Driving home from Ohio from Florida where we picked up our new to us U320CSE.
Our previous two a 1996 U280 and 1995 U300 both had buttons for the transmission.
This one has a joystick. Can anyone explain how the joystick works. We couldn't find anything in the books so far. We won't be going through the mountains till tomorrow.
Thanks!
Does the joystick have 6 positions from front to back? Sounds like the retarder joystick. All the way forward would be no retarder braking, all the way back would be max retarder braking.
Ok thanks, he will check it in the morning when it's light out. Heading to our campground for the night in South Carolina.
You have to have the retarder rocker switch turned on for the joy stick to work. When you let up on the foot pedal and you have the lever pulled back the retarder will apply. The further it is pulled back, the more braking you will have.
And, there is an "art" to using the retarder without overheating the transmission on long/steep descents:
Use the transmission to get engine RPM toward the upper end of its RPM range along with the least retarder position that will keep your speed in check.
The higher engine RPM turns the water pump faster so coolant circulates faster through the transmission cooler and radiator.
One last thing, with a retarder, Allison classified service as SEVERE in terms of filter and fluid changes.
Just curious: Where in South Carolina are you tonight and where will you be when you are staying in Florida?
Just saw this. We were at the Santee Lakes KOA now heading to Wythville VA for the night then have me to Ohio tomorrow.
Where in Florida did you purchase your new-to-you motorhome?
How exciting! Congrats on the new rig :)