340 vs 360

[wbonnell]

Looking at purchasing a 390 BH and am wondering if I should get the 360 upgrade? I would probably be towing a vehicle or trailer on certain trips. I just dont want to buy the 340 and then wish I had the 360!! How big of difference is there?

Thanks

Bill

[Himcules]

engine hpfrom 340 to 360 is a software change. same exact engine. cummins isb 6.7L turbo diesel.

off the top of my head, here's some differences:
transmission:
-40 gets the allison 2000 series.
-60 gets the allison 3000 series.

tow hitch:
-40 gets a 5,000lb hitch
-60 gets a 10,000lb hitch

total CCC is higher in the -60 (mainly because of the transmission)

MPG is higher (as reported from owners) in the -40 (10-12MPG vs 8MPG)

[NO3putt]

We have the 340 and move right along but then again we are not n a hurry to get any place. We have a toad, under 3000 lbs and get around 10 MPG. If you plan on towing something heavy you might consider the 360.

[boowho]

PLUS 1 to the above 2 messages. If you go with the 340, make sure your total weight of the MH PLUS the toad is within spec; otherwise you could be overhauling your tranny soon.

Resist the urge to change out the chip in the engine for the additional 20 HP. May cause the same tranny failure.

Boowho??

[klucas]

I have a 360 in my berk. I was willing to pay the extra money for the extra power. It has much more torque than the 340. Better trans, aluminum wheels and higher tow weight. I tow a jeep with mine and get about 9.5-11.5 mpg depending how fast I go. I just did a round trip to Texas from sc and got 10mpg for the 2200 mile trip. I have towed with it in the Rockies and smoky mountains and it did a great job. Didn't break any speed records on the climbs but was able to stay In a good gear and close to the speed limit.

[GHodge]

The biggest difference is in the towing capacity, the 360 has the allison 3000 series transmission and upgraded axle rating. If you intend to tow something the 360 upgrade is the place to start.

George & Diana

[Mmnsc]

Go with the 360. I tow a 2013 ford explorer and consistently get better than 10 mpg whether towing or not. When towing I don't even fell the explorer on the back as long as I keep it around 65 mph. Good luck with what ever you chose, you will enjoy it...

[mjracsj]

I wish ours had the 360 instead of the 340 that we have if that helps.

[Himcules]

other than the initial cost difference of about $10k and potentially more fuel costs, there isn't much downside to upgrading... everything else is the same but you get more hp/tq, towing capacity, and weight carrying capacity... imo, that's worth the upgrade...

[62_inrightlane]

I have the 340 in my 38ft Berk and averaged 11.5 MPG from Panama City, FL to Grand Rapids, MI towing a 3,400# Chevy Malibu. Extremely happy with my setup!

Would I have paid an extra 10K for the 360? Probably, just incase in the future I wanted to tow a pickup or SUV. No other advantage for the DW and I since it's just the two of us.

[EJM4]

We have the 360 engine along with trans, etc you also get aluminum wheels. We tow a CRV and average 75-80 mph while on the interstate and consistantly get 11 mpg.

[speedmerchant]

I have the 340 and to honest if I was buying new I'd go with the 360hp. Mostly only because it is connected to the Allison 3000 transmission. The 340hp is no problem to boost up to easily get much more hp/tourque out of but the tranny is the bottleneck to that, as the 340 has the less robust Allison 2500 tranny.