2001
Diesel Product Review
(Next Issue: Look for the 2001 Gasoline
Product Review!)
by Rich Johnson
For 2001, Holiday Rambler offers a foursome of splendid diesel-powered motorhome model lines – Ambassador, Endeavor, Imperial and Navigator. Between these four, there are 30 different floorplans, each with a long list of optional features to personalize the coach to fit the budget and luxury requirements of each owner. New for 2001 – all Holiday Rambler diesel motorhomes are built on the Roadmaster chassis. These motorhomes are designed, engineered, and built to do what diesel-powered coaches do best: deliver quiet and powerful performance at a level of fuel efficiency unattainable by gasoline engines, and continue to do it with marvelous reliability throughout an exceptionally long life.
Holiday Rambler's diesel pusher engineering isolates the engine inside a sound-deadened and thermally-insulated compartment at the rear of the motorhome, where nearly all the engine noise vanishes into the wind as you travel down the highway. It makes driving such a pleasure, when you are able to hear a whispered conversation, enjoy music from the sound system, or simply cruise in tranquillity without the sound of an engine to interfere.
Cummins builds the diesel engines for each of these coaches, and these superb powerplants are made to deliver an exceptionally long service life. It is not uncommon for a diesel engine to travel several hundred thousand miles before an overhaul. And during that long life, a minimum of maintenance is required, compared to a gas engine.
The benefits of diesel ownership are clear. Now, let's take a look at what's new for 2001 in each model line.
AMBASSADOR
The Ambassador for 2001 offers four floorplans, two 34-footers and two that measure 36 feet. Plan 36PBD is brand new for 2001. Every plan provides a slideout living room/kitchen suite, and three of the plans have slideout master bedrooms. With each plan, several options can be selected to meet the particular desires of the owner. Among other things, the options include a party table in the living room, a free-standing dinette, a laundry center, and new for 2001 is a neo-angled tub.
Throughout the Ambassador, solid hardwoods are used for elegant cabinetry, with western oak standard, and regal cherry wood and walnut optional. The fully-equipped kitchen includes a 2-way refrigerator, a double sink, and solid surface countertops by Marble Creations with a recessed 3-burner range and 17-inch oven. A space saver microwave is standard, and a combination microwave/convection unit is optional. Hot water is supplied by a 10-gallon gas/electric water heater.
New for 2001 is a 20-inch TV as part of the entertainment center above the cockpit for viewing from the living room. A 13-inch TV is optional for the bedroom. When extra guests arrive, the Easy-Bed sleeper sofa converts the living room to a second stateroom.
Ambassador is built on a Roadmaster RM4C chassis with a steel-framed floor on steel trusses. Neway air suspension with four air bags cushion the ride.
Standard power is supplied by a Cummins ISB 260-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 550 lb-ft of torque, linked to a 4-speed Allison 1000 transmission. Optionally available on selected models is a 300-horsepower Cummins and a 6-speed Allison, giving the coach a 26,000-lb. GVW, or a 315 horsepower engine on 36' models. An electronically-controlled exhaust brake works in conjunction with the engine and transmission to provide smooth additional braking power. Hydraulic brakes are standard and for a modest amount, air over hydraulic brakes can be optioned.
Standard for 2001 is an Onan 6.5-kw LP genset to provide 120-volt AC power when hookups are not available. Power heated remote mirrors are also standard in the new Ambassador, as are larger and wider sun visors. Optional for the new model year is the Energy Management System.
Interior comfort for the 34-footers is ensured by a 13,500 BTU air conditioner with centered ducted system (36-foot models get an additional 11,500 BTU A/C unit standard, which is optional on the 34-footers). A 35,000 BTU electronic ignition furnace with in-floor ducting keeps the coach cozy on chilly nights. To protect the plumbing, the utility bay is insulated and features a 12-volt heater. A special Cold Weather Package is available as an option, for those who want to keep on traveling through the winter.
Beneath the floor is an enormous amount of cargo storage space, with easy-to-clean polyethylene-lined and lighted bays opening wide. Pass-through bays provide extra convenience for carrying especially large items.
