My first loaded trip

[Don Bradner]

I have not always paid attention, but I haven't seen any other state that way
(been in 47 of them so far). Many states don't even have an outside display.

On 5/16/2009 at 4:53 PM pattypape wrote:

>Can this be done in other states???, if the weigh station is closed???
>We have used the closed weigh stations in Canada.
>
>Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
>wrote:
>>
>> Yes, you are going to find that your weight to horsepower ratio is less
>than it was with the Beaver. When you get a chance you will want to weigh
>your coach, both for information and to make sure you run proper tire
>inflation by axle.
>>
>> You happen to be in the one state where it is easy to get free, accurate
>weights. Most Oregon highway scales are closed most of the time, and when
>they are closed the scales with outside display are left on for anyone to
>use. When you see a closed weigh station (unless it is barricaded, which
>means completely out of service), just roll on in and stop on each axle
>and get the weight.
>>
>> Don Bradner
>> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" 49,000 lbs combined weight in normal full
>configuration, with 475HP - still slow up the steep ones!
>> My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
>>
>> On 5/16/2009 at 2:57 PM 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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>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
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