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wjmblm's avatar
wjmblm
Explorer
Sep 15, 2013

Grand Canyon trip

Hope I can get some advance and help from the more experienced members. We will be taking our first long trip in our 2000 Pace Arrow 37s motorhome. We are going to stay at the Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon. We have done some short trips of 100 miles or so.
We plan on taking 58 out of Bakersfield to Barstow. I would like to know what the mountains are like on 58? I understand that the Tehachapi range is quite a pull.

What is 64 out of Williams, AZ to the Trailer Village in the Grand Canyon like?

Now a technical question: I have asked this of the RV shop where I get our motorhome serviced and the local Ford service center. Our Pace Arrow has a Ford V10 with 14,000 original miles. What should a safe RPM range be for pulling the mountains we will encounter on our trip? The RV shop said to keep it under 3,00 and Ford service said 4,000 would not hurt the engine. I think for engine safety reason the lower rpm range would be better. Can also drop down a gear if needed.

What kind of mileage could I expect to get on our trip? We drive about 60 mph most of the time and seem to get about 5mpg on our short trips. Not sure if that would improve on longer trips. I know the mountains will kill the mileage.

Thanks in advance for all the help and suggestions.

William Moore

7 Replies

  • TOOBOLD's avatar
    TOOBOLD
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2013
    There is a Love's truck stop after the pull into Tehachapi. You'll see it before the exit comes. Gas in Needles is expensive if you can wait and fill up in Arizona it will be much cheaper for you.
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2013
    Expect 6-7mpg at 60mph. I had a v10 with our Gulfstream MH, pulled a Jeep Wrangler 60mph and on the flats got 7-8mpg. Like John02 states don't try to get too fast let it shift down and pull. On long steep grades you may feel that you could run faster. RPMs may go up some just make sure temp on either trans or motor cooling doesn't get too high. If your equipment is in good shape you won't have any problems.
  • TOOBOLD's avatar
    TOOBOLD
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2013
    The grade into Tehachapi is not a big deal. The Grapevine is more of a pull than Tehachapi. The pull from Kingman to Williams is a slow gradual pull. At that time we had an F150 towing 7K pounds. Now we have a v10 F350 and we will let it purr into 3900 rpm' s. By that point we're cresting the hill.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2013
    V-10 has no problems up to 4K. Sounds bad, but don't overload it. Ease back on speed, let it shift down, and it will climb. Just act like an overloaded 18-wheeler and do your thing slowly.
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Sep 15, 2013
    64 is all very good highway. As far as RPM, stick it in gear and go. If it is hunting, ( shifting up and down ), drop a gear. Gas engines make their power in the upper RPM band. Trying to keep your RPM's down, will not be successful, low RPM's will force a down shift. I would listen to the Ford guy over any RV shop.
  • Lauren's avatar
    Lauren
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2013
    I can't help much on the tech stuff but can tell you that Hwy 64 from Williams to Trailer Village is basically a flat, boring drive.

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