Considering Itasca

Rick M · 01-08-2006, 09:53 AM

Hi All

New here - Just got our first class A = Winne adventure 35U. Had class Cs since 78.
Now am very dissapointed in performance = going uphill the tranny downshifts and revs. to over 4,000 even with the Banks. I've 'blown' engines going uphill and think this one will go in a few more trips. Definitely going to try for extended coverage insurance.
You don't rev an big engine over 4,000 for long without consequences.

Anyway thinking of upgrading to Horizon 36' with just 2 slides (I don't plan on putting on any dancing lessons in a 4 slide out)

- but would like a 1200 ft/lb torque diesel.
Question - Would Itasca build such a unit?

Thanks for any input.
Rick

Rick M · 01-08-2006, 09:53 AM

Hi All

New here - Just got our first class A = Winne adventure 35U. Had class Cs since 78.
Now am very dissapointed in performance = going uphill the tranny downshifts and revs. to over 4,000 even with the Banks. I've 'blown' engines going uphill and think this one will go in a few more trips. Definitely going to try for extended coverage insurance.
You don't rev an big engine over 4,000 for long without consequences.

Anyway thinking of upgrading to Horizon 36' with just 2 slides (I don't plan on putting on any dancing lessons in a 4 slide out)

- but would like a 1200 ft/lb torque diesel.
Question - Would Itasca build such a unit?

Thanks for any input.
Rick

CHIPPYSGT · 01-08-2006, 10:07 AM

They sure do. I bought a 2005 Itasca Meridian 36G with two slides, both on the street side. It has 350 CAT turbo diesel and pulls my jeep like it wasn't even there. It has Allison 3000 transmission with an economy mode. My mileage has increased from about 6.4 to 7.3 (WOW!!!) since I bought it in CA in September and drove it home to VA.

No comparison to the 30' class C I traded in for it.

Doug

Tom N · 01-08-2006, 10:20 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> but would like a 1200 ft/lb torque diesel. Question - Would Itasca build such a unit? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 400 Cummins is optional in the Horizon and it's 1200ftlbs of torque and a great modern diesel with 2 stage engine brake.

Tom

JanBCarter · 01-08-2006, 10:32 AM

Rick: I don't think you can beat a diesel for performance, but think you may be over-reacting to your circumstance. 1250 ft.lb is a lot of torque. I'm sure many like me are more than happy with diesels in the 300-350hp and torque from 600-900 ft.lb. I've just completed a 7000 mile cross country trip with our Jeep Liberty toad (4200#) including across 80 through Wyoming and rarely felt the need for more "oomph" either pulling grades or driving as fast as common sense dictates. Our rig is about 40' with a Cat 3126E @ 330 hp, 860 ft.lb and I wouldn't think of paying the fuel premium for anything larger....just a thought. Good travels

Rick M · 01-08-2006, 10:53 AM

Thanks Tom

"The 400 Cummins is optional in the Horizon and it's 1200ftlbs of torque and a great modern diesel with 2 stage engine brake."

I don't believe that Itasca offeres the cummins 400 on the 36' model. That's what I want for safely traveling steep grades.
I don't need the extra weight of the 4 slides - 2 will do when we 'fluff out'.

Rick

rebelsbeach · 01-08-2006, 11:38 AM

Itasca Horizon Spec Sheet

400 Cummins not availble on 36 footer....

John_Canfield · 01-08-2006, 02:06 PM

When we were shopping coaches, we did a test drive of a 2005 36RD with the Cat C7 (350hp) and I was pleasantly surprised at the power and the performance of the coach. I forgot how much torque the C7 has - 850 ft lbs?

