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NewTo Us Country Coach

Yahoo Message Number: 93143
We purchased a 2007 Tribute 260 on Nov. 4th and were in it from 11/14 to 12/26. Everything worked great and driving it was all that I could want in a coach. We had traded an '03 (not a CC) so many things had been upgraded.
The only area I would like some input to has to do with the Cat 400 engine. As I do most of the driving and our other coach had a Cummins 370, I am curious as to the speed for optimum fuel consumption. Also the transmission has 6+ gears. I have noticed that the gear indicator shows 6.1 or 6.2 etc when leaving a stop light. Should I be shifting down to a lower gear so as not to put stress on the transmission.
Would appreciate some feedback on this subject.

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93144
Hi Donna,

You don't say what your coach serial number is. I am always on the lookout for 81125, which was a 2007 model. I have the 2008 Tribute 260, serial number 81138, which replaced the former serial number. I chose to go with the Cummins ISL425 engine, and feel that I did the right thing, at least, so far. I like the Jake Brake better than the Cat.
To answer your question, just let the transmission do its job, and don't worry too much about down shifting it. The Allison 6 speed transmission is pretty much "bullet-proof", as transmissions go. When leaving the light, what you are seeing (I apologize if you already know this) is the highest gear selectable, and the current gear that the transmission is using. 6 speeds available, and currently accelerating in 1st, going to 2nd, etc.
Change your oil and oil filter regularly, and you should have little worries with your engine. I like to run injector cleaner in each tank of diesel, simply to add the preventive step towards keeping my fuel injectors clean. Perhaps not needed, but I feel better doing this.
I have found that 57-60 seems to provide the best fuel mileage, but that is just me. Keep in mind the engine rpm limitations when going downhill, and attempt as best you can, not to exceed the limited rpm's that the manufacture places on the engine. I have yet to find anyone from Cummins that can tell me why and what bad thing will occur if I exceed it while going downhill, but I still try to always observe it.

Happy New Year,

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93145
Donna

We have a 2006 Inspire with a 400 Cat and the best place to run mine is 60-62mph with a high of 8.3 and low of 6.8 pulling a 98 Honda Accord. As already stated change the oil and filter sooner than later and I run Diesel Kleen in every fillup. I change the oil at 5-6000mi because of the HUIE pump and the way the injectors shear the oil.. http://pdf.cat.com/cda/files/87775/7/pehp9526.pdf and it takes 8.5 gallons. Change the fuel filters, if the air dryer has not been changed you should have it done. Change the hyd filters (3) nelson stacked for the hyd fan and steering and you need to check if it has had the wet PTO installed. The 2007 Tribute 260 should be about the same as the 2006 Inspire 360.
http://www.jdrv1.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/pto-101a.pdf Check and see if the trans filters have been changed the first set at 5k then 50k after that.
A great tool to use is this, will keep you on top of things http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/?q=node/299 Lot of guys use this one plugged into a laptop, great tool.
http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/?q=node/6 This is the one I have, kind of spendy but I like it.
http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/?q=node/18 This is a little more than you asked for but it is just some things to look at in you spare time.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93146
The CC Tribute DOES NOT have a PTO. The radiator is in the rear of the coach. The CAT 400 is great teamed with the Allison. Do not OVERTHINK maintenance. Follow the recommendations in your manual. Personally I find very little difference in mileage at 60, 65 or 68, my personal limit. Use your economy mode on the MODE switch. The red light is on in economy. But if you are really worried about MPG, you probably shouldn't have purchased a 45,000 lb. diesel pusher! HA???? D Jean

