Sweet spot for Speed

Rich_in_Tampa · 07-24-2009, 04:10 PM

Got up close and personal with my new SunCruiser a bit more this week on a 1000+ mile trip to the Smokies near Asheville, NC. I noticed something interesting: at almost exactly 60 MPH (and below), the rig gets very quiet, the noise level drops considerably, and the coach is very much more stable on the road. It's less busy, tracks better and is a pleasure to ride.

At 65 MPH, it is fine, but you have to talk a little louder, and the bus is much busier in the lane. At 70, it requires attention to keep your lane position when being passed, and the noise is an irritation.

I assume this is largely due to air resistance and turbulence and its relationship to the square of velocitiy, or something like that. So enjoyable was the 60 mph ride that I settled in there even when the speed limit was 70. So what if we get there 15 minutes sooner - not to mention the improved mileage.

Is this effect typical of most rigs? That specific at a given speed?

skigramp · 07-24-2009, 04:35 PM

I think most rigs have a personality ... how you have it loaded (fuel, fresh water, people, stuff), how the tires are inflated, what direction the wind is from, etc causes them to handle and have different sounds ...

I am glad that you found a "happy spot"

powerboatr · 07-24-2009, 04:38 PM

65-67 is our magic spot.
now in Mississippi or Louisiana all bets are off, those roads are flat horrible

REWahoo · 07-24-2009, 06:17 PM

Rich, your rig is like life - things work pretty well at 60, not so well at 65 and begin to go to hell when you get to 70 and above...

Rich_in_Tampa · 07-24-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

Rich, your rig is like life - things work pretty well at 60, not so well at 65 and begin to go to hell when you get to 70 and above...

And I'm getting a lot more gas

.

J Walker · 07-24-2009, 08:20 PM

I am slowing down to 55 this year to see if the MPG increases. So far changing from 65 to 55 is showing significant gains. I have more time to react at 55 and get there very nearly as fast.

Meandering Retiree · 07-24-2009, 10:56 PM

62 mph is our sweet spot. the tach reads a little over 1400 rpm and I can get 9 - 10 mph unless it is windy. both traffic and wind will cause me to slow down. I must drive at least 58 mph to get it into 6th gear.