Community Forums

KarenS144 · 07-20-2014, 06:58 AM

We've been through the suitcase of manuals for the 2011 Ventana and DH has been reading through the chassis manual but we can't find anything about using the Comfort Drive system. Is there a manual and if so, is it online somewhere?

FlyingDiver · 07-20-2014, 09:52 AM

No, there's no manual. The only control is the effort knob, if you have it. Turn it to what's comfortable for you and leave it.

KarenS144 · 07-20-2014, 09:54 AM

Oh good! Thanks!

You've saved me hours of Googling.

KenSherwin · 07-20-2014, 12:45 PM

Even better, treat the efforts control like a radio volume knob. Don't leave it alone but set it to where it's comfortable right now. You might want it heavier in the morning but lighter in the afternoon. You might want it heavier in 5-lane-wide traffic but lighter when you have the interstate all to yourself. You might want it lighter in calm wind but heavier in gusty wind.......... or maybe the other way around. You might want it lighter when you're sitting back in the seat and relaxed but heavier when you're leaning forward and driving with your elbows to stretch the kinks out of your back. Oh, wait a minute. Strike that. Nobody drives with their elbows, do they? We ALL stop, get out, and walk around a bit. Right???

On the other hand, you might find one place that is absolutely perfect for you and never change it again........ and that's okay, too.

The point is that it's YOUR control. Set it where you want it, when you want it, and thank Barney and Barbara Barnett for causing it to exist.

<Lawyer rant on>
By the way, I am working on a set of demonstration instructions but am having lawyer problems. "What would happen if they had an accident while changing lanes because we told them to in the instructions ????? (insert shocked lawyer face here)." <Lawyer rant off>

I would love for this thread to continue with the rest of you sharing how you use the efforts control. You might be the one who discovered the really slick secret thing.

KenSherwin · 07-21-2014, 01:56 AM

Come on, people. Don't let me be a thread killer, here !!

"007" · 07-21-2014, 05:36 AM

Just to bring everyone up to date here are a few threads on COMFORT DRIVE over the past few months:
Love my CD

COMFORT DRIVE

Newmar comfort drive

COMFORT DRIVE DIFFERENCE

As you can see Ken is always here for your questions.

KarenS144 · 07-22-2014, 06:56 AM

I'll be the thread killer (I'm used to it

)!

Thanks for the information & links to other CD threads. There are some "testimonials" on You Tube and Newmar has a vid up on their site so between the reading & watching, I think we at least semi-understand CD. I think we'll get a chance to really try it out on Thursday!

BattChief · 07-24-2014, 02:24 PM

I change the dial setting on a regular basis. I like to set it on the lowest setting while parking, increase it to 1 1/2 to 2 whole driving in town and smooth highways with no or very little wind. I found that I would be "chasing" the steering on windier days, or asphalt roads with a lot of truck wear leaving ruts in the road. I will increase to 2 1/2 to 3 in these conditions, and find I don't over correct as much when I can feel the road better. It's a great product!

KenNJ · 07-24-2014, 02:36 PM

I use 3 1/2 most of the time except for when I am parking then I use a lower setting. What I really enjoy is the self centering feature, it makes parking your rig a snap.

Recently I was driving in PA where there are some pretty good sweeping turns in the mountain areas and using the higher setting made the turns really nice and easy.

Look in your Freightliner book for info on the comfort drive settings. I have heard they refer to it as "Column Drive".

Comfort drive is the real deal for sure.