Old or Older?

[Pete Masterson]

Keep in mind, the 55 mph speed limit while towing applies only to certain states. If you are in and/or pass through those states regularly, it will be a consideration.

California, has a 55 mph limit for vehicles towing. Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming do not set a lower limit for vehicles with tow -- and speed limits are up to 75 mph in some of those states.

The reality is, that 60-65 is actually the maximum reasonable speed for a coach (most of the time) anyway. Most of the large tires have a 70 mph rating (something to think about when the speed limit is 75). The REAL factor is that fuel use climbs radically at speeds above 60 or so. With aerodynamics like a brick, higher speeds really bring down fuel efficiency. (My worst recorded mpg is 4.5-- while crossing Wyoming at 70-75 with no tow. That taught me a lesson about time vs. fuel cost.)

I tow a Toyota Camry (about 3200 lbs) and frankly, when I've compared mpg with and without the tow, other variables appeared to be more important. As a practical matter, I can't sort out the difference. I suspect that a heavier tow might generate some data, but wind resistance is the biggest fuel efficiency factor. I don't have much comparison data, since I almost always bring along the tow.

I get my best fuel economy* when I keep the bus in the 55-60 speed range -- which means while I'm in California -- as in most cases, 5-over on the freeway won't bring notice from the CHP, although the passing horde may be annoying, at times. Heck, go the 65 mph speed limit in your car on most CA freeways, and you'll be in the slow lane and even the trucks will be passing.... but that's another story.

My very best mpg was calculated on a trip segment that included the Natchez Trace. The 50 mph speed limit there, plus the slight rolling terrain contributed to keeping 45-50 mph cruising. Got over 7 mpg along there.

As for ground clearance, my Toyota is a standard sedan -- nothing spectacular for ground clearance. Never a problem. Indeed, you _really_ don't want to take one of these off-road anyway. They're +highway+ busses, not intended for rough country. Use your tow vehicle to explore the quaint byways where ground clearance is an issue.

Choice of what to tow is another "depends". Since I didn't want to buy something new, my choices were a 1993 Camry and a 2003 Toyota Echo. Camry (automatic) required a transmission lube pump to tow 4-down. The Echo (only 2300 lbs! -- same as the DD-S-60 engine) could not be converted to tow 4-down with its automatic transmission. (Spouse is shiftless.) So that settled it for me. In practice, the weight difference between the two vehicles is not an issue. The bus tows and I can't tell the performance difference with or without the tow.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

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

On May 18, 2009, at 3:00 PM, richafranco wrote:

Fred,

Put down the coffee pot and step away from the computer!

Really, really good info, but I was out of breath by the time I finished. You brought some good points up.big vs. bigger, if I mightparaphrasethe thread I started. This was the first suggestion that smaller might be better and I agree with your arguments for it. I never thought about towing a vehicle and staying at 55mph. I mean, I've probably been passed by some of these members and I thought I was speeding!

I've got a '98 Ford Expedition, 2wd, with less than 100k on it and I'm a photographer(www.richfrancophotography.com) and I think I would need a car or truck of somekind to keep the gear in. I'd rather not tow something, but most of the stuff I take photos of, seem to be down these little narrow roads.We've got a 2002 Wv Beetle too, with low miles, maybe that might work, but low ground clearance could be an issue.

I'm open to suggestions! Maybe that's a good thread to start" to tow or not to tow, that is the question"