As a veteran truck driver who entered the class A coach business early on (FMCA9510), I can say with certainty that none of them is cheap. However, there are ways to greatly enhance maintainability and reduce the total cost of ownership by 50% or more. You should get a Freightliner class 7 or 8 (one or two drive axle) bus. I can’t overstate the importance of this next step. When it comes to American-made class 7 and 8 trucks, Freightliner is the undisputed leader. To become one of their North American dealers, all you need is round-the-clock availability (at least a technician and a parts person) and vast distribution.
Despite the higher initial investment, a nationwide system of service centres will cover virtually all worn components. Other than this, however, there is a significant lot of uniformity among the various components of class 8 trucks. That is to say, if you choose to participate in the Maintenance issues, you can pick from a variety of manufacturers who all create the same part, giving you more options at a more reasonable price.
Afterwards, choose for the larger diesel engine and american rv repair, but tune it for maximum torque rise rather than maximum horsepower for greater fuel economy and less wear on the vehicle and the operator. Remember that the area under the power curve, which varies only with the amount of motion, is directly proportional to the total force applied. The higher advertised horsepower (remember, in our society, that always means maximum horsepower) can only be achieved by crushing the curve in the low end, which increases shifting and general component wear.
Last but not least, if you’re having a bespoke coach built, it’s wise to invest in a more advanced cooling system if you can afford it (radiator size, fan and fan clutch, silicon hoses, etc.). Keep in mind that the highest horsepower ratings for any given engine model are reserved only for recreational vehicles and fire trucks. The significance of this to you cannot be overstated. The cooling systems designed for use in RVs and fire trucks will not maintain a steady engine temperature, even while the vehicle is ascending a long slope, when compared to a truck engine. As is the case with vehicles, the cooling system has been considered “adequate.” Stop giving in to it. If you cannot afford a sizable enough radiator, you should go with a slightly weaker engine (it will not really be less powerful). It’s the same motor with different adjustments to the cam, fuel pump, and/or waste gate of the turbocharger.
With 10 tyres and a trailer, a class 8 RV Chassis can tow as much as the biggest trucks. This number is known as the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Make sure your machine is properly functioning, especially the cooling system. It’s likely that engines made specifically for RVs and fire vehicles won’t be able to maintain a coolant temperature below 200 degrees Fahrenheit while climbing a strong western gradient. Even in the most taxing situations for your engine, including steep grades at high elevations, you will never overheat if your radiator cap (a $10 item) is in good shape, and you can climb any hill without losing more than around 3 to 6 miles per hour (depending on your transmission).
Upon more investigation into the engine and truck industries, it becomes clear that the reason for the variation in engine horsepower is so that used truck vendors may easily bump up the horsepower to entice incompetent owner operators to purchase old vehicles. Since driving at full power may quickly kill an engine in a vehicle with a poor cooling system, this is a trap and an illusion.
