NTORACN wrote:
I know the MFG's build these things so that anyone can get in and drive one with no mechanical experience needed. That means anyone should be able to load up a the vehicle to its max GCWR, put it in drive and go thru Death Valley in 125 degree heat with the A/C on and climb the steepest grade and not run hot or overheat.
Randy,
Clearly and forcefully stated! You're one of very few, if not only, person on these forums to ever come right out and state this in this way ... and I agree one thousand percent.
We have a 24 foot Itasca Class C, but on the Ford E450 ("ton and a half") chassis, instead of the usual E350 ("ton") chassis for a Class C of this size and weight. We specifically wanted the beefier chassis and one of the reasons was for insurance on getting over-the-top cooling capacity under any and all conditions in a small Class C. For instance, the E450's transmission takes about 5 more quarts of tranny fluid than an E350 ... due to it's heavier duty cooling system.
We can run the A/C full bore, if needed, at any outside temperature up any grade at any speed. We can even run the A/C full bore parked in a scorching blacktop parking lot to eat lunch while idling the V10 and the engine temperature gage does not budge. (This is a quieter way to air condition an RV in a public place than running the built-in genny for the rooftop A/C.)
We have not been to Death Valley in August, but have been there pulling their grades in late March in 100 degree temperatures with no hint of any problem whatsoever. That's absolutely "the way it should be".
Keep us posted on what you do to fix this deficiency in your rig. Fixing it will be worth it for maximum flexibility and freedom from worry on your RV trips.