CC Tribute 260 81072

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93147
David

Thanks for the info on that. Did not know it was a rear radiator. Did not look at the Tribute when we go the one we have, plus I wanted a side radiator, my daughter has a Monaco and when you open the doors all you see is radiator.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93152
The first number is the gear you have selected, the second number is the gear you are currently using. Cat engines don't get the milage a Cummins does. But staying around 1600 rpm ought to give you a start in the right direction. Join the Cat owners club and attend some of their rallies to find out all about your engine. The only way you can stress the transmission is by putting it in neutral while in motion and then re engaging the transmission while in motion. Only switch to and from reverse while still. From the sound of things you could either have a Cat or Allison transmission. The other issue you have to check right away is the hydraulic pump. It needs to be lubricated yesterday if not before. Then a wet kit needs to be added to prevent any wear to the gears. You should have the transmission fluid changed with a synthetic type. We need to find you a former CC tech to inspect your coach and check all systems to make sure you don't have any issues lurking in the shadows. I hope all the filters have been changed, the coolant has been changed in the engine and the hydraulic fluid is a bright red with no burnt smell. Use Dexron there, not a synthetic as it will eat the O rings and seals etc. Make sure your batteries are not gassing if you have lead acid types, and the water is at the proper levels. Air filter needs to be checked, too. If you don't have the owners manuals, check with CC about getting the factories copies and a list from the other systems manufacturers. Inspect your tires carefully they should be replaced if original or continually exposed to the sun in an air polluted environment. Always fill the tires at 69 degrees F to the pressure of the placard posted below your transmission selector panel. Read the weight chart on the bath cabinet door and weigh your coach to make sure its not over loaded on a corner or that one side is drastically heavier than the other side. Oh! always give us the model, year, and serial # of your coach when posting so other Tribute owners can better relate to your individual coach. Good luck and congratulations! Remember half the fun is getting there.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93153
The max rpm on the 425 with fuel being used is 2300 rpm and the transmission will upshift at that point. When coasting down hill in a lower gear the transmission will up shift at or around 2650 rpm with your foot off the accelerator.to the next higher gear, so be prepared to apply the service brakes. . Most coaches are delivered with the transmission set to seek 4th gear when going down grade. If this is not low enough to maintain a safe speed while going down a grade select the next lower gear manually. If you select a gear too low that will over speed the engine the transmission will not shift down. I had mine set up to seek 2nd gear eventually when I lift my foot of the accelerator as I drive a lot of narrow steep winding roads. My best milage according to my Silver Leaf system monitor is between 63 and 64 mph on the flat and level.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731 400 ISL Allison 3000

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93158
Thanks to all for your advise. Have always had the yearly maintenance on our former coaches and actually never had engine problems or transmission problems. Just never having a Cat engine was not sure if there was any actual difference especially seeing the gear numbers. While driving, I try to keep the rpms at 1500 or 60 mph with a cummins engine and averaged between 8-9 mpg. Why even looking at it as like someone said, "if it matters, perhaps you shouldn't be driving one" I guess I like the bragging rights compared to the 5th wheels and larger coaches.

Just went out to check the serial number on our coach and it is 81068. Sorry not the number Jim was looking for.

Happy New Year to all! Hope to see some of you down the road during 2014.

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93162
I'd like to point out that Country Coach paired their Caterpillar engines sometimes with Allison transmissions and sometimes with Caterpillar transmissions. This doesn't change the fact that the powertrain is often more or less bulletproof, no matter which combination you have, but owners should not assume that just because they have a CAT engine that their transmission is by Allison.
As for fuel economy, another good option for watching it is the ScanGuageD, a reasonably priced add-on which will show you how much HP you are using at any given moment, how much turbo boost, and can be set to watch mpg. It can also report many other parameters like transmission temperature when towing, etc. Just plug it into the Diagnostic Connector under the dash.
With a 2007 rig I think you just missed the Diesel Particulate filter so no need to worry about that. But with a rig going on 7 years old, the first thing you should check are your tires... look at the DOT numbers on the sidewall. If it has the original tires then the FIRST thing you should do is replace them all.
Every tire and safety expert I have heard or read says seven years is the life of a tire. After that, the tire becomes unsafe. And a lot depends on how the tires were treated over the years. How much sun, how long they sat in one spot without being moved, underinflation, etc. And as many on the forum can tell you, a blowout on your RV can be very, very costly. Your RV may be fitted with RV or Truck tires which are cheaper. True RV tires have more emollients in the side walls so the tire will last 7-10 years as the tread is not likely to wear out within that time, whereas trucks usually will wear out their tire tread before the side walls deteriorate.

Enjoy your new coach!

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93166
Regarding tires on coaches. We had the Tyron's (run flats) on our old coach and in fact just put new tires on it last year (11/12). When I traded coaches, part of the deal was that they would transfer the tires and rims from our old to the CC as long as the rims fit. Tires make me nervous as I also ride a motorcycle and know that it is important to have safe tires.
Donna & Chuck

2007 Tribute 260 - 81068
 

Re: NewTo Us Country Coach

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93202
My 2007 Tribute seems to like 65 mph- gets around 7.2 mpg. I put to transmission in economy mode and let the unit shift when its ready.

Robert & Chee Chee Huffhines
2007 Tribute #81042
2006 Jeep Liberty



On Wednesday, January 1, 2014 6:16 PM, Donna Keefer wrote:

Regarding tires on coaches. We had the Tyron's (run flats) on our old coach and in fact just put new tires on it last year (11/12). When I traded coaches, part of the deal was that they would transfer the tires and rims from our old to the CC as long as the rims fit. Tires make me nervous as I also ride a motorcycle and know that it is important to have safe tires.
Donna & Chuck

2007 Tribute 260 - 81068