How to increase speed

[Eric]

Bw- Our bus is our home an work has us travelling all the time! We spend a lot of time on the interstates out west where interstate speeds are 65 to 75mph. For instance we had to make Nashville to grand island Nebraska in 3 days... Not too bad bu it means some long days of driving. And I agree with you that it doesn't make much a difference but for me it's a few extra minutes at the end of the trip to so back have a cold one and relax! On the other side of things our bus is a neoplan an 440 transit completely stock purchased from Dallas (dart) it's a 6v92ta with a V731 trans 12r22.5 tires it's all stock. Rear end is unknown toe engine rpm is unknown to me however I cam tell you at 57 mph it's screaming! speed is measured by gps and my wife's jeep drivng behind me Our conversion is still a glorified steel tent ! I need to either upgrade this chassis or buy another!

Sent from my iPhone

[Len Silva]

I agree with most of the posts here, that higher speeds are not a big deal for most of us.  In your case however, where you live and work out of your bus and have to maintain a travel schedule, then an OTR coach may be the best deal for you.  An already converted, ready to go bus, would seem to be the most practical.  It is very hard to do a conversion while you are living and traveling in it.

I assume that all your bus related expenses are tax deductible, so you are at a pretty good advantage right there.

[kyle4501]

Needed top speed will be determined by the type of traveling done.

It is very stressful to me to drive a vehicle whose top speed is well below the flow of traffic. I find it so much easier & peacefull to drive when I KNOW I can go faster if needed.

When you have limited time for vacation or traveling - the interstate is usually the quickest way. When time permits, the shaded 2-lane back roads are much more interesting.

For my family's schedule, a 660 mile distance is easier if I can do it in 10 hours rather than 12. If we have the TT with us, rest stops don't take long since the girls don't have to wait in a long line for a dry seat.

With what used buses are selling for now, you can probably get one better suited to your needs for less than it will cost to upgrade what you have.

[luvrbus]

I disagree with some here (nothing new) not being able to drive the speed limit on interstates will get you hurt truckers running up behind you running 20 mph faster talking on the cb and cell phone no thanks.
No way would I drive 55 or 60 mph in a 75 mph zone anyone that has driven I 10 from El Paso to Junction Tx like we do several times a year the 80 mph speed limit there gets boring.
I drive the speed limit on interstates with the truckers in Texas the speed limit is higher for a bus than a truck 



good luck

[bevans6]

I just drove 1800 miles, Palmetto Cove and back with some sightseeing thrown in, mostly Interstates.  I was mostly the slowest vehicle on them, I run 60 - 65 on the flats, faster downhill sometimes, and slow up hill.  I swear about half the time I spend on I26 coming down from Bristol I was at 25 mph, hazards flashing, on the governor in second gear, in a line of trucks climbing that grade.  Sure there were faster vehicles around, I never once felt out of place or threatened in any way.  My top speed is about 72 mph, on the governor in fourth.  I spend a lot of time around 50 - 55 mph, any hill I can't pull in fourth I am in third and it tops out at 50.  Again, usually keeping up with a truck or two, and getting passed a lot.  Heck, I even passed a few trucks on hills!

I think this worry about running faster than the big dogs is silly.  Not an issue I worry my shiny head about!

Brian

[luvrbus]

Brian, here in the west some interstates have a miniuim of 60 and to drive on state highways may cost another 100 miles between points which is fine if you have the time.
I understand what the guy saying you get to slow in some places here and they will pull you over and ask if there is a problem I see it all the time with the snowbirds. 
Just about every major wreck we have in Az is caused by slower or stopped traffic


good luck

[John316]

I agree, Clifford. Driving out west is a whole different ballgame then out east. Out west, it is at least the speed limit, except for grades. Wayne (rusty) can attest to our speed . I am not retired yet .

However, if you want to have a little fun, you can get an "old man" hat on. Hunker down over the steering wheel, and drive slow. Then turn your CB on and listen . They will have a lot to say about that ".....snowbird."

Anyways, ek. I think you can find yourself a decent shell, or conversion, that would suit your "speed" better.

God bless,

John

[kyle4501]

I followed a S&S RV out of Palmetto Cove. His driving style was very annoying -  only did the speed limit in the passing zones - if it was a double yellow, he would slow down as much as 20mph below the speed limit. Many times, he would start on the brakes before cresting a hill. Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't use my momentum unless & was over a half mile back & even then I had to be carefull to not run up on him.

Yes, I agree that you need to be close to keeping up with traffic, regardless of the posted speed limits - the bigger the speed differential with the other traffic, the bigger the chance for trouble.

If your top speed is limited, please plan your route acordingly.

[rusty]

Yes John does not let any grass grow under his feet. Good thing about that is he sucked a little rust off the old Eagle on his way around.

Wayne

[loosenut]

...Our conversion is still a glorified steel tent ! I need to either upgrade this chassis or buy another!

Sent from my iPhone

I agree with John3.  As it is still a steel tent then it would be far cheaper to purchase a new OTR bus than to speed up yours.  It seems that fully converted busses show up daily on Craigslist.

I drive 1900ish RPMs which is 60ish mph.

Mike

[John316]

Yes John does not let any grass grow under his feet. Good thing about that is he sucked a little rust off the old Eagle on his way around.

Wayne

LOL, yep. Things to do, places to go. Ahh to be old and retired .

BTW, Wayne. In August, if we can get things to work out, is our invite still open to stop by and see you all?

God bless,

John

[rusty]

John, You are always wecome. Let me know here or call 303-591-0372. Have a safe summer Wayne

[John316]

John, You are always wecome. Let me know here or call 303-591-0372. Have a safe summer Wayne

Thanks, Wayne. I hope it will work out this time.

God bless,

John