What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Topic: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate? (Read 1823 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #25 – September 15, 2019, 01:03:58 pm

Quote from: Pyolet – September 15, 2019, 12:49:42 pm

U295OWNER, to avoid confusion, you really need to change your user name, or add a signature line to your profile stating what model coach you have.

I strongly agree that a name change is in order to avoid confusion!

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #26 – September 15, 2019, 01:56:27 pm

So the 2002 U320 came with the Cummins ISM-450 electronic diesel engine and the Allison 4000 MH 6-speed transmission with the Allison transmission retarder (dualactuated.)

My 1992 U225 came with the Cummins 5.9 inline-6 and an Allison Mt-643 four speed with lockup in 3rd and 4th. So at the end of the day I drive at the speed that gives me the RPM I need, the same as my 1950 Chrysler. In the case of our GrandVilla, 62 MPH gives the engine 2,000 rpm and that feels good to me. Anything higher feels rushed. The SIATA restoration is holding up travel plans, but the end is in sight!
Art
P.S. 45-50 mph was the best speed for the Chrysler in direct drive for economy.
PPS My 1983 Honda V45 motorcycle? On a long drive to go pickup something small, if traffic encourages I have no problem with 8,000 RPM and "ahem" MPG riding with traffic.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #27 – September 15, 2019, 02:39:17 pm

The SIATA restoration is holding up travel plans, but the end is in sight!
Art

I know what you mean about the perfect speed for the highway. Anything above does not feel right with some engines or driveline configurations. My Ford 7.3 mechanical turbo conversion was like that. Great engine with lots of low end power but never felt good at higher RPMs. It was on a Dodge chassis but even with an overdrive on the Getrag manual 5 speed, I was in 5th on a freeway on ramp by the time I got to the freeway. Nice to have a good low numerical final drive option. Only the latest automatics give economy priority for freeway driving and can split shift to make the best use of the engine. With a good ratio, the Allison 6 speed is excellent for squeezing the last MPG on the freeway. Wish we had one.

I just built a wooden gantry crane from internet plans. Perfect for Fiat toad engine installations. I changed it slightly and have a 1500 lb electric winch instead of the chain. Total is just under $200 including the new electric winch. See YouTube below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtPU1pOTLH4

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #28 – September 15, 2019, 05:47:24 pm

Pierce, Gaylie and Koda wrote: "I just built a wooden gantry crane from internet plans. Perfect for Fiat toad engine installations."

The Wanderlodge have a hinged radiator option. My U225, lots of bolts. The Siata? Built on the Fiat 850 chassis, the rear sheet metal comes out with a handful of votes. You can roll the drive line out on a floor jack. Just like a motorcycle

If yours is a 36' model, how did you squeeze 1,140 watts of solar on the roof?

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #29 – September 15, 2019, 06:52:48 pm

They fit but not much space left over. Craneman has five up top but is a 40. Photo below shows all four panels. 72"x39" as I remember.

Anyone figure how to get the Allison to shift into the next gear at a lower speed? I would like to loaf along in a higher gear at a lower speed. Nice to have the tranny computer figure the engine load and then shift so you could not run high EGTs but could ghost along in a higher gear at low throttle position. Just like a manual transmission.

Pierce

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #30 – September 15, 2019, 08:30:36 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – September 15, 2019, 06:52:48 pm

They fit but not much space left over. Craneman has five up top but is a 40. Photo below shows all four panels. 72"x39" as I remember.

Anyone figure how to get the Allison to shift into the next gear at a lower speed? I would like to loaf along in a higher gear at a lower speed. Nice to have the tranny computer figure the engine load and then shift so you could not run high EGTs but could ghost along in a higher gear at low throttle position. Just like a manual transmission.

Pierce

Is the U300 a widebody or old school standard width?

Not to be insulting but have you tried taking your foot off the foot feed? If yes, than how about asking Allison if they can adjust some parameters in the control computer?

With a "throttle" cable giving a mechanical transmission load information you can choose to give up foot feed down shifts for an earlier up-shift. I'm a ghosting along kind of guy. We drove across Fort Stewart recently and it was a pleasant drive (sort of) ghosting along at 55.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #31 – September 15, 2019, 09:04:32 pm

I don't have the Pro-Link 9000 cartridge for Allison transmissions. I know they make a cartridge for the 6 speed World Transmission. Link to an example: https://aepsurplus.com/custom/auctionArchiveDetail.cfm?aID=1198 Cartridges for the ABS are also available.

