Brake/Pac Brake/problem or Whatever!!

[mycoolbeans]

Just a bit over a week ago I had an issue to resolve, and now I have another more troublesome one than the first.

Here is the situation: About a month and a half ago, I had all my tires changed and purchased Michelin XRV (same as the original equipment tires). Purchased same size as originals. (Having said this, the swapping of old tires for new may not be at all related to the problem I am going to describe below. After the tire installation I drove home 60 miles from tire dealership without sensing any problems.

Now to the REAL ISSUES. This past week, my wife, grandkids, daughter, and her husband took a short vacation (5 nights) up near Presque Isle, in Erie, Pa. Total distance was about 145 miles from home one way. Enroute to our campground, and about 85 miles from our home, I stopped to get some diesel fuel (I noticed on my trip meter that my mpg average for this short distance was 7.3. I usually average about 8 mpg. Sometimes higher, at othertimes around 7.5 and above. Last few trips to Florida from Pa. have averaged around 8mpg. (Rig is a 2004 Winnebago Journey, CAT 330 engine.) Since we had been in intermittent construction zones and I couldn't maintain consistent speeds, I thought that might be the reason for the lower mpg. Highways were good two lane (except for the construction zones) and an interstate highway run of about 74 miles or so.) I had hoped that my mpg would improve with the new tires, On the return trip, I noted that my fuel consumption was definitely not up to par. So, I again stopped at the same fuel center (Pilot) on the way back home. The trip meter now showed my mpg at 6.5 which was the worse it has ever been. I was now convinced that something was not quite right.

About 60 miles from home, I had to stop for a traffic signal along the two lane highway that we were on. I always have my Pac/Exhaust Brake on when approaching traffic signals as an aid in slowing down. However, I had to tramp down on the brake with more force to bring the motorhome to a safe stop. At this point, we got a strong wiff of a burning brake lining smell. I concluded that I just tramped down on the brakes to hard and rode the brakes too long. I made a vow to be more careful at the next traffic signal. On the way between signals (20 miles or so), I also wasn't sure that the Pac brake was functioning as it should. I can usually tell when the exhaust brake engages, but in this instance I could not. At the next signal, and trying to be careful not to ride the brake, I again noticed the burning smell. At this point, I believed an issue with the brakes had surfaced. Have any of you had a similar experience? I'm not sure that I am looking at a Pac Brake issue, or an ABS and motorhome brake issue. And through all of this, the shifting of the transmission did not feel right. I was towing a Honda CRV, equipped with the US Gear Brake system.

I'm going to start with having a Freightliner Center check out this problem, but I'm just not sure what is going on. I believe the relatively sudden decrease in mpg is related to dragging brakes or some such problem. All suggestions are welcome. If anyone has any clues as to what might be the causal factors that I described, I would be grateful for some help. As usual my sincere thanks.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycoolbeans I'm going to start with having a Freightliner Center check out this problem, but I'm just not sure what is going on. I believe the relatively sudden decrease in mpg is related to dragging brakes or some such problem. All suggestions are welcome. If anyone has any clues as to what might be the causal factors that I described, I would be grateful for some help. As usual my sincere thanks.

mycoolbeans, I believe that this is a prudent call and I expect that a pro will have you back in action in no time at all. Please keep us in the loop as you resolve this issue.