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05-16-2009, 05:31

Sounds pretty normal.

I weighed my coach road ready (with (nearly) full fuel and water) tools, 'contractors' air compressor and a considerable assortment of other stuff on board. Weight was about 48,000 lbs. (GVWR 48,900). Weight distribution was a little different than stock, so I have to carry 120 psi in the drive axle (in part to compensate for a side to side weight imbalance).

The 85 has a 6v92TA with 330 HP. That's not a lot of power for the weight (probably somewhere above 40,000 lbs.). The later PT-40s with the 8v92 do somewhat better. In my 42, with the DD Series 60, I can hold 40-45 on most grades ... but it has 470 hp. (Later PT40s and WBs had up to 500 hp from the 8v92.)

PS-- those hills and curves on US 101 will seem easier with more experience -- but the part through the redwoods is always a bit scary. There is a bypass freeway, which helps cut the traffic load. As a child, I can recall going through the redwoods with giant logging trucks and Greyhound busses coming past every few seconds ... we were in a car, but it was still scary...

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom/PeteMasterson#

On May 16, 2009, at 7:57 AM, jburgessx2 wrote:

We've taken our first trip in our BB with it loaded. We full time and have for 7 years now. We did most of that time in a Beaver and just recently bought our Bird. We left the Ventura, CA area on Thursday and took 101 all the way to North Bend, OR. I've taken a motorhome (not the Bird) on 101 all the way from Seattle to San Diego. In the 85 PT40, it was a good trip for the most part.

While this trip was good, it's not for the weak of heart. The portion from Oakland to North Bend is full of hills, twisties, Redwoods, etc. and gives your driving skills a test. It also tests your ability to shift and use the retarder without overheating it. It's a workout that tests your skills - especially with lots of traffic to contend with. Only once did my retarder exceed 230 (closer to 260) and it couldn't be helped at the time - I had to get slow enough to make a corner that snuck up out of nowhere!

I guess I must have more weight in the coach than I thought. Since we do full time, I have my tools, golf clubs and other goodies that fill the basement. But, it's no more than we had in our 40' Beaver (no tag axle). I was surprised at how slow it took the steep hills and I'm not sure if this is normal. The steep hills had us crawling at 20-25 mph all the way to the top. The engine temp stayed about 185 and the tranny at about 215 so I was in no danger of overheating. I somehow thought the horsepower of the Detroit (330?) would go up hills faster than the horsepower of my 3208 Cat from the Beaver (250). I do know the BB is much heavier right out of the gate. Plus, I had 300 gallons of diesel, a tank of water and the tow car (a Miata - 2450 lbs).

On the straights, the Detroit hauled butt with zero problems. In fact, I had to watch my speed because it wanted to run faster (70-75) and I wanted to conserve fuel and go 65 at best. My question: Is it normal for the Bird to go up hills at 20-25 mph?

Other than that, it was a great trip and we should be headed back to SoCal in about 2 weeks.

Jerry
85 PT40

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