Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

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Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

September 06, 2012, 11:17:23 pm

As I'm typing this I'm in a motel in Ouray, Colorado. I rode up here on my Goldwing motorcycle and am spending a few days riding around this beautiful country. I plan very soon to take my wife and sister-in-law on a vacation in our Foretravel. I'm mentally tossing a coin about taking them to the Grand Canyon, Utah, and now Colorado.

However I'm wondering if the 36 ft. 1994 U-240 will pull the grades, especially with a lightweight Chevy HHR toad. We've not taken the coach anywhere near any steep grades yet, as we only just very recently had a Pac Brake installed. I don't think I'd have the option of unhooking the HHR and letting my wife drive it while I drive just the Foretravel, for she would be scared of the narrow roads and steep dropoffs.

After I get a little experience with my coach I can answer my own question, but in the meantime I'd like to rely on your advice.

Thanks,
Glen

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #1 – September 07, 2012, 12:36:29 am

We were just there, but I chickened out on driving ours from Durango to Ouray. Drove the jeep, but wish we would have driven the coach. Go for it. I believe you'll do fine, and I think others on here have done it. Ouray is one of our favorite places. Be sure to check out the Amphitheater campground above town (don't think the Foretravel will fit in there, however).

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #2 – September 07, 2012, 03:10:52 am

faith ...... the breaks well work or ?? I had my 93 u225 ( no pac ) up in the bishop 395 down hill ( scared like a girl ) no problem .. go slow

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #3 – September 07, 2012, 05:41:49 am

Did that in my Vogue II, Chevy 454, GVW 21000 in 1996. My 1st long trip in a motorhome. It was quite a learning experience. Vapor locked at Cold Bank pass, really hot brakes at Ouray.
Breath taking scenery
Would drive a lot slower in present '93 U300 with Jake brake and 6V92.

bill chaplin

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #4 – September 07, 2012, 06:26:04 am

Hi Glen,
We did that in our forty foot U 320 & tow vehicle. Just take your time. It is a beautiful drive. The big trucks will slow you down, and that's good.
Raymond

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #5 – September 07, 2012, 06:55:21 am

My recommendation-expand your driving as your experience builds. Don't start with the most challenging roads. Yes, your rig can do it, but can you? Like you, I enjoy the twistees on my motorcycle. Why scare both of you unnecessarily?

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #6 – September 07, 2012, 07:16:32 am

THe rig will do it fine, you just need to go slowly. I know a lot of people worry about mountain driving and for good reason, but they are drivable if you can fit. You just need to understand your rig and how to operate it and what the parameters are. I know I went on some steep roads this year. It was not an issue but I wanted to keep the temps in the proper range so I went slowly and downshifted and all was fine. Then again I have about 300K miles in various FTs under my belt but there are still roads that you have to respect and drive and use your shifter on.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #7 – September 07, 2012, 08:12:51 am

Yes, the coach can do it assuming it is in good mechanical condition-- no problem.

But as several have mentioned the other part (and the important part) of the equation is the driver. It is clearly not a road for a beginner at mountain driving. But, if you have some real mountain driving under your belt and are comfortable using your Allison shift pad and exhaust brake, just another drive.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #8 – September 07, 2012, 03:53:11 pm

Quote from: Raymond Jordan – September 07, 2012, 06:26:04 am

Hi Glen,
We did that in our forty foot U 320 & tow vehicle. Just take your time. It is a beautiful drive. The big trucks will slow you down, and that's good.
Raymond

I agree. We did it in 2003 with a tow vehicle and it was a magnificent drive. I drove it once in my car to see if it was doable since it was my very 1st RV trip. Then drove it back and picked up the RV. Unfortunately my wife missed all the scenery and took no photos for me as she was on the floor the whole time saying Novenas.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #9 – September 07, 2012, 05:25:55 pm

We have a friend that owns Ouray RV Park. He often suggests that it is easier to do either the west end around thru Telluride to Ridgeway and then uphill south to Ouray, , or come in from Montrose heading south on 550 from 50.

