happy with it. I'm a long time Cummins fan, I've had three Cummins powered trucks and loved them. I wanted a Cummins, but this Safari fell in my lap and I love it. It doesn't have an engine brake, it's a PAC exhaust brake, but it works just fine.

I was also happy it's a side radiator model.

No not against a C9 CAT. The 05 American Coach I found has the C9. Just not sure of the double slide. Also seems that the Cat C9 doesn't get the mpg of the ISL cummins. Reason I say that is the 05 Revolution I found for our friends is in the 6.5-7 range. Very nice triple slide that was under 40k miles. It's the 1 1/2 bath model. He got it for $88k.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by barmcd

I'm a DIY type and it didn't take me looking at very many motor homes to decided I didn't want a rear radiator unit due mainly to engine accessibility.

Even with a side radiator you can have limited access! Here's a picture of an engine bay like mine:

[diesel odor]

Hello MTK46 you might want to check out crankyape.com. It is an auction which requires some work on your part however you might find an RV for 15 to 20 thousand less, even after fix up than going to a dealer. For example there is a 2005 Safari Gazelle 40PAQ 4 slide side radiator with 27k miles. I believe it has an exhaust brake like RobbieH's Safari. Auction ends 01/11/2017

There is also a 2005 Monaco Diplomat 4 slide with the Cummins 400 rear radiator with an exhaust brake with 23,556 miles. One picture from the rear view says, "Equipped with PAC brake" so I wonder if a compression/Jake brake for the 400 was an option on side radiator only?

I have been watching the auction site and believe both of these units will probably go in the high 50k range however the low mileage is a turn on for some and a turn off for others due to not being driven. Just my 2 cents.

[DGBPokes]

We bought an 07 a couple of years ago, Cummins 350hp, ISL 1050 torque. Wanted a 400 ISL at 1250 torque. Did my homework and learned the 350 is the exact same engine, just detuned. If the tranny is a Allison 3000, then for about $750 they can reprogram it and it is a true 400 hp engine. So I bought the rig.

Haven't done the Rocky yet, but everything east and north, at about 45 mph at the highest peaks. Still have my $750.... pretty good performance from my previous Workhorse gasser. So far do not need the extra 200 ft of torque. And $750 buys a few more brews and steaks.

[jleamo1]

One thing to add; the ISL comes with an exhaust brake or Compression brake. The coach chassis manufacture determines what they want as a standard. I know from my manual on the ISL HR and Roadmaster only offered the Compression brake which subsequently is made by Jacobs in my year. Don't assume all chassis manufactures do it the same, double check for yourself. I know a couple that has an 04 Windsor with an exhaust brake on a ISL 400.

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Even with a side radiator you can have limited access! Here's a picture of an engine bay like mine:

Here's mine.

[dmurdock]

here's one I saw .. it's a 2002 with 500hp detroit s60 (awesome engine!)

Blue Bird Wanderlodge and Motor Coach Brokering Service

FYI I have no dog in the hunt..just passing the link along.

[MTK46]

Originally Posted by dmurdock

here's one I saw .. it's a 2002 with 500hp detroit s60 (awesome engine!)

Blue Bird Wanderlodge and Motor Coach Brokering Service

FYI I have no dog in the hunt..just passing the link along.

Not in my price range or size. 40-40' max length.

[MTK46]

Make that 41' max length.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by dmurdock

here's one I saw .. it's a 2002 with 500hp detroit s60 (awesome engine!)

Blue Bird Wanderlodge and Motor Coach Brokering Service

FYI I have no dog in the hunt..just passing the link along.

Now this one would be a HUGE step up in build quality me thinks, HOWEVER.. Would need an in depth inspection, ie: tires belts,hoses,brakes, slide gaskets and so on..And with the number of hours on the gen set I suspect that this was a "full timer" coach.

[MTK46]

[QUOTE=dmurdock;3404896]here's one I saw .. it's a 2002 with 500hp detroit s60 (awesome engine!)

I'm very familiar with the 60 series detroit engine as had those in our City fire trucks. I retired as a City Fleet Manager 1980 to 2002. Started as a mechanic & worked my way up. Now working 4 days a week as Service Manager at a Kubota/ New Holland Dealership.

[Smitty77]

Wanderlodge's were above average RV's! Built like tanks. Classic exhaust pipe running up and out of the roof. And speaking of 'tanks', check out the capacity of the linked coaches tanks:

260 gal fuel tank
120 fresh water
100 gals gray
100 gals black

And the DD is a very well thought of engine.

And understand it is not what you are looking for... But they do now state 'Make and offer'!

Sure, inspect the heck out of it... But if properly maintained, the chassis and engine should have lots of life left...

Best to you, and all,
Smitty