zmotorsports wrote:

This is exactly one reason why both CAT and Detroit quite supplying the RV industry with engines for 2010. This has been brewing since the last major increase in EPA standards was presented for 2007 model year. The Urea (DEF) is not designed to be changed as a fluid (as someone suggested earlier), it is a comsumed fluid. The Urea will be injected in just prior to the catalytic converter to reduce the NOx gasses. The tank size is a major concern of most RV manufacturers because the government mandates suggest that they have a tank large enough to support 10-15K miles between filling. It will have a low level alarm which will sound when the fluid gets below a predetermined amount then another alarm when there are approx. 20 starts left based on an average of the previous starts (miles averaged per ignition on time) and then on the 21st attempt the engine will not start. The fluid is said to be available at most truck stops in the future and at this time no one seems to know a cost of how much this fluid will be. I talked with a Cummins rep the other day and he informed me that what Navistar has asked for is a different approach, they want to control the NOx emissions as well as help with the opacity by controlling the EGR on a more infinate scale. Currently most EGR systems are open or closed for various times and Navistar has asked to increase control of the EGR by using it during increased parameters of engine operation as well as using PWM (pulse width modulation) to vary the amount of exhaust gasses being introduced into the intake stream and when.

I feel that this will definatley hurt the diesel RV market which has already taken a huge hit within the last 18 or so months. An article that I read last week suggested that either people looking for an RV with either buy a gas coach with the higher more upscale amenities or simply hold off on purchases. This also comes at a time when banks are increasing the criteria for loaning on RVs anyway. It should be interesting to see how this will all play out in the RV industry as well as the OTR industry because they will be held to the same standard. Mike.

BiGG wrote:

Any technology that makes diesels stink less is a good thing. If the added cost is prohibitive for certain consumers they still make gas powered rigs

RayChez wrote:



LOL! Have you ever followed a gasoline engine vehicle and when they accelorate you can smell that stinky catalytic converter burning all the excess gasoline? I am not sure if that smells any better or worse then the smell of diesel. And just the smell of gasoline is nothing to be bragging about, it makes my wife sick to smell gasoline.