WEIGHT PULLED BY 3208NA POWERED FC35 'BIRD

[John]

What is the heaviest weight vehicle, tandem axle trailer or,
trailer/vehicle combination that you have pulled successfully with a
3208NA powered 35 foot FC model 'Bird. I want just actual
experiences, not estimates.

In what type of terrain have you pulled this combination? I know that
it will be slow crawling up the steep grades and I'm not concerned
with that.

My main concern is what extra weight the power train on my
FC35RB 'Bird, that weighs 31560# by itself when loaded, can handle.


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

[Jeff Miller]

I pulled about 7,000lbs of car on open trailer behind my '77 with
5.29:1 gears. I had changed injector pump/timing/nozzles for a little
more power also. The combination probably weighed only a little more
than your '82 FC35, and it was a lot of work to keep up with granny
even in rolling terrain. It pulled okay on the flat, but climbing and
accelerating was painfully slow. Also without a retarder, I had to
descend grades VERY slowly as the engine braking in higher gears
wouldn't hold the coach's speed, usually 2nd gear. An added US Gear
exhaust brake was little help, about as much braking as the Jacobs
electric retarder set to "1", possibly less. I didn't have a
transmission temp gauge, so I don't know how that was, but engine
temp seemed to maintain 200-210 okay on long climbs.

The '82 is the lowest power/weight ratio FC. It will pull most
anything but it is slow. At least re-line your brakes if you're going
to consider this.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
> What is the heaviest weight vehicle, tandem axle trailer or,
> trailer/vehicle combination that you have pulled successfully with
a
> 3208NA powered 35 foot FC model 'Bird. I want just actual
> experiences, not estimates.
>
> In what type of terrain have you pulled this combination? I know
that
> it will be slow crawling up the steep grades and I'm not concerned
> with that.
>
> My main concern is what extra weight the power train on my
> FC35RB 'Bird, that weighs 31560# by itself when loaded, can handle.
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA