Side vs Rear Radiators

[Wanabe]

Hi. We haven't bought our Motorhome yet. Looking at a lightly used Newell Coach. We keep hearing from people get one with a rear radiator, then I hear get one with a side radiator. Got any opions??? and why????

Wanabe

[Neweller]

I have only owned the rear mounted models but have clear understanding that side is the best way to go. Side radiators generally allow better engine access, even though both can be a pain depending on what your are needing to do. But changing serpentine belts are usually a breeze on a side mount. From what I have seen and been told, a side mounted radiator with proper air access cools better and gets less road debris.

I give two :thumbsup:up for the side mounted radiator! Just my humble opinion. Others may differ and that is cool too.

[GORDON HUMMEL]

While I totally agree with Ken, I have a couple of other observations.
Had an exhaust leak on my 91 Newell & all the soot clog the radiator until I found the leak. This would not have been a problem on a side mount.
On my 89 Eagle bus, which had a side mount, on my initial trip home, a hyd hose for the side mounted fan blew & left me stranded.
Rear mounted rad has a fan mounted to the water pump , maybe a fan clutch & thats it.
The side mounted rad fan has a PTO, Hyd pump, fan motor, hyd tank, temp controller & plumbing.
Of course if a Newell is lightly used, it would probably be a 4 stroke which I believe only have the rad on the side.

[BMG Coach]

Rear mounted radiator had less to worry about which Gordon pointed out above.

[rellick]

My side mount hydraulic fan runs via the power steering pump, the rear rad type still has the same pump that runs the power steering, my opinion is both will be reliable, they just use the side rad for more room for the engine, also a side rad willl stay cleaner.:)

[GORDON HUMMEL]

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[Chester B. Stone, Jr.]

I have had both, and side radiator is a far superior arrangement. The problem I had with a rear radiator was that the slobber tube (which is the crankcase vent) exhaust combined with road dust to plug up the radiator. Only steam could clean it, but after I got the engine too hot. Some rear fans are belt driven which is inferior to a side hydraulic fan. The side radiator normally provides better engine access.

[77newell]

I've only had the rear radiator and the fan is directly belt driven. I extended the slobber tube (breather) to past the rear of the radiator and now the gunk collects on my tow car instead of on the radiator. The car is easier to clean than the radiator. The next step will be to install a breather demister that is typically used on boats and then it doesn't matter where it vents. I think the parts cost is about $350 more or less depending on whether you want to recycle the gases to the engine intake or not (I haven't figured out my choice there yet).

My radiator is oversized so I would benefit from a two speed fan drive but I don't think I have the room for it. Engine access for routine service is better with the side radiator but if you still have the two stroke engine it's nice to have access to cylinders that the rear radiator offers when it comes time for the inframe overhaul. Given the choice I'd probably go with the side radiator but I would also probably be more swayed by the rest of the coach's amenities and condition than the location of the radiator.