Had a real nice scenic trip for 4,500 miles in 12 days

belfert · May 28, 2018, 05:11:20 PM

I traveled from Minneapolis, MN to Fresno, CA by way of I-80 and then back through Las Vegas on I-15 and then I-70 and I-76 back to I-80. The I-80 portion to Reno I know like the back of my hand due to going to that way 17 times now. I had never been through the Sierra Nevadas in the bus and that was something else. The scenery was awesome, but the driving was something else. It made the rest of the mountains on I-80 look like bumps in the road. I was glad to have Jake Brakes going through there.

We drove down the strip in Las Vegas to see the sights quickly. We didn't actually stop in Las Vegas except way out on the edge of town to put on some diesel. The scenery in Utah and Colorado was fantastic. It was worth it even having to climb to 11,000 feet for the Eisenhower tunnel. The bus didn't have any problem making the climb. I thought it might overheat, but it only got to 205F which is within spec for the Series 60. (It always runs 195F or so even on the flats.)

I had a whole new group of people this trip who don't like to drive nonstop to get to the destination. They liked to stop a lot to eat and just to get out and see the scenery. We normally only stop to fuel up and maybe one stop to eat per day. It was a nice change of pace and we actually slept 8 hours a night not moving. I was a little worried about not getting home in time, but I was able to make it to work Thursday morning just fine.

The only problem with the bus were low coolant after sitting for five days and the generator overheating once on the way home. I was able to put coolant in both to solve the problems. It is hard to know how much coolant to put in the bus as no sight glass and too much coolant will spit out all over once the engine is warmed up.

lostagain · May 28, 2018, 05:30:58 PM

Geez Belfert, no drama this time? I was looking forward to your yearly trials and tribulations. Oh well, next year...

JC

gumpy · May 28, 2018, 05:54:36 PM

Quote from: lostagain on May 28, 2018, 05:30:58 PM
Geez Belfert, no drama this time? I was looking forward to your yearly trials and tribulations. Oh well, next year...

JC

You must have been away...

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=33020.0;topicseen

Dave5Cs · May 28, 2018, 07:14:02 PM

Went right by us in Roseville CA and didn't even wave!

windtrader · May 28, 2018, 08:07:40 PM

Ditto!

Now, I'm all freaked out about heading east over the Sierras. I'm mapping a route over on 88, Mormon route; I can really backup traffic on that highway.

update - bad idea, did not realize Carson pass is over 8600 while Donner is just 7000

luvrbus · May 28, 2018, 08:53:03 PM

Quote from: windtrader on May 28, 2018, 08:07:40 PM
Ditto!

Now, I'm all freaked out about heading east over the Sierras. I'm mapping a route over on 88, Mormon route; I can really backup traffic on that highway.

update - bad idea, did not realize Carson pass is over 8600 while Donner is just 7000

It's not the altitude of the passes that bothers you that much it is the % of grade to reach the top that does you in

Oonrahnjay · May 29, 2018, 04:42:36 AM

Quote from: windtrader on May 28, 2018, 08:07:40 PM... update - bad idea, did not realize Carson pass is over 8600 while Donner is just 7000

Quote from: luvrbus on May 28, 2018, 08:53:03 PMIt's not the altitude of the passes that bothers you that much it is the % of grade to reach the top that does you in

It's been a while since I drove Donner but it seems to me that Donner is a long, steep, steady climb. Do I remember right?

belfert · May 29, 2018, 05:37:05 AM

For me, the down is the harder part even with Jake Brakes. First time I had ever since a mandatory brake check area. I stopped since I weigh as much as a straight truck.

David Anderson · May 29, 2018, 11:26:02 AM

Quote from: belfert on May 29, 2018, 05:37:05 AM
For me, the down is the harder part even with Jake Brakes. First time I had ever since a mandatory brake check area. I stopped since I weigh as much as a straight truck.

Where is the mandatory brake check area? I'm going to do part of your route next month. California hwy 20 east from US101 to Yuba Pass then I 80 to Salt Lake. Any big "watch out" things to remember?

David

eagle19952 · May 29, 2018, 11:30:28 AM

flattestroute.com

you're welcome

windtrader · May 29, 2018, 12:15:09 PM

Brian,

I came west on 80 over the Sierras when I drove the bus home from Denver to San Francisco. Full Jakes on and ride was easy. All I kept thinking is what a bitch it's going to be the other way.

Donald, Thanks for that cool site. Here are couple shots of a couple routes over the Sierras. It seems useful for relative comparisons but the grade calculations are sort of suspect. I uthought 6% was about the maximum grade on highways; the images show some sections over 10%, is that possible?

Highway 88 Jackson to Mesa Vista
Highway 80 Auburn to Truckee