BernieD
Well-known member
We left Minot Friday after spending a week at the
fairgrounds for the FMCA semi-annual convention. For the most part,
the weather was cooperative tho it warmed up to the low 90s late in
the program. Rain was only an issue on Wednesday causing some mud
holes and spreading a lot of mud around, but the lots dried out by
Friday morning and there were no problems exiting. 3,025 family
member coaches were parked in lots of lots spread all over the
place. I would guess that those parked in some of the outlying
areas had a transportation problem.
Some interesting comments made at the Cummins seminar by Mark
Conover, the Cummins rep.
He again repeated his position that horsepower is the critical
factor to get you up hills, not torque. He also said not to worry
about lugging the engine unless you are looking for an award for
being first up the hill. Maximum torque is developed at speeds
lower than the Allison shift points so there is no need to
downshift manually.
He reiterated the Cummins position that *ALL* filters on electronic
engines are to be installed dry. The tolerances on those engines is
too tight to risk any potential contamination from pre-filling the
filters. The engines are designed to evacuate air and prime using
the ignition system. Mechanical engines should be pre-filled since
the tolerances are much larger and they don't have the activation
systems.
Synthetic oils are approved for use in the engines but oil change
intervals cannot be extended when using them.
Cummins position on long term storage (90 days or more) is to just
fill the gas tank before storage and change the oil when taking the
vehicle out of storage. No starting, no moving, no nothing. The oil
change after is to remove the contaminants that accumulate during
storage. Other than maybe using a fungicide in a high exposure area
during storage, no additives are needed. No additives are needed
under normal usage. The Spartan position is to move the coach
25-40' forward and back every 2-4 weeks and get the engine up to
operating temperature. Cummins recommendation is based on best for
the engine, Spartan's is based on best for the chassis. You pay
your money and take your choice.
fairgrounds for the FMCA semi-annual convention. For the most part,
the weather was cooperative tho it warmed up to the low 90s late in
the program. Rain was only an issue on Wednesday causing some mud
holes and spreading a lot of mud around, but the lots dried out by
Friday morning and there were no problems exiting. 3,025 family
member coaches were parked in lots of lots spread all over the
place. I would guess that those parked in some of the outlying
areas had a transportation problem.
Some interesting comments made at the Cummins seminar by Mark
Conover, the Cummins rep.
He again repeated his position that horsepower is the critical
factor to get you up hills, not torque. He also said not to worry
about lugging the engine unless you are looking for an award for
being first up the hill. Maximum torque is developed at speeds
lower than the Allison shift points so there is no need to
downshift manually.
He reiterated the Cummins position that *ALL* filters on electronic
engines are to be installed dry. The tolerances on those engines is
too tight to risk any potential contamination from pre-filling the
filters. The engines are designed to evacuate air and prime using
the ignition system. Mechanical engines should be pre-filled since
the tolerances are much larger and they don't have the activation
systems.
Synthetic oils are approved for use in the engines but oil change
intervals cannot be extended when using them.
Cummins position on long term storage (90 days or more) is to just
fill the gas tank before storage and change the oil when taking the
vehicle out of storage. No starting, no moving, no nothing. The oil
change after is to remove the contaminants that accumulate during
storage. Other than maybe using a fungicide in a high exposure area
during storage, no additives are needed. No additives are needed
under normal usage. The Spartan position is to move the coach
25-40' forward and back every 2-4 weeks and get the engine up to
operating temperature. Cummins recommendation is based on best for
the engine, Spartan's is based on best for the chassis. You pay
your money and take your choice.