[Burlyman]

As I am searching for my first Newell, I see that the older models typically had the 2 stroke 8v92 and then they advanced to the DD S60.  My dad was a charter bus driver for 20 years and raved about the Series 60 when his buses had those for a powerplant.   I see that Newell had some CAT C12, C13 and then stepped up  to the big 625hp CAT C15 before arriving at the Cummins ISX 650.

I have heard that 8v92 drivers experience around 5mpg while Series 60 approaches 8mpg.  I am not sure if this is universally agreed on, and I know precious little of the other platforms.  My guess would be that the C12/13s would be closer to the S60 while the C15/ISX650 would be more around 5mpg.

Would love to hear some real world feedback.  Budget will likely put me in a coach with the S60 or a C12/13, so if you have feedback on these platforms, I'd be glad to receive your knowledge.

[bikestuff]

Steve,

I have a 2003 coach with a C12. I don't pull a toad or a stacker. My mileage moves around a bit depending on the terrain and how fast I drive, but my experience is that I am usually in the mid to upper 7's MPG. (From the silver leaf computer). I almost always run my generator when moving, so that will use some fuel which is not included in the MPG.

bill

[encantotom]

i had a 90 newell with the 8v92. i got about 6 to 6.5. dependent on grades and such.

my 02 has a s60. on flatland with a tailwind and driving about 63mph i can get 7 to 8mpg. driving faster drops it and so do hills/mountains.

typical would be around 7 give or take.

tom

[Burlyman]

Bill and Tom, thank you so much for your feedback! This confirms what I thought about the C12 and it looks like the difference between the 8v92 and the S60 is not as drastic as I had thought. I have only test driven a 8v92 several years back when I nearly purchased a '92 Newell, and I was quite happy with the power it had. If I found the right coach, I wouldn't pass it up because of the older DD engine.

[Land Yacht]

I have a S60 and recently had my valves adjusted. This increased my mpg .5 or more, where on flatland I am over 8mpg on the DDEC and 7+ in mountains. I have about 177k on the drive train.

[Burlyman]

Mike, that is very impressive mileage. Do you try to maintain a specific speed/rpm to attain this?

[valento]

My average over about 40,000 miles with a CAT C15 with Allison towing about 6,000 lbs was 5.6 mpg. As others have indicated you can get better mileage on the flats or going downhill but everything combined I was getting only 5.6 mpg and that is driving between 65-70 mph most of the time. I was going back and forth over the rockies quite often too.

[HoosierDaddy]

1993 newell 45’ pulling 20’ open trailer hauling a 8000# truck= 5-6 mpg. My 8v-92 is a later model 500 hp with electronic engine management.

[Burlyman]

Valento, with as much mountain driving as you've done, I would tend to think 5.6 was actually pretty good for that size of engine. Thanks for your feedback!

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HoosierDaddy, towing 10k+ with a 8v92... your mileage is not suffering as much as I might have imagined. Thanks for chiming in on this!

[Land Yacht]

Steve, I use the cruise control at 63-64 mph to obtain decent fuel economy. I just plan extra travel time into my trips due to slower speeds but I am more rested upon arrival.