07-05-2014, 11:39 AM
Bill, I had also been told by someone at Newell that you had the first C-12 and as near as I can tell you may have the first 505 HP C-12. #509, a 1999, had a 500 HP C-12. Those are likely the first two C-12's installed by Newell. Coach 723, a 2005, had a 525 HP C-13 and 728, also a 2005, had a 550 HP C-15. By 2006, most Newells were using the 625 HP C-15 Cat. The C-15 was Newell's standard engine until 2011 although there were a mix of Cats and Cummins ISX in late 2010.
ZF transmissions: Pro's and Con's
In the mountains, it is hard to beat the ZF transmission. With its ability to skip gears or use all 10 or 12 gears, ZF keeps the engine running in the sweet spot up and down mountain grades.
For more rolling hills and flat land driving, nothing beats the smoothness of the Allison 6 speed. The Allison, on level ground, will out accelerate the ZF and give the passengers a smoother ride while the ZF will give the driver more exact control of the coach on winding, mountainous routes.
They are both good transmissions. The Allison has a larger repair network in the U.S. than ZF does. Different strokes for different folks.
Since most of my driving is not in the mountains, I would probably give the nod to the Allison BUT I would not turn down a coach with a ZF transmission if it had a color, floorplan or price I liked better.
Looks like you have the towel bar situation nailed. Again, not a deal killer for me but I do enjoy having towel bars inside the shower, on the back of my bathroom door and behind the toilet in my coach. Never can have too many towel bars.
ZF transmissions: Pro's and Con's
In the mountains, it is hard to beat the ZF transmission. With its ability to skip gears or use all 10 or 12 gears, ZF keeps the engine running in the sweet spot up and down mountain grades.
For more rolling hills and flat land driving, nothing beats the smoothness of the Allison 6 speed. The Allison, on level ground, will out accelerate the ZF and give the passengers a smoother ride while the ZF will give the driver more exact control of the coach on winding, mountainous routes.
They are both good transmissions. The Allison has a larger repair network in the U.S. than ZF does. Different strokes for different folks.
Since most of my driving is not in the mountains, I would probably give the nod to the Allison BUT I would not turn down a coach with a ZF transmission if it had a color, floorplan or price I liked better.
Looks like you have the towel bar situation nailed. Again, not a deal killer for me but I do enjoy having towel bars inside the shower, on the back of my bathroom door and behind the toilet in my coach. Never can have too many towel bars.