Towing with older, low powered diesel pusher?

Larry Hill · 06-10-2019, 06:05 PM

8.3 Cummings, allison trans, and air brakes. 3100 series Cat are "Dixie Cup" engines. A 5.9 is ok to push the motorhome only. Stopping is the biggest consideration for any tow vehicle.

Kevin Panzino · 06-12-2019, 10:23 PM

Thanks gents for the responses. I have no worries in getting the 5.9 to a more than capable power and torque level for the application. Been there, done that, that engine is capable of incredible output and reliability.
Its the Allison AT 542 that is really the deal breaker right now. That trans doesn't even have torque converter lockup. I have been looking into converting it to the MT 643 allison, which is a very common conversion, but unless the owner will drop the price at least $6k, I cant be bothered.

KRatcliff · 06-17-2019, 08:07 AM

There is no question you can mod a 5.9L Cummins to incredible power, but one of the biggest issues you will run into is effectively monitoring the motor and transmission since it is a diesel pusher. That is a long way from the back to the driver to reliably monitor EGT and transmission temps.

I have modded the 5.9L Cummins in regular truck which is not a problem, but the ability to monitor the one in my diesel pusher was what stopped me from going forward. Just a thought.

06-10-2019, 06:05 PM	#1
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,646 Likes: 1,941 Liked 10,747 Times in 2,235 Posts	Re: Towing with older, low powered diesel pusher? 8.3 Cummings, allison trans, and air brakes. 3100 series Cat are "Dixie Cup" engines. A 5.9 is ok to push the motorhome only. Stopping is the biggest consideration for any tow vehicle. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

06-12-2019, 10:23 PM	#2
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 576 Likes: 298 Liked 748 Times in 137 Posts	Re: Towing with older, low powered diesel pusher? Thanks gents for the responses. I have no worries in getting the 5.9 to a more than capable power and torque level for the application. Been there, done that, that engine is capable of incredible output and reliability. Its the Allison AT 542 that is really the deal breaker right now. That trans doesn't even have torque converter lockup. I have been looking into converting it to the MT 643 allison, which is a very common conversion, but unless the owner will drop the price at least $6k, I cant be bothered.

06-17-2019, 08:07 AM	#3
KRatcliff Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 769 Likes: 75 Liked 534 Times in 143 Posts	Re: Towing with older, low powered diesel pusher? There is no question you can mod a 5.9L Cummins to incredible power, but one of the biggest issues you will run into is effectively monitoring the motor and transmission since it is a diesel pusher. That is a long way from the back to the driver to reliably monitor EGT and transmission temps. I have modded the 5.9L Cummins in regular truck which is not a problem, but the ability to monitor the one in my diesel pusher was what stopped me from going forward. Just a thought.

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