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

[Ron Thompson]

Being a new comer to the world of RV'ing I am impressed at the way everyone has
responded to a call for help. Its very refreshing to see this kind of
cooperation. I will be sure to pass it along as I intergrate into the world of
RV'ing.

Best regards,

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

James Hutchings wrote: Just an
add on " you do not ride the brakes.. You apply continuous gentle
pressure to slow the vehicle. As I said earlier if you smell brake you are
in to high of a gear. Slow down before you mow down some one else.

"Mountain driving - Professional drivers are taught to use the same
transmission gear to descend a grade as the one required to climb the grade.
This is a good rule of thumb but road surface conditions, visibility, and
other variables must be used. Proper use of an exhaust brake will save the
service brakes for real emergency stops. If you must use the service brakes
it is better to keep a continuous light application of the brake pedal. This
is less likely to cause brake fade than to allow your vehicle to speed up
and then pump your brakes to slow it down. Better yet descend in the correct
gear so that you don't even have to use the service brakes. It may take a
few seconds longer to get down, but at least the brake lining will be saved
and you won't have white knuckle brake fade to deal with. If your brakes do
fail, look for a run off ramp designed for that event. If none is available
try to scrub off speed by side swiping the mountain edge of the roadway. It
is better to damage the rig than to go off a steep embankment and roll over,
etc. Proper maintenance will significantly reduce this risk and you could
take a few seconds in the Brake Test Area on the top of the hill to inspect
and test your rig's brakes and tires. A few seconds is all it will cost. "

5.4.6 Proper Braking Technique

Remember. The use of brakes on a long and/or steep downgrade is only a
supplement to the braking effect of the engine. Once the vehicle is in the
proper low gear, the following is the proper braking technique:

. Apply the brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.

. When your speed has been reduced to approximately five mph below
your "safe" speed, release the brakes. (This application should last for
about three seconds.)

. When your speed has increased to your "safe" speed, repeat steps 1
and 2.

For example, if your "safe" speed is 40 mph, you would not apply the brakes
until your speed reaches 40 mph. You now apply the brakes hard enough to
gradually reduce your speed to 35 mph and then release the brakes. Repeat
this as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade.

Both methods work if you are in a low enough gear.

Jim Hutchings

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Pete Masterson
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 6:44 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Mountain Driving with 1995 42', 42,000 lb.
Blue Bird

The Jake Brake or Jacob Brake is a particular brand of engine brake
manufactured and sold by Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc. While the term
Jake Brake technically only describes Jake Brake brand engine brakes,
it has become a genericized trademark and is often used to refer to
engine brakes or compression release engine brakes in general,
especially on large vehicles or heavy equipment. See Wikipedia for a
full entry at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_brake>

The magnetic retarder used on some earlier BBs is similar to the
technology used for "dynamic braking" on diesel-electric railroad
locomotives. The diesel-electric locomotive is actually a diesel
generator (up to 5000 HP) that powers electric motors to drive the
engine. On down grades, the motors are electrically switched to
become generators, and the power produced is directed to very heavy
duty grids and discarded as heat. Realize that these things produce
600 amps at 600 volts and that's a _lot_ of heat! (Great for toasting
marshmallows.)

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

On Jun 25, 2007, at 4:28 PM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> My BB has an engine retarder. I have no idea what that is
> exactly. I assume it is using the compression of the engine to
> hold back the transmission which will hold back the BB
>
> What is a Jake Brake?
>
<snip>

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ron Thompson]

Leroy,

You are correct, this is an important issue. I will check that out if I can get
to it. Other wise I guess you could find the source of power and disconnect it.

I noticed yesterday in the area where my tool box is located and all the water
connections are with Sporlan valve is located that there is a small heater in
the rear in the water connections cubby hole. I was thinking that heater would
be a fire hazard with the right situation. Anyone know about that one. Its on
a 1995 BB 42'.

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

Leroy Eckert wrote: My
windows in the bedroom are the same way. I have lubed the track with limited
success. I keep a small sledge hammer in the bedroom jic.
I posted back in April a potential major source for fire. I have removed the
source from my bus. The freeze heaters on my coach burned a hole in the water
pipe under the night stand while in the infield at Talladega. The event did not
trip the circuit breaker. Flooded the bus also. I am glad the water was in the
line and the pump was on! Or??? The reason for the failure was two of the wires
were touching when they failed. That is not allowed per specifications. I still
do not know why they operated at 85 degrees. In any event, they are gone now.
With hydronic heat, there is no real reason to have them.
It is not easy to do and inspection of these wires as they are encased in
insulation covering the water pipes. However, if two of these wires are crossed
or get together from movement over the years the result is inevitable.
Kinda off the original subject but very important.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Thompson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 7:01 AM
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with 1995 42', 42,000
lb. Blue Bird

Brad,

Man am I glad you jogged my memory about that bus fire during the Houston evac.
I remember seeing that thing burn too. What a tradgedy.

