My first loaded trip

[Robert Britton]

Jerry,
I just past through the Shasta area a few weeks ago in my FC. About five miles
off Interstate 5 in the town of McCloud is Dance Country RV Park, It's a nice
place to stay.

It may have been mentioned here already, but I engage my fan override before a
climb and keep it engaged for the decent as well while using the retarder helps
keep the transmission temp down, when the trans temps start to climb to high, I
will then use the service brakes to slow things down a bit.

[Robert Britton]

Sorry, forgot this part...
Robert Britton
87FC
Hollister, California

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Britton"
wrote:
>
>
> Jerry,
> I just past through the Shasta area a few weeks ago in my FC. About five miles
off Interstate 5 in the town of McCloud is Dance Country RV Park, It's a nice
place to stay.
>
> It may have been mentioned here already, but I engage my fan override before a
climb and keep it engaged for the decent as well while using the retarder helps
keep the transmission temp down, when the trans temps start to climb to high, I
will then use the service brakes to slow things down a bit.
>

[pattypape]

Hi Robert,

I think this ZF is great. The retarder lever can be adjusted or set to the
Trans temp. I think it is about 230, where the Green meets the Yellow warning.
The temp will hold, If the temp rises further, stabbing the service brake will
quickly cool the ZF temp. If the correct gear is chosed and the ZF lever set,
many times there is very limited service brake usage. Inaddition to your tip on
fan usage.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Robert Britton"
wrote:
>
>
> Jerry,
> I just past through the Shasta area a few weeks ago in my FC. About five miles
off Interstate 5 in the town of McCloud is Dance Country RV Park, It's a nice
place to stay.
>
> It may have been mentioned here already, but I engage my fan override before a
climb and keep it engaged for the decent as well while using the retarder helps
keep the transmission temp down, when the trans temps start to climb to high, I
will then use the service brakes to slow things down a bit.
>

[Pete Masterson]

The primary grade out of Oregon is shortly before the state border south of Ashland. While there are upgrade stretches after that (near Shasta) it's actually mostly down hill. Coming down won't be too bad, as the roads are mostly straight or have relatively gentle curves. (Watch out going around Lake Shasta, as there are a few serious curves along there.)

Once you're in the Central Valley, it's mostly straight and flat. Modest traffic until you hit Sacramento -- then it lightens up once you're south of there. Your next serious grade is The Grapevine south of Bakersfield. It's a steep, but mostly short grade. I dropped down to about 35-40 on it, so it may really slow you down (I have 140 more HP). It's a pretty long grade on the LA side of the hill, though.

Flying J near Corning (100+ miles north of Sacramento) is a good place to fill up, if needed. While CA fuel prices are rarely that good, they're often better than Oregon -- but check prices on the Internet, as things vary.

Another good fuel stop is Rotten Robbie at Santa Nella (State Route 33 and I-5). There are a couple other truck stops near Santa Nella, so it pays to check prices.

Other than that, there's a whole lotta nothing on that route.

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 9:21 PM, jburgessx2 wrote:

Thanks to all that responded. I guess I don't feel too bad about it now. I was beginning to think something might be wrong.

I will be taking I-5 back to SoCal vice 101. I truly enjoy 101 but it's a lot of work in the motorhome with a tow car. I've done it twice now and I think I'll skip it. Of course, now I'll have to climb Shasta and a few others on the way home. Worse yet, I'll have the down hill to contend with and there's a few long down hills on that drive.

Jerry
85 PT40

<snip>

[Bob Lawrence]

I left yesterday, and I'm still not there.
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36 (Weighs 39,000 lbs with my 330 hp)
Almost at Ft. DeSoto, St. Petersburg, Fla.
>
> 39000 pound coach, pulling 10000 pounds of stuff- 330 worn out horses--
arriving in style- maybe a day late- priceless
> the old addage that has gone around in BB circles- if you need to get there
fast- you should have left yesterday~
>
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Wanderlodge
> Weatherford, Tx
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair
>
> --- On Sat, 5/16/09, Juergen wrote:
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> From: Juergen
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] My first loaded trip
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009, 7:47 PM
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> --- On Sat, 5/16/09, jburgessx2 wrote:
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> Jerry
> I read one time that a Diesel powered coach would be normally powered by: Each
100 lbs of coachweight by one horsepower. If your coach weighs 48000 lbs, you
should have minimum 480 hp engine. In other words, ideally speaking, you should
have a 500 hp Diesel. That will make the BB go. BUT, only recently in the last
couple years have they powered busses and trucks with that 100 lbs ratio to 1
hp.
> I am no expert, but thats what I read. Does make sense though.
> Juergen in PA
> 1991 WLSP36
> 300 hp cat on a 37000 lbs coach. (Underpowered, should be 370 to 400 hp)
>