Hills vs Motorhome

[Gary Miller]

Jerry,

The coach lengths you're considering will all have the CAT 3208.
You'll want a turbo (critical altitude(point at which power loss
begins)about 8200 feet) which was introduced in 1983, along with the
Jacobs electric driveline retarder which is very effective at
controlling the descents.

My CAT is a 225 horsepower while the last few '83s had the 250. I
pull a 5000 lb Montero and have had no troubles with the long
mountain pulls. I am normally in the slow lane with the heavy
trucks but don't get in their way as my speed is normally matched
with them if not just a little faster. I've found however that even
the empty trucks wanting to climb quickly don't have much concern
for a slow vehicle on a mountain climb. It's expected, and if you
stop and think about it, only lasts a few minutes before there's a
pullout to let folks pass.

If you buy an '88 or later you'll have the 300 horse 3208 ATAAC
which will do even better. I'm not as fond of the built in retarder
in the ZF transmission which was matched to the ATAAC however as it
tends to heat up the transmission quickly. Descending hills is much
better with the Jacobs electric retarder and a downshift of the
Allison 4 speed.

Good Luck,

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Milwaukee area

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, <minds@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> I am a proud owner of a 1976 GMC coach . but my style of travel is
starting to change. I tow a heavy FJ-40 Land Cruiser which is about
4200 pounds. I do ok on moderate hills but the coach feels the
strain. It is hard to keep up with slow traffic and I cringe at the
thought of long distant trips with hills. Most of my travels up to
now have been close to home in California and with retirement
closing in I am beginning to look for a more capable motor home.
>
>
>
> I was a school bus driver in my youth, so Bluebirds were very
familiar. I'm looking to get info about the 33-36 foot single rear
axel coach. What is their ability to handle the varying terrain of
the West while towing and your opinion on what to avoid in my search
for a capable coach?
>
>
>
> Thanks for any help
>
>
>
> Jerry L'Ecuyer
>
> Anaheim, CA
>
> 1976 GMC (for now)
>
> 1967 FJ-40
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>