But lots of coaches, trailers, buses, and semis make the trip daily. It is as everyone suggested, the driver maybe more than the equipment. If the wife is not going to enjoy the trip, take the optional go around and everyone is happy. Me, I really love the road on the motorcycles, not so much in the truck towing the toyhauler, TBD in the coach.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #10 – September 07, 2012, 07:34:12 pm

Since you are in the area, don't forget Mesa Verde National Park. Only a few minutes from Durango and well worth the trip.

Just watch your temperatures and you should be fine. Dozens of 40 foot or longer tour buses do the trip each day. Early in the day means less traffic and more time for taking in the sights.

Pierce

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #11 – September 07, 2012, 10:36:50 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I must clarify that my main concern is whether or not the 250 hp. engine in my U-240 has the muscle to pull the grades. I've seen a couple (not many though) of DP's on the road, but I know that most of the later model rigs have much larger engines. My rig does fine on the little hills we have in Southeast Texas, but I've not yet given it a test on tougher grades.

I'm not too worried about slowing on the descents for I'm been following the thread on Pac brakes. I just recently had a Pac Brake installed, and I can tell that it will be a big help.

Brett, I think that after all the work, both upgrades and repairs, that we've done recently that the coach should be pretty good mechanically. As you and I have already discussed though, in the near future I want to make an appointment for you to do a thorough inspection.

Thanks again for the help, y'all.

Glen

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #12 – September 07, 2012, 11:32:13 pm

Quote from: BillandSue – September 07, 2012, 03:10:52 am

faith ...... the breaks well work or ?? I had my 93 u225 ( no pac ) up in the bishop 395 down hill ( scared like a girl ) no problem .. go slow

I was either stupid or brave or both but as Newby foretravel manager I took an 1983 38' ored 8.2 Detroit down that grade. Put the coach in neutral. Coasted.....

Almost 100mph near the bottom. Then I remembered the Michelin 8r/22 tires were rated at 85mph. Oh,oh. Thank goodness the brakes on that old Oshkosh actually worked. Back down to 60 or so. Smell the brakes. Worked great. You guys are universally conservative.

Moderation is for monks. You should get things hot and smelly once in a while. Test your stuff on flat ground. Hit the brakes hard. My wife always objected long ago but I explained that if I needed it I better know what it was capable of before I need it.

If you don't know it's limits you should. Heat, brakes, cornering. All of it. Figure it's a giant sports car at a race. Test it within reason. Drive it like you stole it. Versus be surprised. Versus creep up and down hills. No one will know but you.

Bob

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #13 – September 08, 2012, 03:23:24 am

Nice to know these old RV's can get up and down hills with no problems,

I would really hate to get half way up a steep mountain road and run out of ooomph. Then have to back it down again,

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #14 – September 08, 2012, 09:26:03 am

["I was either stupid or brave or both but as Newby foretravel manager I took an 1983 38' ored 8.2 Detroit down that grade. Put the coach in neutral. Coasted....."]

Really. Really?? That's your advice? Really?? After reading the entire post, I gotta wonder about you, Bob.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #15 – September 08, 2012, 10:04:01 am

Reading Catfishbob's response to the Million Dollar Hghway, I reafirm my belief about salesmen.

I have done my share of dumb things too, but have gained some wisdom.
Dave M

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #16 – September 08, 2012, 10:19:46 am

I second Carols reply ( suspicions confirmed ??)

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #17 – September 08, 2012, 10:54:46 am

Coming down Highway 20 into Nevada City, a SOB lost it's brakes and could not stop. From the photos, it looked like a bomb went off with aluminum and balsa wood scattered everywhere. Lucky the only fatality was the driver.

About a year ago, I was about to make the turn from Highway 49 to 20 when a big flatbed went by with the air horn honking and brakes smoking. Just as he was about to crush the subcompact in front, the car in the left lane hit the brakes and the truck was able to move over and avoid the car. Glad I was about ten seconds late making the corner.