Yes, you are right about a fire on a coach being a serious matter. I was just
thinking about what I would do if I was in the bedroom and a fire broke out in
the galley. There is no door to get out. I tried the windows in the bedroom and
you would have to have a pry bar to get them open. I don't think they have ever
been open so they are stiff as hell. Going to have to lube them to get them
moving again. A little WD-40 will do wonders. I notice too that the window
latches are very difficult to release. One of the windows I had to go get a
screw driver to get the latch to release. All of the windows are stiff like
that. Is that a usual thing on these Blue Birds?

Thanks again Brad.

My best regards,

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

brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote:
Ron,
One more ramble and I'll quit.
Marty is right about heat. A dragging brake on a tour bus evacuating nursing
home patients from Hurricane Rita in Houston, blew out one time on I-45. The
driver didn't understand English, so he continued on after the tire was changed.
The brake heated up again even in stop and go traffic. The wheel became red hot
and caught the rear of the bus on fire. The driver failed to notice until
portable oxygen tanks used by the patients began exploding. The bus turned into
a crematorium for 24 of those patients. I'll never forget watching the bus
burning up live on TV. Also, I left my magnetic retarder on by mistake in
Flagstaff and nearly caught my 84 Bird on fire. I burned through the air line
that operated the driver's seat slide. Imagine smoke coming from under your
coach and you're struggling to get to the extinguisher with your seat next to
the doghouse. Fire on a motorcoach is almost as serious as fire on board an
airplane. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
bbartonwx@...

To: WanderlodgeForum@...: martingregg598@...: Tue, 26
Jun 2007 00:32:18 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with
1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird

Ron, if you have a Allison HT-755 five speed with a retarder, I have know
advice, if you have a 1995-42' you should have a Allison HD-4060 and a DD series
60 with a 3 position Jacobs engine brake. Jacobs's brakes close the valves and
turn the cylinder into a compressor creating braking horsepower, each position
adds more cylinders. I haven't driven a 95 in the mountains but I have driven
over a lot of the passes in the Cascades, Montana, Idaho and so on, but I can't
imagine that if your in the right gear at the right RPM that the engine brake
won't hold it back. For me with a less effective Pac Brake, it is 4th gear at 50
mph at about 2400 rpm's on a 6% or so, on a steeper grade it's 3 gear at 35-40
mph and I almost never have to use my air brakes. If I am in 4th and it starts
to run away, faster that I like, I use the brakes to get the coach down to the
speed that I can select the next lower gear. If the Jacobs brake doesn't hold
you back, maybe there is something wrong
with the Jacobs brake? As for the "Drum type" air brakes, if you have been on
the road for a time and the ambient temp. is hot, and If you ride the brakes for
a long period of time the drum can expand away from the shoe and you lose your
brakes. With some real bad luck you could heat the wheel up so hot that it heats
the tire up and blowout.Marty95 BMC 37Kennewick Wa

__________________________________________________________
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[Ron Thompson]

Good suggestions.

Thanks.
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

Stephen Birtles wrote:
Lube tracks with paraffin wax a small amount goes a long way

If you really worried about escaping from the bedroom through the window
a spring loaded center punch will make the window disappear with one shot
it is tempered non-laminated glass and will crumble
One good piece of equipment on any emergency truck or vehicle usually
located in rescue worker's pocket for fast access along with seat belt
cutter
Stephen 77fc35


