Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

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Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

December 09, 2014, 12:37:04 pm

Quote from: bostrom4367 – December 09, 2014, 12:48:51 am

Engine Cat 3126 300Hp.

Nice looking coach.

It's interesting that it has the Cat 3126 engine. Foretravel used a variety of engines during this era. I wonder how many Foretravels were produced with the Cat 3126 engine?

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #1 – December 09, 2014, 01:46:21 pm

A very nice coach with worthy upgrades. In 97 apparently these Cats were also used. This may have been an optional engine. My 97 is a 34' coach and has a 325hp Cummins. A 300hp Cat may be a tad sluggish for a 40' coach. Just guessing.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #2 – December 09, 2014, 02:07:10 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – December 09, 2014, 01:46:21 pm

My 97 is a 34' coach and has a 325hp Cummins. A 300hp Cat may be a tad sluggish for a 40' coach. Just guessing.

That potential "sluggishness" would be my concern as well. I assume our 40' U320 is somewhat heavier than a 40' U295, but I really appreciate the performance of our Cummins M11 and really wouldn't want to have a significantly smaller engine.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #3 – December 09, 2014, 02:25:24 pm

I have the Cat 3126 on a 40' and it's probably the only thing that I regret about our coach. It's not terrible but definitely a little under powered. So far it's been dependable though.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #4 – December 10, 2014, 01:59:13 am

Our '97 U295 is 36ft., and a good match for the 300hp CAT 3126. Takes some planning for passing in the mountains. But it is a solid build and we've enjoyed a quality coach.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #5 – December 10, 2014, 08:44:02 am

Quote from: cajk – December 10, 2014, 08:05:49 am

OK, I think we've covered the pros and cons of the engine...so let's give the seller a break. For MANY motorhome owners, the "living conditions"" are much more important than the "driving performance". If the engine moves the coach from one park to the next, safely and without hassle, then it serves its purpose. This is a really clean looking, obviously well-cared for coach, with some unique and desirable upgrades. I particularly like the A/C ducting work, the pleasant neutral colors, and most of all the WTBI floor plan. If what you are looking for is maximum interior space and storage capacity on a non-slide 40' coach, this is the one for you.

I respectfully disagree. I believe it's important to consider all aspects of a vehicle before the purchase is completed. Therefore, I believe an understanding of engine performance is important. If the prospective buyer recognizes the possible shortcomings and decides those are acceptable, then that's great. However, if the prospective buyer doesn't fully understand, then he may be disappointed, and that's not good for the buyer--or possibly the reputation of Foretravels in general.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #6 – December 10, 2014, 10:16:15 am

Well, many people spend most of the time parking in parks and only drive 62mph anyway. On the level, the power difference doesn't matter that much. The M11 have some of it's own quirks to deal with as well.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #7 – December 10, 2014, 10:51:39 am

Yes, the 3126 is a little short on displacement for a 40 footer at 7.2 liters compared to 8.3 on the Cummins and 9.0 on the Detroit. Engine size almost always dictates low end torque/power. Some RVs have a 350HP version so may be a simple ECU remapping to increase the HP. To make it work well in trucks at 300HP, the Allison 6 speed was not recommended with a 9 or 10 speed manual needed to get it working well. Trade off is probably excellent fuel mileage with the 7.2 and with the huge price gap between diesel and gasoline, that is a positive.

Have heard keeping valve clearances correct is important.

Pierce

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #8 – December 10, 2014, 11:14:29 am

Quote from: krush – December 10, 2014, 10:16:15 am

The M11 have some of it's own quirks to deal with as well.

Please tell us all about those "quirks."

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #9 – December 10, 2014, 11:18:33 am

David,

How about the "Cummins" on the valve cover?

Pierce

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #10 – December 10, 2014, 12:05:07 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – December 10, 2014, 11:18:33 am

David,

How about the "Cummins" on the valve cover?

Pierce

Since that label indicates the high levels of quality and performance that are on the inside I would have to say it's the best part!

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #11 – December 10, 2014, 01:38:49 pm

In my 95u320 I have a cat 3176 and the previous owner had it increased to 400hp. About 9 miles a gallon at 70mph and it has enough power that no truck can pass me unless I let them. I love a cat

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #12 – December 10, 2014, 04:13:46 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – December 10, 2014, 01:38:49 pm

In my 95u320 I have a cat 3176 and the previous owner had it increased to 400hp. About 9 miles a gallon at 70mph and it has enough power that no truck can pass me unless I let them. I love a cat

Yes, the 3176 is a completely different beast. SIZE MATTERS.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #13 – December 10, 2014, 04:55:08 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 10, 2014, 04:13:46 pm

Yes, the 3176 is a completely different beast. SIZE MATTERS.

