Comfort Drive

[RAPPAR]

From posts, I have gathered that all the diesel pushers for 2008 will come with Comfort Drive. However, I thought I had read that on the Mountain Aire and Up this was 'automatic' and on the Dutch Star and lower, it is 'manual'. Is this correct and, if so, what is the difference? Any I have seem demonstrated at the FMCA/NKK Internationals in 2006 as an example, certainly appeared to be automatic.
Thanks
Ron

[RAPPAR]

From posts, I have gathered that all the diesel pushers for 2008 will come with Comfort Drive. However, I thought I had read that on the Mountain Aire and Up this was 'automatic' and on the Dutch Star and lower, it is 'manual'. Is this correct and, if so, what is the difference? Any I have seem demonstrated at the FMCA/NKK Internationals in 2006 as an example, certainly appeared to be automatic.
Thanks
Ron

[JavaJelly]

I believe the manual part for the DSDP down was for Tilt and Telescoping. The very definition of Comfort Drive is automatic, i.e. drive by wire.

[Tom N]

Could you explain what "comfort drive" is??

-Tom

["007"]

Comfort drive???

Tom this link may help until something from Spartan.

[rebelsbeach]

Roger, Spartan has NOTHING to do with Comfort Drive...

It is manufactured by TRW...

[JavaJelly]

Bob,

Maybe I am misinformed on this. But, doesn't Spartan install the comfort drive at their factory? If this is the case, would you have repairs to it done at a Spartan shop vs. a Newmar dealer/factory?

["007"]

TRW Comfort Drive

Steering Column Drive

TRW system but Spartan installs it.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">From posts, I have gathered that all the diesel pushers for 2008 will come with Comfort Drive. However, I thought I had read that on the Mountain Aire and Up this was 'automatic' and on the Dutch Star and lower, it is 'manual'. Is this correct and, if so, what is the difference? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! The difference between Manual and auto: On the 07 MADP it was manual, which means to adjust the steering wheel you had to push down on a small pedal (like a parking brake pedal in a car) located way back on the left side of the steering down low. A real pain to do. On the 07 EXPD & LADB you can adjust the steering wheel electrically (auto). You can read thru the links all the other great reasons to have Comfort Drive. Paul

[KenSherwin]

Also to clarify: TRW sells the column with a computer-controlled motor system, known to TRW as a ColumnDrive, to Spartan in several versions. Currently, Spartan sells all of them to Newmar, one to a chassis. This eliminates the FL FRED and all of the gassers. Newmar takes the column, as well as several other parts, out of the shipping box and installs it in the coach after they make a place for it to stand. Newmar then calls it Comfort Drive. Newmar buys it as a chassis component from Spartan but installs it themselves. Perhaps Carl in high-end service can explain who should eventually service these units. The first few that need service will see an entire swarm of people, because no units needing service have been found, yet. The first one will be a worthy of serious attention.

The main distinction on ColumnDrives is that lower-end coaches have a manual release for the tilt and telescope where the high-end coaches have a little toggle switch on the steering wheel for tilt and another one for telescope. After all, these folks have already exhausted themselves pulling out their billfold so you can't expect them to have to move the steering wheel by themselves, can you? (PS I prefer the electric tilt/tele myself, but I'm just lazy.)

Also be aware that there subtle differences even between the units for each model coach. An '07 Mountain-Aire manual release unit is different frtom an '08 Dutch Star manual release unit, for example. Differences in coaches require different tuning parameters that can only be made in the factory. Please don't think that you can put a London Aire column in a Kountry Star and expect it to work properly. More time than I want to confess to has been spent finding those tuning parameters for each version.

All of that is to make sure that the Comfort Drive in your coach (or your next coach, if you're behind) will perform better than you could have imagined.

The other thread has already described several features. There is also (or should be) a video playing at your local Newmar dealer describing Comfort Drive, so I won't repeat it here. I'll let Bob, Peter, and others describe what they see and feel when they drive it.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">lower-end coaches have a manual release for the tilt and telescope </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Ken! I feel stupid asking this but, how do you get the wheel to telescope?? I know how to make it tilt. on the 07 MADP. It drives great and we would not own another Coach without. Paul

["007"]

Thank Ken for the explain, sure have alot of hands in this feature.

[JavaJelly]

If it is the same as mine, then you push down and push the wheel down or pull up. It is not an intuitive movement. Also, it is not the same resistance as pulling up to tilt.

I don't have comfort drive, my apologies if this is a non-related answer. Perhaps there is a different system on the comfort drive column.

[KenSherwin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">how do you get the wheel to telescope?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

With the manual-release system, when you step on the pedal, the wheel will both tilt ant telescope. In many units, the tilt releases before the telescope, so you need to be sure you have the pedal released all the way. The other trick is to push evenly with both hands so you don't jam the sliding tube.

Okay?