Community Forums

wkdoolin · 06-21-2017, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Seven speed only is available behind the 4 cylinder diesel, not the V-6.

Charles

Wow, that's just nuts. Was in the manual so I just assumed. Had to look it up myself. Hard to believe eh Charles. Is too bad, the 6 cylinder could use some help. Started looking for aftermarket parts and wife frowned at me :-) Only thing I have found was performance air filter... thanks for correcting me. Kev

luvlabs · 06-23-2017, 02:17 PM

I personally find that the 6 cylinder MB diesel has more than enough power to do anything you need to do. Motorhomes don't race anywhere, they just cruise along. I figure if I can accelerate enough to pass other cars on a 2 lane road while towing my Honda, my MB has more than enough power. I find that the power is pretty equal to my 9L cummins in my former motorhome.

wkdoolin · 06-23-2017, 03:09 PM

Don't get me wrong, I like my MB Thor. But I am comparing it to my 6.9 Cummings and when heavy loaded there is no comparison and my RPMs are lower on the Dodge due to the rear end. The MB has a 4.11. The little 3.0L is working hard at highway speeds.

jws · 06-24-2017, 09:13 AM

I just yanked a 2015 Hyundai Veloster up I40 with my 2010 Coachmen Freelander (MB Sprinter) . It actually did quite well. However: prior to buying the Hyundai I was looking a Jeeps (TJs). My tow limit is #3500. After a lot of research I looked at several 2003 to 2006 TJs, soft top, 4 cylinder, manual. No unlimited, no Rubicon no lift, no big tires. This is the only way I could stay within the #3500 max limit. Why I bought the Hyundai? I could not bring myself to spend 14K to 16K on a vehicle with almost 100k on the odometer. Now after towing from Fl. to Texas to NC I have buyers remorse. Why, the toad take a beating on our highway system. I thought I lost it several times thru potholes that would swallow a Fiat 500. Even driving the Hyundai thru the streets of the cities we visited was nerve racking. My advice, override your conscience and get the Jeep I specified above.

John

luvlabs · 06-24-2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkdoolin

Don't get me wrong, I like my MB Thor. But I am comparing it to my 6.9 Cummings and when heavy loaded there is no comparison and my RPMs are lower on the Dodge due to the rear end. The MB has a 4.11. The little 3.0L is working hard at highway speeds.

Mine runs along at 2200 rpm or so at 62-64 mph (speed limited by toad requirements). I don't consider that working hard. Don't forget, these engines are designed to operate at full throttle all day long on the autobahns in Germany.

wkdoolin · 06-29-2017, 01:28 PM

Strong suggestion for anyone owning a MB Sprinter based RV. Buy a gauge system like the Edge Insight CTS2 to monitor the engine. We have a 2017 Thor Synergy (2016 Sprinter chassis), diesel generator, small motorcycle on back. On first major trip out, Texas to Washington state and no TOAD. Engine load is always 70 to 80% and on most grades it's in the high 90%. Every time we are on a grade the engine coolant temp exceeds 225F. On a 6% grade, and we found many, we exceeded 226F many times. Boiling point of stock coolant is 225. The Edge cannot detect anything associated with tranny temp, appears to be no sensor installed or available to the ODBII port. By setting high temp alarms, we were able to shut off the Truck AC and allow the engine to cool down.