Help please 8V92 Turbo Detroit Diesel w/ Allison automatic and toad car

[MtLaw]

Hello all,

A number of you were very helpful when I was buying my 1985 Prevost conversion.  Now I am again hoping for help.
We have used the bus sparingly but with great enjoyment the last few years.  (Also spent a bundle on fixes and upgrades).

Now we are interested in bringing along a car.  No experience whatsoever.

The bus is not a speed demon and likes to drink gas.  It will cruise readily on a straightaway at 60 or 65 at about 6 mpg.
We live in the mts of Montana, and slow noticeably on steeper passes, down two gears, but not a problem.

How well will this (bus) engine and transmission setup work with a toad car.  I have read many articles on the net about towing vehicles but nothing hints at whether we would be satisfied with the performance of our bus if towing a car.  Is it likely to slow us down a lot more on hills or even straightaways?  How is our already poor mileage likely to be affected?

BTW   We tentatively plan to tow 4 down as suggested by the language of my note.   If someone has strong thoughts about this I would also appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks again for any worthwhile input.

[Frank @ TX]

Hi MtLaw,
We have a MCI 9 with a 6V92 engine.
The Jeep is alway pulled along.
The Jeep weighs about 4000# when we have it loaded the way we travel.
I notice when the Jeep is attached we get off the line a little slower.
But once on the road it's not noticeable at all.
I think only when we change speeds ( 0-65 ) do it feel the extra weight.
We have a Brake Buddy and that works great.
Once I forgot to set it up the right way THEN I could feel the extra weight when stopping.
Frank

[Busted Knuckle]

First off as Frank said there are MANY folks out there towing toads with less engine than you have.

First thing I'd do is find an experienced 2 stroke mechanic to "tune" that baby up.
Then hook up a toad and roll on down the highway!
  BK 

[PP]

Mtlaw,
We have an earlier Prevost conversion with the 892 with Automatic and first off, it doesn't drink any 'gas'. Lots of diesel though LOL. We tow a 4600# Jeep Liberty 4-down and like Frank mentioned, it's a little slower off the line, but without the backup camera to keep an eye on it, I wouldn't even know it was back there. Since driving the bus home after purchasing it, I've never driven it out on the highway without the toad hooked up, so to say it's sluggish with the toad, I really don't know. She pulls great on hills and the Jake brake slows her fine coming down. We get 7.8 MPG and that's a mix of cruising the highway as well as driving back streets looking for stores the wife wants to check out. Our bus is very heavy also between carrying everything we own and the Marathon conversion which is all Walnut. HTH and good luck with your girl, Will

[Eagle Andy]

Hey MTlaw I live in Montana as well (Billings) we have a Eagle with a 892 and 740 HT tranny. We pull a refurbushed 91 jeep and it weighs about 3,000 lbs and we still get 6 to 6.5 coming or going over hill or around them. Took a trip to Quartize last Jan and still averaged 6. my thought  is if I  worry so much about fuel cost I should sell it. But that's me So I guess i would fined your favorite ride and get down the road.

[opus]

Where in MT are ye?

[TomC]

Just remember that in the 80's there were quite a few trucks with the 8V-92TA and the Allison HT740 or HT754CR pulling 80,000lbs on a daily basis.  The engine and transmission can take up to 130,000lbs-but can the cooling system of your bus? Just watch the temp gauge and you should be alright. Good Luck, TomC

[Seangie]

MTlaw,

Check out www.towingworld.com under the resources and towing tips tabs.  Lots of good basic stuff there.

They also have a guide to which cars are towable by year  - See this previous discussion here
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=22070.msg242115#msg242115

I do not work, know, nor am I associated with towingworld...just thought it might be useful information for you. (or anyone who is looking at towing)

-Sean

[MtLaw]

Hello all,

Thanks for your replies.  This is a great community.  I wish I had more time to be involved.  Someday I probably will.

btw, I am in Kalispell.

[opus]

btw, I am in Kalispell.

Well cool, I'm there a lot.  My son lives there.