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
wrote:
>
> My windows in the bedroom are the same way. I have lubed the track
with limited success. I keep a small sledge hammer in the bedroom jic.
> I posted back in April a potential major source for fire. I have
removed the source from my bus. The freeze heaters on my coach burned
a hole in the water pipe under the night stand while in the infield at
Talladega. The event did not trip the circuit breaker. Flooded the bus
also. I am glad the water was in the line and the pump was on! Or???
The reason for the failure was two of the wires were touching when
they failed. That is not allowed per specifications. I still do not
know why they operated at 85 degrees. In any event, they are gone
now. With hydronic heat, there is no real reason to have them.
> It is not easy to do and inspection of these wires as they are
encased in insulation covering the water pipes. However, if two of
these wires are crossed or get together from movement over the years
the result is inevitable.
> Kinda off the original subject but very important.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville, FL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ron Thompson
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 7:01 AM
> Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with 1995
42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird
>
>
> Brad,
>
> Man am I glad you jogged my memory about that bus fire during the
Houston evac. I remember seeing that thing burn too. What a tradgedy.
>
> Yes, you are right about a fire on a coach being a serious matter.
I was just thinking about what I would do if I was in the bedroom and
a fire broke out in the galley. There is no door to get out. I tried
the windows in the bedroom and you would have to have a pry bar to get
them open. I don't think they have ever been open so they are stiff as
hell. Going to have to lube them to get them moving again. A little
WD-40 will do wonders. I notice too that the window latches are very
difficult to release. One of the windows I had to go get a screw
driver to get the latch to release. All of the windows are stiff like
that. Is that a usual thing on these Blue Birds?
>
> Thanks again Brad.
>
> My best regards,
>
> 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
>
> brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote:
> Ron,
> One more ramble and I'll quit.
> Marty is right about heat. A dragging brake on a tour bus
evacuating nursing home patients from Hurricane Rita in Houston, blew
out one time on I-45. The driver didn't understand English, so he
continued on after the tire was changed. The brake heated up again
even in stop and go traffic. The wheel became red hot and caught the
rear of the bus on fire. The driver failed to notice until portable
oxygen tanks used by the patients began exploding. The bus turned into
a crematorium for 24 of those patients. I'll never forget watching the
bus burning up live on TV. Also, I left my magnetic retarder on by
mistake in Flagstaff and nearly caught my 84 Bird on fire. I burned
through the air line that operated the driver's seat slide. Imagine
smoke coming from under your coach and you're struggling to get to the
extinguisher with your seat next to the doghouse. Fire on a motorcoach
is almost as serious as fire on board an airplane. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
> bbartonwx@...
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@...: martingregg598@...: Tue, 26 Jun 2007
00:32:18 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with
1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird
>
> Ron, if you have a Allison HT-755 five speed with a retarder, I
have know advice, if you have a 1995-42' you should have a Allison
HD-4060 and a DD series 60 with a 3 position Jacobs engine brake.
Jacobs's brakes close the valves and turn the cylinder into a
compressor creating braking horsepower, each position adds more
cylinders. I haven't driven a 95 in the mountains but I have driven
over a lot of the passes in the Cascades, Montana, Idaho and so on,
but I can't imagine that if your in the right gear at the right RPM
that the engine brake won't hold it back. For me with a less effective
Pac Brake, it is 4th gear at 50 mph at about 2400 rpm's on a 6% or so,
on a steeper grade it's 3 gear at 35-40 mph and I almost never have to
use my air brakes. If I am in 4th and it starts to run away, faster
that I like, I use the brakes to get the coach down to the speed that
I can select the next lower gear. If the Jacobs brake doesn't hold you
back, maybe there is something wrong
> with the Jacobs brake? As for the "Drum type" air brakes, if you
have been on the road for a time and the ambient temp. is hot, and If
you ride the brakes for a long period of time the drum can expand away
from the shoe and you lose your brakes. With some real bad luck you
could heat the wheel up so hot that it heats the tire up and
blowout.Marty95 BMC 37Kennewick Wa
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Play free games, earn tickets, get cool prizes! Join Live Search
Club.
> http://club.live.com/home.aspx?icid=CLUB_wlmailtextlink
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[truitt44@...>]

Leroy,
I had to pry my windows open. I sprayed a little WD40 on the track now they open
fine. I also keep a hammer in the bedroom just in case it is needed.
Howard Truitt
Camilla, Ga.
86 PT40

