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Old 02-22-2006, 03:49 AM   #1
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On our month-long trip last October from Florida to western Virginia, I found that in the mountains on turns (IH77) we couldn't comfortably maintain the recommended speed for trucks (the posted speed on a yellow sign.) The coach leaned and just didn't 'feel' right to me; if the recommended truck speed was 55, we would need to go about 50 to feel like we were in control.

When we took the Dick Reed driving school recently, the instructor commented while we were on IH75 (straight and level) that I needed to slow down a little (I usually drive about 65 on Interstates); he said the coach just felt more stable or predictable at about 60 or 62 (my words - I forgot his exact comment.)

We have had a four-wheel alignment and we run the appropriate tire pressure based on coach weight. We will soon be getting a four corner weight, so that will be interesting.

I'm curious about handling comments from those with the Evolution IFS chassis (2004+ Horizon/Vectra.)
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Old 02-22-2006, 03:49 AM   #2
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On our month-long trip last October from Florida to western Virginia, I found that in the mountains on turns (IH77) we couldn't comfortably maintain the recommended speed for trucks (the posted speed on a yellow sign.) The coach leaned and just didn't 'feel' right to me; if the recommended truck speed was 55, we would need to go about 50 to feel like we were in control.

When we took the Dick Reed driving school recently, the instructor commented while we were on IH75 (straight and level) that I needed to slow down a little (I usually drive about 65 on Interstates); he said the coach just felt more stable or predictable at about 60 or 62 (my words - I forgot his exact comment.)

We have had a four-wheel alignment and we run the appropriate tire pressure based on coach weight. We will soon be getting a four corner weight, so that will be interesting.

I'm curious about handling comments from those with the Evolution IFS chassis (2004+ Horizon/Vectra.)
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Old 02-22-2006, 04:43 AM   #3
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John:
I just commented on the IFS chassis on the TOUR post question. I have it on my 2005 Vectra 36RD and love it. I find it very stable when driving between 62 and 65. I also find my gas mileage improves at those speeds because I am over my torque curve. At 55 to 60 I was averaging 6.6 to 6.8 miles per gallon pulling the toad. At 62 I am at 7.2 to 7.4 now. I only have 15,800 miles on the engine now and told that when it breaks in (around 25 to 30,000) the mileage should go up.
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Old 02-22-2006, 05:59 AM   #4
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You may not have been shifting into 6th gear at 55-60 mph.

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Old 02-22-2006, 06:08 AM   #5
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John,

I find that driving 65 mph on the interstate is most comfortable for me pulling a Honda CRV. In the Colorado mountains I find if I slow to the posted speed on curves it is very manageable. I have often thought that the road engineers set the speeds based on large trucks and that seems to work good for motor homes as well.

If it is narrow that is another matter. I may slow well below the speed limit on a narrow lane.
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Old 02-22-2006, 07:49 AM   #6
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John,
This will be some of my last posts since we ordered a new CC Magna 45ft, and traded in our 40AD. I noyicied a similar problem when our Coach was new. I was troubled by the way it leaned in left hand turns at freeway speeds. I went to Freightliner in Gaffney and had the Airbag control valves positions changed. Original has 2 valves on the rear axle and 2 for both front airbags. We now have 2 on the front and 1 on the back axle. Lot more stable in turns.
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Old 02-22-2006, 07:51 AM   #7
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Sorry I meant 2 on rear axle and 1 on both front airbags. Changed to 1 on rear axle and 2 on front.
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Old 02-22-2006, 08:18 AM   #8
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Stick around Mr. Hogbreath,, we enjoy your input and Congratulations on the CC. Safe Miles
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Old 02-22-2006, 10:58 AM   #9
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On the flat and wide open roads we will usually run at about 70mph if we are trying to make time. It handles very well at that speed with no unpredictable swaying or fatigue. If we are not in a hurry we will run about 60-62mph. One good thing is we get better milage at the slower speed. 7.5-9mpg depending on wind direction of course!

Curves are taken at the posted speed on the yellow signs. We find the coach handles quite well at that speed.

Cheers!
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Old 02-22-2006, 04:39 PM   #10
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Thanks for the replies fellows - I appreciate it very much.

Hogbreth - sorry to see you leave the Winnie family but you sure are doing it in style
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Old 02-25-2006, 09:03 AM   #11
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Canfield:
When we took the Dick Reed driving school recently, the instructor commented while we were on IH75 (straight and level) that I needed to slow down a little (I usually drive about 65 on Interstates); he said the coach just felt more stable or predictable at about 60 or 62 (my words - I forgot his exact comment.)

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>John,
Werners comment about the speed suprises me. We have only had our coach for 5 months and are considering a DP w/IFS so we can get above 60 - 62 and not be all over the road. Now I am concerned that we will be wasting $100K. I did drive a unit on I-75 North of Tampa @ 70 MPH, one handed with a 18 wheeler passing!
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Old 02-25-2006, 09:53 AM   #12
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Charles - the coach does drive quite nicely and predictably. I thought it was doing well and was a little surprised at Werner's comment about slowing down a little. I've had the coach up to about 75 or 78 for passing situations and I didn't think there was a handling problem.

Next week we hope to get four corner wheel weights so I can fine-tune tire pressure and I might need to move things in the basement around to get the weight balanced.

Another comment by Werner really pleased me; he said the coach was very quiet and he was impressed, so impressed he made a point of mentioning it to his wife. He said some of the ones he has been into were very noisy.
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Old 02-25-2006, 01:41 PM   #13
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On our 5 week/11,000 mile innaugural trip around the country last summer I found that our Vectra handled beautifully. I try to keep it no more than 5mph over the posted limits, with a hard upper limit of 75mph (because that's what the tires are rated for).

The yellow limit signs seemed to provide a comfortable speed for sharp turns and off-ramps.
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Old 02-26-2006, 04:03 AM   #14
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John,

We are coming down for the Winni Rally in Orlando in 2 weeks. I was told that we can get our 4 corners weighted at the Rally.
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