| Author | Message | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 74 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196  Rating: N/A |
We are leaving for a trip from Indianapolis to St Pete Beach Fl. Is there a better route to take that will avoid the mountains? I have driven the bus through mountains in CA and I have driven the I65 to 24 to 75 and know that there are some hills along that route in the Chattanooga area. Is there a better way to maybe stay on I65 to like Montgomery Al then head towards 10? I've never done that and don't want to take a route I'm unfamiliar with and end up getting into some thing worse. Speed isn't the issue since I drive 55. Any input would be greatly appreciated. | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 627 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38  Rating: N/A |
Scott Camping World sells two books that tell you the grade and conditions on all major interstates hills. We used them when we travelled out west 5 years ago and found them invaluable. Bill | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 75 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196 Rating: N/A |
http://www.campingworld.com/category/rv-directories-rv-books/28 Do you know what they are called or which ones?? 433 books came up on their site??? | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 76 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196 Rating: N/A |
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/mountain-directory-west/32409 http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/mountain-directory-east/31689 these?? | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 628 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: N/A |
Scott Yes. They are the ones. Just look at the States covered to see which one you need. Bill | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 823 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.196.152  Rating: N/A |
The only hill your gonna hit on 65 is Monteagle. It ain't bad. start out in a lower gear, keep your puddle paddles off the brake pedal. It's about 6% for about 7 miles with lower declinations as you go. There are runaway ramps on the way down, but you don't want to use them. There is also a brake check area at the top to get out, stretch your legs and, oh, yeah... check your friggin brakes. BTW, if you have to use one of the run away ramps, the DOT is going to go over your bus with a fine tooth comb. It won't matter if you are commercial or not, they have jurisdiction on the escape ramps. When in doubt, start out in first and don't worry about the people passing you.... you ain't a race car and you don't HAVE to be there on a schedule. If you don't make it, email us and let us know that you didn't survive, please. | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 77 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196 Rating: N/A |
That sounds like a much better route than the way I normally drive without the bus. We are all getting excited about our trip. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 723 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.49.201  Rating: N/A |
Dal, where is the "Monteagle" grade? | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 824 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.196.152 Rating: N/A |
Between Nashville and Chattanooga. There is a truck stop on top on the left as your headed south. There is also one on the right but it's about a half mile from the freeway. I like the one on the right.... no tourist crap or BS. It's a good place to park for a nap. URRRRKKKK.. I just realized I put I-65.... It's actually on I-24 . You catch I-24 in Nashville. Sorry for the mistake. | ||
| Larry D Baker (Lbaker4106)
Registered Member Username: Lbaker4106 Post Number: 106 Registered: 5-2005 Posted From: 166.249.106.41 Rating: N/A |
We normally go that way to Mobile, Al. in our 4106 and have never had any problems. At Montgomery you can go on a southern bypass and pick up us 231 that will take you through Dothan, Al. and finally to I10 in Florida. I have come back that way but you must put up with some traffic lights but much shorter than going to I65 in Mobile. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1444 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 75.204.146.152  Rating: N/A |
We have ran I-24 from Chattanooga over Mont Eagle to Nashville and I-65 to Montgomery and then US 231 to I-10 in FL panhandle. Both are good routes. I-65 is a little longer but flatter. Your choice. Jack | ||
| Bob Glines (Robertglines1)
Registered Member Username: Robertglines1 Post Number: 75 Registered: 11-2010 Posted From: 75.207.218.27 Rating: N/A |
less miles and better time over Mont Eagle to 75 at Choo-Choo then 75 to St Pete. When you leaving? Bob in Evansville | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 78 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196 Rating: N/A |
5pm ish | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2246 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.89.179.92  Rating: N/A |
Why do you want to avoid the mountains? Your coach will be just fine on the interstate system, there are much steeper hills lurking on the lesser highways, with a lot less forgiving conditions at the bottom. Any interstate grades in the 5-6% range you will see on your agenda will coast no problem in the 40-45 mph range, with maybe a brake application or two to slow it back down. Just drop the speed as you crest the top. Lots of stuff in the archives on downhill speed control, mountain driving, downhill braking, snub braking, stab braking, etc. At what mph do you get gear shifts in your GM? Amongst the arguments on methods, one thing is for sure, choosing the wrong combination of strategies can end in death, or burned brake linings. For a newbie, choose a speed that does not require much use of the brakes, and if you do use them, you use them to slow down and coast again. Do not leave your foot on the brake pedal to maintain speed. Smoke pouring out of the wheel wells is usually a bad sign. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 79 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 99.100.88.196 Rating: N/A |
Not worried about braking or driving its just that my bus has a city bus trans and gear. It goes like 20-25 up mountains as it up shifts and downshifts 2speed auto | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 825 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.192.35 Rating: |
Figure it this way.... You are bigger than the 4-wheelers and big enough to cause damage to the 18-wheelers. You don't have to be in a hurry and you'll be surprised how many trucks aren't going any faster than you are. If they don't like the speed your going, let them go around. When I had my old look transit I had a sign on the back... "If you don't like THIS gear, you'll really hate my other one!" | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 80 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 198.228.226.42 Rating: N/A |
My sign says "pass us on the left follow us on twitter @bennythebus | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 82 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 166.147.114.6 Rating: N/A |
FYI WE Did the monteagle at 40 up and 60 down.. nothing like those mountains in CA | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1882 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.195.175.142  Rating: N/A |
Scott - ". . .nothing like those mountains in CA!" Yup! Most folk east of the Mississippi have NO CLUE what we deal with out here in LaLa Land. Besides all the fruits and nuts, of course!  | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 753 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.13.120  Rating: N/A |
Scott what engine, trans & rear axle ratio do you have? Best I can do going up a hill like that is about 25 in second in our 4104. But I have a 3.55 axle which will go 75 but loses 5-7 on overpasses in flat country. | ||
| Scott Crosby (Scott_crosby)
Registered Member Username: Scott_crosby Post Number: 83 Registered: 12-2011 Posted From: 166.147.114.6 Rating: N/A |
6V71 VH9 gear? Top speed is 55 | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 357 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.51.7 Rating: N/A |
I didn't know they had any hills east of the Rockies. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 754 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.13.120 Rating: N/A |
There is a 7% about 5 miles long at Black Mountain on I-26 North of Asheville. There is an 8%, 4 mile climb on NC 421 North of Wilkesboro. I live at the top of that one. Down is easy; 2nd gear at 25 mph & stab braking when it gets to 30. Up is just a 2nd gear hard climb. I realize these aren't the Rockies, but there aren't any Greyhound stations in the NC mountains either! Coincidence? I don't think so. That said, today's 500hp buses go right up at about 40. |
