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Topic: Former Forum Thread Question (Read 555 times) previous topic - next topic

Former Forum Thread Question

Some years ago, there was a forum thread discussing what transmission gear did folks drive.  My forum search skills are quite substandard and finds nothing.  If someone who is more familiar with how the search tool works and can provide a link, I'd appreciate it.

Larry

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #1 –
The trick to searching with the Forum Search Tool is selecting the proper "key words".  This takes practice, and much "trial & error".

I searched for "manual gear selection".  Got a whole page of hits.

See if any of these threads look like what you want:

Downhill Speed Control - Proper Gear Selection vs Retarder

Manual Shifting Allison

Got my Allison "Mode On"

ISM450 Fuel Mileage

OZARK MOUNTAINS, MEDIUM RAIN, NO RETARDER -- FIRST TIMER
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #2 –
Thank you U295 for RTFM!

But, that never stopped my from adding my own 2¢ worth based on my experience over some time spent driving everything from antique automobiles to several decades of motorhomes.

I have the Cummins 5.9, Allison 4-speed and drum brakes.  All up weight is 22,500 pounds.

1) "D" and I drive it like my 1950 Chrysler with the Prestomatic Tip Toe Shift and Gyrol Fluid Drive.  I grab about 2/3s throttle, sit back and wait as I "Soar Away in a Smooth Crescendo of Power."

2)  Uphill on a long grade, 3, 2, and even 1.  Whatever it takes to keep my foot off the firewall.  Running flat out for long periods of time the water gets hot and so does the oil, lowering the oil pressure.  A remote camera on your turbocharger might give you that little push to drive slower up hill once you see the glow.

3) Downhill?  Everything from both feet flat on the floor shouting Wheeeee ! to starting at the top in 1st gear from a dead stop.  A 30,000 pound motorhome carries a lot of potential energy to be dissipated on the way down a long steep grade.  Once the brakes get too hot to work effectively, you're out of options.

Just my 2¢ worth on a quiet Saturday morning.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #3 –
Thanks, guys, for being so helpful.  I appreciate it.

Larry

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #4 –
As I get older it's sometimes requires reading things more than one time for my "light to go on". In rereading Brett Wolfe's article on transmission mode I finally saw and understood:

"Every time you start the motorhome, the transmission is in Performance Mode. This is the default setting. If you push the mode button, it goes to Economy Mode and the light illuminates."

I had been thinking the opposite.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #5 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
As I get older it's sometimes requires reading things more than one time for my "like to go on". In rereading Brett Wolfe's article on transmission mode I finally saw and understood:

"Every time you start the motorhome, the transmission is in Performance Mode. This is the default setting. If you push the mode button, it goes to Economy Mode and the light illuminates."

I had been thinking the opposite.

My understanding is that it varies with different models. For example, on our 1995 U320 with Cummins M11 and the Allison 4000 series transmission the default is as you describe above, but I've read that on others it's just the opposite.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Former Forum Thread Question

Reply #6 –
Customer selectable at a Allison shop
"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