Cummins and Caterpillar diesel pusher engines each have more than 550 horsepower, at least one turbocharger and an engine brake.
Both manufacturers claim that their engines have excellent fuel economy, but they don't quote numbers. Both engines hold gallons of oil that you change at intervals of 20,000 to 25,000 miles.
The Cummins diesel pusher engine has a five-year or 100,000-mile warranty, and you can have it serviced at more than 3,500 dealers. Caterpillar offers a 24-month standard warranty with an extended warranty available and a network of 2,500 service centers.
Generally, the larger a motor home's engine, the larger the chassis needed to hold it. There are two popular chassis designs: frame rail and semi-monocoque. A frame-rail chassis is a set of long rails joined in parallel to form the foundation of your coach. The semi-monocoque design integrates the frame with the body to form a single, unified structure.
If you are new to pusher coaches, talk to everyone you see driving the type of vehicle you are considering. Rent different types and learn their idiosyncrasies. Take your time making sure that you are satisfied with how they work with the engines and chassis they have.