Priced and equipped as it is, Ambassador is among the easiest to own diesel coaches from Holiday Rambler.
ENDEAVOR
According to Holiday Rambler, the 2001 Endeavor is the best-performing, most value-conscious motorhome in its class. That's saying a lot, especially because the Endeavor spans a size category that ranges from 34 feet in length to 40 feet – a very popular class indeed. Ten floorplans make up the 2001 Endeavor line, and all except three feature double slideouts.
Every Endeavor is built on a raised rail Roadmaster chassis with a full air suspension with 8 air bags (two at each wheel), 8 gas shock absorbers, and front anti-sway bar for smooth and well-controlled ride and handling characteristics. The air bags and shock absorbers are positioned one ahead and one behind each wheel and in line with the wheels to increase stability and prevent body roll in corners. In addition, monitored leveling sensors adjust air pressure continually to stabilize the coach while traveling.
Endeavor for 2001 will be powered by the versatile Cummins 330-horsepower turbodiesel, combined with the 6-speed Allison MH 3000 transmission. The strength of the chassis, engine and transmission give the new Endeavors a higher GVWR of 30,000 pounds and a gross combined weight rating of 40,000 pounds, providing more than ample towing capacity.
Step inside and you'll see that, for 2001 new standard features for the cockpit include a 6-way power pilot seat, adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, Sony rear vision system, a burlwood dashboard and instrument panel. An extra wide vinyl co-pilot seat with power footrest, and Carefree power sun visors are now optionally available to enhance livability in the cockpit. The TV is now centered in the overhead cabinets above the cockpit. Fabric swivel barrel chairs are standard on all models, and a hardwood flip-up party table is new standard equipment. Interior amenities now include standard western oak cabinets, with regal cherry and walnut being optional. A host of new decor packages now give owners a wide variety of beautiful interior choices. New upgrades in the bath area include a standard Thetford china toilet with bush-button flush, and a neo-angled tub is optional. For the entertainment center, a new optional stereo upgrade package with special speakers, amp and sub-woofer can be combined with a 10-disc CD changer to keep the tunes playing.
New standard equipment on the exterior includes recessed side docking lights, modified front and rear fiberglass caps, fresh exterior graphics with bolder paint schemes, and new fender skirts. Model year 2001 Endeavors boast a new standard 10-gallon gas/electric water heater, as well as an insulated wet bay with a 12-volt heater. An optional storage bay slideout tray is available for one of the full pass-through cargo compartments. Available cold weather package and energy management system rounds out the new option list for 2001 Endeavors.
IMPERIAL
Not surprisingly, Imperial has always been an exceptionally nice motorhome, designed and engineered for long-term travel in complete comfort. This year with full body paint standard, the Imperial looks, well, Imperial. Ten floorplans, ranging from 38 to 40 feet in length, make up the Imperial line, and three of them (38PBD, 38PBDD and 40PBDD) are brand new for 2001. All Imperial coaches are built on powerful Roadmaster semi-monocoque chassis, with full air suspension and eight outboard-positioned air bags delivering superb ride and handling. The new standard powerplant is the Cummins ISC 350-horsepower turbodiesel that outputs 1050 lb-ft of torque. It is married to a 6-speed Allison 3000 MH transmission with electronic shifter. The combination gives imperial a 33,000-pound GVWR and an impressive 43,000-pound GCWR, allowing plenty of capacity for towing a car behind. A 10,000-pound hitch system and six-point electrical connector is installed at the factory, so the coach is ready for towing. A full air brake (drum) system and a Pac exhaust brake take care of slowing or stopping the coach when necessary. Also new this year is an optional Cummins ISL 370 hp engine which delivers a peak 1200 lb-ft of torque.
Among the many new standard features for 2001, Imperial comes equipped with an Onan 7.5 kw diesel generator that is mounted on a roll-out tray for easy access to service points, a 2000-watt inverter, and an insulated and heated wet bay. An energy management system is optional, and the coach can even be ordered with a 90-watt solar panel to keep the batteries charged when traveling away from shore power hook-ups. For the driver, Carefree power sun visors are now standard, as are adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.
