Mountain Driving with 1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird

[Pete Masterson]

Growing up in California ... and having a family that liked to travel
to the mountains (fly fishing in Idaho), I observed --and when old
enough did-- a lot of mountain driving. Indeed, even in the SF Bay
Area, you can encounter some "interesting" (if short) grades. Gives
you lots of practice...

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Jun 26, 2007, at 5:11 AM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> Hey Pete, you sound like an expert to me. I appreciate your in
> depth cretique. I print everything you write.
>
> I have been over the mountains at Berthoud pass when I was a kid
> but that was the only time. I remember my Grandmother was driving
> since my Grandfather never learned to drive and she was riding
> those brakes and had the manual transmission down it 1st gear and
> both hands on the steering wheel with white nuckles. It impressed
> me enough that I still remember the quietness in the car when it
> was usually mayhem. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we got
> down on level ground again. And that pass is not that bad.
>
> Thanks Pet and safe driving. Hope your trip home is without incident.
>
> Ron Thompson
> Waller, Texas
> 1995 Wide Body 42" BB
> Detroit Diesel Series 60 470 HP
> Kubota, 4 cylinder, 1681 cc.
> Phone 936-931-2802 land line
> cell..713-295-0119 Cingular
>
> Pete Masterson
> wrote: I'm no expert, but I've
> crossed the Rockies in southern Wyoming
> twice, I've done the Raton pass in southern Colorado twice, I've gone
> up and back down Colorado I-70 to near Evergreen CO, and I've crossed
> the Sierras into California on I-80. Plus I've traveled through a
> fair number of lesser mountains in Oregon, Idaho, and California. So
> I've seen a few mountains.
>
> Basically, the technique is to watch the temperatures, especially the
> oil temp when you're climbing. Higher revs = cooler engine, so slow
> down and shift down, as necessary. Take it easy.
>
> Coming down, use the jake brake (it's actually integrated into the
> automatic transmission, so when it's enabled, it 'kicks in' as
> needed. The engine computer "watches" the revs to avoid over-reving
> but you still need to watch that you don't exceed 2400 RPM while
> exhaust (Jake) brake is operating and 2100 RPM while under power. In
> general, come down at moderate speed. When you slow down with the
> service brakes, slow to 5 mph or more _below_ your target speed, then
> let the coach gradually pick up speed (still using the jake brake).
>
> The coach has plenty of service brake capacity to control the
> vehicle ... but you do need to pay attention an not run low on air.
> Don't "ride" the brakes as that will heat them up and not really help
> maintain control.
>
> It is said that you should descend at the same speed that you climb
> at ... but the reality is somewhat different. For example, from Reno
> to Donner Pass on I-80 you climb about 3500 feet in 10 miles or so.
> Then from Donner Pass to Roseville, you descend nearly 7000 feet in
> 40 miles. So, the grades are quite different and your speeds will not
> be "the same"... Nevertheless, "keep it moderate" is a wise approach.
> If road-side signs suggest a curve be taken at 40 mph -- take it to
> heart. It's good advice. Be sure to get to 40 or slower for that
> curve. (For years, I always wondered just who they were thinking of
> with the curve-speed advisories. Now I know....)
>
> Note: Do not use the jake brake under poor traction conditions (such
> as snow or wet pavement) as it can lead to control/skidding problems.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at Harrisburg Oregon
>
> On Jun 25, 2007, at 12:28 PM, Ron Thompson wrote:
>
>> This is a question that lots of people might want to explore. Would
>> someone with a lot of experience driving a big rig in the mountains
>> please write up a good descriptive instruction for mountain driving.
>>
>> I have never driven in the big mountains with a normal vehicle much
>> less a 42,000 lb motor coach. I am planning a trip through the
>> mountains maybe this year but definitely next year from Texas through
>> the Rockies and on up to Alaska. It would sure be helpful to have
>> some pointers from an expert.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Ron Thompson
>>
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