Here's a look at the power plant of our motor coach. It's a 300 horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder Caterpillar model 3126B 7AS diesel engine. It drives an Allison MD3060 six-speed electronically controlled transmission that features an economy mode.
The CAT is an electronically controlled engine with hydraulically activated, electronically controlled injectors. This truck engine produces 860 lb-ft torque that easily pushes the coach up steep grades.
Our coach is also equipped with a Jacobs Extarder system commonly called a "Jake Brake" on 18-wheelers. The Jake Brake improves downhill control and significantly reduces wear on the service air brakes.
The M.C. Kismet is big, very big. She is 37-feet long, 8.5-feet wide and stands 12-feet high. She's heavy too with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,350 lbs. (13 tons) with a cargo carrying capacity of 6,030 lbs. (3 tons). Plus, she can tow another 5,000 lbs.(2.5 tons).
Despite the big size and weight, she should average 9.5 miles per gallon (much better than the 6.5 mpg we got in the 36-foot gasoline powered Bounder in July). With her 90-gallon fuel tank the M.C. Kismet has a maximum cruising range of 850 miles (we had less than a 520 mile range in the Bounder). We'll plan on refueling our new coach every 500 to 600 miles.
No comments:
Post a Comment