From the outside, the Imperial appears brand new, too, with a polished front bumper and full body paint with new graphics treatments. Choices of exterior color include Victorian Rose, Silver Fox, Golden Legacy, and Jade Stone, with corresponding interiors to match. A protective 3M film front mask is an option, as is a full-length Holiday mud flap. Wonderful basement storage capacity is enhanced by the optional slideout tray.
Life inside an Imperial has gotten even better than ever before, with a soft vinyl ceiling and wallpaper throughout. New 6" x 6" tile flooring for the kitchen, dinette and bath areas, and four new decor packages give the interior a fresh appearance. From among a selection of six different hardwoods, owners can choose cabinetry to match their desires. Each Imperial now comes with an analog/digital cellular antenna built in. The bathroom has been upgraded to a Thetford china toilet with push-button flush, and an optional neo-angled tub. The bedroom can be ordered with overhead cabinets, and the optional Sony home theater system is now available with a DVD player for the entertainment center.
There is no doubt that the Imperial for 2001 will be enjoyed for all it offers.
NAVIGATOR
Holiday Rambler's ultimate diesel-powered motorhome is the Navigator, so if you're looking for the largest and most luxurious coach you can buy from Holiday Rambler, this is it. Six floorplans range in size from 40 feet to 43 feet, each with a slideout living room. The newest plan that has been introduced for 2001 is the 40PBD, and it positions the dinette in the slideout along with the living room, while all the rest have the kitchen and living room in the expandable space. The 40PBD and 43PBD also feature slideout bedrooms.
Every model in the Navigator line rides on a Roadmaster semi-monocoque chassis that is suspended on outboard air bags and shock absorbers.
All the coaches except models 40PBS and 40WDS ride on tag axles and have a GVW of 46,000 pounds and a GCWR of 56,000 pounds. Models 40PBS and 40WDS go without the tag axle and is rated at 36,000 pounds and 46,000 pounds respectively. A 10,000-pound hitch receiver and six-way electrical connector makes the Navigator ready for towing a sizable dinghy.
Standard power for the navigator is the 350-horsepower Cummins turbodiesel, but two optional engines are available – a 370-horsepower version and a 500-horsepower version. The standard transmission is the 6-speed Allison MH3000, but the 6-speed MH4000 is optional with the 500 hp engine.
As might be expected with such a luxury motorcoach, the Navigator has always been so well equipped with standard features that it's a challenge to find new areas for upgrading. But the folks at Holiday Rambler have added the following items to the new standard equipment list for 2001: a 24-inch Sony Vega TV in the living room, a 20-inch Sony Vega TV in the bedroom, a Bose LS8 stereo system, a DVD player, an analog/digital cellular antenna, additional halogen lights in the ceiling and new decorative lights throughout, a Thetford china toilet, polished stainless steel bumper, triple-head exterior mirrors, a Carefree brushed aluminum awning, pantographic baggage doors, front disc brakes, an extended rail chassis, and new full body paint style.
On the list of brand new optional equipment for 2001 are two items: a protective mask made by 3M for the front of the coach, and a rear ladder. Also, a surge protector, Pure Sine wave inverter and Nu-Heat tile flooring in the kitchen are all new for 2001.
Navigator is not only beautiful, but powerful and extremely well equipped for a life of luxury while touring the country.
SUMMARY
Holiday Rambler has successfully brought to market a broad variety of diesel motorhomes in every price range and in every level of luxury. Discriminating buyers with an eye for value-priced quality and a desire for the beneficial characteristics of a diesel powerplant will find just what they're looking for. Ambassador, Endeavor, Imperial, and Navigator – these are the names that will set the pace for diesel-powered motorcoaches throughout 2001.
Rich Johnson is a freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest. He has 23 years experience as a professional editor with several automotive and RV publications, including TrailerLife / MotorHome.