It's 102 inches. They fit well but the aluminum roof rails would be in the way on the 96 inch in the right rear. Commercial panels are 77"x 39." I installed these many years ago. Today, with better efficiency the panels would produce 1300 watts or more.

Pierce

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #32 – September 15, 2019, 11:38:53 pm

Craneman our 97 goes into 6th at 55 exactly unless floored.

No idea if that's normal or just changed

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #33 – September 16, 2019, 12:35:51 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – September 15, 2019, 11:38:53 pm

Craneman our 97 goes into 6th at 55 exactly unless floored.

No idea if that's normal or just changed

One of ours must have been reprogrammed. Would need some coaches of the same model to compare to find out which one.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #34 – September 16, 2019, 01:18:59 am

As I recall when I had our Allison ECU reprogrammed many years ago by an Allison dealer is that you can change the upshift points in 100 RPM increments. That would need to be confirmed for different series of ECU's.

Shift points MAY be able to be lowered, but you would need to verify that lowering it would not allow for the engine to be at high throttle positions at RPM below PEAK TORQUE RPM for your engine (each engine family is different-- the larger the engine, the lower the peak torque RPM.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #35 – September 16, 2019, 03:23:26 am

Craneman the torque/hp curve on mine is so flat that raising the upshift points would seem to make little difference. The torque is slightly more speedy than revving the motor and using more of the hp part of the power curve.

Only difference may be fuel mileage? Maybe I'm mistaken. Might be a better drive with higher upshift points but I doubt it

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #36 – September 16, 2019, 06:22:09 am

On my coach I can't get into 6th gear until I exceed 62mph, but then I can ease back to 60.5mph and the tranny will hold in 6th. That's the slowest I can go without it dropping back to 5th.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #37 – September 16, 2019, 09:14:22 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – September 15, 2019, 09:04:32 pm

I don't have the Pro-Link 9000 cartridge for Allison transmissions. I know they make a cartridge for the 6 speed World Transmission. Link to an example: https://aepsurplus.com/custom/auctionArchiveDetail.cfm?aID=1198 Cartridges for the ABS are also available.

It's 102 inches. They fit well but the aluminum roof rails would be in the way on the 96 inch in the right rear. Commercial panels are 77"x 39." I installed these many years ago. Today, with better efficiency the panels would produce 1300 watts or more.

Pierce

Pierce
Do you use microinverters on each panel or just maintain a battery bank?
6" makes a big difference.
My motorcycle(s) have a 6-speed, and I shift into 6th at 60 mph and cruise at 4,000 rpm.
Art

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #38 – September 16, 2019, 09:51:13 am

On the interstate we run the M11 in 6th gear with the mode switch on and cruise set to 62 mph. We allow the Allison to due it's thing. It usually maintains the engine between 1400-1500 rpm depending on the roads. When on hilly grades and backroads we focus on maintaining the engine at around 1500 rpm through manual shifting.
John M.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #39 – September 16, 2019, 10:08:27 am

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – September 16, 2019, 09:14:22 am

Pierce
Do you use microinverters on each panel or just maintain a battery bank?
6" makes a big difference.
My motorcycle(s) have a 6-speed, and I shift into 6th at 60 mph and cruise at 4,000 rpm.
Art

One Midnite Classic 150. Yes, a lot more thought involved if 96 inches. Could use other type panels instead of commercial.

P

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #40 – September 16, 2019, 10:44:19 am

On this Alaska trip which will total over 12,000 miles I drove with the mode switch on (economy) and my speeds varied from 40 to 64 max, and lots at 50-55mph. At 50-55 I was in 5th gear and averaging around 1250 to 1350 rpms. At 62+ I was in 6th gear at about the same rpms. My fuel mileage averaged about 8.5 mpg. Interestingly it was about the same at the slower speed, probably due to not pushing the air as hard. This is with towing our full-size truck, about 6500# loaded.
When I would drive at 60 mph I would speed up to 62 and once it shifted to 6th gear I'd slow back down to 60. Worked fine until I hit a hill and it would downshift to 5th.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #41 – September 16, 2019, 10:55:06 am

Looks like mine is the norm. I can get into 6th at 62 on econo and back down to 60.5 and keep in 6th as long as no throttle input from the cruise or me.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #42 – September 16, 2019, 12:53:30 pm

Great info. I like the idea that someone along the line of owners or new changed mine to upshift at 55.

ESPECIALLY now that the changes I have done make the torque aspect at lower rpms much much more noticeable.

The stock setup seems to use the hp side of the engines power curve. Mine downshifted under throttle application like you are all mentioning.

Yet was set for 55 into 6th.

