Engine power do you find your coach lazy

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Engine power do you find your coach lazy

August 23, 2020, 08:01:48 am

Do you find your rig under power and Tying up traffic on Two lane roads and what fuel mileage do you get not towing and towing

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #1 – August 23, 2020, 08:22:46 am

Quote from: Cape Bretoner – August 23, 2020, 08:01:48 am

1. Do you find your rig under power(ed)?

2. What fuel mileage do you get not towing and towing?

1. No. If you find your coach underpowered, what are you using as a basis for comparison?

2. Towing: 8 mpg No towd: We never do that.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #2 – August 23, 2020, 09:02:10 am

I've usually been able to do the speed limit on 2 or 4 lane highways. Does traffic line up behind me. Sometimes. Usually by overly stressed 30 somethings hurrying to get somewhere before it's gone.
I've also gotten around 8 mpg. Didn't seem to matter much towing or not. But my toad was a 3500# car so not a lot of weight.

Larry

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #3 – August 23, 2020, 09:10:37 am

We always tow the Jeep, get 8 mpg. Just weighed the coach a bit over 31K. When taking off don't be Afraid to mash the throttle your not going to hurt anything. If I soft pedal mine it is Sluggish.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #4 – August 23, 2020, 09:22:23 am

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Often when I was employed as a salesman, on a demo, I was told "this rv has no power, that would happen on 300, 350, 400, and 450hp rvs. I would say, "ok let's do a test from this stop sign at an onramp to a highway with a speed limit of 55. Now do not expect miracles, remember this rv weight is approx. 30,000 lbs. Now, stop, accelerate floored until you enter the highway at that bridge there, it is approx 1/4 mile. Then look at your speedometer, and tell me how fast you are going." They would, and usually they would say "60 mph." And I would say, "now slow back down to 55mph, they love to give out tickets on this stretch." Usually that was followed by, "you really do not feel the acceleration."

As far as slowing down on the hills: I had one customer who twice a year traveled from the SF Bay area to LA and they would overnight at the same park. His rv had 275hp small block diesel, his friend a 400 hp big block. He said, I can not keep up with him on the hills. He gets to LA 30 minutes before me. I pull into the campground, my friend already has me checked in, and guides me to my spot, and has my favorite drink prepared. "I love my 275hp diesel, and I get 20-30% better fuel economy than he does." What I'm saying is, you are not driving a car, so just be aware of how much weight you are driving. That applies to speed and stopping distance allowed for. My experience taught me new to rv drivers, never allowed enough distance between their rv and the vehicle in front of them.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #5 – August 23, 2020, 09:34:15 am

For a house on a truck it has good power.

7.5 mpg towing, never drove it far enough to determine MPG when not towing.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #6 – August 23, 2020, 10:06:20 am

Exactly 8.0 mpg over 115,000 miles from the DDEC readout. About 10 mpg without toad unless a lot of mountain driving. It's a rocket at sea level and I usually use full throttle off stop signs, freeway on ramps, etc. Toad can be felt a little on steep high altitude passes but does drop the MPG. Usually cruise at 62 mph. Have never been passed by a big rig from Bakersfield to Mojave on the 58 grade.

Pierce

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #7 – August 23, 2020, 10:52:47 am

You would have to drive a bus with a 600 and drive it hard and still have mellenials flashing their lights at you from behind wanting to do 100 while texting or taking a selfie. Is the coach peppy enough for you ?

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #8 – August 23, 2020, 11:20:41 am

Jack is correct. I drive an ambulance, they train us to scan ahead constantly to be able to recognize possible problems before they happen. If you can predict an incident up ahead before it happens you can prepare for it and make the correct decision. Need to constantly scan, windshield, both mirrors, and instruments as well as being aware of what is going on behind us. It keeps the brain active preventing something called highway hypnosis, preventing you from recognizing possible danger.Also something called pre-braking. Keeping your foot hovering over, but not touching the brake pedal can also help. Give you a quicker response time on the brake.You can also use the weight of your vehicle to slow you down without slamming on the brake. These bad boys are heavy, it takes a lot of energy to get em rolling. The weight can be a benefit as without engine energy the rig will start to slow down on it's own meaning you use less brake pressure saving those expensive brake pads. Always assume the idiot in front of you is going to do something stupid, expect it, plan for it. Have an escape plan that adapts to your environment as you roll down the highway.You,re SA (Situational Awareness) has to be 100% every time you get behind the wheel. We are all guilty of allowing our attention to be diverted (me included). It takes a lot of skill and discipline to drive one of these bad boys. Fatigue is another killer. So many times we have rolled on motor vehicle accidents where people simply just fell asleep because they convinced themselves they could make it just a little but longer.I'm not an expert on this subject (even though I play one on t.v. old joke). Just throwing my devalued two cents worth in.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #9 – August 23, 2020, 11:25:15 am

Hey Grey Wolff sounds similar to the Smith System we were taught continuously over my career. Always look for an out! And I agree with assuming the other drivers will do something stupid. That has kept me from being involved in quite a few accidents over the years.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #10 – August 23, 2020, 12:07:22 pm

Agree with everyone. Our coaches are not NHRA 1/4 mile racers. Any speed deficit is in our (incorrect) expectations.

