General 2.3 120bhp opinion

[Fiatcamper321]

Hi
Ready to pull the trigger on a 2020 swift motorhome ( van conversion ) that ticks all the requirements other than engine power, It is the 120bhp model and I am worried about its ability on the alps or anywhere else that involves climbing!!!, Is it enough am I overthinking this?
TIA

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Hi
Ready to pull the trigger on a 2020 swift motorhome ( van conversion ) that ticks all the requirements other than engine power, It is the 120bhp model and I am worried about its ability on the alps or anywhere else that involves climbing!!!, Is it enough am I overthinking this?
TIA

We’re very used to seeing big numbers of Horse power on cars and vans these days but some pretty big tractors can still have less than 200hp.

I remember talking to a guy from a removal firm many many years ago now who’s truck (which was huge) was only 170hp.

Torque plays a bigger factor in how fast you get moving and in a motor home speed is not really a priority. I’m sure you would have taken it for a test drive before you buy so you’d have some idea of its power.

Many vans can be easily “tweeked” to unleash extra ponies at a later date if it’s found that it doesn’t work well on very steep or mountainous area

 

[bugsymike]

As Andy says torque and gearing, my first Iveco Daily van was a 3.5 tonne gross and only 80hp, but first gear was very low to suit.
To me many Motorhomes are massively over bodied and probably spend much of their lives at or over the specified weight limit.
As mentioned a good long road test, preferably with somewhere like it's normal payload / weight, as an empty van will fly until carrying it's max. limit weight.
A possible thought is if a 2.3 but towards it's spec. limits it may strain the clutch more with a constant high payload up mountains etc. whereas the extra power and torque of the bigger engines mean they don't have to work so hard and have a stronger clutch.
Finally if it was me I would forget any auto versions inspite of the ease of driving after reading all the grief of members on Forum with those.

 

[VinceS]

I've got a 2016 2.3 130hp Ducato MH which is about 3.2t when we are driving, had no great problem with the available power, but did seem to need to change down to 5th on some motorway inclines to maintain 65mph. Had it a remap done which gives a handy bit of extra power. Otherwise excellent engine and gearbox.

 

[porta]

Hi
Ready to pull the trigger on a 2020 swift motorhome ( van conversion ) that ticks all the requirements other than engine power, It is the 120bhp model and I am worried about its ability on the alps or anywhere else that involves climbing!!!, Is it enough am I overthinking this?
TIA

Went all round Europe in my long wheelbase 2.8 non turbo 115bhp ducato with no issues…as said before, torque is a better gauge for load luggers

 

[porta]

As Andy says torque and gearing, my first Iveco Daily van was a 3.5 tonne gross and only 80hp, but first gear was very low to suit.
To me many Motorhomes are massively over bodied and probably spend much of their lives at or over the specified weight limit.
As mentioned a good long road test, preferably with somewhere like it's normal payload / weight, as an empty van will fly until carrying it's max. limit weight.
A possible thought is if a 2.3 but towards it's spec. limits it may strain the clutch more with a constant high payload up mountains etc. whereas the extra power and torque of the bigger engines mean they don't have to work so hard and have a stronger clutch.
Finally if it was me I would forget any auto versions inspite of the ease of driving after reading all the grief of members on Forum with those.

My old 2.5 Iveco would sit at 75mph all day every day with or without a load on. Long or very steep inclines would necessitate dropping down a cog, but it just kept going