Yahoo Message Number: 62317 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62317)
I just purchased an 05 Magna with a C13 engine. I am surprised at the fuel mileage as I am only getting 6 MPG, driving conservatively at 60-65. Is this about right or should I have A Cat repr. reprogram the ECM? Thanks, John.
Yahoo Message Number: 62318 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62318)
John, a number of C-13 owners, myself included, reported MPG in a study for the CAT RV Club (I suggest you consider joining, only $15).
MPG numbers in the 6 range were common. My Intrigue is 42,000 lbs, probably lighter than yours, and I drive conservatively. I'm close to 7.5 MPG. One person reported 7.5-8.0, which is the highest I've seen, but the CAT RV Club is all brands, the one common factor being they all have CAT engines.
--
Lee Zaborowski
07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 62319 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62319)
Hi,
Is conservative driving 60 to 65?
All indications from others are that the drop in MPG happens somewhere around 60 to 65 MPH.
55 MPH on our coach delivers 8 to 9 MPG When we "push" to 60 MPH plus it drops quickly to about 7 MPG.
Just an observation,
Russ and Jean
05 Intrigue
11883
Yahoo Message Number: 62326 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62326)
We get 7.1 at 55 mph in 5th gear and 6.7 at 60 mph in sixth gear.
Marc 2005 Affinity #6429
Yahoo Message Number: 62330 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62330)
Thanks, John
Yahoo Message Number: 62352 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62352)
Our 05 Magna gets 6.9 mpg average mostly freeway driving in the West (Ca, Nv, Ut, etc) with hills and mountains. Mileage has improved 1/2 mpg after we replaced the first set of tires with proper air pressure based on the wheel weights and after the first wheel alignment. Be sure to weigh the coach at each wheel and don't just put max air pressure in each tire. The mileage improvement also occurred after 30000 miles which we believe is the broken in period for the C13.
By the way make sure you periodically check the rubber air hoses and ducts in the engine bay. So far we found air intake hose at top of engine coming from the oil pan broken off. Another one was the rubber air duct from the turbo charger to air intake off with loose clamps.
Once these things were fixed (we found them not the service dealer who missed these) the engine ran much better. I also drive the coach with Auto transmission in Economy mode which helps the mpg too.
Best,
Jay T.
Yahoo Message Number: 62354 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62354)
As I recall Magna is about 10000 lbs heavier than the Intrigue (was told it has a heavier front IFS). I'm sure Affinity is heavier than Magna but not sure by how much. This may make a difference in mpg by models.
Best,
Jay T.
Yahoo Message Number: 62355 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62355)
That's interesting. Our Allison 4000 does not go to the 6th gear with higher overdrive until we reach 59-60 mph. Driving at 55 mph will keep it in 5th with lower overdrive. No?
Best,
Jay T.
Yahoo Message Number: 62357 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62357)
Russ, I do not know where you travel, but in my view, anyone driving at 55 on the interstates out West here with a posted 75 is a definite traffic hazard and should be busted. Anyway, I drive at about 68 or above, towing an 8000 vehicle and I get about 7.5 depending on terrain. I actually get better fuel economy than going at 55 since my Allison shifts into 6th about 58 MPH dropping RPM's
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 62358 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62358)
I was looking for new tires the other day with the correct weight rating for my steer tires on my Affinity and the highest max speed rating I saw for any tire was 68 mph. No more triple digits down those mountains for me! (haha) Kevin
00 affinity 5865
Yahoo Message Number: 62361 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62361)
I wish my Kirkstall front end was stable enough to drive at 70. I took it to a alignment shop awhile back and they said all of my tie rod ends as well as the drag link ends were shot.
Rich, what pressures are you running in your tires. I know that your rig is a bit heavier than mine. Just reduced my front end tire pressure from the placarded 120 to about 100 cold and it handles a bit better.
Jon
Yahoo Message Number: 62365 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62365)
FWIW, my Michelin XZE*s are rated for 75MPH
Larry, 03 Allure, 30856
Yahoo Message Number: 62367 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62367)
HI Rich,
The posted speed limits for many states is 55.
For towing a vehicle.. that is.
We find it a lot more comfortable too.
Russ
05 Intrigue 11883
Yahoo Message Number: 62371 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62371)
Jon, it will be interesting to know what coach and what mileage that you have, for our information.
Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527, ~47,000 miles
Yahoo Message Number: 62374 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62374)
Hi, my coach is a 05 42' magna with approx 30k mi. coach # 6456M. John Pargman.
Yahoo Message Number: 62377 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62377)
Jon,
I run about 115 front. 110 drive and 120 tag. I have Michelins all around which are rated at 75. I note that this rig seems to have bigger tires than some of the other models for its weight. They are way above the capacity for the weight of the Magna. All I can say is that mine is very stable at all speeds. I have had it over 80 briefly going down hills or passing without even realizing it. I do get a very slight vibration over 75, but this a very big drivetrain and a hell of lot of rubber. I do recall that it was very unstable until I had it properly aligned and ride height set by Frank at Beaudry in Tucson 3 years ago. All I can say is that I have had my front end checked and he said it was fine. There is no clunking at all from the steering. I have a little over 70k.
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 62378 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62378)
Russ,
Driving the speed limit is a great idea!
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 62379 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62379)
Sorry, forgot to sign
Jon Baum
Magna 2K 5923
57K Miles
Yahoo Message Number: 62382 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62382)
I did a search and found a site which gives a lot of information about driving rules in the 50 states, I was surprised to see that Colorado has a 45 MPH tow speed limit. Not sure if that has any caveats or distinctions between a mh towing a car or a vehicle towing a trailer. Several states show maximum tow speed at 55 mph. Site is at
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/trailer/trailer-towing-regulations.htm/printable (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/trailer/trailer-towing-regulations.htm/printable)
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040
Yahoo Message Number: 62397 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62397)
Ray,
That web site seems to have some bad info (typos?) about speed limits. The following web sites both show a 75 mph tow speed limit for Colorado; California is wrong too - should be 55 mph:
http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html (http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html)
http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm (http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm)
--
Tom Harsch 2002 Allure #30791
e.g., Colorado limit is listed as 75 mph, California isMay
Yahoo Message Number: 62398 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62398)
We are intending to stop in on Yellowstone on our way south at the end of Sept.
I am looking for advice from anyone who has travelled from the north, leaving hwy. 90 at approx. Caldwell onto 359 south for a short bit and then taking 287 into West Yellowstone. We have booked at Grizzly RV park.
Are there any problems with a 40 footer on that route? I know it is at a high elevation but I am hoping that weather isn't usually a big problem yet in late Sept. And if there is bad weather, I assume it would be temporary. Right or wrong? After 5 days there, we would take hwy. 20 to Idaho falls. How about that one? Our next long stay would be in Zion at Watchman Campground.
Richard Owen '05 Inspire 51442
Yahoo Message Number: 62399 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62399)
WOW - My sincere apologies!! I can't believe that I could jump so far off the track on that last post.
I had intended to change the subject line and then forgot.
Sorry, sorry, sorry
Richard Owen
Yahoo Message Number: 62401 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62401)
Tom,
Thanks, Tom. The http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm (http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm) site seems to be a lot more complete too.
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040