Hills vs Motorhome

[Joe Hagan]

Jerry:

Just curious - whch model GMC coach do you have; which engine and
tranny? Do I assume you are refering to a GM coach i.e. 4107, 4905 with
a DD 8V71? Again, just curious - I am a former Continental Trailways
driver from the 1950's and 1960's.

Regards,

Joe (Pappy) Hagan

St. George, UT

BB Wannabe

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, <minds@...> wrote:
>
> Gary,
>
> Thanks for the info, that was exactly what I needed to know. I'm not
looking for a hot rod, just something less stressful on both myself and
the motorhome. The GMC is a great rig, but it was not designed to tow
much weight.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Jerry L'Ecuyer
> Anaheim, CA
> 1976 GMC (for now)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gary Miller
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 5:26 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Hills vs Motorhome
>
>
> 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]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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