>
> From: "Leroy Eckert"
> Date: 2007/06/26 Tue AM 09:02:46 EDT
> To:
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with 1995 42', 42,000 lb.
Blue Bird
>
> Stephen:
> Will try the wax idea.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> Niceville,FL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Stephen Birtles
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 7:54 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with 1995 42', 42,000 lb.
Blue Bird
>
>
> Lube tracks with paraffin wax a small amount goes a long way
>
> If you really worried about escaping from the bedroom through the window
> a spring loaded center punch will make the window disappear with one shot
> it is tempered non-laminated glass and will crumble
> One good piece of equipment on any emergency truck or vehicle usually
> located in rescue worker's pocket for fast access along with seat belt
> cutter
> Stephen 77fc35
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Leroy Eckert"
> wrote:
> >
> > My windows in the bedroom are the same way. I have lubed the track
> with limited success. I keep a small sledge hammer in the bedroom jic.
> > I posted back in April a potential major source for fire. I have
> removed the source from my bus. The freeze heaters on my coach burned
> a hole in the water pipe under the night stand while in the infield at
> Talladega. The event did not trip the circuit breaker. Flooded the bus
> also. I am glad the water was in the line and the pump was on! Or???
> The reason for the failure was two of the wires were touching when
> they failed. That is not allowed per specifications. I still do not
> know why they operated at 85 degrees. In any event, they are gone
> now. With hydronic heat, there is no real reason to have them.
> > It is not easy to do and inspection of these wires as they are
> encased in insulation covering the water pipes. However, if two of
> these wires are crossed or get together from movement over the years
> the result is inevitable.
> > Kinda off the original subject but very important.
> >
> > Leroy Eckert
> > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
> > Niceville, FL
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ron Thompson
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 7:01 AM
> > Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with 1995
> 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird
> >
> >
> > Brad,
> >
> > Man am I glad you jogged my memory about that bus fire during the
> Houston evac. I remember seeing that thing burn too. What a tradgedy.
> >
> > Yes, you are right about a fire on a coach being a serious matter.
> I was just thinking about what I would do if I was in the bedroom and
> a fire broke out in the galley. There is no door to get out. I tried
> the windows in the bedroom and you would have to have a pry bar to get
> them open. I don't think they have ever been open so they are stiff as
> hell. Going to have to lube them to get them moving again. A little
> WD-40 will do wonders. I notice too that the window latches are very
> difficult to release. One of the windows I had to go get a screw
> driver to get the latch to release. All of the windows are stiff like
> that. Is that a usual thing on these Blue Birds?
> >
> > Thanks again Brad.
> >
> > My best regards,
> >
> > 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
> >
> > brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote:
> > Ron,
> > One more ramble and I'll quit.
> > Marty is right about heat. A dragging brake on a tour bus
> evacuating nursing home patients from Hurricane Rita in Houston, blew
> out one time on I-45. The driver didn't understand English, so he
> continued on after the tire was changed. The brake heated up again
> even in stop and go traffic. The wheel became red hot and caught the
> rear of the bus on fire. The driver failed to notice until portable
> oxygen tanks used by the patients began exploding. The bus turned into
> a crematorium for 24 of those patients. I'll never forget watching the
> bus burning up live on TV. Also, I left my magnetic retarder on by
> mistake in Flagstaff and nearly caught my 84 Bird on fire. I burned
> through the air line that operated the driver's seat slide. Imagine
> smoke coming from under your coach and you're struggling to get to the
> extinguisher with your seat next to the doghouse. Fire on a motorcoach
> is almost as serious as fire on board an airplane. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
> > bbartonwx@...
> >
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@...: martingregg598@...: Tue, 26 Jun 2007
> 00:32:18 +0000Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving with
> 1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird
> >
> > Ron, if you have a Allison HT-755 five speed with a retarder, I
> have know advice, if you have a 1995-42' you should have a Allison
> HD-4060 and a DD series 60 with a 3 position Jacobs engine brake.
> Jacobs's brakes close the valves and turn the cylinder into a
> compressor creating braking horsepower, each position adds more
> cylinders. I haven't driven a 95 in the mountains but I have driven
> over a lot of the passes in the Cascades, Montana, Idaho and so on,
> but I can't imagine that if your in the right gear at the right RPM
> that the engine brake won't hold it back. For me with a less effective
> Pac Brake, it is 4th gear at 50 mph at about 2400 rpm's on a 6% or so,
> on a steeper grade it's 3 gear at 35-40 mph and I almost never have to
> use my air brakes. If I am in 4th and it starts to run away, faster
> that I like, I use the brakes to get the coach down to the speed that
> I can select the next lower gear. If the Jacobs brake doesn't hold you
> back, maybe there is something wrong
> > with the Jacobs brake? As for the "Drum type" air brakes, if you
> have been on the road for a time and the ambient temp. is hot, and If
> you ride the brakes for a long period of time the drum can expand away
> from the shoe and you lose your brakes. With some real bad luck you
> could heat the wheel up so hot that it heats the tire up and
> blowout.Marty95 BMC 37Kennewick Wa
> >
> > __________________________________________________________
> > Play free games, earn tickets, get cool prizes! Join Live Search
> Club.
> > http://club.live.com/home.aspx?icid=CLUB_wlmailtextlink
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

No... it's not normal. Probably a function of the coach sitting a
long time. On my coach, the windows up front open very easily -- too
easily, in fact. The weather stripping has flattened and I need to
renew it to stop some rattling while underway.

