Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Dual actuated retarder (Read 512 times) previous topic - next topic

Dual actuated retarder

Can someone please explain this term? Thx
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #1 –
Brake pedal or zero throttle position with the retarder on in either use and the setting wand off the rest position for the second.

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #2 –
As Bob said, the retarder works via the joy stick or the brake pedal.
1. If you have the retarder rocker switch on and the joy stick in the zero position, when you push on the brake pedal the retarder engages. On ours it had three stages. A light push on the brake pedal was one third retarder; harder, two thirds; and hard, full retarder.
2. Without pushing on the brake pedal, just click the joystick through its range from partial to full retarder operation.

If you have your retarder rocker on and you have to really lay on the brake, the coach will stop like a car.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jor –
As Bob said, the retarder works via the joy stick or the brake pedal.
1. If you have the retarder rocker switch on and the joy stick in the zero position, when you push on the brake pedal the retarder engages. On ours it had three stages. A light push on the brake pedal was one third retarder; harder, two thirds; and hard, full retarder.
2. Without pushing on the brake pedal, just click the joystick through its range from partial to full retarder operation.

If you have your retarder rocker on and you have to really lay on the brake, the coach will stop like a car.
jor

Hard after a demo ride of a retarded unihome with the air disks to have a customer not buy.

Come off the front seats.  Impressive to say the least. 

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #4 –
Great descriptions above.

When I leave the freeway for a rest area, I just pull the retarder lever all the way back and never touch the brakes. 

Head down a 6% grade and start to go faster than you like, pull the retarder joystick back to position 3 or so, and then you hold the speed you want.

The only trouble I have is remembering when heading downhill, that my left hand needs to move the lever forward and backward to speed up or slow down instead of my right foot.  Touching the fuel pedal at all completely disengages the retarder and the coach's reaction isn't nearly as smooth as just moving the lever forward a notch to speed up.  I usually make that error a time or two after not driving it for a while.

With the joystick, seldom do I touch the brake pedal except for full stops at lights or parking.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #5 –
So if a coach is said to have a dual actuated retarder, it has the joy stick, aka hand control. I am still shopping and learning what I like, and having driven one with the joy stick, I love it. Do all FTs have it?
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #6 –
You asked if all Foretravels have retarders?

Most did, starting in the mid 90's from what I have read.  It was an expensive option if added in the early build years.  Originally some models had only the side switch, but there is a way to upgrade to the joy stick, for maybe $300 dollars.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #7 –
Quote from: BamaFan –
So if a coach is said to have a dual actuated retarder, it has the joy stick, aka hand control. I am still shopping and learning what I like, and having driven one with the joy stick, I love it. Do all FTs have it?
No, not all coaches with retarder have a joystick. However, if the coach has a retarder, the joystick can be added for about $300-$500. We added the joystick to ours.

If you add the joystick, you may want to make the choice to have the brakes lights illuminate with activation of the retarder via the joystick. Application of the retarder without applying the brakes on our coach does not illuminate the brake lights. The issue has been discussed in other threads on this forum.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #8 –
Based on your dream coach, you will be in a retarder coach. Mid nineties they became standard. Would never own a coach without one now.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #9 –
With this component being used so much, what maintenance other than the usual fluid and filter changes is required? Is there any wear and tear caused by this use? Extensive use of a system or component doesn't usually come free.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Dual actuated retarder

Reply #10 –
Change Transmission oil at recommended interval (annually if not using Synthetic) and that is about it. Watch transmission temps on long downhills, retarder will increase trans temps if used continuously, proper downshifting makes this a non issue as well. Early installs had some bracket failures, fixed by welding bracket back on coach and adding a gusset.

Coach air brakes last forever (in fact, too little use is not good for brakes as they can become "sticky" and not release evenly), so I guess that is a negative, and it adds $12,000 or more to the cost of the coach, so you don't see them in other coaches......
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)