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Mesa AZ to Milwaukee area
We left Mesa AZ about noon Wednesday (after waiting to get three AZ-73 belts to replace the new BX-73’s … fan clutch too close to the radiator bracket).
Took AZ STH 87 to Payson through the mountains then AZ STH 260 and 270 to I-40. We’d taken US 54 to the Wichita/KC area last year, so we took I-40 to I-44. Plus I wanted to stop at American Fleet in Springfield MO to talk about having them service the top of the engine (valves and injectors), add Jake brakes, talk about whether the retarder is actually working, and have them look at the fan gear box movement.
After St. Louis we took I-55 to I-39 to I-43 through Milwaukee to within four miles of home.
We overnighted in rest areas the entire trip. We took four days. Very little traffic. Mostly semi’s, logo’d pickup trucks (I figured tradespeople), a few cars, and once in a while an RV. We saw a couple of Prevosts, including a California licensed H3 Millenium that was in rest stop at the same time we were (somewhere). It was east bound.
Shopping centers were empty except for Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, grocery stores, and filing stations. One fuel stop (actually two, had to pump eight gallons as my wife was convinced when the red low fuel light started to flash we were two miles from empty.
The trip from Mesa to I-40 through the mountains was awesome, beautiful. Our first time in the springtime desert.
Keep washing your hands, don’t tough your face, and practice social distancing!
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14 Replies
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Dick, any problem with space in Truck Stops to RON.
what is the general mood of the truckers? Did you get any adverse comments or gestures?
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They smile. “Nice rig”.
Over the years I’ve truckers strike up a conversation. Often they are in their 50’s and 60’s. Wanting to know “how much, I’ve thinking about that for retirement”, “are all of them DD’s?”, “full time”?, etc.
I’ve never been treated rudely. Once or twice I’ve sent Cathie in to have the fuel desk page a certain driver in specific lane that they were blocking. Everyone has has come out and apologized. Once we had to have a trucker move his truck further forward after he’d fueled and moved ahead (but not far enough). He was very cordial.
Biggest problem in the fuel lines are the guys who walk in front of the coach in my blind spot. You should see them jump and then wave when they hear my release the brakes and put the coach in gear!
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That’s good to hear Dick, my experience with truckers on the road and in the fuel lanes have been cordial and most times right friendly. Some have stopped and commented “That’s an 8V92, I’d know that sound anywhere”! And if you stand around you’ll probably get a good story to go along with it. I’ve always liked trucks and found very few who are not right nice folks.
Harry
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My experiences are the same, but there have been reports of “Car People” buying out the stores in the TruckStops leaving nothing for the truckers with nothing but a bad attitude.
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I filled up the coach exactly one month ago today.
As you all know, we have to pull up a fair amount to line up the coaches fuel fill to the pump. So, our nose is sticking out pretty good.
The truck driver in front of me pulled up normally but it wasn’t enough for me to reach the fill. The ‘driver’ went inside so I waited.
When he came back and saw my predicament, he waved and mouthed ‘sorry’. I waved back. This particular fuel station is tight, if the truckers move up too much, they will blocked parked trucks too.
Safe travels and safe quarantine!
Mark
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Did you say add Jake’s? This is possible? After driving truck and used to a jake brake a trans retarded is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. ” I have an idea let’s put heat into the transmission that should be good for it. ”
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The heat is added at the fluid outlet side and is removed via an intercooler so what it costs is more frequent Transynd changes. Admittedly not cheap, but I have had both a jake and retarder and by far I prefer the retarder.
I do admit when my grandson was little and he came with us he loved to hear the jake in tunnels or under bridges. I can still remember him giggling his head off at the noise.
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You read right. I want Jake brakes. I’ll start another thread on that topic.
Jon … is the grandson who liked the Jake brakes on your coach the same one I talk to when I buy stuff from Jamestown Advanced Products?
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No. He never worked in the company. Except for the boss I don’t know anyone up there now since it has been 20 years.
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Huh. I thought I dealt with the boss’s (owner’s) son a few times back five years ago or so.
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Nope. He was working for some politicians in DC around that time.
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Now have jake brake and prefer it. Other bus had retarder which kicked out (probably overheated)coming down I-26 from asheville, nc. Wasn`t a fun ride !
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A retarder actually requires a driver to…………drive.
All downhill runs in heavy vehicles require planning and driver participation. The gear downhill is likely to be what was required to go uphill. A target speed appropriate to the gear needs to be selected and at the top of the hill the coach needs to be below the target speed and in the correct gear.
When or if the coach pushes against the jake or retarder and builds speed, at the target speed, apply firm braking to bring speed down to a lower one and repeat.
A retarder builds heat and if the coach is pushing hard against the retarder it needs to go to a lower setting or brakes and a lower gear (or both) may have to be applied.
You are not going to be able to safely descend a hill at a speed or gear above the one used to climb it. As transmission temps climb the retarder setting needs ot be reduced and keep in mind, brake application will automatically apply the retarder proportional to the amount of braking force applied so you may have to turn off the retarder master switch to avoid overheating.
If you cross the top of the hill at highway speed in high gear you are already behind the curve and are stuck with 50,000 plus pounds of energy that is going to accelerate pretty fast. Get rid of that energy before you crest the hill. The hell with vehicles behind you. If they don’t like your speed, let them pass.
The real professionals on here can add to what I said. Don’t blame a retarder for poor planning.
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We had the two-stage brake on the Dynasty. I do like the retarder’s six settings and the fact that it comes on automatically the second you step on the brake pedal (as long as you turn it on at the steering wheel).
With the jake on the Dynasty, I could not leave it in the ‘on’ setting as the cruise would not engage. The Marathon’s jake may work differently.
Also, I have not notice excessive heat with the retarder. It could be that the temp sensor is not in the right place to give an accurate reading.
Safe travels!
Mark
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