Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

I read some owners say that there retarder increases as they pull back Our 98 u295 increases as you push forward  #5257

Mine does nothing noticeable in the first, forward position, either. It operates in positions 2-6 I believe as it should, increasing in intensity as I pull it back to different positions. It is that way on my 99' U295 and also on my 08' 338 Nimbus. At times, in different driving conditions, I leave my retarder switch on and just move joystick as needed. With switch on and stick all the way forward I am able to leave cruise on without it kicking out on slight downhills. I just thought this is the way it was supposed to function. Am I wrong?

Mine does nothing noticeable in the first, forward position, either. It operates in positions 2-6 I believe as it should, increasing in intensity as I pull it back to different positions. It is that way on my 99' U295 and also on my 08' 338 Nimbus. At times, in different driving conditions, I leave my retarder switch on and just move joystick as needed. With switch on and stick all the way forward I am able to leave cruise on without it kicking out on slight downhills. I just thought this is the way it was supposed to function. Am I wrong?

In my case, a 2002 U320 with a 4000MH trans, per the book...

Retarder switch on/lever in position 0 (full forward) the "auto" feature  of the retarder is regulated by brake air pressure from the brake pedal in three stages of about 1/3, 2/3 and full retardation.  The lever is seven positions with full forward being off, but with switch on, in "auto" mode.  From there, pulling the lever back through the next 6 positions (positions 2 through 7) results in manually controlled, increasing, no brake, no accelerator retardation. 

A comment on the person reporting their stick is from bottom up,  that's incorrect and was installed improperly.  All retarder controls whether side panel mounted or column mounted are always "Top-Forward/Least to down-back/most".

I have read the Allision "big" service manual on the topic and there are clearly a myriad of possible TCM programming options that are dizzying.  Allison refers all initial programming back to the vehicle OEM.  What I have discovered over the years on my other coaches and from others is the OEMs have been very sloppy in ECM and TCM programing ranging from "as delivered default" programming to "really screwed up" programming.  OEMs were/are supposed to,  in conjunction with Allison and the engine builder create TCM/ECM programs that are designed around the vehicle and application.  I can't repeat what an Allison tech support engineer said to me about that.....  but I bet you can figure it out!

Then there is the whole Cruise Control/Brake Light thing....  another myriad of options.

I am in the hunt in the Tampa area to find an "old timer" Allison tech who truly understands the interactions of the TCM/ECM/Throttle/Brake/engine and is willing to "ride" with the computer to get mine set up as follows:

Change downshift pre-select ranges lessening 3-2-1 abruptness.
Change throttle closed behavior to allow for coasting (plays into first item).
Change Retarder "Auto" mode to be less aggressive (engage stage 1 and 2 at higher pedal pressures and ignore stage 3)

Problem is most of the current crop of techs are "book and computer" only thinkers and don't understand the interactions vs application and vehicle.

This problem is not only FT, but rampant throughout the MH world.  I have friends with Wanderlodges. Newells,  Prevost and other higher end SOBs (varying engines and ages) who with have struggled with the same issue, though the Prevost owners seem to have fewer complaints as most Prevost come to the outfitter very specifically built and configured for the use and builder.

As they say "we are not alone"!

As an aside, if you are not running the latest Transynd 668 version fluid, it's well worth the cost and pain to upgrade.  I just did mine a couple months ago and two things I immediately noticed were lower temps and somewhat smoother shifts.  Just watch for NAPA to have a 20% off sale....about $380 including tax in FL for two 5 gallon pails...  Oh, what fun!