The bedroom window, however is somewhat of a pain. It's quite sticky.
My latch doesn't quite latch. So, my plan is to thoroughly clean the
tracks and apply some graphite. (WD-40 is a solvent. It leaves a
slight residue that attracts dirt, so it's not a good choice for a
window.) I'll also add some washers under the latch part in the
window frame so the locking part will connect (if the cleaning and
graphite doesn't do the trick).

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




On Jun 26, 2007, at 5:01 AM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> <snip> I tried the windows in the bedroom and you would have to
> have a pry bar to get them open. I don't think they have ever been
> open so they are stiff as hell. Going to have to lube them to get
> them moving again. A little WD-40 will do wonders. I notice too
> that the window latches are very difficult to release. One of the
> windows I had to go get a screw driver to get the latch to
> release. All of the windows are stiff like that. Is that a usual
> thing on these Blue Birds?

[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
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[brad barton]

I use detail brush or even manicure or small hand brush to clean out the dirt,
then spray top and bottom tracks with a silicone lubricant that won't damage the
rubber. If your coach is stored outside, you'll do it every month or two but it
works. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...


To: WanderlodgeForum@...: truitt44@...: Tue, 26
Jun 2007 11:44:41 -0400Subject: Re: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving
with 1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird



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[Ron Thompson]

Lets see now, windows sticking and not unlatching or latching properly, #
umpteenth priority project. Whew this fun RV'ing is about to kill me...LOL

Ron Thompson
Waller, Texas
1995 42' BB

Pete Masterson wrote: No...
it's not normal. Probably a function of the coach sitting a
long time. On my coach, the windows up front open very easily -- too
easily, in fact. The weather stripping has flattened and I need to
renew it to stop some rattling while underway.

The bedroom window, however is somewhat of a pain. It's quite sticky.
My latch doesn't quite latch. So, my plan is to thoroughly clean the
tracks and apply some graphite. (WD-40 is a solvent. It leaves a
slight residue that attracts dirt, so it's not a good choice for a
window.) I'll also add some washers under the latch part in the
window frame so the locking part will connect (if the cleaning and
graphite doesn't do the trick).

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

On Jun 26, 2007, at 5:01 AM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> <snip> I tried the windows in the bedroom and you would have to
> have a pry bar to get them open. I don't think they have ever been
> open so they are stiff as hell. Going to have to lube them to get
> them moving again. A little WD-40 will do wonders. I notice too
> that the window latches are very difficult to release. One of the
> windows I had to go get a screw driver to get the latch to
> release. All of the windows are stiff like that. Is that a usual
> thing on these Blue Birds?








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Pete Masterson]

It is heated by the Aqua-Hot system. It doesn't get any hotter than
180-200 degrees. An electrical short in the fan (behind the radiator)
is about the only possible source of ignition -- but then the whole
wiring system is equally "dangerous." The '95 Bird doesn't have the
heat tape of concern in the older Birds (unless a previous owner
installed some -- but that's unlikely unless the coach has spent a
lot of time in very cold climate).

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




On Jun 26, 2007, at 6:26 AM, Ron Thompson wrote:

> Leroy,
>
> You are correct, this is an important issue. I will check that out
> if I can get to it. Other wise I guess you could find the source
> of power and disconnect it.
>
> I noticed yesterday in the area where my tool box is located and
> all the water connections are with Sporlan valve is located that
> there is a small heater in the rear in the water connections cubby
> hole. I was thinking that heater would be a fire hazard with the
> right situation. Anyone know about that one. Its on a 1995 BB 42'.

[Ron Thompson]

I have a graphite lubricant that I will use on it. The biggest problem I see is
that the latches are extremely difficult to get unlatched. In fact I couldn't
do it with hands alone. And I am no wimp. 6' 4" and a life time of heavy hand
work. I had to get a screwdriver to get them unlatched. Once unlatched I could
move them fairly easily althoug they were sticky.

I didn't have time at the time I was trying them to see if there was an
adjustment on the latches, but there should be some way. Maybe shims that could
be added or removed.

Ron Thompson
Waller, Texas
1995 42' BB

brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote:
I use detail brush or even manicure or small hand brush to clean out the dirt,
then spray top and bottom tracks with a silicone lubricant that won't damage the
rubber. If your coach is stored outside, you'll do it every month or two but it
works. Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...

To: WanderlodgeForum@...: truitt44@...: Tue, 26
Jun 2007 11:44:41 -0400Subject: Re: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Mountain Driving
with 1995 42', 42,000 lb. Blue Bird


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Live Earth is coming. Learn more about the hottest summer event - only on MSN.
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