Allison Trans. Performance

[Lockman]

I currently own a Gulfstream 37' SunVoyager Trio, 2002 model on W22 chassis. My previous MH was Georgie Boy 3510 Landau on Ford F53.

Here's my problem: With the F53, downshifting to 2nd. gear was usually sufficient to hold me at proper speeds when descending grades, would keep MH at around 45mph in most cases, rarely had to touch the brakes.

On the new MH, when in 2nd. gear, the MH keeps gaining momentum unless I start using the brakes almost all the time. It would get up to 55/60 if I let it. I posted this on another well known board, but started getting replies from deisel owners with Pac Brakes, etc. that have nothing to do with my question.

Yes, I have OD off (5th. gear)and the WH chassis is 22,000 vs. 18,000 for the Ford.

I understand WH has added a new feature to all 2005 W series called "Transmission Grade Braking", is switch on dash, then you just tap brakes and trans. takes over to provide a "smooth, downhill safe" ride. Why did they wait so long to do this, I understand some trucks with Allisons have had this feature for yrs.? To me, they are admitting there is a problem with downhill gearing on the 1000.

Anyone share my experience?

[Lockman]

I currently own a Gulfstream 37' SunVoyager Trio, 2002 model on W22 chassis. My previous MH was Georgie Boy 3510 Landau on Ford F53.

Here's my problem: With the F53, downshifting to 2nd. gear was usually sufficient to hold me at proper speeds when descending grades, would keep MH at around 45mph in most cases, rarely had to touch the brakes.

On the new MH, when in 2nd. gear, the MH keeps gaining momentum unless I start using the brakes almost all the time. It would get up to 55/60 if I let it. I posted this on another well known board, but started getting replies from deisel owners with Pac Brakes, etc. that have nothing to do with my question.

Yes, I have OD off (5th. gear)and the WH chassis is 22,000 vs. 18,000 for the Ford.

I understand WH has added a new feature to all 2005 W series called "Transmission Grade Braking", is switch on dash, then you just tap brakes and trans. takes over to provide a "smooth, downhill safe" ride. Why did they wait so long to do this, I understand some trucks with Allisons have had this feature for yrs.? To me, they are admitting there is a problem with downhill gearing on the 1000.

Anyone share my experience?

[Fred and Bonnie]

I don't think you have a problem. The WCC unit is heavier, and while you don't have the "Grade Brake" feature, the gears ratios are the same in both the 1000 and 2100 transmissions. When driving hills, I prefer to manually shift the tranny to give me more control.

Fred

[Lockman]

If trans. ok as is, why did they come up with the Grade Brake?

[Fred and Bonnie]

I believe it's just another sales pitch. When I first drove home from our mountain campground, I switched on the Grade Brake and everything worked fine. Then I hit a slight upgrade, causing the tranny to up shift and then again downshift when the decent resumed. I would prefer to keep the tranny in the same gear and just moderately accelerate, just my driving style.

The other possibility is to encourage drivers to engage, using the engine to do more of the braking, rather than using the service brakes. It never ceases to amaze me how many people ask what gear to use when descending out of mountains. I guess there are lots of "flatlanders" out there.

Fred

[DriVer]

Back in the 1990s ABS was released on automobiles, the buying public was skeptical but ready for it. Was there anything wrong at the time with brakes the way they were? Perhaps not I thought but I would at least like to have a car equipped with ABS. Even today, having this superior type of technology, when people step on their brakes and they feel the pedal begin to pulse, for whatever reason, they take their foot off the brake. Is there anything wrong with ABS? ...

Any manufacturer reserves the right to change any specification on their equipment as they see the need or desire to do so. Why would there be a perception that something is wrong if the technology is improved as standard equipment across the product line? The improved technology makes the ownership experience better for the owner of the 2005 motorhome when used as described in the owner's manual.

Transmission grade braking although seen on light trucks must have been determined by both Allison and Workhorse to be ready for deployment and TGB was released.

My experience with manually downshifting the Allison is that the transmission, vehicle speed and control is predictable. In the Branson area there are a few small hills that challenge the routine driver of a motorhome to stay off the brakes. The only way to do this is to lock out the OD, manually downshift, scrub off enough speed prior to the descent and crawl down the hill. A bit more proactive approach might call for an immediate downshift to 2nd gear before descending a good long grade. I've seen grades here placarded at 19?.

The Allison when driven well is a very reliable transmission and soon I will be graduating to the Rocky Mountains. This coming May I'll be running up to Missoula, MT and I'm sure that the hills of Branson will swiftly fade into mediocrity as the Rockies present themselves on the horizon.

[edgray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If trans. ok as is, why did they come up with the Grade Brake? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
LOCKMAN : as I understand it, the TGB feature is just a more convenient way of making the tranny downshift. It does not add any braking ability that did not already exist by manually downshifting. ED

[Lockman]

Driver, your learned input is always highly regarded by me, you sent me a chassis manual when I first bought the MH. By the way, ABS has been around many yrs. When I was an A&E mechanic in the Air Force, WAY back in 1957, they were on the C130's I worked and flew on. Back then, they were called an "anti-skid" device. Some of the '52 models had them, so nothing new.

Edgray- It
doesn't get much simpler than shifting from Drive to 2nd. I don't get your point?

Mike T.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lockman:
By the way, ABS has been around many yrs. When I was an A&E mechanic in the Air Force, WAY back in 1957, they were on the C130's I worked and flew on. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Mike, Isn't that the truth! A lot of the technology in the things that we use to everyday comes from either the military or from the space program.

[edgray]

LOCKMAN : You said "To me, they are admitting there is a problem with downhill gearing on the 1000" and I was just commenting that the TGB feature only adds convenience to the DS process,(from hand operated to foot),it doesn't change the tranny's capabilities. ED