Freightliner chassis for new diesel RV line

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Dec, 1997 by Mike Mercer

All three models of the Ultrasport series are powered by 7.2 L, turbocharged Caterpillar 3126 diesel engines rated 275 hp at 2200 rpm with 800 lb.ft. of torque at 1300 rpm. The engine package includes Farr air filters and Nelson exhaust systems, Delco Remy America 160 amp alternators and 28MT 12 V starters and two maintenance-free batteries rated 950 CCA at 0 degrees F. Other accessories include Fleetguard fuel filter/water separators, Phillips Temro 1000 watt, engine block heaters and Engineered Products air filter restriction indicators.

The engine cooling system incorporates a belt driven fan pulling air through a three -row, 13 FPI, 910 sq.in., rear-mounted, cross-flow radiator from Valeo, which also supplies the cross-flow charge-air cooler.

The engine is mated to an Allison MD3060, six-speed automatic transmission with reverse gear and a lockup torque converter. A push-button shift control system with integral ECU is used to control gear selection. The Caterpillar Soft Cruise electronic cruise control with high idle setting is also included.

The front axle is a Rockwell FC-921 I-beam wide track unit with a rated capacity of 10,500 lb. and a 81.9 in. track. The rear axle is a Rockwell RS-15-120 unit rated 15,500 lb. with a 69.3 in. track. The axles are suspended by a Neway air suspension system front and rear, with Bilstein dampers and a 1.50 in. diameter heavy-duty stabilizer bar mounted on the front suspension.

The power steering system is a TRW TAS 65 unit with integral hydraulic power gear, powered by a Vickers gear-driven pump. Steering ratio is 20.4:1 with a maximum steering cramp angle of 50.

The service brakes, full air Rockwell units, feature automatic slack adjusters. The front units are 15 x 4 in. while the rear drum units feature an S-cam and measure 15 x 6 in. The push-pull lever controlled automatic park brake is a spring-applied air release unit which activates the rear brake. A 13.2 cfm air compressor unit is included which employs a Midland Pure Air Plus heated air dryer.

Driver controls are complimented by a Freightliner-supplied instrumentation cluster. The cluster, packaged for Freightliner by ATI, uses Teleflex gauge components and includes: speedometer with odometer; tachometer; engine oil pressure; water temperature; voltmeter; fuel gauge and dual air pressure gauges.

The Ultrasport line frames use a straight rail construction with a maximum frame section of 9.0 in. x 2.75 in. x 0.25 in., which yields a maximum resistance at the bending moment of 291,000 lb.in. Mounted within the frame is a 90 gal. fuel tank, designed to give each vehicle a long travel range.

Auxiliary features include a 50 amp, 12 V power service, 45 amp, 12 V power converter and an Onan 6.5 LP generator set with an auto changeover feature.

All three models include a full kitchen, bathroom/shower facilities and underfloor storage areas accessible from the outside via lockable doors. The model 3670 also includes the Super Slide-Out Section, a free-standing couch and dinette, as well as an optional washer/dryer unit.

For more information on the Ultrasport motorhomes, contact: Damon Corp., P.O. Box 1 107, Elkhart, IN 46515. Telephone: (800) 860-5658.