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Topic: road speed on the Interstate (Read 1209 times) previous topic - next topic

road speed on the Interstate

Just a quick question. Assuming no significant head wind or side winds, and on a relatively flat grade -- can a 1990 U280 36-footer with the 3208T--- maintain 70 mph?

I'm considering buying this Coach, but it means a long distance drive of 1800 miles to get it back home to Northern California.

It would "unloaded" in that I would not have personal gear in it, and I would not be towing another vehicle.

I'm assuming that my fuel mileage would be between 8.6-9.5

Thanks.

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #1 –
whoops....
meant to say mileage between 8-9 mpg, and road weight as built, not loaded. Anyone out there that has had one of these that can share thoughts or memories of the pro's and con's -- all comments would be appreciated.

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #2 –
We bought our 36' Grand Villa in east Texas and drove it to Washington State. Approx 2600 miles. Getting to and maintaining 70 MPH with the Cat diesel was never a problem, even slightly uphill.72 was apparently the governed limit. Since we had flown down and drove back, we we also "Unloaded"...at first.
  Had to make a few WalMart stops for items like coffee pot, bedding, plates, etc. and added some weight along the way. Didn't bother the coach at all.
Hope you have as easy a time as we had. It helps that most Foretravel owners treat their MH's like family members and maintain them well.
    Welcome to the Family
        Steve & Nikki
Route 66_End to End....someday

  1986 36' Grand Villa
    2015 Jeep Patriot
        K1SLD Steve
        K9NIK Nikki

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #3 –
Thanks, Steve and Nikki

That's exactly the feedback I was looking for. Is your Grand Villa the U280 with the 28000 lb chassis?

The reason I ask is that I understand the lower profile (without airbags) Coach is lighter and may get better mileage.

Personally, I need the U280 for the extra payload capability in the basement, as my intended use is as a full-timer for a field job.

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #4 –
Should be EZ to keep 70 mph on the way home. Lot of long up and down grades heading back to Northern California and you won't see 70 up them but the engine should sleep at 70 on the flat without major headwinds. Assuming you are talking about I-80 or I-70. You have a little less HP but should be fine. We bought ours 3000 miles away and just flew back, headed to Harbor Freight and WalMart and then had a great drive home.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #5 –
I owned a 1990 36ft U280 from Dec 2006 until Nov 2008, when I purchased the 1996 36 ft U280.  No problem driving 70 mph averaged 8.3 mpg while I had it.  It was a great coach.  I get about the same on the 96 with the cummings. 
If you have any question about the coach you can email me are give me a call 580-223-3399.
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #6 –
Quote from: speedrace54 –

I'm considering buying this Coach, but it means a long distance drive of 1800 miles to get it back home to Northern California.

Thanks.

Be sure to check the age of the tires and air pressure based upon scale weight before undertaking that journey.

Regards to all,
John Lang
John Lang
Crossville, TN
07 Nimbus

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #7 –
Thanks to all of you for your informative tips. I'm getting closer, now.
Really trying for the U300 -- vintage 1988-1990, as the intended use is as a full-timer and I really believe the extra storage over the U280 would come in handy. One of you commented that the DD was a better match for the 300 vs. the 3208T. It seems, though -- that some of the 40 footers in this date range were fitted with a 300 H.P. Cat. instead of the 250 H.P. version.

Can anyone confirm this?

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #8 –
Quote from: speedrace54 –
Thanks to all of you for your informative tips. I'm getting closer, now.
Really trying for the U300 -- vintage 1988-1990, as the intended use is as a full-timer and I really believe the extra storage over the U280 would come in handy. One of you commented that the DD was a better match for the 300 vs. the 3208T. It seems, though -- that some of the 40 footers in this date range were fitted with a 300 H.P. Cat. instead of the 250 H.P. version.

Can anyone confirm this?

I believe the storage in the U280 is the same as a U300 of the same length. I can tell you we love our 93, U300 with the Detroit 350 hp. I think some earlier U300 models have lower hp engines so you may be right about the 300 hp Cat.

Just remember, there can be an extra $5,000 to $10,000 getting everything working right on an older coach, particularly one that has been setting for a long time. In appropriately low mileage is not a good sign. This doesn't mean you can't use a coach until everything is fixed but if you plan to full time, you probably want everything right. I got very lucky on this coach and have very little expense so there are those out there ready to go.

Best of Luck. Foretravel is definitely the way to go.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback
 

Re: road speed on the Interstate

Reply #9 –
20,000 miles and two years later we still love our U300. No expenses other than oil changes and minor upgrades that were our option. For full time, the larger compartments would be an advantage. We asked for high res photos and then bought over the phone. If you are handy, getting one in shape may not cost much at all. If you have to take it to the shop, it can get really expensive really fast. Sure beats buying an older SOB that may have really major design issues that are just starting to show up.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)