Exactly! As you undoubtedly know, the old saying is, "There's no replacement for displacement."

Even though turbochargers have allowed smaller engines to produce significantly more power than their naturally-aspirated counterparts, a large-displacement diesel engine with robust low-end torque is really a blessing when powering a motorhome.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #14 – December 10, 2014, 07:05:46 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – December 09, 2014, 12:37:04 pm

Nice looking coach.

It's interesting that it has the Cat 3126 engine. Foretravel used a variety of engines during this era. I wonder how many Foretravels were produced with the Cat 3126 engine?

Best guess:
1996 - 7
1997 - 16

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #15 – December 10, 2014, 07:08:04 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – December 10, 2014, 07:05:46 pm

Best guess:
1996 - 7
1997 - 16

Thanks!

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #16 – December 10, 2014, 09:38:21 pm

Can't speak for a 3208T in a 40 ft'r, but that engine in our 36ft'r is all I need for every where I've been. Like any engine, know your torque curve and stay in the high end going into a climb. That O'l mechanical 3208T is a simple hard running engine and has pushed alot of rigs down the road for alot of miles. I recall that it is an 8.3 liter engine (would have verify that), so I'm thinking that the 3176 is also a great engine. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #17 – December 10, 2014, 10:07:56 pm

The Caterpillar 3208 is 10.4 liter displacement.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #18 – December 10, 2014, 10:22:02 pm

For the last ten years I've been using a 3126 cat in a FL60 Freightliner to pull a 53' 5th wheel race car trailer. Truck new came with a 6 speed standard but PO told me there was never the right gear to go up hills so he had the dealer swap it out for a 10 speed standard. Truck and trailer weight 32,000 lbs and was 70' long, different ride and handling from a motorhome but motor pulling weight would be the same. On flat level ground pulls along at 70 mph getting 14 - 15 mpg. Has enough power, even in British Columbia where I'm from, to pull up and over all the mountain passes...slowly, usually down to 7th gear at 2200 rpm going 35 - 40 mph.

When I decided to change over to a Motorhome and smaller tag trailer I knew I wanted the largest cu.in. motor I could get in a 36' coach. Very few 36' motorhomes ever made with the large motor tranny combo, Foretravel is one of them.

Steve

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #19 – December 10, 2014, 10:46:28 pm

Bet your 14 to 15 MPG are in Imperial gallons.

Pierce

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #20 – December 10, 2014, 11:19:44 pm

Yes it was, still not bad compared to the single digit I'm going to get now.

Motorhome and trailer should be around 43 - 44,000 lbs. I'm hoping for 10mpg but it will more likely be 8 or 9. And you can't go anywhere in BC without going over a mountain pass or two.

Steve

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #21 – December 11, 2014, 09:46:18 pm

Brett ---- Thanks for the info, you wouldn't happen to know what the bore and stroke are. Thanks and have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #22 – December 11, 2014, 09:50:55 pm

Quote from: fkjohns6083 – December 11, 2014, 09:46:18 pm

Brett ---- Thanks for the info, you wouldn't happen to know what the bore and stroke are. Thanks and have a great day ---- Fritz

Caterpillar 3208: It has a 114.3-millimeter bore and a 127-millimeter stroke.

Re: Cat engine in a 40 ft Foretravel (split from Re: 1997 U295 4000 WTBI For Sale)

Reply #23 – December 11, 2014, 10:45:35 pm

Quote from: sk320 – December 10, 2014, 11:19:44 pm

Motorhome and trailer should be around 43 - 44,000 lbs. I'm hoping for 10mpg but it will more likely be 8 or 9. And you can't go anywhere in BC without going over a mountain pass or two.

Sounds about where we live in the Sierras. From here to Truckee, we get about 5 mpg, 8.5 mpg on the way home. Steep grades kill mileage. On the flat at 55, we can get up to 12 mpg if no headwind and very little throttle. Using 350HP racing big rigs upgrade really moves the gauge down in a hurry. Going to a favorite campground high up has the gauge going from full to just above 3/4 in 2 hours. San Francisco is about the same two hours but the gauge reads almost full when we get there.

Pierce

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