Until you have lost brakes, you have no idea what a terrible, helpless feeling comes over you. Only second chance, if you're lucky, is an emergency gravel runoff.

Before you start down a grade, glance at the air pressure, gear down and if you have to use the service brakes very much, drop another gear. This makes any grade a non-event and keeps the washing machine use to a minimum.

Pierce

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #18 – September 08, 2012, 11:09:25 am

Play nice folks.

In the words of the great American theologian and commenter on public affairs/interaction, Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr,

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other...........................................................

Any family is made up of a treasure of personalities/experiences and that's no small part of what makes the family interesting and valuable.

Good response, Pierce.
Neal

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #19 – September 08, 2012, 12:15:24 pm

I think all of us have done things that we later wonder about. Bob's point, though, about SAFELY learning the limits of your coach is well taken. No two vehicles are exactly alike, even if they are similar. A 30,000 pound motor home is not a 3,000 pound sports car, and I don't think that Bob was implying that we should drive one like the other. Knowing from SAFE practice that the coach is still quite stable and safe even beyond the point where the driver or passengers are uncomfortable will be helpful when that rare emergency arises and one has to take some drastic actions.

Most of us have little experience in driving large, heavy vehicles before we get the first coach. We read a lot about going to an empty parking lot to practice turns and parking, and we should do those things. Going out to an empty highway and slamming on the brakes to see exactly how the coach handles a panic stop is something that is often overlooked, though. Since the driver of a motor home sits up high, it is easier to evaluate the road ahead. Taking an exit at a slightly higher speed than normal once in a while, just to see how the coach handles, is a good thing. Of course, it is imperative that the road is quite clear.

Be careful, though, that you don't actually find your coach's limits. Most motor homes don't stand up well to being rolled over, and the stuff inside certainly doesn't like it. Also, such maneuvers tend to upset momma, and if momma ain't happy no one else is.

Be safe, and learn your coach.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #20 – September 08, 2012, 08:17:26 pm

Neal,
I agree and am guessing Bob sent that note about coasting to see what response he would get. I have to admitt that I took it seriously, but now have to assume it was a test message of sorts.
Cheers
Dave M

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #21 – September 09, 2012, 06:14:04 pm

Pierce,
I know that grade very well. Our U-240 handles it very nicely, going up or down. But it does get down to 45mph about 1/2 way up and will hold that speed just fine (unless I get stuck behind an even slower rig).

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #22 – September 11, 2012, 11:16:27 pm

Quote from: Dave M – September 08, 2012, 08:17:26 pm

Neal,
I agree and am guessing Bob sent that note about coasting to see what response he would get. I have to admitt that I took it seriously, but now have to assume it was a test message of sorts.
Cheers
Dave M

Actually was true. Wife and i are dirt bikers and personal water crafters. I used to race cars.

Thrill seekers in many ways. Did not say I was smart or recommend this. The original 83 ored chassis were 22,500 gvw with 6 bolt wheels and rode beautifully. Like a unihome in many ways. Coach only weighed 20,000 pounds. Wanted to test the brakes. Worked well as we are still here. Only issue was the rears only engaged until you passed 50 pounds application pressure. Lq4 valve under dash disabled front brakes until heavy application.

Actually the owner asked me to test the coach while we were skiing in mammoth. The garveighs came into the USA to tour with the club for a month at a time. From Portugal.

The speed run did not last long and I never went over 90 again downhill. Or coasted. I wanted to see what these were capable of as I was in charge of selling them. Better me than some poor customer.

The 300 cat ored would do almost 90 on flat ground with the 10r tires. Not that anyone would do it. 8 mpg. I think my 97 320 could come close based on the gearing.

Re: Can my '94 U-240 run the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

Reply #23 – September 12, 2012, 12:43:28 am

@Bob I'm not a religious man but every time I read one of your posts I say this little prayer...

Dear Lord,

Please, please, please let my coach be one that was never driven by Caflashbob.

see ya
ken

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