Another great Class C trip
Just returned from our 4th annual 3 week 2,400+ mile trip to northern California from our home in Tucson. We always depart on Labor day as everyone else seems to he headed home and the roads quickly clear out. This year I left the motorcycle/trailer at home and we were running at what I consider a medium load - 11,000# on a GVWR of 11,500 {2012 E-350 V-10 Nexus Phantom 23P - 24.5'}.
Over the last 3 years and 32,000+ miles I've always run at 60 and have consistently gotten 9.5 mpg {including a little generator time}. This trip I kicked it up to a steady cruise of 65 on the interstates and any highways where it was prudent/legal. I knew the mileage would suffer but was pleasantly surprised to fine that it only dropped to 9.25.
As noted in an earlier post we got to drive Highway 50 {the loneliest road in America}, across Nevada and encountered so many 7,500' passes that we lost count. Most of that ride was at well over 6,000'. Add in the climbs up to Flagstaff, Jacob Lake, Tehachapi Pass.... to name just a few and you can see that V-10 was really working.
I always run with the tow haul engaged except when I forgot to reengage it after a restart. The Scan Gauge quickly pointed out my error displaying the increasing trans fluid temps on these occasions {You DO have a Scan Gauge, right?}, and engaging tow haul quickly lowered them back to the normal range.
I replaced the original shocks 6,0000 miles ago at 33,000 with a set of heavy duty Bilstein's and could not be more pleased with the improved ride and handling. The free set of Michelin LTX M/S 2's {courtesy of the great Michelin M/S recall}, continue to be the finest tires I have ever run and still look like new with 23,000 miles on them.
I make it a point to try and run every system in the coach on these longer trips and this was no exception. The 35K BTU furnace got a regular workout on those chilly California coast mornings and the AC saw duty more than once. Ran the generator more for its own good than any need for AC power. The stove, oven and microwave always get a workout as I love to cook. Use it or lose it worked for me when I ran boats and it makes just as much sense in an RV.
Here is a shot of our site at my buddies place in Grass Valley. He has 6 gorgeous acres complete with a gold producing creek about 220' below where the coach is parked:
Had too much fun every day with zero problems so we are already planning trip #5 for next year.
:B
Over the last 3 years and 32,000+ miles I've always run at 60 and have consistently gotten 9.5 mpg {including a little generator time}. This trip I kicked it up to a steady cruise of 65 on the interstates and any highways where it was prudent/legal. I knew the mileage would suffer but was pleasantly surprised to fine that it only dropped to 9.25.
As noted in an earlier post we got to drive Highway 50 {the loneliest road in America}, across Nevada and encountered so many 7,500' passes that we lost count. Most of that ride was at well over 6,000'. Add in the climbs up to Flagstaff, Jacob Lake, Tehachapi Pass.... to name just a few and you can see that V-10 was really working.
I always run with the tow haul engaged except when I forgot to reengage it after a restart. The Scan Gauge quickly pointed out my error displaying the increasing trans fluid temps on these occasions {You DO have a Scan Gauge, right?}, and engaging tow haul quickly lowered them back to the normal range.
I replaced the original shocks 6,0000 miles ago at 33,000 with a set of heavy duty Bilstein's and could not be more pleased with the improved ride and handling. The free set of Michelin LTX M/S 2's {courtesy of the great Michelin M/S recall}, continue to be the finest tires I have ever run and still look like new with 23,000 miles on them.
I make it a point to try and run every system in the coach on these longer trips and this was no exception. The 35K BTU furnace got a regular workout on those chilly California coast mornings and the AC saw duty more than once. Ran the generator more for its own good than any need for AC power. The stove, oven and microwave always get a workout as I love to cook. Use it or lose it worked for me when I ran boats and it makes just as much sense in an RV.
Here is a shot of our site at my buddies place in Grass Valley. He has 6 gorgeous acres complete with a gold producing creek about 220' below where the coach is parked:
Had too much fun every day with zero problems so we are already planning trip #5 for next year.
:B
