Community Forums

zman62 · 03-03-2014, 09:53 PM

There is a thread in the Newmar section about a 2014 mountaire that labors up hills. All coaches feel the steep climbs but the video that is posted seems a little excesive. Those of you with an Anthem have you run up a 4 or 5% grade? How well does it do? 40 -50mph? I notice that the Anthem is running a shorter rear end gear (4.88) as apposed to Newmar's 4.63 which will make a difference in Entegra's favor.

MRUSA14 · 03-03-2014, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman62

There is a thread in the Newmar section about a 2014 mountaire that labors up hills. All coaches feel the steep climbs but the video that is posted seems a little excesive. Those of you with an Anthem have you run up a 4 or 5% grade? How well does it do? 40 -50mph? I notice that the Anthem is running a shorter rear end gear (4.88) as apposed to Newmar's 4.63 which will make a difference in Entegra's favor.

I saw that thread also. I drove all through the Rockies last fall and at 6-7000 elevation the coach will take all but the really steep hills at 45 or better. I did drive it over an 11,000 foot pass and it was really chugging at that altitude. Steep hill at 11,000 the best it would do is about 35. This is all while towing a 4700 pound toad. Coulda used a Cornerstone!

On the Interstates it was rare to fall below 55-60 because they generally have milder slopes.

DSL417 · 03-03-2014, 10:24 PM

Speed control set on 60 MPH (economy setting and transmission selection) in NM today. Saw speed reduction of 5-8 MPH on long [read 1/2 to 3/4 mile] grades of 4-5%. Shifter setting downshifted from 66 to 65 for the most part. Instantaneous MPG was generally 3.4 MPG. Had one fairly long pull (had truck lane for about 1 mile but no grade sign but comparable to the others, JMO) with reduction to 50 MPH. Shifter stayed at 65. Instantaneous MPG was 2.9 on this one. I am pulling about 6500 lbs.

oneal · 03-04-2014, 03:00 AM

On a side note I felt our Anthem and our Aspire both dropped less MPH on hills when allowing cruise control to take charge rather than my foot matted.

bill2011 · 03-04-2014, 03:39 AM

Do you guys find, as I do, that if you manually shift down at the base of the hill before the incline the incline thst the Snthem will hold her momentum better?

Lault · 03-04-2014, 05:07 AM

Any one with a cornerstone go up I70 West out of Denver to the tunnel? How did it do on that climb? My American with the ISL was down to 43 mph.

DSL417 · 03-04-2014, 07:05 AM

Bill2011, I did once because I thought it seems to be lugging down a little...went to 55 on the shifter. Seemed to perk up a little, but not noticeable.

I did do my own shifting once down in Big Bend STATE Park as the road through there has a 1 mile 7% grade with no opportunity to attack w/ normal road speed (curves). I had slowed to about twenty and the shifter (if I recall correctly) was in 62; I went down into the three range and it worked quite well to pick up speed going up the grade. Later, the folks at the owners class at Spartan suggested feel free to downshift on your own...better than having the engine lug.

MRUSA14 · 03-04-2014, 01:46 PM

I agree with that, Dave. You want to keep your RPM's close to 2000. Any time it drops below 1700, I downshift manually if the speed is continuing to decline. If the road is particularly steep (7% or more) I will be pro-active and downshift earlier, as once you lose that speed, you will not get it back until you crest the hill and start down.

spinn · 03-04-2014, 07:32 PM

Until you catch up with that truck going 20 and you cannot get into the left lane

SDM1 · 03-04-2014, 07:50 PM

Check each coach engine spec's. Maintain the engine RPM that allows max torque and hold it at that and it will do what it will. Our Aspire coming through the Kentucky I-75 hills coming back to Tennessee from Indiana got 10 mpg! On our first factory visit they taught me that trick. The engine will do better held at the max torque rpm, you can hold it to the floor if you want to but mostly it will just waste fuel! Just sharing my experiences!
Our Toad is 5000# also!

Ultratravler · 03-04-2014, 08:12 PM

SDM1, whats the magic RPM? Thanks

SDM1 · 03-04-2014, 08:19 PM

it depends on your specific engine! which do you have?

MRUSA14 · 03-04-2014, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDM1

Check each coach engine spec's. Maintain the engine RPM that allows max torque and hold it at that and it will do what it will. Our Aspire coming through the Kentucky I-75 hills coming back to Tennessee from Indiana got 10 mpg! On our first factory visit they taught me that trick. The engine will do better held at the max torque rpm, you can hold it to the floor if you want to but mostly it will just waste fuel! Just sharing my experiences!
Our Toad is 5000# also!

I can't agree with that. My ISL engine is rated for max torque at 1400 RPM. Trying to climb a 6-7% grade at 1400 RPM will get you nowhere.

SDM1 · 03-04-2014, 08:45 PM

the cummins ISX15 has a 600 and 550 HP versions. on both of the ISX15 engines max HP is reached at 1800 rpm
ISX15 600. peak torque of 1950 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm
ISX15 550. peak torque of 1850 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm. both governed to 2100 rpm.

ISX12 500. peak torque of 1645 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm. max HP of 500 @ 1800 rpm
ISX12 450. peak torque of 1550 lb-ft @ 1200 rpm. max HP of 450 @ 1800 rpm.

ISL9 450. peak torque of 1250 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm. max HP of 450 @ 2100 rpm
ISL9 400. peak torque of 1250 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm. max HP of 400 @ 2100 rpm

ISC8.3. 380 peak torque of 1050 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm. max HP of 380 @ 2000 rpm
ISC8.3. 350. peak torque of 1000 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm. max HP of 350 @ 2000 rpm

Cummins also has a fuel economy guide for the ISX engines on their web page along with several other engine spec's and filter and fluid capacities f anyone wants or needs the information!