I've got a Cat not a Cummins, but it's not really a Cummins question. When I was towing a Cherokee my 38 footer did fine with 350hp. Now, with a very heavy toad I'd say I'm a little under-powered. So yes, 50 more hp will be "more effective" at climbing hills but you'll burn more fuel - there's no free lunch. The extra HP won't really make any difference when you're at speed on flat terrain since you're not using it all anyway.Jjemc said:In general, is a 400hp Cummings diesel better or more effective than a 350hp Cummings diesel? These will be in a 40ft unit.
It's really about expectations. If you never want to be in the slow lane climbing a hill in a 40 footer (probably towing) you're going to need more like 450hp, maybe more.Jjemc said:I drove a 40ft unit with a 350hp and it felt like it was a struggle to get up a slight incline.
Jjemc said:I drove a 40ft unit with a 350hp and it felt like it was a struggle to get up a slight incline. Mind is still in a fog.
Gary RV_Wizard said:But what you really want to compare is horsepower to weight ratio. For a given weight coach, more horsepower will always accelerate it more quickly. In general, RV makers shoot for around 1 hp per 100 lbs of coach weight. That gives acceptable if not blazing performance (your car probably has more than 1 hp per 20 lbs).
Gary RV_Wizard said:One of the advantages of a diesel is that it delivers torque at much lower rpms than a gas engine, so you get more horsepower in the rpm range used for accelerating from a standing stop.
Sun2Retire said:That's a beast you've got there Joel. You're probably using a little C7 like mine as a starter motor :-\