Moosetrax Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Just joined the forum and have a question I hope someone can answer. I have a 2017 Keystone Montana 3271 Legacy that has dry weight of 12600 & 16,800 lbs full. I have a 2001 Ford F350 and have had lots of work done to increase power especially through the mountains. After pouring ~ $8000 into it (rebuilt tranny, Edge computer and hydra chip, new pipes on Turbo, new Turbo wheel, etc.) it is not really that much better than it was originally. I am looking for a Class 7 or Class 8 truck to pull my RV. I found a truck on Craigslist that I am very interested in but not sure if it will have the power to travel through the west mountains and pull my RV without stress. It has the following Equipment: Cummins ISC 250 HP; Eaton Fuller RT-8709B 9-speed transmission; 10,000# Front axle; 19,000# Rear Axel; 3.07 Axle ratio; GVWR 26,000#; Air Brakes; Air system dryer. I am new to these trucks and really don't know what I should be looking for. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if this is how I should post this or if I am in the right area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanBree Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 For something to go through the mountains with, you want something with good torque, multi stage engine brake setup, and good main brakes. At 250HP, not sure that would meet your power needs, even with a 9 speed tranny behind it. Dan & Bree 2010 Freightliner Cascadia 125, DD15, 455hp, UltraShift (Yetti, For Sale) 2015 Grand Design Reflection 308BHTS Travel Trailer (For Sale) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 It will tow fine and stop great. Be slow in hilly country. Not enough motor for hills. I hear 35mph. Most like 450 or up hp with 1500 up torque. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 I had a FL60 with a 5.9 Cummins (230HP) and a 6-speed manual transmission. It was good, but not enough power (and not enough gears to keep it in the power range). Compared to the Volvo, it was quite a bit louder and less comfortable on the highway. A class-8 truck will be a better ride with more power. 2007 Volvo 780 Volvo D12D, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactus Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 6 hours ago, GlennWest said: It will tow fine and stop great. Be slow in hilly country. Not enough motor for hills. I hear 35mph. Most like 450 or up hp with 1500 up torque. I am with Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDR Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 I'm out west, if you want to play in the hills you will need 470hp and above! I know others will say different, but I do live and play out west! 2001 Freightliner Century, 500hp Series 60, Gen 2 autoshift, 3.42 singled rear locker. 2004 Keystone Sprinter 299RLS (TT) 2 & 4 Wheelers! 2013 Polaris Ranger 800 midsize LE Our motto "4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 The first thing to consider is the weight of the truck. Class 7 and 8 trucks weigh considerably more than your PU. The power to haul the RV and the heavier truck is probably more than you might guess at first. I would guess this truck will be slower than the truck you now have. It will have better braking and it is likely it will outlast your current truck. I prefer at least 400hp but if you don't mind a slow climb maybe less. My Volvo has 500hp but we are heavy. Our first HDT had 370hp. I didn't like a lot of things with that truck and power was one of many. Randy 2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 2 hours ago, CDR said: I'm out west, if you want to play in the hills you will need 470hp and above! I know others will say different, but I do live and play out west! For a sub-17000 lb RV? BS! I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 Seems we've become spoiled by abundant power. It wasn't that many years ago when 400 hp was a dream, and trucks slowed down on hills. we don't NEED big horses, we just LIKE them. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 21 hours ago, Moosetrax said: Just joined the forum and have a question I hope someone can answer. I have a 2017 Keystone Montana 3271 Legacy that has dry weight of 12600 & 16,800 lbs full. I have a 2001 Ford F350 and have had lots of work done to increase power especially through the mountains. After pouring ~ $8000 into it (rebuilt tranny, Edge computer and hydra chip, new pipes on Turbo, new Turbo wheel, etc.) it is not really that much better than it was originally. I am looking for a Class 7 or Class 8 truck to pull my RV. I found a truck on Craigslist that I am very interested in but not sure if it will have the power to travel through the west mountains and pull my RV without stress. It has the following Equipment: Cummins ISC 250 HP; Eaton Fuller RT-8709B 9-speed transmission; 10,000# Front axle; 19,000# Rear Axel; 3.07 Axle ratio; GVWR 26,000#; Air Brakes; Air system dryer. I am new to these trucks and really don't know what I should be looking for. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if this is how I should post this or if I am in the right area. Hi Moosetrax, Welcome to the forum. I wish you luck in your search. I have not been out west yet, so I can't give you any ideas about horsepower and torque. Just remember let torque be your friend. Welcome again to the forum and keep asking questions. Al 2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger " Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood " 2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oletimer Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 In 1999, I purchased a new Freightliner FL-70 with a Cat-3126, and a 6 speed fuller transmission. I had it rerated 3 times, and ended up @ 335HP, but can't remember the torque, there was no more metal to rerate more. It was loud, uncomfortable, and under powered!! My Dodge 3/4 ton pulled the RV much better. Had air brakes on the FL-70, so it did stop much better. I'm sure the one with the Cummings would pull better than the one I had, BUT, I hated the truck for 11 years, so ended up with a VNL 630, with 400HP/860 torque, and a smile. Good luck. Dick T. BTW, our camper was kinda' heavy (19,000#) 2006 Volvo VNL 630(VED12 400HP)10 speed autoshift,3.58 gear 236" twin screw, w/ET, Jackalopee, Blue Dot2016 Space Craft 37' Blu/Dot, Dexter 8K triple axel, HD Drum hydraulic brakes Feather lite air ride2005 Jeep Rubicon2007 Suzuki DR 650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 22 minutes ago, rickeieio said: Seems we've become spoiled by abundant power. It wasn't that many years ago when 400 hp was a dream, and trucks slowed down on hills. we don't NEED big horses, we just LIKE them. YES! More Power! Moose- If you want better braking, more stability, and better distance between fuel stops, the FL will be a great move. As others have stated it will be low on power... BUT you 're not pulling 20000+ either. At 16k+- I think you will be OK. You won't be the fastest to the top, but you will be able to stop at the light at the bottom. Our Volvo is set at 425/1450. With our old Carrilite RV that weighed 19500 loaded, it did ok. With the new DRV that weighs 1000lbs more unloaded, I could tell a difference. Same road, same hills, same head on wind. The Fl has a Cummins, and Banks has the added power accessories to give it more oomph....http://shop.bankspower.com/c-41-products-power-efficiency-systems.html Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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