General question(s)
Larry
I am contemplating purchasing a used Class A Diesel pusher. It will be a
older unit as I want to pay cash. I have been looking at 3 different
units and am asking for opinions and warnings regarding brand, chassis,
known problems. The ones I am looking at are a 1996 37' Holiday Rambler
Endeavor with a 230 HP Cummins 5.9 75,000 miles on a freightliner
chassis, with slide, very clean, a 38' 1995 American Dream with a 300 HP
Cummins and 180,000 miles on a Spartan Chassis and a 38' 1995 Safari
Serengeti 300Hp Cat with 81,000 miles on it chassis unknown. All of the
major systems on these units are working ok. I am very capable with
mechanical, electrical and electronics so I do not mind taking care of
petty issues. I am more concerned about major money pit issues such as
brakes, suspension, engine / transmissions and safety as related to
driving / handling characteristics. The Holiday rambler appears to be
built a little better but this is a quick observation on my part with
little knowledge on these things.
Any input will be appreciated.
Regards,
Larry
Janet Wilder
as Fleetwood does not have the best reputation in the industry. The
Safari might or might not be a good unit. The company was in flux in the
mid 90's. Holiday Rambler was still HR at the time and thy built a good
unit.
JMHO
--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life
David "The Hamster" Malone
> JMHO
It may be a humble opinion... but be assured that Janet knows whereof
she speaks based on many years of RV experience.
David "The Hamster" Malone
Lloyd Bonifide
"Larry" <cqh...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4823acd8$0$4053$bbae...@news.suddenlink.net...
Larry,
I have a Holiday Rambler, an older one, and have been more than satisfied
with the perfomance of the unit. You can't go wrong with it.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=23450555
Lloyd
Eric Starnes
"Lloyd Bonifide" <ll...@bonifide.com> wrote in message
news:1rudd8....@news.alt.net...
Lloyd, maybe you need to get your eyes checked. You have a fine old
Winnebago but it sure ain't no Holiday Rambler.
Thanks for bravely serving this great country of ours in the military. But
how in the world did you manage to get in? 5' 5"? What a little shrimp! But
perhaps you were in the submarine service?
Janet Wilder
Thank you, David. What a kind thing to say.
Dave Woodruff
As Janet said, HR made a good product in that time frame, the ISB Cummins in
it at 230 HP probably has the 5 speed Allison behind it and feel a little
anemic on the mountains, but should be pretty light on fuel. I am running
an ISC 330 HP with a 6 speed Allison, and a good 6 % grade takes me back to
38 to 40 MPH pulling around 8 MPG overall.
Dave W.
Ron K
"Janet Wilder" <kellie...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:48248f21$0$12315$c3e...@news.astraweb.com...
Janet, don't get too flattered. He did say it was a humble opinion. <G>
Besides, the Hamster has a great deal to be humble about.
Ron K
Larry
Coachman Magna which is very clean. ALL of the maintenance records were
with it, tires had 90 miles on them replaced 12/07, new dometic fridge,
2 new dometic rooftop a/c's, new kubota diesel genset, all new
batteries, new microwave, new washer/dryer and more. The guy did all of
this last year and decided he was too old (80years)after one last trip.
It is excellent overall. Got it cheap (28K) because it has no power. On
test driving, it drives and handles well but lacks power. I find the
turbo is not spooling up, possibly a stuck waste gate or just a bad
turbo but I figure $1500.00 for another one would be worth it for the
motorhome. It is a Cummins 6CTA 8.3 300 hp. I hope I made a good decision.
So I am open to opinions especially if anyone has any experience with
this unit.
Thanks in advance,
Larry
RAMł
news:2b23f$48253afc$9441ca3e$11...@STARBAND.NET...
>
> As Janet said, HR made a good product in that time frame, the ISB Cummins
> in it at 230 HP probably has the 5 speed Allison behind it and feel a
> little anemic on the mountains, but should be pretty light on fuel. I am
> running an ISC 330 HP with a 6 speed Allison, and a good 6 % grade takes
> me back to 38 to 40 MPH pulling around 8 MPG overall.
>
> Dave W.
>
That ISB can be "BOMBed" to produce a whole lot more power (both HP and
Torque) with relatively minor effort.
Visit http://www.turbodieselregister.com for details - those guys have a
wealth of knowledge and love to share it. (Some of the denizens have moved
into the 800 HP area with ISBs.)
[BOMB = Better Off Modified, Baby!]
RAMł
> Thanks to all who replied to me. At the very last minute I purchased a
> Coachman Magna which is very clean. ALL of the maintenance records were
> with it, tires had 90 miles on them replaced 12/07, new dometic fridge, 2
> new dometic rooftop a/c's, new kubota diesel genset, all new batteries,
> new microwave, new washer/dryer and more. The guy did all of this last
> year and decided he was too old (80years)after one last trip. It is
> excellent overall. Got it cheap (28K) because it has no power. On test
> driving, it drives and handles well but lacks power. I find the turbo is
> not spooling up, possibly a stuck waste gate or just a bad turbo but I
> figure $1500.00 for another one would be worth it for the motorhome. It is
> a Cummins 6CTA 8.3 300 hp. I hope I made a good decision.
>
> So I am open to opinions especially if anyone has any experience with this
> unit.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Larry
Take it to a Cummins shop for a checkup.
That ISC should provide adequate power and, if you want even more, Cummins
will - for a fee - add it in for you. <G>
At $28K I, for one, think that you got a *very* good one. <VBG>
RAMł
news:2b23f$48253afc$9441ca3e$11...@STARBAND.NET...
>
> in it at 230 HP probably has the 5 speed Allison behind it and feel a
> little anemic on the mountains, but should be pretty light on fuel. I am
> running an ISC 330 HP with a 6 speed Allison, and a good 6 % grade takes
> me back to 38 to 40 MPH pulling around 8 MPG overall.
>
> Dave W.
>
That ISB can be "BOMBed" to produce a whole lot more power (both HP and
Dave Woodruff
"RAMł" <s31924...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:vblVj.2505$K67...@fe39.usenetserver.com...
modifying them much though. For starters, on the rig in question that 5
speed Allison is not rated for more than 250 to 300 HP. I found in my
younger days that souping up is great but at the cost of engine longevity as
well as other power train parts. I have seen some really big boosts done
with chips, etc. I can do the same with the ISC, but not worth it to me.
Dave
David "The Hamster" Malone
> Besides, the Hamster has a great deal to be humble about.
Why, thank you, Ron... I know my achievements are significant
(especially when compared to yours) and it is hard to be humble about
them. <g>
I do try, though.
David "The humble Hamster" Malone
Gert Zander
I would g with the Safari. It's either a Freight liner or Oshkosh chassis.