On average cocidering the average matenance on a diesel engine what would be the approcment mileage that a Cummins, cat or Detroit should get.

Total miles? Or fuel economy?

The Cats and Cummins should attain 500K+ miles. Detroit 2-strokes, 250K+, 4-stroke (8.2L), no one knows, because they fail consistently. A friend has the 8.2 in his flatbed, with over 200K.

Fuel economy depends on the coach weight, terrain, and driving conditions. The Cummins 5.9L typically gets 10+mpg, the 8.3L, 8-9 mpg. The Cat 3208 is around 8-9 mpg, the 3116 and 3126, around 10.

Thanks Rusty. This is good information for me as I am looking to purchace a Barth.

Pat, engine longevity and mpg are affected by the transmission in the driveline. With a six speed, and/or overdrive, you should turn fewer revs per mile cruising. That can extend engine life and provide more miles per gallon of fuel. However, diesel around here is about 30 cents more per gallon than regular gasoline.**
That aspect of the unit is not something that can be easily changed, unlike leaks, cracked shower floor, obsolete refer, etc..

** CORRECTION: more like 60 cents

Getting consistently 11 mpg on our CAT3208T (250hp), not towing. The coach weighs 32000 lbs / Gillig chassis.

In the hills I get 8.2 and on the flat I get 10+. My Detroit guy says this is a 300k motor. It's a 2 stroke. Runs like a champ. 365hp and 850ft lbs of tq. I have a Detroit 6V92 Silver Series D Deck 2 it has a blower and a turbo with an Allison 4 speed. I love the sound and power.

I had posted a question on diesel mileage and received vary good information. Now I think I have found a breakaway that I would like opinions on. I talked to the owner and received permission to let everyone know which coach I am interested in. It is Rod and LaVee DeGarlais coach. You can find it listed for sale on coaches for sale on the Forum. I would like to know if this is a good combination engine and transmission for this coach. Also any other information that you know good or bad that would help me in my decision to purchase it. Thanks for any you help that you can provide.

With the upgrade and 6-speed, you should have no issues with the coach. Lou has a similar coach (33' Breakaway) with the stock 230HP - you could PM him. He's had his since July '11.

quote:

Now I think I have found a breakaway that I would like

seems like an excellent choice, Pat
fairly close to home.
Having driven a Barth with 4 speed and a Barth with 6 Speed, I think the latter is very advantageous.

I went on the Barth site and looked in search for Barth insulation. I found a lot of opinions of bad insulations so if you could please let me know your experience with cold and hot weather and how difficult it is to keep the coach warm or cold and if you need to keep the generator on when boon docking all of the time or when hooked up at an RV park without the generator running. All information on this subject is important as it would be very expensive to try to re-insulate the coach. Also if anyone has good information on how to insulate the coach. Thanks you Patrick

I have never been happy with my Breakaway, '93/'94 model insulation. Below 40 OAT the furnace will run almost continually, Above 85 OAT and sunny both roof airs will have to be on.

I have double glass windows, not much help! I am looking at a complete insulation job but you are right, if you don't do it your self, it would be VERY expensive.

What part of CA are you in?