Sway Bars, Engine Fan and Yosemite

Diplomat Don · 11-27-2011, 10:23 PM

This is old news for some, but I finally got to try out my new engine fan (first trip) and the sway bars on a winding mountain road. We left for Yosemite on Tuesday, a trip we've made every year for the past 21 years, missing last year because of new grandbabies.

The engine fan is very quiet as everyone has stated. I also noted that the interior of the coach is much quieter. Someone stated that they thought they lost a little of their exhaust brake efficiency when they changed the fan. At first I thought the same thing, but it seems to work the same, just quieter. I know I picked up at least .5 mpg. The coach is really quick in first gear, especially entering a freeway on-ramp.

I liked the improvement of my sway bars, but really saw a difference this week in Yosemite. Highway 41 is about 50 miles of windy roads into the park. They also go up and down in elevation. It has always been a work out driving in and out of the park. With the added quickness of the engine fan and the cornering of the sway bars, it was like driving an SUV through the park. The two additions were really enjoyed on thos trip.

Occasionally, it was nice to get people looking when you roar by, not anymore....that engine fan is so quiet.

deSanford · 11-27-2011, 11:01 PM

That is a positive report Don. I hope my little ISB 6.7 Cummings responds a little like your BIG 400 ISL. I need every little added performance as I can get. Source said " it makes a big difference on my engine"......we shall see and hope they are right. Next trip out will be to Quartzsite this January.

DC Cruiser · 11-27-2011, 11:21 PM

Well if you want a little roar back change out the stock muffler and also gain some more mpg's. I gained close to a mile/gal when I changed mine. The handling sure shows up on those winding roads. The improvements are real for sure.

CHEERS

Cayman09 · 11-28-2011, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the report Don, I'm happy to see it doesn't affect the exhaust braking too much. Now, I'll see how it performs on DeSanford ISB.

nutensteve · 11-28-2011, 10:01 PM

Don
Did you go thru any of the tunnels in the park? I went thru one of the tunnels a few years ago on my way over Tioga Summit. It was a scary moment reading the 10'2" ht limit at curb signs on a two lane road.

I hope to change out my fan soon ... good report

JDT · 11-29-2011, 06:27 AM

The very first thing we did to our coach when we got it was get the Horton. The big thing I first noticed was I could walk behind it with the engine running and not be blown over by the fan running at high speed. According to my VMSpc the high side of the fan kicks in at 212 degrees. Not sure the ISL and ISC fans work the same but been very pleased with mine.

Ditto on the sway bars. I put mine on last spring and we drove about 3500 miles this year. Much, much better handling.

This year I put on the bars, installed the Samsung fridge and changed out the microwave/convection oven which broke. Sure hope next year' needs/wants are a tad cheaper, but probably not.

Don, our travels keep being kicked in the head by grandkids also. We now have a 4, 3, 2 and one born Sunday, and they all live 3 blocks from us. The 13 year old lives further away but gets involved in very sport and music thing she can find. Keeps us running, but I have to admit I think I enjoy it more than I did with my own kids.

deSanford · 11-29-2011, 08:06 AM

Nutensteve is your MH shorter now?

ArmyEOD · 11-29-2011, 08:50 AM

Don, thanks for the up date on your improvements, I am going to install one later in the winter. I have begun the access process in my closet to make it easy. Well I have cleaned it out so I can see the floor anyway.

nutensteve · 11-29-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deSanford

Nutensteve is your MH shorter now?

I thought it might be when I got to the other end. I had to make sure I kept my left front wheel on the double yellow line

deSanford · 11-29-2011, 10:12 PM

I know the feeling........I sometimes find myself ducking down when going under under passes. I have a ham radio antenna that is a "few" inches above the roof air-conditioners (MH specs say 12' 7" top of ACond). So far roof is still attached.......

lekhuset · 12-04-2011, 10:48 AM

Diplomat Don, did you stay in one of the Valley campgrounds? We have been going to Yosemite since 1984 but have missed a few years since growing to 40 ft. Harder to get reservations but it is still the prettiest place in the world!