The shop that works on our coach is a big rig class 8 repair shop. So when they first took the coach out for a test drive. They said holy cow, That coach hauls butt.

The main thing that slows my coach down on 2 lanes are curves. When I start hearing stuff rearranging itself in the cabinets and the fridge. It's time to back off. If traffic piles up. I just look for a pull off spot and let everyone pass.

As for fuel economy. We always have the Subaru out back (3000lbs) so pretty light. And in the past had a Mercedes SUV on a trailer (6000lbs) We live out west in Washington state. So no matter which way we go. There be big bumps to climb. Prior Owner (Reg) lived on Vancouver Island, BC. So the same thing. With 148,000 miles on a 450HP M11. Lifetime fuel economy is 7.8mpg. When we first bought the coach it was 8mpg.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #11 – August 23, 2020, 12:41:29 pm

Grey Wolf to Grey Wolff,

Yes, that's why I always try to fuel in the morning instead of waiting until I'm tired in the afternoon. Early morning finds most in bed and less traffic.

I watched a really nice 40 footer put a cement light standard almost 2 feet into the side of his coach at an Arco station. He backed out into the street and took off leaving parts everywhere. Said he was tired out the window. Never even got out to look at it.

Also good to find a place to stay before dark in new areas.

Pierce

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #12 – August 23, 2020, 01:13:03 pm

With the exception of jor here I never remember any repeat customer downsizing their motor in a new to them rv.

Lots difference from Midwest and east coach users versus the western Rockies.

Hills versus mountains at altitude.

Banks engineering made up a comprehensive power upgrade kit long ago. Raised 300 to 400. Not available but dr diesel and others may have altered fuel plates to increase power and mpg.

The trans handles it easily it seems because of the light weight of our coaches.

You are probably type A personality.

If you pull up to an intersection with two lanes on your side and one lane has a car in it and the other is empty do you make sure you are in the empty lane. Some will just line up behind the one lane with the car in it.

Correct fan controller reduces power loss. Resonator. Donaldson blu tech air filter. Adjust valves and injectors.

Lower rolling resistance tires helps.

I did every step listed plus a few more. And I have a m11.

Good luck in your search. The banks kit was the bomb

Source engine power up parts.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #13 – August 23, 2020, 01:16:46 pm

I don't want to sound snobbish here but when I bought my Phonix they wanted to sell me the 45 foot model as that was what they were only making at that time. I wanted a 40 ft model but also the 600hp ISX Cummins. After some negotiation on what I would loose with the 40 vs the 45, we ordered our Foretravel. Now imagine 40,000 lbs loaded with 1850 ft/lbs of torque and 600 hp. I acatually had to learn to take it easy as it was so easy to climb hills at 65 and speed on the flats. After the first six months I started to drive it like my previous Foretravel and I have since averaged 6.8 mpg always towing. Not trying to compare, but with the newer coaches power has not been an issue for most owners.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #14 – August 23, 2020, 01:32:45 pm

Mine gets away from a stop light with the traffic, If you apply plenty of pressure on the right pedal. On the highway for the most part no one is waiting on me. Sure we all want more horses. Just like when I was trucking in the early 70s had a v12 with twin turbos and wanted more.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #15 – August 23, 2020, 01:37:50 pm

Quote from: esaulten – August 23, 2020, 01:16:46 pm

but with the newer coaches power has not been an issue for most owners.

And nor is it with our older coaches. But of course it depends on the owner and their expectations and perceptions of what constitutes a "power issue". We are retired and not interested in driving like our hair is on fire. And so our 450HP M11 does great. And the 450HP M11 isn't over stressed like the 650 is and so doesn't tend to suck valves.

If a person insists that their coach NEEDED 650HP and it only came with 600HP They "might" end up having it in the back of their mind that the 600 (while good) just can't live up to 650HP.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #16 – August 23, 2020, 01:38:49 pm

We have a Cat 3126 300 HP. I swear that it likes the 6+K# race car and trailer behind it.Maybe it makes the turbo boost more, it's beyond me, because I can't even tell it's there.
I run 8's in the 1/4 mile at 149 MPH in my Duster, then jump in the MoHo. Doesn't bother me a bit. The Cat has all I want.Love the feel of all that boost when it kicks in.
All my RV's have been toads, so it never bothers me. I always laughed at the FT customers, because they were all retired, and in a hurry to go no where.
I drive ours at 62-65 MPH. get well over 10 mpg most the time. It averages ( average, not once in a while ) 8 mpg with Jeep Wrangler.
Sure, I get beer cans thrown at me, and the California wave at times, but hey, I am in no hurry, because I am probably going no where important any way.
Like Big Dog said, these are not NHRA drag cars.
Just sayin'
Chris

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #17 – August 23, 2020, 02:05:59 pm

I just can't make myself floor it from the stop sign. Just a lifetime of careful driving and paying my own repair bills or doing it myself. Starting from a dead stop it really does seem slow, but I almost never have trouble matching the speed of traffic while driving up the on ramp. When driving along US 287 towards Amarillo and having to drive 35 mph through some of the small towns I've noticed that if I stop at a light, I blow away the semi's getting up to legal speed. I have a stock 325 horse all mechanical C8.3. I average around 8 miles per gallon, and I'm happy with that. It's about what I got towing a 24 foot travel trailer with a 1990 suburban.

