Put the coach on CAT scales in SLC yesterday morning. The results:
Steer Axle: 10,320 lb
Drive Axle: 18,220 lb
Gross: 28,540 lb
Had full fuel, full water, all of my "stuff," wife, and thee dogs. The CCC is terrific on this coach! Next, I need to find a place where I can have each corner weighed.
Looks like load range G tires will work on that coach.
Brian,
What are your GAWR's (Gross Axle Weight Ratings)? What engine do you have and at what horsepower?
David Brady
'02 BlueBird LXi
Hi David,
Here are the specs:
Front GAWR: 12,000
Rear GAWR: 19,000
Cummins C8.3 350hp 1050 torque
Those weights and specs are very similar to our 1997 U295. We are about 100# heavier on the front and 400# lighter on the rear. We run load range G tires. Michelin charts show that we are well within the recommended ratings at pressures well below the max rated pressure for the tires. Our engine is C8.3-325 with a Banks stinger.
I thought 1997 was the last year for the C8.3 engines, but obviously they continued to use them in some later models. Fuel mileage is about 7 mpg. Fuel burned includes generator fuel. No VMSPC or other nice ECM information. We add fuel as required, travel, live, and enjoy.
Thanks Brian,
That certainly explains the spritely performance I've come to expect from Fortravels: 81 lbs/hp. :)
JD, you seem to have the same 8.3 I have and I too have the B Stinger but on my 2000 I have been getting 9.7 to just a touch over 10 mpg and that is checked both by the VMS pc and by my calc .I hardly use the Gen as we are not fulltiming and have some solar (soon to be doubled in watts). I have the 36ft U295
John
John,
I expect you have the ISC engine with 24 valves and electronic fuel injection. Our engine is the older C8.3 with 12 valves and mechanical fuel injection. The posts and information I have read indicates that the newer engines get better fuel mileage. It looks like the ISC was put into production in 1998. Our coach was built in November, 1996.
We usually drive with cruise control set at 65 mph. If roads are rough we drive a bit slower. We never use economy mode on the transmission.
Since we have owned the coach, miles on the odometer/gallons of diesel fuel measured at the pump has yielded 7.1 mpg. My understanding is that the VMSpc will not work with our engine because the data are not available. There is no ECM on the engine.
Vmspc can talk to ecm on engine or transmission. Isc is electronic, 8.3 is not. I defer to Dave Head on the Allison
VMS could talk to the 6 speed, but all you would get would be what gear it was in.
VMSpc should be able to display the selected gear range, the gear you're in, and the transmission fluid temperature. At least it does on my bus.
David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge LXi
The early HD4060/3060 models weren't that smart. The big software change came with the World series.
Oops, I posted some pics of my Wanderlodge, but they were removed. Apparently I'm violating some forum rules?
Dave, the doors are tied shut for chilproofing! :)
David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge, LXi
Not removed Just relocated them to the right Forum topic to make them easier to find. 8)
Blue Bird Photos (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=13643.0)
Thanks Barry. I appreciate that. :)