BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: David Burris on December 22, 2011, 10:33:01 PM

Title: Considering 08 Patriot C 13
Post by: David Burris on December 22, 2011, 10:33:01 PM

Not considering changing engine.  just buy another motorhome.  What Coach and engine do you have Gil?  I am looking at a 525 Cat in a 08 Patroit.  Would anyone have any ideas on this engine?  Torque curve looks real good..

Title: Re: Considering 08 Patriot C 13
Post by: Gerald Farris on December 23, 2011, 04:06:31 AM

 David,
If you are concerned about fuel mileage, you probably will not like the C 13 engine in the coach that you referred to, however if you are like most coach owners and realize that fuel cost is one of our lower expense items, following depreciation and taxes in some states, it is a nice coach. The C 13 in the 2008 Thunder will probably average around 6 MPG, and can go as low as 5 MPG depending on speed and terain.

The durability on the engine is excellent, with the exception of some problems with the DPF (diesel particulate filter) system on some engines, and if the coach is a 2008, it probably has a DPF system. The performance of the coach is good, and the Jake brake will be a considerable improvement over your exhaust brake.

Gerald

Title: Re: Considering 08 Patriot C 13
Post by: Larry Fisk on December 23, 2011, 04:11:14 PM

I concur with Gerald, it is an excellent engine. We have 56,000 on ours without any issues. We do not have the DPF so I can't speak to that but do know that we avg. 6.5 miles per gallon and with a lot of hills have gotten as low as five. My feeling is it is worth the trade off in engine performance. We do stay on top of the required PM schedule, I feel that is an important aspect of engine reliability.

Title: Re: Considering 08 Patriot C 13
Post by: Jerry Carr on December 23, 2011, 04:25:19 PM

With our C13 we Avg 6.5-7mpg we are in Seattle so we spend a lot of time on the passes. going down I-5 we can do a little better 7.5.

Title: Re: Considering 08 Patriot C 13
Post by: Gil_Johnson on December 24, 2011, 04:52:37 AM

David,

Like you, I have a '08 Contessa.  Mine's a Westport 42.  Now that CAT has finally got past the C-9 engine problems we've had, why move to another DPF equipped engine that likely experienced similar problems.  Before CAT addressed our issues,, I was seriously considering changing coaches.  The cost to change was just too much.  I'm glad I stuck it out.

I must admit there are times when I'd like more power, but not often.

Gil