Community Forums

Firefolk · 05-26-2005, 09:04 AM

Just returned from 8,000 mile trip across the country in our 2004 35' Pace Arrow and enjoyed the trip except for the steering. I have installed the Safe-T-Plus steering system and the Henderson rear trac-bar, but still have trouble staying between the white lines. My question is about what I consider to be low MPG. I drive about 62 MPH and tow a Dodge Dakota and get 6.2 MPG. Also, the exhaust tip is solid black with soot. Does anyone else have this problem ? Thanks for your time.

Firefolk · 05-26-2005, 09:04 AM

Just returned from 8,000 mile trip across the country in our 2004 35' Pace Arrow and enjoyed the trip except for the steering. I have installed the Safe-T-Plus steering system and the Henderson rear trac-bar, but still have trouble staying between the white lines. My question is about what I consider to be low MPG. I drive about 62 MPH and tow a Dodge Dakota and get 6.2 MPG. Also, the exhaust tip is solid black with soot. Does anyone else have this problem ? Thanks for your time.

Photog · 05-26-2005, 12:17 PM

My mileage runs between 6 & 7. However, I haven't noticed a soot problem on the exhaust.

Bill

rvten · 05-26-2005, 01:47 PM

Milage should improve after about 15,000 miles. As for the sooty exhaust. Many of us have it. Just the nature of the beast. My engine has been retuned and still have a sooty exhaust. Have just over 40,000 miles on engine now. Runs fine.

"007" · 05-26-2005, 03:06 PM

Firefolk, have you ever had your coach weigh?
If you have it weigh an ajust your load to front of chassis but not over your front axel limit it may track alot better, my coach only needs slite correction will track almost hands free. If that doesn't correct the tracking you may need an alinement job.

--"007"

rcwalther · 05-26-2005, 04:05 PM

I own a 2003 Sea Breeze LX on a W22 chassis. I too had a steering problem. The alignment was changed from 3/8" toe-OUT to the standard 1/32" toe-IN! What a difference in driving ease.

About the mileage, can't help.

Gregg · 05-27-2005, 02:45 AM

Firefolk,
Sounds like you've done all the correct suspension mods,
I would make sure your tire pressure is correct and the have the front alignment checked.
There really is no reason for that new rig to be difficult to "keep between the white lines"
BTW, I get about 7.5 mpg with a 4k tow vechicle.

Gregg

Bob (WA0MQE) · 05-27-2005, 03:53 AM

Firefolk... I too have a '04 Pace Arrow, Workhorse Chassis, live in Colorado and go to Arizona every winter. Going to Arizona get about 7 to 7.5 mpg. Coming home, average about 6.5 mpg. I was filling up in a gas station and a fellow with a Ford Expedition, pulling a small high/low camper asked me about my mileage. He said, "not bad, the best I can do is 10 mpg." So considering your weight, your doing pretty good. Especially since your pulling over 4,000 lbs of tow vehicle.

Bob

CharlieM · 05-27-2005, 09:30 AM

Just reaching back in the ole memory bank, I seem to remember that almost everyone with the 8.1 gets around 7.5, tow or not. We get 7.5 90%of the time if the speed is kept reasonable (65 ish), and we don't do any full throttle merges.

Charlie

Nap&Joe · 05-30-2005, 04:00 PM

Gentlemen,

I too have a sooty exhaust tip. I have just over 28,000 miles and have recently completed the catalytic converter recall. I do not notice any "smoke" except when first starting from cold (which is expected).

I will soon undergo a military transfer from Georgia to Colorado and will be required to complete emissions testing for the first time.

Has anyone had a problem passing the emissions test with this sooty exhaust tip?

Thanks!

DriVer · 05-30-2005, 05:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nap&Joe:
Has anyone had a problem passing the emissions test with this sooty exhaust tip? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You shouldn't have any problems. The soot is actually deposited carbon particles and other by products of combustion that when cool congeal on the colder exhaust tips. If you could take a look at the inside of your pipes right after the mufflers they would be pretty much clean.

The emission gasses that are in the tailpipe while testing will be properly metered and you should have no problems.

DriVer · 05-30-2005, 05:22 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Firefolk:
.... but still have trouble staying between the white lines. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Please do yourself a favor and go and have a front end alignment done to your motorhome from a good truck shop that does this type of work all the time. Make sure the motorhome is loaded before you go and check your air pressures.

I found that my toe was out considerably and when it was properly adjusted the motorhome became a lot easier to keep straight in between the lines.

Good luck and let us know how the FEA worked for you.