Well, I have made up my mind. I am gonna buy a Class A this year. I am pretty set on it having a Cummins in it because I am so happy with the way that my 1st Gen has performed. Dad tells me Detroit Diesel is good as well, but I like to keep things all the same so I'll be looking at Cummins.

As far as RVs go, what do I need to know? Is the Cummins in an RV the same as what goes in a 1st gen? Are there any particular Cummins engine models or configurations that were particularly reliable or long lived? What about transmissions? Allison seems to come in alot of them? When I go to inspect units, are there any tell-tale signs of abuse/neglect I can see that are specific to RVs?

Also, I am sure this is no problem for something with a bus chassis, but I need to be able to hook a trailer on to tow my first gen behind. Any RV models or brands that would be well-suited to this or will they all be pretty able? I have never bought an RV before, but my Dad and I converted a Greyhound into an RV so I am familiar with the RV systems and such. His had a Detroit Diesel in it.

Any info will be appreciated. Tell me your experiences, what worked and didnt work, what rocks and what sucks, etc.

 

I think the Cummins & Cats more common in RV's than Detroits. I have heard good things about both. Side radiator RV's seem to get a better rating from people who work on them. It seems it's a lot easier to get to the engine with the side radiator.

 

You might want to look around here:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm

 

I think the C8.3s made the same changes as our Dodge Cummins... 24v electronic in 98.5 etc. The 8.3 is even heavier duty than the 5.9... wet sleeves and cam bushings. A lot of RVs have higher hp ratings than the P/Us. I'd take an 8.3 over a Cat 7.2 any day! In fact I wouldn't get a Cat. The ISL Cummins is up to about 450 hp in RVs and in bigger Class As. Don't get a 2 stroke Detroit - they are in older RVs. Craig

 

My uncle bought a Brand new 2007 Newmar Mountain Aire in 2006, it was the first one off the line for 07, they didn't even have the manuals for it yet.

Since 07 was a new year, the radiator had side cooling with a new belt design running the fans. He made it from Tulsa Ok to Alb NM and had to have warranty work done as it was trashing all the belts. Took the Cummins dealer 4 days to fix as no fix was available, they were talking to the factory a lot.

It got fixed in Albuquerque, and he drove up to Colorado, but it trashed the belts again, he had to be towed as it was on a mountain pass.

Got it fixed again in Grand Junction Colorado, finally the factory had a fix for this design problem. It did work better, he made it Oregon almost before the belts shredded again.

My uncle then designed some idler pully's and sent the factory what he wanted at Newmar and they agreed. I guess its fixed but I think he gave up on driving to too much anymore. He still has it but bought a smaller RV - diesel Sprinter as its easier to drive.

So if you see a class a with the same 2007 Cummins and side radiator belt drive fans as the Newmar Mountain Aire I would be cautious...

Good luck..

 

Well, I am going to spend $40K or less and I would like to be right about $29K-$30K, so I doubt I am going to be getting anything in the last couple of years. Most of the stuff that I have been looking at on RV Trader is mid to late 1990s. I know its a buyer's market right now so just because they are asking $40K does not mean they are gonna get $40K.

I was doing some ewindow shopping on RV Trader, at this point my top three picks are here, here and here. (in order of preference).

I also see some this term "pusher" thrown out alot, what does that mean? What model year(s) will I find this 8.3 in?

Erik, does your uncle want to sell his RV real bad?

 

The pusher means the engine is behind the drive tires, meaning the motor is pushing not pulling like in a pickup.

 

Ah, makes sense. Is one way better than the other? People seem to mention it like its a feature or something. Seems like it would ride better in back instead of up front if its rear wheel drive.

 

I like the fact that the third one has a "Cumings" never heard of one of those.

I'd want to know engine size/displacment, and tranny facts on the secound two.

 

If I were to buy one I would get a diesel pusher. You see a lot of gas motor homes with the engine up front. With the diesel pushers, they are most of the time on a bus chassis. But some of the Newmars are mid engines. I guess the one that will be the best will be the one in your $ frame.

 

The pusher is the only way to go IMHO - mostly as the engine is right at the back on the unit so if you ever need to do something major it is easier to access.

 

Based on looks alone, the first one would be my pick. Plus, we all know how to hot rod the 5.9 Cummins now don't we ??

 

first step in buying any motorhome or trailer is to step inside and sniff! saves a lot of time.

 

Oh yeah, did I mention I am selling my condo to live full-time in this? So it needs to be solid as I don't want my house breaking down. I'm gonna travel for a while until I find that perfect place to put my other plans into motion...

Yeah, that I knew. If they smell bad it usually indicates a pet/water/smoker problem. Water damage in these can be extensive and alot of people never bother to fix leaks until its way too late. They wait for the floor to get spongy or the wall to discolor or whatever.

 

I'm pretty sure the fuel system changes on the 5.9 and 8.3s were also the same for the RV market as the Dodge CTDs. 94-98.4 had the Bosch P series inline fuel pump - the best, most dependable, bulletproof system ever built - no electronics. You can even baleing wire the fuel cutoff arm open and pushstart them if you have to, if everything else dies on the rig. You can do most of the mods to that pump yourself, cheaply and really improve the power band and driveability. So mid 90s is a GOOD thing! Craig