Changing the motors response now matches the trans upshift pattern very well. Before the mods, no.

Donaldson blue tech, aero 50/50 xl resonator, dynamatics 199 degree fan controller, new alternator, valve adjustment, enough solar to run the coach after batteries reach 100%, lower rolling resistance tires, correct tire pressure for weight.

If I could stand to do it our 97 at 62 mph would average closer to 10 mpg.

I just did not like the revvy motor. Not right compared to what I had experienced driving countless other rv's.

Still slowly builds speed up medium grades in top gear.

Slight grades holds cruise speed fine.

Interesting that mine was modded somewhere along the line.

The resonator, fan control and the tires low rolling resistance made the most differences in that order in my opinion.

With the Michelin Xza-2's if I backed off the throttle the coach slowed in traffic noticeably. With the Xza-3+'s you have to use the retarder or brakes in traffic. That noticeable. Plus syn oil in the hubs and trans.

Paid dearly for the Cummins shops guy to weld up a beautiful flowed exhaust system.

All to get the motor to torque versus downshift and rev.

Now if I was ever in Pittsburg, Pa. I would let Pittsburg Power have a few days to look at the engine "just to see if everything's ok." They suggested on their web site the less restrictive air filter.

Fast cycling air pressure is also a power loss.

Still not as fast as others I have driven but much better and does even better with the lower upshift points it is set for.

May Dyno the coach just to see. If more power is available it's a good thing.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #43 – September 16, 2019, 03:54:30 pm

Tool.
The 643 should have a cable. Loosen it to increase the kick down point. Maybe it will upshift sooner. Mine does. Shifts the same at wot

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #44 – September 16, 2019, 07:04:32 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – September 16, 2019, 03:54:30 pm

Tool.
The 643 should have a cable. Loosen it to increase the kick down point. Maybe it will upshift sooner. Mine does. Shifts the same at wot

Mike! I'm 63 years old and I've been messing with machinery all my life. One of the first things I did was slide underneath and check stuff out. In my case I looked at the condition of the transmission throttle cable and said to myself "Let's let sleeping dogs lie."

In any case this old bus hasn't told me everything it has to tell just by driving and listening.
Art

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #45 – September 16, 2019, 10:13:38 pm

There can't possibly be a correct answer here as there are too many variables to be evaluated I just run where the engine wants to run, push on the peddle in a smooth linear motion allowing it to gain rpm, glance for any wisps of black smoke in the exhaust stream. Even with a four speed I rarely shift down. Don't use the cruise control, and heck I have never even tried it on my coach, because past diesel experience has been that they overreact.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #46 – September 16, 2019, 11:40:21 pm

Fred, I don't have a clue how other FT engine combos run, but my U320 ISM cruise control is spot on, dead accurate, with zero wander on the flats. I kick it off in the mountains tho. Woody.

Quote from: Old phart phred – September 16, 2019, 10:13:38 pm

There can't possibly be a correct answer here as there are too many variables to be evaluated I just run where the engine wants to run, push on the peddle in a smooth linear motion allowing it to gain rpm, glance for any wisps of black smoke in the exhaust stream. Even with a four speed I rarely shift down. Don't use the cruise control, and heck I have never even tried it on my coach, because past diesel experience has been that they overreact.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #47 – September 17, 2019, 12:46:20 am

My cruise control also is spot on. I use it as much as conditions permit. If it's hilly, I often drop it into 5th so I have some engine braking on downhill runs. Otherwise I'll get going faster than I want, and use of the retarder will kick it out of cruise.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #48 – September 17, 2019, 06:45:23 am

Tom my cruise works with the retarder and does not kick it off.

Re: What Gear Do You Drive On Interstate?

Reply #49 – September 17, 2019, 08:44:43 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – September 17, 2019, 12:46:20 am

My cruise control also is spot on. I use it as much as conditions permit. If it's hilly, I often drop it into 5th so I have some engine braking on downhill runs. Otherwise I'll get going faster than I want, and use of the retarder will kick it out of cruise.

Tom, c'mon, you mean to tell me that on roller coaster roads that give and take you don't ever leave you feet flat on the floor, raise your hands over your head and shout Wheee ! as you rig gains speed on the downhill side while the sensible part of you calculates how far you'll be up the next rise before you come down to the speed limit?

Old Phart Fred, I have the MT 643 and the Bendix cruise control and it seems to work just fine, now that I'm getting used to it's operation and the switches have awakened from their long sleep. Feels the same as the cruise control on all of my 70s, 80s, and 90s Chrysler products.

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