I cruise at about 62, and pull over when there's a big line behind me going up a mountain when it's feasible.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #18 – August 23, 2020, 02:30:33 pm

Quote from: Realmccoy – August 23, 2020, 02:05:59 pm

I just can't make myself floor it from the stop sign. Just a lifetime of careful driving and paying my own repair bills or doing it myself. Starting from a dead stop it really does seem slow, but I almost never have trouble matching the speed of traffic while driving up the on ramp. When driving along US 287 towards Amarillo and having to drive 35 mph through some of the small towns I've noticed that if I stop at a light, I blow away the semi's getting up to legal speed. I have a stock 325 horse all mechanical C8.3. I average around 8 miles per gallon, and I'm happy with that. It's about what I got towing a 24 foot travel trailer with a 1990 suburban.

I cruise at about 62, and pull over when there's a big line behind me going up a mountain when it's feasible.

Don't know about your throttle, but the Cat is computerized. I can barely move the coach when cold, then the more it warms up, the more throttle I have. Built in protection.

I am with you on flooring it. I had a Cummins Dodge pickup, man you could just feel those U joints crying out. But with the Cat throttle, I can floor it, and it only applies as much as it can handle.

Funny, went to grab the throttle linkage to give it a little romp in the engine compartment, and there is zero linkage. All handled by the computer. Fuel injection and turbo boost. Love it.

Now the Duster, I floor it to 5500 RPM's, and let go of the transbrake button. 1.25 60's!
Chris

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #19 – August 23, 2020, 02:31:43 pm

Unlike a car, your 8.3 is not going to last any longer if you ease off the line or floor it every time.

We responded to emergencies with dead cold Detroits out of the station with the first shift at 2300 or 2400 rpm. No block heater. That's moving in less than a second from the time the engine lights up. They never complained or broke. Designed to be driven that way.

What you do have to watch that effects engine life is EGTs at high altitudes in warm weather. Especially with mechanical engines. Keep rpm up with partial throttle to keep EGTs down.

Other than that, give the oil temperature time to drop before shutting down after any kind of pull. Turbo oil cokes and will shorten the turbo bearing life and any turbo parts in the combustion chamber will result in a big bill.

So, it's the little things you don't think off that effect the life of your engine. The big reason some drivers can triple the B-50 life of their engines and others don't make it that far.

Pierce

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #20 – August 23, 2020, 02:35:53 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 23, 2020, 01:13:03 pm

Banks engineering made up a comprehensive power upgrade kit long ago. Raised 300 to 400. Not available but dr diesel and others may have altered fuel plates to increase power and mpg.

Yup, Dr Diesel had his coach towed into our Coeur D Alene FT shop, after he had the motor put back to stock. Was having us help him get a new engine under warranty.

He was a big bang (pun intended) around here for a couple of years. He is long gone with a few peoples money.....Just sayin'

I'am all over performance, but all my new stock stuff I leave alone. Just my personal preference. If it was good enough for the manufacture, it is good enough for me.

CW

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #21 – August 23, 2020, 03:02:40 pm

I drove/sold alot of subsequently turned up 8.3C mechanical Cummins. Lot of customers with them still. No issues. Better mpg like chris reports.

Dr diesel local rep had me drive his 5.9 crew cab with a small camper on it. Amazing power.

Heavy smoke. Kills rings after a while.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #22 – August 23, 2020, 04:00:18 pm

Electronic engines have approx 5% better mileage vs mechanical and common rail, another 5% better. ECM controls the fuel better at altitude.

Black smoke means higher EGTs and less mileage with a diesel. Not like rich mix with gas engines used to cool them.

Pierce

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #23 – August 23, 2020, 04:26:30 pm

Been my speriance hot rodding diesels usually will come to no good end. The afore mentioned V 12 used to kill itself about every 125K. with mr flatfoot helping.

Re: Engine power do you find your coach lazy

Reply #24 – August 23, 2020, 06:06:58 pm

I from the maritimes times and we have Long hilly roads and are main highways Have stretches where there are only two lane traffic till you can come to a passing lane going uphill and I've seen myself down to 25 to 30 miles an hour for a mile and up to 5 miles uphill climb with tractor traders at your back bumper it seems the six speed Allison has a wide Shift range about 500 rpm between gearshift I drive tractor trailers 15, 18 speed where you can split gears I just feel I am tying up traffic I am not trying to race with the traffic Just keep up with them or keep out of there way it the first time I am using an Allison transmission and being a truck driver it is very frustrating getting behind a slow motion vehicle when you're trying to keep your momentum uphill just asking because I see gas RVs just fly by me are speed limit is 60 to 70 miles an hr And when you approach a vehicle doing 25 miles an hour it's not a Safe feeling and no one can tell me that it is safe

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