Lucky13 · 01-08-2006, 02:22 PM

Hi Rick, Welcome.
I went down the exact same road as you. Bought a new Adventurer 35U and loved it "until" I had to go uphill or over a mountain pass. I had to disconnect my toad on every mountain pass and the engine roared so loud we couldn't talk, this was always an extremely high stress time, all I could do was watch the high RPM's and anticipate the engine to blow. After one year I sold it and purchased a new Itasca 36G with the Cat 350. Best decision I could have made. Now I fly over the same mountain passes with the toad still attached with no problems and no strain. The 36G has a wonderful floor plan and plenty of CCC. Good luck with your decision. Jim

BigTrace · 01-08-2006, 03:07 PM

Hi Rick,

2006 Horizons do not have 2 slides in a 36' model, only 4. You could get an Ellipse 36' with 3 slides or a Meridian in 2 floorplans with 2 slides. Both the Ellipse and Meridian have 350HP C7's, but the C7 is only 860 lbs of torque. I believe the ellipse is a bit heavy for the C7 (JMHO) but maybe not considering it is only 36' (not a 40' as I've researched prior). The 36' Meridian should be very good weight wise in a 36' model with a C7. The only 2 slide 400hp 36' rigs I know about are Country Coaches. They have an inspire 36' with a Cat C9.

rebelsbeach · 01-08-2006, 03:33 PM

Country Coach 36 4 slider with 400HP @ Lazy Days with $291K MSRP

$218250 before taxes.....

I know....BigTrace mede me do it

Cruzer · 01-08-2006, 04:07 PM

Our first RV was a 2003 Suncruiser 33V with the Workhorse chassis. I know what you mean by revving at 4,000 because we did lots of mountain driving. While running at 4,000 RPM won't do it any favors, I do think that the idea of blowing it in a few more trips is stretching it a bit. You don't run it at 4 grand for that long of a period of time. But, still, the wear will add up. In our case we waned more room, the stability and ride of a diesel, and more power so we upgraded to a 40' Allegro Bus with the 400 Cummins.

The Horizon comes with a 400 ISL but you have to go to the 40' version, not the 36 footer. Still, we've found that there really isn't any place that a 36' coach fits into that a 40' coach won't. It seems that most campsites are made for either a 30, 40', or even a few 35' coache lengths. You will find a big jump in power when going with a 400. The revs stay down nice and low and it just plain pulls up anything with 1,200 ft-lbs of torque. Plus, the true Jake brake will make going down those hills as big as an improvement as going up.

While going with a 40' Horizon will be a big step up, I think you'll find that the 8.1 liter Vortec is still pretty resilient.

Rick M · 01-09-2006, 10:16 PM

Hi BigTrace

You said "The only 2 slide 400hp 36' rigs I know about are Country Coaches. They have an inspire 36' with a Cat C9."

I just found this -
Alpine
And it has a Mid Door - one thing I like.
After researching Western - they may have the best quality. I will have to test drive one - they say they drive like a sports car!?

Rick

rebelsbeach · 01-10-2006, 03:25 AM

Comes with tire monitoring system....nice.

John_Canfield · 01-10-2006, 04:26 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rick M:
I just found this -Alpine
And it has a Mid Door - one thing I like.
After researching Western - they may have the best quality. I will have to test drive one - they say they drive like a sports car!?
Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>We looked at an Alpine and liked it on the basis of first glance.

wolfe10 over on rv.net who is a very respected contributor to the forum, had an interesting observation about the Alpines:

"As a summary, I would suggest that the chassis is above average but with some peculiarities like hydraulic brakes. House and systems are just average. Warranty and after purchase service comments vary but tend to get lower than average marks from owners."

I believe all of their chassis are straight front axle, i.e., no IFS. IF you can, make that a priority in chassis shopping. I would not buy an Alpine just due to the hydraulic brakes - how would you like to be coming down a long mountain grade and have the water in the brake fluid boil?! Yes, I know stay off of the brakes, but you get the point!

rebelsbeach · 01-10-2006, 07:46 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Canfield:
How would you like to be coming down a long mountain grade and have the water in the brake fluid boil?! Yes, I know stay off of the brakes, but you get the point! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Reminds me of Carrie Underwood's new song title..."Jesus Take The Wheel" !!!

BigTrace · 01-10-2006, 03:42 PM

Hey Rick,

Yeah Alpine does make a 36 now that I look. I've seen some nice Alpine's in the past, but I'm told they have service issues more so than most. They also have the new APEx 40' which is really trick, but for an MSRP of 400k, I'll pass. Very good ideas, but not convinced of their support system. JMHO in case any one owns an Alpine..

rebelsbeach · 01-10-2006, 03:48 PM

2006 Alpine specs

No IFS in Alpine....